As promised, I'm posting my photos of the Green Circle Trail. I rode it a second time, this time with my mother.

Here's where we entered the trail at the Schmeeckle Reserve. The reserve belongs to UW-Steven's Point, and has a visitor's center and gift shop, with a little museum. You can get maps here of the Green Circle trail, and also of the many little side trails within the reserve itself.

Here's my mom, as we cross the little log bridge and enter the forest. My mom wants me to let you know she's available. ;)

Many marshy areas are covered by these boardwalks. Most of them were prefaced by notices requesting that cyclists please walk their bikes on the boardwalk. We didn't, though. :D

Just outside the Schmeeckle Reserve (where Schmeeckles run wild and free) is this frisbee golf course. I'd never seen one before. The two cyclists you see had actually finished their game but were kind enough to toss their frisbees for my photo. :)

Much of the trail runs through woods and planted pines. Here's where it runs along the Plover River, which winds back and forth in tight curves like a piece of ribbon candy. The trail comes in view of its coils about six or eight times

Here's a view of downtown Stevens point, where the trail crosses Highway 10 on the road. Last time I came through here, the road was completely torn up. Now they had gravel down, at least.

Parts of the trail ran on streets through pleasant, woodsy, residential areas like this one. As you can see, the trail was getting plenty of use!

Here's where the trail enters Iverson Park. Whoever built that gate must have liked castles. So do I.

This is where the Plover River joins McDill Pond, which connects further on to the Wisconsin River.

At this point the trail crosses the water under an active railroad bridge. One of those two trains was moving as I took the picture, though it had passed by before I actually went through. Too bad. :) Anyway, this is a very cool spot. The signs tell you to walk, but i rode through the first time with no trouble. (This time there were pedestrians present, though, so I walked.)

Just another nice view. This trail has a lot of water around it.

I thought this was a rather nice little bridge. :)

Don't you hate it when inconsiderate people park their vehicles in the bike lane?:D

Yep, this train was left across the path. My mother and I debated whether to go over, under, or around. We chose around, for the reason that we didn't want to possibly end up with one of us in the next state. We walked over the grass about 4 or 5 cars down the track to get by.

Shortly after we passed, the train began to make hissy noises...and later I heard train whistles, so I assume it really did leave eventually. Good thing my bike (and my mom!) wasn't on it when it went...

By the way, this happened on Strange Street. Honest.

Getting along to the end, now...this is a view of the Wisconsin River.

The trail runs along the river for quite a while, through woods and parks.

And another view of the river, further along. There's a loop that goes over to the other side, but both times I've gone I skipped it, due to its being perilously close to sunset. Some day I'll get an earlier start.

Due to lateness, we cut off a little section of the trail, and thus did not get lost, as I did last time, among the side trails of the Schmeekle. ;) This is the actual trailhead. From here it was another simple ride in the woods to our parked car...quite different from the last time when, on the up side I saw six or seven deer, and on the down side, fell over and got my ankle pinned under the bike in an awkward spot. :p

Anyway, the Green Circle probably has more variety in surface, trail conditions, and scenery than any trail I've been on. My mother says it's her new favorite trail. :) Thanks for looking!

Originally posted by Inkwolf
Here's my mom, as we cross the little log bridge and enter the forest. My mom wants me to let you know she's available. ;)

Tell your mom I will share some of my boyfriends!

Nice pictures, Inkwolf!! Thanks for sharing them!


:D

Great pictures! That trail looks really nice although quite different from the trail I used to cut through Stevens Point the last time I was there... okay so it was around 15 years ago when I did it. :D There's some trail that stretches all the way across WI. Not all of it is bikable though and sometimes we'd have to go around the non-bike sections but all in all it was a great way to see Wisconsin.

Nice pics, didn't see any with you in it though ;)

Someone had to take the pics. :D

Originally posted by Inkwolf
Here's my mom, as we cross the little log bridge and enter the forest. My mom wants me to let you know she's available. ;)

How'd that happen I would think that lovley lady would need a stick to beat off guys chaising her?

Joe

Great thread, Inkwolf. The photos are excellent as is the narrative.

Makes me want to ride the trail!

Great pics! :beer:
Wish I could find something like that around here. :(
I guess if I had a mountain bike perhaps I could. :o

You don't need a mtn bike on these trails, it just looks like it.

Originally posted by megaman
You don't need a mtn bike on these trails, it just looks like it.

Wide tires are probably a necessity, though. :p I was on my Specialized Expedition comfort bike, and Mom was on a Schwinn Cruiser Supreme.