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The Glacial Drumlin State Trail is a multipurpose
Traveling west from Waukesha, the trail runs continually for about 22 miles until reaching Jefferson. Near Jefferson, the trail takes a 1.5-mile detour where bikers travel along nearby low-traffic roads until reconnecting with the trail. Road signs guide travelers through this part of the trail.
The surface of the trail is paved with asphalt for the first 13 miles westward from Waukesha, then becoming crushed limestone for the remaining 39 miles.
Multiple rest stations are located at various locations along the trail. Most have running water and shade provided by an awning. Trail maps are also on display at these locations. Several parks along the trail provide restroom facilities and water.
16 wooden bridges are situated along the trail. Of these, two are more than 300 feet long and one, the Big Muck Farm Bridge, is more than 880 feet long; however, located several miles west of Lake Mills, it is currently closed due to flood damage suffered in 2008. A 0.7-mile detour is routed through Zeloski Marsh State Wildlife Area on the south side of the bridge. The decks of these bridges are constructed with 2x8 or 2x10 inch treated lumber attached over the existing railroad ties.
Video tour of eastern 20 miles
rail trail
A rail trail is a shared-use path on railway right of way. Rail trails are typically constructed after a railway has been abandoned and the track has been removed, but may also share the right of way with active railways, light rail, or streetcar ...
in the U.S. State
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
. It stretches from Waukesha (near Milwaukee
Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...
) to Cottage Grove (near Madison Madison may refer to:
People
* Madison (name), a given name and a surname
* James Madison (1751–1836), fourth president of the United States
Place names
* Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital of Wisconsin and the largest city known by this ...
). The trail travels through or near the Wisconsin communities of Cottage Grove, Deerfield, London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
, Lake Mills, Jefferson Jefferson may refer to:
Names
* Jefferson (surname)
* Jefferson (given name)
People
* Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third president of the United States
* Jefferson (footballer, born 1970), full name Jefferson Tomaz de Souza, Brazilian foo ...
, Helenville, Sullivan, Dousman, Genesee
Genesee, derived from the Seneca word for "pleasant valley", may refer to:
Geographic features Canada
*Genesee, Alberta, an unincorporated community
United States
*Genesee, California
*Genesee, Colorado
*Genesee County, Michigan
*Genesee Co ...
, Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
, and Waukesha. In Lake Mills, it crosses Rock Lake on one of its many old railroad bridges. The trail was opened in 1986 and follows the old Chicago and North Western Railway
The Chicago and North Western was a Class I railroad in the Midwestern United States. It was also known as the "North Western". The railroad operated more than of track at the turn of the 20th century, and over of track in seven states befor ...
(C&NW) Madison–Milwaukee mainline.
The name refers to a drumlin
A drumlin, from the Irish word ''droimnín'' ("littlest ridge"), first recorded in 1833, in the classical sense is an elongated hill in the shape of an inverted spoon or half-buried egg formed by glacial ice acting on underlying unconsolidated ...
, a glacial landform very common in the area.
About
Traveling west from Waukesha, the trail runs continually for about 22 miles until reaching Jefferson. Near Jefferson, the trail takes a 1.5-mile detour where bikers travel along nearby low-traffic roads until reconnecting with the trail. Road signs guide travelers through this part of the trail.
The surface of the trail is paved with asphalt for the first 13 miles westward from Waukesha, then becoming crushed limestone for the remaining 39 miles.
Multiple rest stations are located at various locations along the trail. Most have running water and shade provided by an awning. Trail maps are also on display at these locations. Several parks along the trail provide restroom facilities and water.
16 wooden bridges are situated along the trail. Of these, two are more than 300 feet long and one, the Big Muck Farm Bridge, is more than 880 feet long; however, located several miles west of Lake Mills, it is currently closed due to flood damage suffered in 2008. A 0.7-mile detour is routed through Zeloski Marsh State Wildlife Area on the south side of the bridge. The decks of these bridges are constructed with 2x8 or 2x10 inch treated lumber attached over the existing railroad ties.
Passes
Trail passes are required for any person age 16 or older for biking and in-line skating. A state trail pass is not required for walking, hiking, or skiing.Campgrounds
Camping opportunities near the Glacial Drumlin State Trail are available throughout the year at campgrounds in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Lake Kegonsa State Park, the Capital Springs State Recreation Area, and at the Sandhill Station State Campground.Winter activities
Snowmobiling
A snowmobile, also known as a Ski-Doo, snowmachine, sled, motor sled, motor sledge, skimobile, or snow scooter, is a motorized vehicle designed for winter travel and recreation on snow. It is designed to be operated on snow and ice and does not ...
, cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreation ...
, and snowshoe hiking are permitted on the trail during the winter months. Snowmobiles are only permitted on the 39-mile limestone section of the trail but not on the paved asphalt section between Waukesha and Dousman. Snowmobiles must follow all Wisconsin snowmobile laws on this trail.
Skiers and snowshoe hikers must share the trail with snowmobilers. Skiers and snowshoe hikers do not need a trail pass to use the trail.
Notes
The 5.1-mile section of the trail between Lake Mills and London is occasionally closed to accommodate aerial field spraying for farms in the area.External links
*Video tour of eastern 20 miles
References
{{Wisconsin hiking trails Protected areas of Dane County, Wisconsin Protected areas of Jefferson County, Wisconsin Rail trails in Wisconsin Protected areas of Waukesha County, Wisconsin