The Pine Line Trail, also known as Price-Taylor Rail Trail, is a multi-use rail-trail in Taylor and Price Counties in north-central Wisconsin. It is 26.2 miles long, running from farm country around Medford on the south end across the terminal moraine left by the last glacier in the area, passing hills, lakes and swamps, almost reaching Prentice.[1]
Starting in 1876 the site of the trail was a rail line used by the Wisconsin Central Railroad to ship eastern white pine, among other commodities. After the original timber was logged, the railroad continued to haul passengers and supplies to and from the little towns along its route. But with the proliferation of cars and trucks, even that business dwindled, and in 1988 the trains stopped running on this stretch. The following year, some local residents negotiated an agreement with the railroad to use the right-of-way and road bed as a multi-use recreational trail - the Pine Line.[2] In the hundred years since logging started, pines have regrown to line the trail, accounting for the trail's name.[1]
The Pine Line is open for non-motorized use such as bicycling, hiking, and jogging from April 1 through November 30. Snowmobiles and ATVs are allowed on the trail from December 1 through March 31. There are no fees for use.[1]
Annual events are scheduled on the trail such as the Dairyland Marathon and Volksmarsch, which is held on the fourth Saturday of April.[3]
South side of Westboro, looking out on Fisher Creek
↑ Rusch, Robert P. (2013-09-22). "The Twelve Railroads of Taylor County, Wisconsin". In Kalmon, Lars (ed.). Our Home - Taylor County Wisconsin - volume 2. Taylor County History Project. pp.5–8.
Taylor County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,913. Its county seat is Medford. It is mostly rural, lying roughly where corn and dairy farms to the south give way to forest and swamp to the north.
Rusk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,188. Its county seat is Ladysmith. The Chippewa and Flambeau rivers and their tributaries flow through the county. The land ranges from corn/soybean farms and dairy farms to lakes rimmed with vacation homes to hiking trails through the Blue Hills.
Chelsea is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 113 at the 2010 census. The census-designated places of Chelsea and Whittlesey are located in the town.
Goodrich is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 510 at the 2010 census.
Jump River is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 311 at the 2000 census. The town takes its name from the Jump River which flows through its northwest corner. There is also a census-designated place called Jump River located partially in the town.
Little Black is a town located in Taylor County, Wisconsin. The village of Stetsonville lies partly in the town, and the hamlet of Little Black. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,148.
Maplehurst is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 359 at the 2000 census.
Westboro is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 660 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Westboro is located in the town. The unincorporated community of Queenstown is also located in the town.
Prentice is a town in Price County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 479 at the 2000 census. The village of Prentice and the unincorporated community of Pennington are located within the town.
Prentice is a village in Price County, Wisconsin, United States, near where Highway 13 crosses the Jump River. The population was 660 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Prentice.
Medford is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,216 at the 2000 census. The City of Medford lies mostly within the town boundaries.
Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,349 at the 2020 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford. It is the county seat of Taylor County.
Rib Lake is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 768 at the 2000 census. The village of Rib Lake is completely surrounded by the town.
The Jump River is a small rocky river in north-central Wisconsin. In the late 19th century it was used to drive logs down to the Chippewa River. Today it is recreational, rambling through woods and farmlands, used mostly by fishermen and paddlers.
The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32.5-mile (52.3 km) Wisconsin State rail trail between Elroy and Sparta, Wisconsin. Considered to be the first rail trail when it opened in 1967, it was designed for foot, bicycle, equestrian and light motorized traffic. Designated a multi-use trail, it offers recreational access to the routes and is open to the public. The trail is part of the larger Wisconsin bike trail system operated by the state of Wisconsin. It passes through rural scenery and three tunnels. It is one of six connecting trails in west-central Wisconsin. It was added to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy hall of Fame in September 2008. It is one of the most popular trails in Wisconsin.
The Gateway State Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail in the U.S. state of Minnesota, running 18 miles (29 km) from Saint Paul to Pine Point Regional Park in Stillwater. It runs through urban landscapes of eastern Saint Paul in Ramsey County and rural farmland and forests in Washington County. It was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2002.
Perkinstown is an unincorporated community located in the town of Grover, Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. Perkinstown lies where County Highway M passes Lake Kathryn in the Chequamegon National Forest, 10 miles (16 km) east-northeast of Gilman.
Chelsea is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the town of Chelsea, Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. Chelsea is 5 miles (8.0 km) west-southwest of Rib Lake. As of the 2010 census, its population was 113.
Whittlesey is a census-designated place in the town of Chelsea, Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 105 as of the 2010 census.
The La Crosse River State Trail is a 22-mile (35 km) rail trail between Sparta and Onalaska, Wisconsin. It is designed for foot, bicycle, equestrian or light motorized traffic. It is designated as a multiuse trail, offering recreational access to the routes, and is open to the public. The trail runs parallel to the La Crosse River.
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