2016 Travels, Bicycling the Root River State Trail, Rushford, Minnesota and the Nature Center and Natural Playground in Huston, Minnesota.

The Root River State Trail, Minnesota. After bicycling the Elroy-Sparta State Trail we went to Rushford, Minnesota to ride the Root River State Trail, another Rails to Trails conversion. We learned about this trail from the "Bike Trails Guide for West Central Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota", which we picked up at the Sparta Depot. This 42-mile trail along the Root River connects the communities of Houston, Rushford, Peterson, Whalan, Lanesboro and Fountain. All of these towns have campgrounds and lodging to accommodate cyclists. We decide to make Rushford our central location for camping and riding the trail out and back in opposite directions.

Rushford welcomes cyclists on the Root River State Trail.

Rushford had a nice city campground at the edge of town where we camped on a grassy lawn across the road from a trailhead connecting us to the Root River State Trail. The camping fee was $25 for a full-hookup site and $10 for a tent site. We took the tent site since we didn't need any services. There were nice restroom facilities and coin-op showers.

The Rushford City Campground.

About Rushford. The Rushford Depot and Peterson Station Museum serve as the Root River trailhead in Rushford and preserve interesting artifacts and history of the days when this was a cultural center bustling with river travel and railway shipping. A new culture of tourism and bicycling is brightening Rushford's streets these days. There are nice lodging accommodations, restaurants and events during the summer that bring people to this pleasant town tucked in the Blufflands of southeast Minnesota. Some of the events in Rushford include Rushford Days, Taste of the Trail (free food samples), Expo Culinaria, Gammel Dag Fest and the Nanotek Trek Bike Ride.

The Rushford Depot along the Root River State Trail.

Riding the Trail. We have one day to bike the trail so in the morning we ride 25 miles from Rushford to Houston and back. The trail curves peacefully through the woods along the Root River, crossing the river once.

The bridge over the river between Rushford and Houston on the Root River State Trail.

A smooth, dreamy ride on the Root River State Trail.

No one else is on the trail and our ride is smooth and dreamy as we cruise at a good pace through the woods. This section of trail has no road crossings or interface with traffic until we approach Houston.

There's a slight grade as the trail ascends a hill before dropping back to the valley and Houston.

I brake for bird houses. Most of the bike trails we've ridden have bird houses along the open spaces. The Root River State Trail has some unusual constructions. They're made from 4-inch fiberglass pipe with a wood bottom and overhanging roof, mounted to a pole. The roof can be detached from the pipe for cleaning at the end of the season.

I brake for bird houses.

Houses can also be made for smaller birds like wrens and titmice by making the hole smaller to suit the size of the bird. The entry hole on a fiberglass or PVC pipe won't be worn away by the birds pecking or coming and going like entry holes in wood houses. Enlarged holes let larger birds like house sparrows get into the houses and displace or kill the smaller birds. Chickadees, Nuthatches, Wrens and Titmice require a 1and 1/8 inch (3cm.) hole. Bluebirds and Flycatchers require a 1and 5/8 inch (4 cm.) hole.

A simple idea for a bird house.

The countryside becomes more open as we approach Houston.

Jim on the Root River State Trail near Houston.

The Houston trailhead and Natural Playground. The trailhead in Houston is at the Natural Playground and Nature Center. The kids are in school so there's no one around. I'm inspired and impressed by the creativity of people who use what they have to do great things for themselves. They used wood, boulders and old concrete retaining wall slabs to create a fun place for kids to explore and play creatively. It's something any small community can do for very little investment beyond the labor of love. Here's some photos of the playground features.

Natural Playground welcome sign.

The Owl is the playground mascot.

A hill is the center of the playground. Concrete slabs around its base make caves and hideouts for kids to crawl into.

Concrete slabs at the base of the hill make caves and hideouts for kids.

The largest slab structure makes a nice hideout.

A wood climbing wall is built into one side of the hill.

A simple wood climbing wall.

A concrete of "Alice the Owl" inlayed with ceramic tiles sits on the hill top. I love this sculpture. It would be nice in my garden. Houston is the home of the International Festival of Owls so owls are the town mascot.

An owl sculpture is the spirit of the playground.

A detail of the ceramic tiles on the owl sculpture.

A wooden stair leads to the hill top and the slide. Since I'm already up there I may as well take the fast way down.

A slide is the only piece of prefab equipment in the playground.

Kids can also climb up a boulder field to the hilltop.

A boulder field make climbing up the hill more challenging.

No beach? Pump the water down the sluice to make wet sand and build a sand castle.

A hand pump and sluice deliver water to make sand castles.

Just a few logs set in the ground make a balancing course.

Balance course.

Open-ended wooden boxes of different lengths make a musical instrument.

A wooden musical instrument. The mallet was stored in one of the boxes.

Houston is the eastern terminus of the Root River State Trail. The community has a nice downtown area with lodging, dining and annual events like the International Festival of Owls, Taste of the Trails, Root River Triathlon and Houston Hoedown Day.

Playful bike wheel creatures inhabit the wildflower garden at the Houston Nature Center.

The Houston Nature Center. Unfortunately the Nature Center was closed on this day so we walked around the grounds and checked out the bike parts sculptures in the wildflower garden. It almost seems possible that these bikes could work.

Bike sculptures at the Houston Nature Center.

An arbor and flowers made of bike parts.

Ceramic bird condos at the Houston Nature Center.

After we ride back to Rushford we stop at The Creamery Pizza & Ice Cream Restaurant for a delicious codfish sandwich before heading west for a 27 mile round-trip ride from Rushford to Whalan and back.

Starting out on the trail from Rushford to Whalan.

This trail segment is a little different from the morning ride. The trail follows closer to the river and there are more views of the water. We hook up with a local rider and pick up the pace, careening through the woods on a smooth black ribbon.

riding through the woods on the trail to Whalan.

Nice views of the Root River along the trail to Whalan.

I saw this wonderful old barn with a decorative brick silo.

We turned around at Whalan. It was about another 15.8 miles to Fountain at the western terminus of the trail. It's mid afternoon, the sky's clouded up and a few sprinkles begin. We've ridden 50 miles today so we head back to Rushford. The Creamery is calling and we stop there on the way back to camp for a cup of the creamiest ice cream. Don't ask calorie content. We made sure we put in a good days work to indulge.

The total length of the Root River State Trail is 42.3 miles. It would be a fine days ride to do the entire length out and back from either direction. Each town had good food and the ride is easy, flat and scenic. This trail connects with the Harmony Preston Alley State Trail near the western terminus so there is more riding to be done. Something worth coming back for if we pass this way again.

Our next destination is Glenwood Springs in Colorado to ride the Rio Grande Trail from Glenwood Springs to Aspen.

See you down the road.
Jackie

2016 Tavels, Bicycling the Elroy - Sparta State Trail, WI

The Grand Daddy of Trails. One of our goals for our 2016 Travels was to bicycle the Elroy - Sparta State Trail in Wisconsin. This 32-mile long trail follows the Chicago Northwestern Railroad bed and is the first Rails to Trails conversion.

What also makes this trail unique are 3 railroad tunnels. Two of them are about 1/4 mile long and one about 3/4 mile long. Bicyclists must walk their bikes through the tunnels. You'll see why as we take you on this tour of the Grand Daddy of Trails.

A giant statue of Ben Bikin' welcomes us to Sparta.

We arrived in Sparta and got trail information from the Sparta Depot which serves as an information and welcome center for the Sparta end of the trail. They have maps of all the trail systems, trail souvenirs and trail passes. A $5 per person day pass is required to ride the trail and must be displayed on our bikes. We're glad to pay the fee to ride this unique trail.

While we were in Sparta we visit Speed's Bike Shop to get an adjustment on a recently installed cable. The folks at the shop were helpful and the owner adjusted my bike free of charge. The shop is located right along the trail just east of the Sparta Depot. They also have day passes, bike rentals and shuttles if you want to ride the entire 32-mile trail one way. There are also several other bike shops in Sparta that provide services.

The Sparta Depot serves as information a welcome center at the Sparta end of the Sparta-Elroy State Trail.

The Elroy - Sparta State Trail is surfaced with packed limestone which is said to be easy to ride with most bike tires. I was worried about how my 23mm tires would do on the surface but found the ride was very smooth.

Looking down the trail from the Sparta Depot platform.

After looking over the maps we decide to camp at the Wilton Village Campground near the center point in the trail. We stayed there 2 nights and rode the trail out and back in each direction from the town of Wilton. The plan worked out really well and broke the ride into 2 segments. It means we doubled the miles and got to walk our bikes through the tunnels twice. Double the experience, double the fun.

Our campsite at the Wilton Village Campground.

The Wilton Village Campground was a large grassy park. Like camping on a big lawn. There were restrooms, individual coin-op shower rooms and a small laundry room with a washer and dryer. The cost was $7 per person per night and an additional $3 per night for electric. It's a short 5 block ride to the trail head. The park also had a pool that campers could use for a $2 fee.

The Village of Wilton Campground welcomes bicyclists.

Wilton seems to have created this campground with bicyclists in mind. When we arrived most of the campsites were filled with cyclist who had the same plan we did. It was really neat camping in this little transient cycling community and visiting with others about trails they'd ridden.

Wilton's main street.

Wilton is a small community, hardly any traffic but there are a few places to eat and an ice cream shop. The community shows it's appreciation for cyclists.

A banner on a convenience store shows Wilton's appreciation for cyclists.

Signs at trail access points are a reminder that a day or annual passes are required to ride the trails. $5 isn't a bad price to pay to ride and help keep information centers operating and the trail maintained. Gateway communities for the trail are Elroy, Kendall, Norwalk and Sparta.

Signs at trail access points are reminders that passes are required to ride the trails.

Our first ride on the trail is from Wilton to Sparta. It's17 miles one way and passes through Tunnel 2 and 3. The trail is railroad grade, mostly flat but with an occasional 3% grade as it ascends to the tunnels.

Jim rides the Wilton to Sparta segment of the trail.

It's about 2 miles from Wilton to Tunnel 2 which is 1,694 feet long. A plaque at the entrance gives railroad history and stats about the tunnel.

The plaque at Tunnel 2 has railroad history and Tunnel Trivia.

Approaching Tunnel 2.

Tunnel 2 has wood framework above the entrance but we're not sure what the purpose was. Maybe for extra support of the brick above the tunnel. Signs at the entrance tell cyclists they must walk their bikes. When you see the rough, rounded surface of the trail in the tunnels you won't want to think about riding. Water seepage also makes riding hazardous. Bike lights or headlamps are required. The tunnel is pitch black with temps about 57 degrees. Raw rock walls and occasionally finished brick work arcs up to the high ceiling. It's like entering the Mines of Moria in the Lord of the Rings. Voices of other cyclist echo down the tunnel in strange unintelligible words and we see their tiny distant lights moving toward us. Having to walk a bike couldn't be more fun.

Jim enters Tunnel 2.

The trail passes through farmlands.

The trail scenery is varied, passing through open country with farms tucked into the hills and through wild woodlands where trees arch over the trail . It's all a very enjoyable ride.

A dairy farm along the trail.

The trail passes through wild woodlands.

Nine miles from Wilton we arrive at Tunnel 3, the longest of the tunnels at 3,810 in length.

Tunnel 3 Trivia and history plaque.

The trail is also used by hikers and joggers who we often meet along the way.

Jim approaches the Tunnel 3 were we meet hikers emerging from the tunnel.

It's a long way to the light at the end of Tunnel 3.

The light at the end of Tunnel 3 is very small and a long way off. This is also the wettest of the tunnels. Water from a spring drips from the tunnel ceiling and through the vents in our helmets as we walk.

It was 8 miles from Tunnel 3 to Sparta, the turnaround point in this ride. Wilton to Sparta and back to Wilton is 34 miles round trip.

Riding the trail from Wilton to Elroy.

Our second ride was from Wilton To Elroy, about 15 miles one way. Tunnel 1 between Wilton and Kendall is the only tunnel on this segment.

The approach to Tunnel 1.

It's 6 miles from Wilton to Tunnel 1. The approach is in a long trench cut into the mountain. The tunnel is about 1,694 feet long.

The plaque at Tunnel 1.

Every tunnel entrance has a different look but they all have big wooden doors at the entrances. When the railroad was operating the doors were  to keep the tunnel warmer and prevent ice forming on the track. They were opened manually when trains came. Probably not the most fun job to have in winter.

The approach to Tunnel 1.

Jim and the light at the end of the tunnel.

Looking out from Tunnel 1 as Jackie rides up.

Every tunnel entrance has a reminder to get off the bike and walk.

Reminders to get off the bike and walk through the tunnel.

The trail to between Wilton and Elroy.

It's 3 miles from Tunnel 1 to Kendall. The Kendall Depot is the head quarters for the Elroy to Sparta Start Trail.

Kendall Depot, headquarters for the Elroy - Sparta State Trail.

This plaque tells about the job of the brakeman and purpose of the frame work at the approach to the tunnels.

There are many historical plaques along the way that tell about the construction and operation of the railroad. The frame structure at the approach to Tunnel 1 pictured in the above plaque warned the brakeman, who often worked on top of the train, that they were approaching a tunnel. It also warned the hobos who often rode on top of the train. Each tunnel approach had a frame like this but this is the only one that has been preserved.

The frame at the approach to Tunnel 1 gave the brakeman advance warning that they were approaching a tunnel.

The Elroy - Sparta trail rolls on through the countryside just as the trains did. Soon we'll be approaching the Elroy Depot.

The bike path makes a straight line for the Elroy Depot.

The Elroy Depot.

The Elroy Depot has an information center, give shop and snacks. A great place to get refreshed and have some ice cream.

Jackie and her souvenir photo.

There are also other photo opportunities. Jackie has to take the opportunity for a souvenir photo all though a dress an parasol would have been better for a biking lady.

A brief history of the Elroy to Sparta State Trail.

Elroy is our turnaround point and after some ice cream we head back to Wilton. A plaque at the Elroy Trailhead give a brief history of the trail.

Ben Bikin'.

Back in Sparta, Ben Bikin' will continue to welcome bicyclists. This area is indeed a biking capitol. There are 3 other trails here and we'll plan on riding if we pass this way again. These trails are: The 25 mile Great River Trail, the 22 mile La Crosse River Trail and the 22 mile 400 Trail. So if you plan on coming give yourself a few extra day to enjoy this trails and bike-friendly communities.

See you on down the trail.
Jackie