01 July 2023 – Saturday
0937 56,471 74°F Leave Camp Sawaka
1002 56,479 76°F Norwalk, Wisconsin
Here’s the text from the official state sign… ” This 32 mile state trail was formerly the mainline of the Chicago and North Western Railway. The conversion from “rail to trail” represented a new concept in recreational development. Utilizing the abandoned railbed, it was the first trail of its kind in the United States to be designated a National Recreation Trail by the United States Department of the Interior. The trail is primarily used for bicycling, hiking and snowmobiling. Passing through scenic areas, it links the communities of Elroy, Kendal, Wilton, Norwalk and Sparta. Added attractions are its three tunnels, the longest being 3,833 feet. Train service began in 1873 as steam locomotives hauled grain, livestock and passengers. Tail service ended in 1964. The trail was established by hte Department of Natural Resources in 1965 and opened to the public in 1967.”

The Village of Norwalk has a few campsites beside this old creamery building. Overnight tenting is free, RV sites $20 or $25 with electric. There was no Verizon cell service.
Further down the road there are two options for camping in Wilton, https://wiltoncampground.com/ (Village) and https://www.tunneltrail.com/ (Private).
$5 each for bike trail pass
We rode 6.3 miles round-trip toward Sparta and back to the parking lot.
The pink shack was once a telegraph office.
Arrived at the longest of the three train tunnels. Signs told us to dismount and walk our bikes.
The trail became dark and wet, so Beth turned around and headed back outside. Water was dripping down the walls and formed streams on both sides of the trail.
It took me 22 minutes to walk through.
Cool air came out of the lower end as fog.
And here’s the view of clear air after walking back up to the high end.
Signage taught us that “Tunnel Watchman” was once a profession. They worked twelve-hour shifts opening and closing these tunnel doors about 50 times every day. Telegraphs were used to communicate with the watchman at the other end of the tunnel.
Trees shaded the trail, giving nice protection from the sun on the way back up the trail.
1324 56,479 82°F Leave Norwalk
1350 56,495 82°F Kendall, WI Restored RR Station
Railroad history was on display in the waiting room.
Here we learned that, at the height of service between 1873 and 1911, the C&NW ran 6 passenger trains and 40 to 50 freight trains daily over this line between Sparta and Elroy.
Thus ended our visit to the rail trail. I’d come back and ride more of the trail next time.
1547 56,566 82°F Epic Intergalactic Headquarters
We stopped at Dane County’s park and ride where there is access to the Military Ridge State Trail. We got in another ride while waiting for our son to finish his work day at Epic.
Take an Epic Tour of this amazing medical software campus with buildings themed for favorite stories.
Our son’s office is in the red barn in the center of this photo. Sheep graze outside the building and a spider named Charlotte has a web inside.
1642 56,584 82°F Verona, WI
Parked near this home-brewed camper insert near our daughter-in-law’s game store. We feel fortunate to have our Pleasure-Way!
Today’s Map
Sparta to Verona, Wisconsin