Mountain-Bay State Trail Explained

The Mountain-Bay State Trail is an 83-mile state-designated rail trail in Brown, Marathon, and Shawano Counties in Wisconsin. The trail is the longest rail trail in the state.[1]

The trail is named for the two geological features at either end of the trail: Green Bay and Rib Mountain.

Route

For much of the route, the trail roughly parallels Wisconsin Highway 29. The trail begins on Lakeview Dr. in Green Bay, Wisconsin (44.565°N -88.0647°W), and travels northwest, where it ends in Weston, Wisconsin (44.9069°N -89.5517°W). There is a gap in the trail in Shawano, Wisconsin, where trail users must use local roads after crossing the Wolf River.[2] The trail is 83 miles long, and is made of crushed stone.[2]

Access

The trail is open to walkers, joggers, bicyclists in the summer, and snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter. Horseback riding is permitted in the Shawano County section, but not in the Brown or Marathon County sections.[2]

The trail is free to walk or run, but a trail pass must be purchased in order to bike the trail, which may be purchased at several self-registration stations along the trail.[3]

History

The trail was first created in 1996.[1] It uses an abandoned rail line from the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mountain-Bay State Trail a tour of the outdoors . Dan Richter . Wausau Daily Herald . June 4, 2015 . August 15, 2016.
  2. Web site: Mountain-Bay State Trail . Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources . August 15, 2016.
  3. Web site: FAQ . Friends of Mountain-Bay State Trail . August 15, 2016.