Tri-County Corridor:
Wisconsin
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Description:
Get away from it all on the Tri-County Recreational Corridor. Pick up this North Woods rail-trail in Superior, where it connects with the urban Osaugie Trail. Spanning the three counties of Ashland, Bayfield, and Douglas, the Tri-County trail is a direct west to east shot between Superior and Ashland. Most of the trail is surfaced with crushed limestone and open to a wide variety of uses.(If asphalt is what you're after, head east to Ashland's Central Railyard Park for a short, smooth trip on the trail's 3-mile strip of pavement.)
Bicyclists, hikers, and equestrians share the trail with all-terrain vehicles from spring through fall, while snowmobiles dominate in winter. Signs specify that motorized users keep to one side of the trail, which keeps the surface suitable on the opposite side. However, increased ATV traffic-especially on weekends-can make for a bumpy bike ride in some sections due to sporadic patches of loose gravel.
Even though Highway 2 parallels most of the trail and is somewhat visible, the long ride from Superior to Ashland feels secluded and peaceful. Wildlife is abundant. Scenic Amnicon Falls State Park, just 7 miles outside Superior, is home to fox, porcupine, and other small animals. Further along, peer into the beautiful stands of birch trees lining the path to find deer quietly hiding. Bridges and old railroad trestles high over churning rivers and streams create a peaceful respite for bird watching.
Amenities along this trail are scarce. The town of Iron River, at Mile 40, is the first-and last-chance to find refreshments or a restroom (take County Rd. A south into town) until the trail's end.
Nearing Ashland, at Mile 60, the trail becomes a paved backyard path, intersecting sleepy neighborhood streets. This 3-mile section is the only portion suitable for wheelchairs and in-line skates.
Ashland, with beautiful views of Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay, is the perfect end to this scenic trail. But if you choose to begin in Ashland, bypass the Tri-County trail's official terminus, in an industrial area lacking parking and other facilities. Start instead at Central Railyard Park, where an old rail complex has begun a new life as a thriving community center with playgrounds, gazebos, and a skateboard park. There are plans in place to extend the trail to the waterfront, where the lakeside breeze will provide an even more refreshing finish to a long journey.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Tri-County Recreational Corridor in Ashland from the west, take State Hwy. 137 east into town. The road becomes West 6th Street. Parking is available at Central Railyard Park across from the intersection of 4th Avenue West and West 6th Street.
From the east, take US Hwy. 2 west into Ashland, where it becomes Lakeshore Drive East. Turn left on Ellis Avenue (State Hwy. 13) and a right on West 6th Street. Look for parking at Central Railyard Park to your right across from the intersection of 4th Avenue West and West 6th Street.
To reach the trail from Superior, take East 2nd Street south out of town. Immediately after it becomes US Hwy. 53 south, take a left on Moccasin Mike Road (also 57th Avenue East). Take the first left into a parking lot and the trail will be on your right.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Use Local Roads if your on a Bike!
By Jeff Emerson in February, 2008
This trail does not work for bikes, and the parallel highway, US 2, has a lot of traffic, with many trucks, with a narrow paved shoulder. There are wonderful paved local roads through this area, and with a little misdirection now and then, it is a much better option for bicyclists.

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/bike-foot/countymaps.htm

At the link above you will find a links to maps that show the best local roads and recomended routes along this corridor.
Mountain bikes only
By craig eckhoff in May, 2004
"I rode this in late summer of 2003. It can be a long while between without services, so stock up on liquids. The ATVs wore it out some. I reduced my tires to 35 psi and did all right. This trail is definitely for mountain bikes only."
Don't Bother with This Trail
By Ron in September, 2000
The paved part of this trail in Superior is fine. Until Iron River heading east the trail is somewhat rideable with only a few spots where the gravel is not packed.
Then it gets terrible. I love riding rail trails but this one has been destoryed by ATVs. They should never be allowed on the same trail. The ATVs are supposed to stay on one half. They don't. Bikes are treated as second class citizens here. The trail was graded after Iron River but the gravel was large and in a thick layer which sapped all my strength. Then to top it off I came to a portion of the trail about 300 yards long under water. It was dry up here too. I had to back track to US 2 cause I couldn't tell how deep the water was. US 2 is a high traffic high risk highway because of the shoulders are soft with very thick loose gravel. The paved part of the shoulder was just about 2 feet wide and people on that highway really cruise. I finally quit the trail north of Ino. The scenery on this trail is wonderful. The chamber of commerces on either end of this trail know absolutely nothing about this trail so don't ask. They both gave me the wrong information. Go elsewhere.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Ashland to Superior
Counties: Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas
Trail Length: 61.8 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: ATV, Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6017736

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Guidebook: Learn more about other Midwestern rail-trails in RTC's Midwestern Guidebook.