The Pike River Pathway is a paved, multiuse trail that parallels the river after which its named through meadows, fields, woods, and residential areas in the Village of Mount Pleasant, WI.
From its north end on Old Spring Road, the trail heads south through meadows and lightly wooded areas. After the access point at Wendi Court & Timmer Lane, the trail runs along both sides of the reconstructed Pike River through the Village of Mount Pleasant and unincorporated parts of Racine County. The path is convenient to several neighborhoods in the community, giving residents a path for recreation and exercise practically in their backyards. Birds, frogs and other wildlife call the adjacent wetlands home, making it a peaceful place to get in touch with nature.
South of the trail's loop around a pond, the Pike River Pathway connects to the Racine-Sturtevant Trail, which heads east into Racine and links the pathway to a fantastic trail network that runs south all the way to Chicago.
Continuing south, the Pike River Pathway crosses Durand Ave/Highway 11, where there is a HAWK signal system for pedestrians crossing the busy highway. After crossing Braun Road, the trail continues south to 1st Street/Highway KR, where it connects to the paved KR Trail that begins in Somers at the county line.
Parking for the Pike River Pathway is available at three dedicated lots on Oakes Road, Timmer Lane and Old Spring Street.
Nice trail crossing Hwy 20 is kind of a pain but south of that it is nice. It goes to Hwy KR which is a lot further than the map shows. You can even go to Petrified Springs by taking the pathway that runs parallel to Hwy 31.
Nice level trail, if you're walking, bring water, limited shade available
The trail in last couple of years has been extended south to Highway KR.
Construction of a 36" water main paralleling the path in 2020 closed a considerable amount of the trail from Braun Road to almost Case H.S./about 16 th street.
And in 2021 the south end of the trail from Braun Road south to Highway KR was closed for construction of an adjacent Foxconn/TID related sewage pump lift station/2-20" force mains and the construction/replacement of Highway KR (new KR includes a bridges over U.P. and C.P. railroads and the Pike River) .
The trail is now fully open and connects to paved paths: that parallel KR and lead west to paved paths surrounding/adjacent to Foxconn along with connection east to Kenosha County paved path leading south to Petrifying Springs - Kenosha County Park.
From Petrifying Springs dedicated paved paths lead south to Illinois and McClory bike trail.
Rails to Trails needs to update their description/mapping of this area as much has changed in the last couple of years.
Couldn't get too far because of construction projects ¿¿
The Pike River Pathway trail, for a few years now, has extended to the south of the map description. It goes from the described loop to Highway 20/Washington to just south of Highway 11. There is a chance it may be extended further south into the 2016 completed ACOE Pike River flood control project's Areas: 7; 8 & 9, to County Highway KR if Grant money can be secured by the Village of Mount Pleasant. It might be connected eventually to Kenosha County's Petrifying Springs Park bike path which is to the south of County Highway KR at Highway A.
I live very close to this short trail and it is my go-to happy place to ride my bike, walk, and exercise my dogs. It is a little wild gem in the heart of an urban area. You can see many different wildfowl and other birds, muskrat and the odd beaver as it explores the area. Deer, mink, raccoons, opossum, fox and coyote inhabit the area also, but they keep out of sight mostly. Planted with native prairie and wetland plants, it is a good place to see what this area looked like before it was settled.
Yes, occasionally the low bridges will be flooded, especially with heavy spring rains and snow melt, but it usually is an easy path to navigate for all.
If you walk your dogs, please remember to bring bags to pick up their waste. They are not provided, although trash containers are at four spots.
It is a nice, short trail. Great to bring smaller kids on or for someone who cannot ride longer distances.
There is a bridge that after a heavy rainfall is almost a foot under water. It's close to the end by the parking lot off "old Spring Road". If you park on the end of Timmer lane you can go around the loop, but will have to turn back at the bridge.
We saw a lot of birds and heard a lot of frogs. As I mentioned is is a nice trail if you are looking for a casual, flat easy ride.
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