Whether you’re into biking, fishing, climbing, paddling, running, or walking, the very second when it looks like winter has faded in the Chippewa Valley your pulse starts racing. You can’t wait to get out and hit the trails, waterways, and other landmarks of natural beauty that define our area. And that’s why we make this guide: so you know where to go and what to do when you’re hankering for an adventure.

sponsored by:

EDITORS: Tom Giffey,

Thom Fountain, Tyler Griggs

PHOTOS: Andrea Paulseth

DESIGN: Josh Smeltzer

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I was recently asked, “How’s the mountain biking scene in Eau Claire?” The selfish part of me that

enjoys the peace of nature, solitude and a quiet ride through the woods left unspoiled by seeing other trail users considered this briefly and answered, “There is none. It doesn’t exist. Go away and don’t ever ask such crazy ques-tions again.” But the reality is some-thing grander. What once was a well-kept secret has begun to leak profusely and my best hushing won’t help. There is mountain biking in the Chippewa Valley, and interest is growing as quick-ly as the trail networks.

I came on the CV mountain biking scene by accident about three years ago. Oh sure, I’d ridden my grown-up, knobby-tired bike in the woods at Lowes Creek County Park in the 1990s, but to hear recent conversations at our local bike shops, you’d think they had some-thing incredible. Can’t be. I was there only 15 years prior and it was okay, but certainly not worth the investment in a new bike just to ride ski trails without snow. What’s the big deal?! I grudgingly paid a visit and hiked my way into Lowes Creek by way of the entrance behind the Eau Claire County Expo Center. “Eagle” was the name of the trail. They named the trails? Seemed a bit precocious for a simple path meandering through the woods. Curves and swerves didn’t seem

like an expedient way to get to the other side of the park. This trail was new and different and fun. “Single track”, they call it. It wasn’t there in ’95. My next stop was a bike shop.

I did some research and settled on a sturdy bike with some modern niceties that should last as long as I’d care to use it. Setting off exploring, I discovered the joy of this wondrous “single track” stuff and soon had tackled almost every trail in Lowes Creek, and there are many. Lowes boasts over 20 miles of trails, all built and maintained by a local club’s

volunteers. The trails range in diffi-culty level from casual, snaking through the woods to steep and deep, rock-armored plummets designed to enter-tain and endure under the many wheels or feet passing over them. When I claim “almost every trail” I will admit to avoiding a few of them, even into early last summer. “Onion” (makes you cry?) and “Skull” (uh-oh) were two such trails that I had to work up to as the new guy.

Getting started was easy. I just showed up with a bike. An Internet search of the Chippewa Off Road Bike Association (CORBA) – the local bike club and aforementioned volunteers – revealed “no-drop” rides, open to all, on Monday evenings all summer. The premise behind these “no-drop” rides is this: you show up because you want to ride with other people. Maybe this is for safety. Maybe you want to learn your way around the network of trails. Maybe you like the challenge or camaraderie of riding with others. Whatever your

reason, the group you choose to ride with won’t leave you behind. Before the ride starts, people introduce them-selves and ride leaders for each group are chosen. Friendly, want-to-see-the-scenery folks follow me. Faster pace with fewer breaks, follow her. If you have no fear and a desire to go all out, all evening, follow that guy. He’s train-ing for a Midwest mountain bike race next weekend. I’ve had the chance to

You show up because you want to ride with other people. Maybe this is for safety. Maybe you like the challenge or camaraderie of riding with others. Whatever your reason, the

group you choose to ride with won’t leave you behind.

Comin’ ’round the mountainA look at the thriving local off-road biking sceneWORDS BY DEAN ROTH // IMAGE BY ANDREA PAULSETH

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follow some very talented and strong riders and found these group rides to be a phenomenal, kinetic classroom expe-rience.

More pedaling, more friends, more involvement, and yet I was completely unaware of the scope of the riding scene in the Chippewa Valley or how all of this happened until I became involved with CORBA. This non-profit group incorporated in 2005 and by “the power of local” has built some of the finest off-road trails in this part of Wisconsin. Local business sponsors have contribut-ed financing, materials, food and drink for trail building days, almost every-thing required to build trail networks of this magnitude, while CORBA members provide the muscle. These hard working local volunteers can be found build-ing or maintaining trails almost any evening or weekend. They enjoy help-ing create recreational infrastructure to be enjoyed not only by cyclists, but by hikers, geocachers, birdwatchers… any-one who appreciates the winding path over the destination. CORBA has made agreements with Eau Claire County, Chippewa County, and the cities of Eau Claire and Altoona which grant them

permission to build multi-use trails on publicly owned property. It is with the cooperation of all these business-es, municipalities and volunteers that these trails have evolved from a couple of miles of wide, uninspiring access roads, to 40-plus miles of enthralling single track weaving through four differ-ent ride destinations in the Chippewa Valley.

Perhaps you’d enjoy a window seat? One of the largest races in this part of the country, the Firecracker, is locally hosted and promoted, as is the Powder Keg, one of the first snow bike races to be held in the Midwest. Lowes provides better spectator locales than almost any mountain biking event you’ll ever attend.

So, how’s the mountain biking scene in Eau Claire? My best efforts to keep it quiet would fail miserably. There is some. It does exist. Now stop asking questions. Just go ride.

You can learn more about CORBA and mountain biking in the Chippewa Valley at their website, ChippewaOffRoad.com where there are opportunities for volunteering and connecting with other riders in the area.

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A Wild Ridelocal rivers pick up speed for kayakers in spring

Where are the best spots in Eau Claire to catch the rapids?

The Eau Claire River picks up near Banbury Place and offers some fun roll-ers all the way to Barstow Street.

What are some tips for kayakers who may have traversed the rivers when they were calm, but are new to the rapids?

Wear your personal floatation device (life-jacket). Stay on the inside of bends on the river. Watch for strainers (fallen trees, bridge pilings, undercut rocks, anything that allows water to flow through it while holding you). Dress for weather conditions and pack a dry bag with warm clothes. Learn re-entry and rescue techniques before you need them. Launching right

below the Altoona dam can be dangerous when water levels are high as swirling currents can suck you towards the dam.

What safety tips do kayakers need to abide by?

Wear your lifejacket! Dress appropriately for weather conditions. Know your limits. File a float plan with someone who will notify others if you don’t return on time. Pack a waterproof first aid kit.

Any other local spots that you really like or offer a challenge?

County D bridge to County K bridge east of Eau Claire offers a scenic five mile paddle that ends in some fun rapids similar to the ones near Banbury called Little Falls.

Though ThE EAu ClAirE And ChippEWA rivErs ArE usuAlly prETTy doCilE, when the snow starts to melt they pick up speed and make some kayakers pretty happy with some wild rides. We asked local kayaker Nathan Long for some tips for new kayakers who might want to hit the water this spring.

Images from Nathan Long’s GoPro camera show the rapids that spring up on the Eau Claire River when the snow melts away.

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Locales to Paddle

FLAT WATER(Spring/Early Summer)

Half Moon Lake Braun’s Bay Pavilion in Carson Park Eau Claire • Put your vessel in at Braun’s Bay’s easy and accessible landing. Paddle past the Carson Park cliffs (very scenic) and then under the Lake Street Bridge into the bay. Watch for weeds to pop up in late summer, but return in late fall when they recede. The western arm features towering cliffs, rocks, ledges, overhangs, and shallows of reeds and cattails. There are few indications of city scenes or sounds. Be on the look-out for turtles, herons, and flowering aquatic plants.

Glen Loch Lake Irvine Park, Chippewa Falls • A must-paddle in the spring. Put in right above the dam off Highway 124. The real deal with this paddle is to cross the lake and paddle “up the creek.” See how far up you can get and enjoy the quick float back.

Paint Creek 5464 197th St., Chippewa Falls • A small river that feeds Little

Lake Wissota. Put in on 197th Street near Wissota Marina. Paddle under the bridge and up the creek and you will find some nice rock formations and opportunities to find lots of wildlife.

FLAT WATER PADDLING(All Season)

Dells Pond Addison St., Eau Claire •

A man-made lake created by a paper mill dam, and a hidden gem of pad-dling. Launch from Mt. Simon Park and paddle upstream into the islands. The water level in the islands will keep powerboats in the river channel, so more room for you to canoe or kayak in the backwaters. This centrally located body of water has lots of nature-watch-ing opportunities.

Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area 13394 Cty. Hwy. M, New Auburn • Situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the recre-ation area offers unspoiled beauty with 17 stunning kettle lakes and many gla-cial features.

MOVING WATER PADDLES(All Season) *Use caution when assessing water levels*

Eau Claire River A nice river to paddle anywhere between Harstad Park near Augusta and above Big Falls near Fall Creek. It’s a pretty slow flowing ride with lots of turns and sidebars. The loca-tion is home to a pair of bald eagles and lots of other wildlife. Make sure you get out at the County K bridge if you don’t want to attempt a run down Big Falls.

Little Falls to Big Falls Ready to hit the whitewater? The bold and brave kayak this challenging 1.4-mile stretch on the Eau Claire River. It goes quickly, but what adrenaline rush doesn’t feel that way? This is a run intended for experi-enced kayakers, so be safe.

Half Moon Lake

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AERIAL FUNHeartland Aviation 3800 Starr Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 835-3181 • heartlandaviation.com If you’re looking for ideas of a romantic evening, consider chartering a local plane for a tour of the holiday lights in Irvine Park and winter wonderland of the Chippewa Valley. Heartland Aviation will gladly do so, for $70 per half hour and up to three passengers.Skydive Wissota 6482 County HWY K, Chippewa Falls • (715) 726-1616 • info@skydivewissota.org • sky-divewissota.org Learn how to fly with Skydive Wissota. Schedule a Training Course or a Tandem Jump before showing up at the dropzone.

CAMPINGBrunet Island State Park 23125 255th St., Cornell • (715) 239-6888 • Many campers are drawn to Brunet Is-land State Park’s quiet lagoons and channels, perfect for fishing, canoeing, swimming, or just watching wildlife (the park is well-known for its roaming deer population). If you’re an adventurous camper, check out the Old Abe State Trail, a 20-mile abandoned railroad grade that con-nects Brunet Island with Lake Wissota State Park. You won’t leave disappointed.Chippewa Moraine State Rec. Area 13394 Cty Hwy M, New Auburn • (715) 967-2800 • Situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the 3180-acre Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area offers unspoiled beauty with kettle lakes and many glacial features. The Chippe-wa Moraine is one of nine units of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve.Coon Fork Lake County Park • (715) 839-4738 • co.eau-claire.wi.us 108 sites. The campground is located on the east side of Coon Fork Lake, and is for use by registered campers and their guests. Currently full access camping fees are charged from May 1 through September 15. Facilities include: a boat landing (only electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake); dumping station; a

swimming beach; volleyball court; playgrounds; toilet facilities; water pumps; two shower buildings; hiking trails, and boat and canoe rentals. Country Villa Motel and Country Camping 10765 County Hwy Q, Chippewa Falls • (715) 288-6376 • www.countryvillalodging.com Country Villa Motel and Country Camping offer guests a quiet, country atmo-sphere. Whether you’re in the Chippewa Falls area for Rock Fest, Country Fest, Country Jam, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair, Oktoberfest, or just for a seasonal getaway, relax amidst beautiful scenery and affordable lodging.Duncan Creek Campground 12528 102nd Ave., Chip-pewa Falls • (715) 723-1222 • 35 sites. Campground offers spacious campsites, electrical hook-ups, play-grounds, fishing in Duncan Creek, canoe access, nestled the cool of large deciduous and coniferous trees.Elmer’s Campgrounds 8027 Hwy 12, Fall Creek • (715) 832-6277 • 30 RV and 5 tent sites. Firewood available, pet friendly, playground, RV Storage, laundry and more.Harstad County Park Augusta • (715) 839-4738 • 27 sites. Harstad Park overlooks the Eau Claire River, giv-ing this 43 acre park many scenic views. This park is for those who enjoy the quietness of nature, with no electricity or running water. The park offers facilities to accommodate the family or large group gatherings including a large reservable open shelter and ball field. Because of its access to the Eau Claire River, fishing and canoeing are favorite pastimes for many park visitors.Irvington Campground E4176 Ct. Rd.D, Menomonie • (715) 235-2267 • menomoniecamping.com 45 sites. The campground has wooded and open site areas with full hook up, electric & water, rustic & seasonal sites available.Lake Wissota State Park - Camping 18127 County Highway O, Chippewa Falls • (715) 382-4574 • chippe-wacounty.com If you live in Chippewa Falls, you’ll find this campground very close to home. The park offers all the watery fun associated with a big lake, but also has a

lot of secluded trails for hikers and mountain bikers, a playground, picnic area, and more. It has all the ameni-ties of home (toilets, showers, electricity) and is perfect for families. The season runs from April-October, but they are occasionally open for off-season weekends.Loon Lake Campgrounds 10279 280th Ave., New Au-burn • (715) 967-2148 • loonlake-campground.com 13 sites. If you are looking for a place for you and your family to enjoy the summer, look no further! This camp-ground is tucked away on quiet Loon Lake in New Au-burn, Wisconsin. This lake is shallow and quiet, which makes it the perfect lake for paddle boats, canoeing, and kayaking.NCN North Campground N8390 Hwy 12, Black Riv-er Falls • (888) 345-CAMP • info@campncn.com • campncn.com 75 electric sites, much more space avail-able. Adults only, as NCN stands for “No Clothing Nec-essary.”O’Neil Campground 14912 105th Ave., Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-6581 • office@oneilcreek.com • ONeil-Creek.com You can camp, fish, or just relax. They have plenty of activities for both you and the kids, if you are so inclined. They have a general store, and there are two golf courses within 5 miles of the campground.Pine Harbor Campground 7181 185th St., Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-9865 • www.pineharborcampground.com 45 sites (half RV, half tent). Offering organized activities such as Christmas in July, Halloween, Bingo, Pancake Breakfasts, and more. Clean flush toilets, show-ers, and laundry facilities. Two play grounds: one 5 and under, one 5 and over. Pet friendly (on a leash). Hiking and biking trails. Free wireless internet.Rock Lake Lodge & Campground 23015 153rd St., Bloomer • (715) 568-4370 • 117 sites. Go swimming in the heated, outdoor pool, play in the game room, take a walk and see elk and peacocks, go fishing on Rock Lake, bring your ATV’s/snowmobiles, and ride the trail or just relax around the campfire or at the lodge. The lodge has a full bar with homemade pizzas and sandwiches.

Sandy Hill Campground E21100 ND Road, Augusta • (715) 286-2495 • 32 sites. A very clean and peaceful spot for family camping.Stoney Creek RV Resort 50483 Oak Grove Road, Os-seo • (715) 597-2102 • stoneycreekrvresort.com 130 sites (114RV, 8 tent, 8 cabin). Stoney Creek is big rig friendly, offers 18 hole mini golf, laundry facilities, free wi-fi internet, adult pool with basketball, kiddie pool with toys, volleyball and basketball courts, short-order kitchen, covered wagon rides, game room, worship ser-vices, and more.Sunshine Valley Campground E18250 Buse Road, Augusta • (715) 286-4222 • 23 sites. Sunshine Valley Campground is located in Augusta, Wisconsin.Twin Springs Resort Campground N6572 530th St., Menomonie • (715) 235-9321 • twinspringscampin-gresort.com 75 sites. There are a variety of activities and amenities that will make your stay more enjoyable at Twin Springs Resort Campground, such as: a swimming pool, boat rentals, fire wood and ice for sale, bar and game room, nature trails, play areas for children, camp-ing cabins, tiled showers with hot water, fire areas and fire rings, and more.Willow River State Park 1034 County Highway A, Hud-son • (715) 386-5931 • dnr.wi.gov Fish for trout, canoe on peaceful, non-motorized Little Falls lake, hike 13 miles of great trails (varying difficulty), enjoy the scenic overlook near Willow Falls (one of the best waterfalls in the state), and rock climb the Willow River Gorge. Swimming areas and frisbee golf are also available. In winter, this is a great place to snowshoe.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPSBeaver Creek Reserve S1 County Highway K, Fall Creek • (715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve.org This nature center has workshops on topics varying from en-vironmental education to snowshoe making, bird walk-ing hikes, and holiday craft making for kids.

Outdoor Listings

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Eau Claire YMCA 700 Graham Ave, Eau Claire • (715)839-4610 ext. 110 • Linsey@eauclaireymca.org • eauclaireymca.org Offering high-quality, affordable child care. Family-centered and values-based programs to nurture children’s healthy development. Child care includes swimming lessons, outdoor playgrounds, and activities for fine and large motor development. They care for children ages 4 weeks-5 years old in their Child Development Center. They also offer before and after school programs for school age children.Environmental Adventure Center Recreation Hilltop 105 UWEC, Eau Claire • (715) 836-5601 • wibergad@uwec.edu • uwec.edu The UWEC Environmental Ad-venture Center offers archery, climbing wall, ropes course, bike center and more.Gander Mountain 6440 Sculy Drive, Eau Claire • (715) 834-4594 • www.gandermountain.com They offer occa-sional classes on hunter’s safety and fly-tying, to name a few. This store’s equipment goes beyond its “hunt, fish, camp” slogan, also offering gear for canoeing, snow-shoeing, kayaking, and geocaching.Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 29588 State hwy 40, New Auburn • Small, local, and friendly: experience mi zi zak kay-aks variety of canoe and kayak classes such as there Women’s Wendesdays “the alternative to happy hour” on lower long lake Chippewa County or take one of the Kayak Saftey Clinic.Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • (715) 835-0088 • contact@riversidebikeskate.com • riversidebikeskate.com This aptly-named riverside shop carries canoes, kayaks, hockey skates & equipment, and bikes. Repair service available as well. Sometimes teams up with Pure Water Paddlers for educational ses-sions.Simple Sports 326 Main St. E., Menomonie • (715) 233-3493 • simplesports.us Specializes in bikes (all-terrain, BMX, cyclocross, Giant, Surly, etc.), bike racks, biking equipment, and accessories. Sells bike racks for vehi-cles. Carries skis, snowshoes, snowboards, and hockey. The do bike repairs with occasional bicycle maintenance classes available and a possible snowboard tuning class this winter.Stout Adventures 712 South Broadway St., Menomonie

• (715) 232-5625 • uwstout.edu/urec/ Learn about hav-ing fun in the great outdoors with the wide variety of classes offered, such as kayaking, rock climbing, and cooking.

LOCAL REC GATHERINGSDid we miss your recreation organization? Or do you need your listing’s info edited? email Tyler@Volume-One.org, or call 552-0457 and ask for Tyler.

Chippewa Off Road Bike Association Mondays • (715) 839-7198 • chippewaoffroad.org The Chippewa Off

Road Bike Association is a volunteer organization es-tablished to promote mountain biking opportunities in the Chippewa Valley. The group holds weekly group rides during the summer and occasional trail work daysChippewa Valley Cycling Club Tuesdays April-August • (715) 839-8111 • cvccbike.com Ride distances vary ac-cording to the available daylight ñ up to 30 miles. These are not recreational rides, and are intended to enhance fitness and serve as race training. The CVCC promotes several races each year in the Chippewa Valley area.Chippewa Valley Dance Club Occasional dances • Lo-cation varies • (715) 833-1879 • The Chippewa Valley

Dance Club holds various events that include dancing and live music.Chippewa Valley Paddlers Date varies • Location var-ies • stonecottage99@gmail.com • groups.yahoo.com Canoe and kayak 14+ mostly flat water rivers. Paddlers of all skill levels welcome. Solstice celebration and river clean up weeknights. Three parties per year.Chippewa Valley Roller Girls • contact@chippewaval-leyrollergirls.com • chippewavalleyrollergirls.com Join the tribe as either a skater, referee, coach or a volunteer for the area’s first women’s flat track roller derby league. Seriously, these girls are awesome.Eau Claire Archers • 715-495-8965 • www.eau-clairearchers.org Eau Claire Archers has open outdoor shooting for our members year around. We also host 3-D and field archery shoots open to the public. Please see our shoot dates link for a list of our shoots or our calendar link for detailed information about our shoots. Our 80 acre club is located just west of Eau Claire, Wis-consin. See contact info for details.Eau Claire Bit & Spur Saddle Club • 715-833-2086 • bitandspur@gmail.com Bring your horses, bring your kids and have some fun. Featuring thirty acres, 82-stall horse barn, a big log cabin for a club house. The club participates in eight horse shows every year.Eau Claire Figure Skating Club • 715-831-9734 • ecfig-ureskate.org See contact info for details.Eau Claire Horseshoe Club Carson Park, Carson Park Dr., Eau Claire • (715) 720-9298, 456-0127 • EC Horse-shoe Club seeking individuals, pairs or teams to join and pitch horseshoes.Eau Claire International Folk Dancers Every Friday • (715) 835-4247 • cs.uwec.edu Learn dances of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Greece, Tur-key, Israel, Bosnia, the United States, and many other countries. No partners needed; bring soft-soled, non-marking, clean shoes. The first Friday of each month is beginners’ night. $1/night.Eau Claire Pie Riders Tues & Thur, April-Oct. • loca-tion varies • (715) 831-6210 • neldon5352@aol.com • sports.groups.yahoo.com 20-30 mile recreational road bike rides and some 40-60 mile weekend rides.

If you’re looking for something to check off your bucket list, Skydive Wissota offers training courses and tan-dem jumps right in Chippewa Falls. Just don’t look down!

Eau Claire Running Experiment Thursdays at 6:15pm • meetup.com This group is for beginning and interme-diate runners who would like to meet with others to go for their runs. Meet at Phoenix Park in Eau Claire and run past the hospital, up the Carson Park hill then around DQ and back past the hospital. Approximately a 5k run.Eau Claire Ski Club EC Flying Eagles Junior Ski Club first Monday • (715) 833-0077 • ec-skiclub.com The Eau Claire Ski Club organizes the annual Silver

Mine invitational ski jumping tournament. The junior ski club is open to kids ages 4-15 interested in Nordic cross-country skiing and ski jumpingEau Claire Team Revolution (E.C.T.R.) • (715) 864-9308 • fitnbactive@gmail.com • 715fitclub.com ECTR is an exciting networking experience dedicated to bringing active people together in the Chippewa Valley area. ECTR connects fitness team members in for any purpose. Do you a partner for your recreational, fitness, or workout goals? This is your resource to find that per-son, or group.

Eau Claire Wrestling Club 2504 W Cedar Rd., Eau Claire • (715) 834-4042 • dadams@cvtc.edu • eau-clairewrestling.com We hope to give all athletes a solid foundation in the basics of wrestling, so as to prepare them for competition with similar clubs throughout the state. We hope to instill in all the athletes a love of the sport and an appreciation of the skills, time and effort that is required to succeed in any life accomplishment.FLEAUT (Eau Claire Floating) • Find us on Facebook Float + Eau Claire = FLEAUT. We are a community of people in and around the Eau Claire area that love to float down the river. Who’s with us?Flying Eagles Ski Club 3397 Evergreen Ln., Eau Claire • (715) 577-7615 • loomii@msn.com • ecFlyingEagles.org Our mission is to promote the growth of area youth through Nordic skiing. We offer instruction, facilities, and programs for ski jumping, alpine and Nordic com-bined.Indianhead Track Club First Monday of even-num-bered months • (715) 835-4247 • indianheadtc.org Members participate in running subgroups, fun runs, and races around the region. Open board meetings are held every other month.Line Dance Class Tuesdays • (715) 231-4002 • $5/night. Beginner line dance class with all kinds of mu-sic. No partner or experience needed. New dancers wel-come anytime.Overdrive Cycling Club Roadbike rides from Fairfax Pool // Mountain Bike rides from Eau • (715) 379-8399 • overdrivecycling.com Community cycling club goes on 30- to 50-mile bike rides. All abilities and forms of cycling are welcome.Pure Water Paddlers Second Wednesdays • Location varies • (715) 559-4078 • ssnvet637@yahoo.com • purewaterpaddlers.com Pure Water Paddlers is a group of canoe and kayak enthusiasts around the west central Wisconsin area. Its goal is to provide a wide variety of paddling experiences for paddlers of all skill levels.Red Eye Ski Club Second Thursdays, September-March • (715) 836-9915 • redeyeskiclub.org Member-ship is open to Eau Claire area adults who enjoy down-hill skiing and snowboarding. The group organizes ski trips and other events throughout the year.

Reilly Chiropractic Walking Club • 715-723-2892 • doctor.reilly@gmail.com Looking for a reason to get out and get moving? Join us for a 30 minute walk. All ages and abilities welcome as well as strollers and friendly leashed pets. Pace is set by those who are pres-ent. No need to RSVP. Just show up.

River Country RC&D various dates • (715) 579-5229 • info@rivercountryrcd.org • rivercountryrcd.org River Country RC&D is known for collaboration and grassroots efforts among private citizens, land-owners, government agencies and businesses. They work with land-owners to cut through red tape and implement programs that improve land-use, foster resource devel-opment, and enhance habitat value and beauty of the region.

Scandinavian Couples Dancing First and third Mon-days • (715) 271-5238 • Learn Scandinavian couple dances including waltz, polka, schottische, and more. Beginners welcome; no partner needed.

Sunday Night Pistol League Westgate Sportsmans Club, 4909 Sportsman Drive, Eau Claire • 715-832-4548 • www.ecwestgate.com Group meets at the low-er bar every Sunday. You are eligible to be a part of leagues if you are a member of the Sportsman’s Club.

OFF ROAD BIKINGEau Claire River Trail starts at the Boyd Park pavilion, Eau Claire • After you cross the bridge, look to your left and follow the little single track into the woods. This trail is definitely not for beginners and the faint of heart; its skirts the edge of a cliff and there are lots of steep rocky grades. I nearly killed myself on it, but had an awesome time doing it. It passes through Archery Park, goes under 53, and continues a short distance.

Hickory Ridge • chippewaoffroad.org The Chippewa County forest offers a technical mountain biking ex-perience. The Hickory Ridge mountain bike trails are contained within a large tract of Chippewa County Forest land that has been utilized for recreation for a number of years. This same area includes 27 kilome-ters of cross country ski trails. See website for a great detailed map.

Lowes Creek County Park Lowes Creek Road, Eau Claire • (715) 839-4738 • Fasten your helmets and grab your mountain bikes; Lowes Creek provides a tangle of trails to explore via two wheels. The park is currently working with the local bike group CORBA (Chippewa Valley Off Road Bike Association) to expand current trails as well as build and maintain single-track trails. Group rides every Monday at 6pm (all levels welcome).

Even if you don’t have a canoe, you can rent one from a number of local shops and organizations to explore the beautiful waterways the Chippewa Valley has to offer.

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Memorial Park Mountain Bike Trail Red Wing, Minn. • Offers great trails if you are willing to drive about an hour for an intense muscle pounding, sweat tug-ging, mountain bike experience. Features seven miles of great twisting singletrack, one hard climb, and fast doubletrack descents in a loop.Northwest Park • chippewaoffroad.org In 2008, the city of Eau Claire approved plans for a new community park on the northwest side of town.Park developers asked the Chippewa Off-Road Bike Association to develop a sys-tem of mountain bike trails at this 120-acre site near the North Crossing and the Chippewa River. See website for a great detailed map.Otter Creek Park • chippewaoffroad.org These trails are the result of a partnership between the City of Al-toona and CORBA. The trails are open all year around to mountain bikers, hikers, snowshoers and runners. Refer to website for a great detailed map.

RENTALSBeaver Creek Reserve • (715) 877-2212 • beaver-creekreserve.org A nature center which carries an ex-tensive line of field guides and rents out skis and snow-shoes seasonally.Environmental Adventure Center 105 Hilltop Center • (715) 836-3616 • uwec.edu Maintains largest inven-tory of outdoor equipment in Eau Claire. Rents tent and camping accessories, canoes, kayak (plus accessories), winter sport equipment (plus snowshoes), and fishing rods and reels. Equipment available on a first-come, first-served, daily, weekend, or weekly basis to UW-Eau Claire ID holders only. The climbing wall, how-ever, is open to the public.Loopy’s 10691 Cty. Highway X/Business Highway 29, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-5667 • loopy@723loop.com • 723loop.com Rents canoes, kayaks, and inner tubes all summer long with a free ride up-river allowing you to float back down the Chippewa River to Loopy’s and your vehicle.Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 29588 Wi-40, New Auburn • (715) 967-2301 • Looking for a kayak or a canoe to take out on an adventure? Get them here at Mi Zi Zak Kayaks.Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • (715) 835-0088 • riversidebikeskate.com Offers canoe, kayak, bike and skate rentals.

Riverside Junction • (715) 456-2434 • riverside@blue-buzz.net • riversidejunction.com Offers canoeing and kayaking on the Eau Claire River including trip plan-ning and drop off/pick up, and rental.

Spring Street Sports 12 W. Spring St, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-6616 • springstreetsports.com They have snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing packages for the day or entire weekend to use at the place of your choosing. Prices range from $15 to $30 for the day, or $25 to $50 for a weekend. Rentals also available.

Stout Adventures • (715) 232-5625 • joew@spring-streetsports.com • urec.uwstout.edu UW-Stout has an amazing outdoor rental collection. University ID hold-ers and community members with driver’s licenses can rent hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, winter sport (skis and snowshoes), and rock climbing equipment daily or weekly. Geocaching GPS now available for students.

ROCK CLIMBING420th Bluff • mountainproject.com Mostly shady ex-cept in the mornings. It is brand new and is just outside of Irvington, WI. As of now, there is only top roping with two developed routes. The rock is sand stone and is not up to par with Necedah’s quality. There is a bar at the beginning of the trail to the bluffs. Approach the bluffs from the top and rap down from main anchors. After climb out and set up a top managed system for the rest of the group. A super-must-do classic would be “The Captain” 5.11- finger crack.

Barn Bluff (Mount LaGrange), Red Wing, Minn. • mountainproject.com Rising up approximately 350 feet, the bluff offers excellent views of the Mississippi River Valley. It also offers sandstone climbing with over 100 single-pitch sport routes of varying difficulty from 5.4 to 5.14. While a few mixed and traditional routes exists, Barn Bluff is the primary sport climbing area in Minnesota. This 43-acre park was purchased by the city residents in 1910 and is managed by the city of Red Wing.

Big Falls • mountainproject.com Follow the trail from the parking lot once you reach the river go to your left follow the river big group of boulders. There’s a small wall with a handful of problems with a possibility for variations. There are still a few open projects. To get there, take North Crossing East for 15 minutes and fol-low the signs.

Castle Mounds State Park • mountainproject.com Cas-

tle Mounds State Park in Black River Falls has great variety of good bullet hard sandstone boulders. People have been bouldering here for a long time. In the late 80’s and early 90’s Dave Groth and company developed many of the now classic problems. Climbing access to the park is questionable. Best time to climb is in spring or fall (all WI), but all year can be good.Central Sandstone • mountainproject.com The Central Sandstone areas are bluffs littered with boulders that rise out of the central plains of Adams County. Located between Adams-Friendship and Wisconsin Dells, are Rattlesnake Mound and Quincy Bluff Reserve. Both re-ally cool, state owned areas, with easy access and great sandstone.

Devil’s Lake State Park S 5975 Park Rd., Baraboo • 608-356-8301 • devilslakewisconsin.com If you are hungry enough for breathtaking beauty and some fun rock climbing opportunities, two-and-a-half hours south of Eau Claire is a outdoor enthusiast’s haven. Devil’s Lake is about 10,000 acres of breathtaking rock bluffs, lake, and forest.

Governor Dodge State Park • mountainproject.com The overarching consideration for anyone climbing at Governor Dodge should be climbing only on forma-tions that can hold up to the abuse. The rock here is Sandstone, and some of it is solid. Much of it, though, is fragile or crumbly and should be left alone. Be con-siderate of the rock and other park users. While there are bolted routes here, further bolting of routes is not acceptable. From Madison, take Hwy 18/151 to Dod-geville. Turn right (north) on Hwy. 23 until you come to the entrance.

Interstate Park 307 Milltown Road, Taylors Falls, Minn. • 651-465-5711 • dnr.state.mn.us If you are itchy to escape the gym for death-defying feats on real rocks and don’t mind an hour drive, check out Taylors Falls. Located along the serene St. Croix River, it’s a popular rock climbing site with tons of different climbing routes available. Caters to more experienced climbers, though intermediate and beginners are welcome. Climbing per-mits required on Minnesota side.

Petenwell Bluff, Necedah • mountainproject.com ece-dah has been drawing Wisconsin’s finest for decades. Comprised of solid, colorful sandstone, these walls offer interesting climbing on clean, steep rock. Upon arriving at the cliff, THE wall invariably grabs the climber’s attention. Fifty feet tall and steadily over-hanging, this wall holds some of the best climbing in the Midwest. Do not camp here.

Willow River State Park • mountainproject.com Steep sport climbing in the large amphitheater near Wil-low Falls. Some of the steepest stone in the Midwest. Most climbs tend to be endurance fests on large holds. Climbs range from 5.11 to 5.13 and harder. This area is best for the 5.12 and up climber, although there are a few 5.11’s. Approximately 25 routes total. Do NOT rappel from the overlook above the climbs. Climbing not allowed on weekends.

TRIPSChicago Rock & Ice Guides • chicagorockandice-guides.com Owner/operator Jason Cook is Wilderness First Aid certified and holds a CPR endorsement from teh American Red Cross. Trips include alpine, rock and ice/mixed destinations from the lower 48 states to the Peruvian Andes. All climbing equipment provided.

Environmental Adventure Center 105 Hilltop Center, Eau Claire • (715) 836-3616 • uwec.edu Offers many fun outdoors trips for students only.

Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn • This small, locally owned business offers experienced and fun guides to take you on a wide variety of canoe and kayak tours anywhere in the area from from Baron County to Eau Claire County. Check out their Fall Col-ors Eco Tours where you can learn about local plants while in your canoe/kayak.

Outdoor Adventures 9658 151st St., Chippewa Falls • (715) 861-3129 • huntandfishtrips.com The worldwide hunting and fishing authority. Not a retailer, but they specialize in arranging customized fishing (freshwater, saltwater, fly) and hunting (big game, upland, water-fowl, turkey) with lodges, guides, and outfitters located around the globe.

Riverside Junction Junction of Eau Claire River Bridge and Highway 27, Augusta • (715) 456-2443 • riversidejunction.com Offers canoeing and kayaking on the Eau Claire River including trip planning and drop off/pick up, and rental.

Stout Adventures 41 Sports and Fitness Center, Menomonie • (715) 232-5625 • uwstout.edu/urec/ Of-fers day trips all the way to three week international trips for backpacking, sailing, dog sledding, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and cross country skiing. Tone your muscles on the climbing wall too.

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