The Trail is Officially Open for the Season

As these pictures show, the Village of Weston successfully completed construction of an asphalt paved walk-way parallel to the existing  trail.   This paved walk-way will be open year-round to bicyclists and pedestrians both.

It will provide safe access for children to get to both the Mountain-Bay Elementary and D.C Everest Middle Schools.   It was all part of the project to widen Schofield Avenue from two to four lanes between Ryan Road and County Highway J.

Good Job ! Weston!

Photos by Dave Petroske.

A Famers Market is nearby

One of the things that is ongoing.  Every Tuesday and Saturday through-out the summer, the Village of Weston hosts  Farmer’s Market at their own Farmers Market Park just west of the Municipal Center on Schofield  Avenue which is less than two blocks south of the Weston Trail-head on the Mountain-Bay State Trail.   This is where the wheel meets the pavement.   Bike riding on the Mountain-Bay State Trail, like all rail-trails in Wisconsin and elsewhere doesn’t have to be just recreational.   With a good trailer or even good panniers,  residents of Weston and Ringle or any other nearby community along the trail can come and pick up an ample supply of produce, plants for the garden, or locally crafted goods, and shopping would be much greener.

With the future extension of the Mountain-Bay State Trail becoming more or less a reality, it is quite possible that even residents of Schofield will have safe access to this market with good quality and low prices.   They would even save more simply by using their bikes instead of their cars.   Bicycles are the most efficient vehicles around.

The new bike and pedestrian overpass at Birch Street in Weston is open and useable.   It is lighted for night time use and  allows for bike and pedestrian access to the Weston Medical Center. A signed route will connect the Mountain-Bay Trail in the near  future as the Mountain-Bay Trail will also be extended  in to the City of Schofield.  This bike and pedestrian crossing will connect the Mountain-Bay Trail with the Village of Weston south of Highway 29 and Rothschild.  Plans along with this include a signed route to connect with the Bike and Pedestrian Bridge into the Town of Rib Mountain.

This photo  shows the northern route into the City of Wausau.  This is quite a scenic right-of-way.

This is the northen connection of the former Northwestern Railroad in Weston. This line fed into Wausau Junction.

Mountain-Bay State Trail In Winter

The Mountain Bay State Trail, like all of Wisconsin’s rail-trails, is a year-round recreational trail.  After the snow flies, the trail is open to snowmobilers, snow shoe hikers, and skiers (on the side).  The scenery of North Central and Eastern Wisconsin is spectacular in winter as it is in all seasons and a trip on a rail-trail is a great way to experience it.

So get out and get going.  Your enjoyment is guaranteed in the quiet of nature and small towns that the Mountain – Bay connects.

Wittenburg Post Office

It is not often that you hear good things from people or that efforts are appreciated.  But here is a letter worth sharing fro a couple in Mt Horeb.

To the Friends of the Mountain-Bay Trail in Marathon County  6/7/2010.

We recently cycled the Mountain-Bay Trail in Marathon and Shawano Counties.

We really appreciate the efforts of the Friends of the Trail in Marathon County.

The display of buildings in Eland was very interesting.  We appreciate the mile markers and especially the interpretive signs.  We always stop and read them.  It adds so much to our bike outings.

Please accept a small donation to continue these projects.

Sincerly,

Ray and Carol Clinton

Photo by Andrew Plath, Wild Light Photography

This is one of the many ponds and lakes that the Mountain-Bay State Trail passes in eastern Marathon County. At most of the trail-heads, there are now markers showing this trail as an Aldo Leopold Legacy Trail. You can enjoy the environment as you roll through it on your journey.

Photo by Andrew Plath, Wild Light Photography

Traveling the Mountain – Bay State Trail in autumn is a trip for the eyes as the season changes. The Trail offers intimate views of the environment as it crosses the eastern half of Marathon County and into Shawano County in Wisconsin. Through the forests and tamarack swamps that the trail passes, as the season changes, so do the colors of the landscape.

Take a ride, get out, and enjoy the trail as it takes you from village to village away from the busy highways. The cool weather will comfort you. The sites, and the sounds of nature on the trail will excite you.