The soon to be Great Sauk Trail

A new bridge will eventually connect riders
to a trail that ties into another a few miles south.
9/19/2020 dwm photo

Bike Trails don't spring to life fully-formed. It takes time and pieces of the path emerging a mile or two at a time.

The latest and closest trail to us isn't done, but will eventually extend north to Reedsburg and south over the Wisconsin River until meeting a trail out of Middleton. Add in an expected new trail connecting the Capital City and Glacial Drumlin and riders will eventually be able to bike from LaCrosse to Milwaukee.

The Grand Sauk now starts across from where a railroad trestle once stood. It winds through Sauk City then follows the Wisconsin River in Prairie du Sac upstream toward the dam where it tracks across farm fields to the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area.

The trail passes through pretty
residential areas in Sauk City.
9/19/2020 (dwm)

The passage across Sauk City follows the old railroad tracks, passing between modest homes in a pretty river town.

After the old railroad depot, the path drops toward the river where it is lined by trees. It's familiar territory, but I am used to seeing the area in January or February when looking for eagles.

Once past the hydro-electric dam, the trail crosses State Highway 78 and through acres of farmland before reaching the old Badger Army Ammunition Plant grounds. Also known as the Badger Ordinance Works, it was a sprawling factory that turned out ammo and bombs during World War II, then continued serving the military through the Vietnam Conflict.

Easy riding through farm
country. 9/19/20 (dwm)

Only a few buildings remain as the restoration is turning it back into a sprawling prairie in the shadow of the Baraboo Bluffs.

A fence 9.8 miles from the riverside start is where riders now turn-around. At some point, the path will extend into Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, and northwest to the 400 Trail.

As the trail now stands, a round trip from the old bridge to the fence and back is 19.5 miles.

The great Sauk Trail is pretty cool. It will be Great when it crosses the river and takes riders the rest of the way to Reedsburg. I can't wait!