The most photographed bridge along the Interurban Trail, the bridge that crosses the Milwaukee River in Grafton.
Ride the INTERURBAN Again!
A new, 30-mile multipurpose rail-trail cuts a path across Ozaukee County By Jerry Kiesow What's an interurban? My Random House Webster's College
Dictionary, the 1996 edition, defines the word as "... a transportation system operating between cities." OK, that works. We will be traveling from town to town, and then some. 
| The tracks, bike, ski and footprints say it all - multipurpose. |
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So, are we going on a train ride?
Not exactly. The little green signs
with the generic outline of a bicycle in white identify the trail as a "bike route," and yes, bicycles use it, but so do walkers, joggers, runners, and, although I have not seen them, I would guess skateboarders and rollerbladers do, too, and, of course, cross country skiers and snowshoers if we would ever get the snow in this neck of the woods. (Look also for signs with black bike outlines on yellow, and official trail signs the
combination of signage can make your first trip interesting.) So? What has all this to do with interurban? Well, we will be traveling from town to town, just like the old "Northern Route" interurban used to do, using, mostly, the same old railroad bed. The rails have been pulled, the trail graded and leveled as required, and blacktop has been applied. A bridge was even rebuilt, using the same
old pilings the original bridge used. We are, of course, talking about the new Ozaukee Interurban Trail, and yes, you can ride the interurban again, albeit symbolically, by using the trail in your own particular preferred manner, because you will be using your choice of "... transportation system ... between cities," or towns and villages, as the case may be. Last September, the 28th to be exact, the trail officially opened in all of the cities, towns and villages along the trail's route. Ribbons were cut, speeches were spoken, pins, maps and T shirts were given or sold. Of course, the trail had been tested earlier, but Sept. 28, 2003, was the grand celebration. A Bit of History
The Northern Route was an electric railway which ran from Milwaukee to Sheboygan in the early 1900s. The line not only carried people, but freight as well. By making the proper connections with other southern routes, in the late 1920s and early '30s many African American blues musicians used the interurban to get to the Paramount Records recording studios in Port Washington and Grafton.
Advances in the automobile, buses and trucking eventually put the line
out of business during the late 1940s and early '50s. The last spur, in Port Washington, the C&NW coal spur to the electric company, was used until the 1970s.
Area citizens began talking about using the old right of way for a trail early in the 1990s. Ozaukee County got involved in 1997 and construction began in 2001. Completion of the paving will be done this year.
The Trail Overview
The south trailhead begins at County Line Road, the
Milwaukee/Ozaukee county line, about one half mile west of Highway 57. The trail heads north/northeast to County Highway K, a mile plus west of Interstate 43 to the Ozaukee/Sheboygan county line just shy of 30 miles of mostly blacktop paved trail way.
The trail, for the most part being an old railroad bed, is generally level. Coming out of Grafton, when heading north, is a long grade, but not strenuous. The biggest hill is in Port Washington as you leave the harbor
area, but it is too beautiful to be avoided. A small stream, whose presence is dependent on rainfall amounts, parallels much of the trail, and they, the stream and the trail, are sided by a wooded ravine a great spot for songbirds and don't be surprised if a deer crosses your path; yes, right in the middle of the city of Port Washington.
This is a trail like no other we have biked. With ample access, one can do a short section, the entire length, or become completely distracted by
the tourist communities you travel through. You can spend a few hours, an entire day or, if you are a shopper, antiquer, or one who enjoys sampling food, an entire weekend may not be enough. And as with most trails, each season brings new signs and opportunities.
It reminds me somewhat of the Root River Trail in Minnesota, where, as a friend of ours put it, "You can eat your way along the entire trail."
Allow me to be your guide as we bike.
A Closer Look
Our first few miles on the south end are still packed gravel as I write, but may be blacktopped by the time you read this. We pedaled through some small "wild" places, as well as residential back yards. Our first city/village is the combination of Mequon/Thiensville.
If you would like to make your first side trip, swing east at Division Street. You will know it by seeing a large church and the city hall on
your right. Bike through town, check out the shops and restaurants, and the river park at the falls you will see, on your right, from Main Street.
You can return to the trail anytime using Buntrock Avenue, Freistadt Road or continue along the highway to Highland Road. If you want to combine hiking with biking, at Highland bike up the hill, east to Green Bay Road, turn right and stop at Highland Woods. Return to the trail via Highland Road.
Actually, again at this writing, the trail uses the highway for about a half mile. There has been a delay completing this portion of the trail because permits from the RR and DNR took time to go through channels, and special engineering plans needed to be made. (That's a lot of hang ups for a half mile or so of trail, but ... it all must be done.) Hopefully, according to the people close to the problem, all will come together and the trail will be complete by this year.
Once you cross the railroad tracks, the trail resumes on your left. The next few miles are the typical mix of "wilderness" and back yards. We are now approaching Cedarburg tourist town U.S.A. as we locals think of it. If you have never heard of this city, you must not be an artsy/craftsy shopper or antiquer. To mention all of the places to see and establishments to eat and refresh yourself in would take a story of its
own, and many have been written; you will have to check it out for yourself. I would just say that to get to Main Street from the trail, take any street from Pioneer north, a few blocks east. You will know when you are there.
Should you decide to stay on the trail through the lesser traveled streets, you will cross the main shopping street, Washington Avenue, anyway. It is right after you come through the parking lot of the community center
and head for the first of two ornate bridges the "interurban bridge." This bridge crosses Cedar Creek.
Continuing through Cedarburg on our way to Grafton, we visit more interesting back yards and, if you visit soon before everything is developed, there will still be a bit of pleasant woodland.
Once in Grafton, there are more spots to eat and if you have need of bike repair, look for Grafton Ski & Cyclery on the corner of highways
60 and O. The owners were instrumental in getting the trail up and running. Ask about bike rentals if you are walking.
The map shows two route choices through Grafton. The quickest, with least traffic, is the one that follows First Avenue. If your bike needs fixing or you want to shop or eat, use the Maple, Wisconsin, Broad and 13th streets circuit. Either way, you end up at the same place heading out of town.
Along the second route, as you cross Bridge Street, look right and
notice the old mill another distraction check out the artisans in residence.
Back on the only trail route available, just past the swimming pool, is the most photographed spot on the trail, the bridge that crosses the Milwaukee River. The bridge is really new, although it has been reconstructed to look as the original bridge did. The bridge pilings, however, are the same ones which held the trestle and tracks for the trains.
From here to Port Washington the trail gets a bit more interesting, although you must leave the original bed in order to cross Interstate 43. (Building a new bridge to cross the interstate to accommodate users is cost prohibitive unless some generous benefactor would like to do that.) Watch the signage carefully when leaving the trail at Terminal Drive. You will cross the interstate on Ulao Parkway, then make a left through a subdivision, picking up the trail on the northwest corner of the
subdivision.
From the river bridge north is a birder's trail. I know because for many years we used it before it became an official trail to find many songbird species and hawks each December during the Annual Christmas Bird Count. There are woods, backyard feeders, small barnyards and tilled or semiharvested farmland. Look for deer, fox and coyote tracks if you use the trail in winter.
As you approach Port Washington, notice the sign that states, "Bicycle
helmets are required if under 16 years of age." This is a city of Port Washington regulation only; it does not apply to the balance of the trail but it is enforced in Port Washington.
After a brief trek though a small portion of industrial and residential Port, get ready to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a maritime Great Lake's town. If Ewigs is up and "cooking," the smell of freshly smoked fish will fill your nostrils.
Follow the signs down Main Street. When the trail heads down to the harbor, take a little detour and check out the boats. Walk to the lighthouse if the waves are not crashing over the wall.
Back on the trail, working your way out of town and crossing, rather going under, I 43 can get a bit unenjoyable because of traffic and wind, but it is only a mile or so, so not a real problem. (Another benefactor would be appreciated for another bridge.)
Once you are past this short portion of trail, you get to, in my opinion, the best part of the trail. Our small towns are nice and touristy, but from here to the end of the trail is a country ride, with the exception of one small town, Belgium, where the crossing is short. (I live here and shop here and eat here all the time, so I am accustomed to the quality of merchandise and food.) The trail from here to the end is open country.
Pedaling is varied, but not difficult. The countryside is also varied farms, woods, wetlands. Critters cross your path deer, woodchucks and chipmunks are not uncommon. We have seen turkeys along the edge of the trail passing through the woods into a farm field on one of our outings. Avians flit and flutter and soar overhead. Wildflowers continuously keep the trail side a kaleidoscope of ever changing color.
A Final FYI
As a member of the local citizenry, the trail is the best thing to come our way in a while. I can do sections, walking or biking, or, when the spirit moves me, I can make a very pleasant day of pedaling up a storm, ending said trek with a juicy burger and brew, overlooking Lake Michigan.
The south end of the trail meets the Oak Leaf Trail which travels through Milwaukee County. The north end of the trail presently ends, but it is
hoped that in the not too distant future the trail will be continued and connect with the Old Plank Road Trail, which runs from Sheboygan to Greenbush. Someday, no date has been set, it is hoped that all these trails will connect so a biker, hiker or skier can travel from Milwaukee to Green Bay. Won't that be something?
It is already a very popular trail and I see no reason for it not to become even more so as it becomes better known. If there is a negative, it is as a
ski trail. The blacktop absorbs the sun's rays and holds the heat, so melt time is quite quick.
For information packages contact Ozaukee County Tourism Council, 126 E. Grand Ave., Port Washington, WI 53074; 262/284 9288, or visit their Web site at www.co.ozaukee.wi.us, click on "bike trail" and
go from there. | |
