Featured bike path - Cedar Creek Trail
My husband and I took our wedding photos on the bike & pedestrian bridge over the Wisconsin River connecting Rothschild and Rib Mountain.
The Wisconsin River bike and pedestrian bridge and I have a lot of history. I have been on this trail from -25F (-35F if you factor in wind chill) to 90F every month of the year. I took my wedding photos on this bridge. And I rollerskiied on it up to the day I had each of my children.
Many times I experienced the trail in complete solitude. In fact, sometimes (based on my footprints being the only ones in the snow), I was the only person to use the trail that day. Certainly not the case today as I ventured out of the house to explore the trail with my three children.
Thousand times!
I have been on the Wisconsin River bike and pedestrian bridge a thousand times, which is no exaggeration. I ran, biked, and rollerskied on my way to work for nearly a decade. In 2017 I recorded 191 days! We put about 1500 miles on the Chariot bike cart / jogger a year between my husband and I using that segment of trail to transport our children to day care prior to the work day.
My five year old smiles as she skips across the bridge. And her enthusiasm was just as strong a couple of miles later.
Here’s the same bridge last summer, transformed by the vibrant greenery.
Our kids are people watchers no matter where we go - bike path included!
Mundane transformed to adventure
I had been planning on taking my kids on some spring rides and with the Safer at Home order, it now became even more anticipated. Our first outing was on a bike and pedestrian path I have done more than any other, yet today I had experienced it differently than any other time. It was no longer viewed as a mundane commute to work, but an outdoor adventure.
We stopped several times along the route to enjoy the views. I even noticed an unique sight along the trail – two trees with separate bases that grew together then separated- for the very first time!
Five years ago I shared this weather photo. We have put thousands of miles on our Chariot on this segment of trail with all three of our children, with 176 and 169 days over the bridge in 2015 and 2016! It is rewarding to see my oldest now running over this bridge!
As we turned away from the Wisconsin River to cross under Business 51, I parked the “mama train” (what we call the bike and two trailers connected) and let the kids out of the trailer so they could fully take in this section of trail (plus they need to get exercise too!). My kids loved the bridges including the two covered bridges on the route.
Payback time
The most rewarding part of the excursion was that when we all returned to the mama train. My oldest decided to continue on her own. I fully expected that when we approached a bit of standing water across the trail (the trail had recently flooded) that she would jump back in the cart. Nope - she decided to hike through the woods, and even the downed two-foot diameter tree didn’t stop her! She needed to find foot holds since she wasn’t tall enough to step over, but proudly muscled herself up and over the obstacle. We soon found ourselves crossing the Wisconsin River and were back into Rib Mountain. It was only when we arrived at the road and I told her for safety to ride the rest of the way that she reluctantly agreed.
Nature at your fingertips
I look forward in revisiting next month when wildflowers blanket the ground, particularly trilliums. My oldest will enjoy counting the different types of flowers and my younger daughter identifying all the different colors.
Later in the year, I have stopped many times to enjoy raspberries, black caps, blackberries, and even gooseberries along the trail. My kids even remembered today where some of these spots are!
We didn’t see any wildlife today, but I have seen numerous deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, ducks, geese, and even fox along the trail. I have also smelled skunk but luckily no sightings. One winter, there was even a black bear hibernating not far a few hundred meters off the trail!
What you should know
We took in the views of the Wisconsin River which literally flowed over the trail recently.
This is a great out-and-back trail for kids as it is very scenic with virtually no hills and minimal traffic. The entire path is paved with a short segment on low-traffic residential roads between West Military and River Street Park in Rothschild. River Street Park has a playground and bathrooms open in non-winter months.
Insider scoop
If you go on this trail during the summer months, bring bug spray.
Most of the trail is located in a flood plain, so it is prone to flooding.
If you want to explore a bit in the woods, right after you cross onto the west side of the Wisconsin River, there’s an unmarked trail to the north along the river to the boat landing. After the boat landing you can continue hiking north where snowmobilers access Lake Wausau.
How to get there
The Cedar Creek bike & pedestrian trail connects Cedar Creek Mall to Rib Mountain via a dedicated bike & pedestrian bridge over the Wisconsin River. There are parking areas at several points along the trail
1) North trailhead at Sunrise Drive in Rib Mountain
2) River Street Park in Rothschild (location of a Bike Fixation Station)
3) West Military Road, and
4) Cedar Creek Mall.
For those looking for a longer route (this route is just over 4 miles), once in Rib Mountain, you may continue on the Town of Rib Mountain’s bike routes or continue on bike Route 7 to connect to the 51/29 Trail or County Hwy R Trail. The trail extends past Cedar Creek Mall in Rothschild as well.
What’s next
I’ll continue to share family bike rides on our local bike paths such as the Hwy R / Hwy 51/29 loop in Rib Mountain. We test rode the tag-along with my oldest for the first time today, so I’ll share more adventures soon.
Next week, I’ll also share a great family recipe to make and eat together - Stromboli!
Don’t forget to get out and active too - participate in our #IRONBULLchallenge!
Your turn to share
Where do you like to take a Sunday stroll / bike? Share your favorites below!