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]
| Pine Line Trail | |
|---|---|
 Heading south from Westboro along Fisher Creek | |
| Length | 26.2 miles |
| Location | Taylor County and Price County, Wisconsin |
| Designation | Rail-trail |
| Trailheads | W. Allman St. and River Dr. (Medford) and Morner Road between SR 13 and Prentice Road (Prentice) |
| Use | ATV, biking (including mountain biking), hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling |
| Sights | Pines |
| Website | Trail brochure |
| Trail map | |
 | |
History
editStarting 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]
Description
editThe trail is 26.2 miles (42.2 km) long and generally follows a north–south path along 
WIS 13. The trail's southern terminus is at Medford, Wisconsin in Taylor County (45°08′56″N 90°21′11″W / 45.14889°N 90.35306°W), with the trailhead south of Prentice, Wisconsin in Price County (45°30′34″N 90°17′50″W / 45.50944°N 90.29722°W). Along the way it passes the hamlets of Whittlesey, Chelsea, Westboro, and Ogema.[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]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d "Price-Taylor Rail Trail brochure". Price County Tourism Dept/Taylor County Tourism. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Pine Line Rail Trail Map". www.northwoodsbiking.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.