Old Abe State Trail

{{Short description|Rail trail in Wisconsin, United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox hiking trail

| name = Old Abe State Trail

| photo = OldAbeStateTrail.jpg

| caption = Old Abe State Trail crossing the Chippewa River near where it flows into Lake Wissota

| location = Chippewa County, Wisconsin, USA

| length_mi=19.5

| trailheads = Chippewa Falls
Cornell

| use = Bicycling, hiking, in-line skating, horseback riding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

| difficulty = Easy

| months = Year-round

| sights = Chippewa River, Brunet Island State Park, Lake Wissota State Park

| map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=line}}

}}

Old Abe State Trail is a {{convert|19.5|mi|adj=on}} paved multi-use rail trail in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, USA.{{cite news| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81804971/| title=Change of season reason to venture| first=Mark Andrew| last=Trapani| newspaper=Leader-Telegram| location=Eau Claire, WI| date=September 25, 2003| page=39| via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

The name commemorates Old Abe,{{cite news| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81804561/| title=Sail along like an eagle on Old Abe State Trail| first=Roger| last=Schneider| newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette| location=Green Bay, WI| date=August 18, 2001| page=27| via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} a bald eagle that was captured in 1861 by Ahgamahwegezhig, a Native American man, near the South Fork of the Flambeau River. At Jim Falls, which is on the trail, he sold the eagle to tavern keeper Daniel McCann, who in turn sold it to soldiers of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Old Abe became their mascot, who accompanied them during many battles of the American Civil War. The reservoir behind the hydroelectric dam in Jim Falls is named "Old Abe Lake", and a 10½ foot statue of Old Abe has been erected near the dam.

The trail presently runs from the outskirts of Chippewa Falls to Cornell, following an abandoned railroad line on the undeveloped shoreline of the Chippewa River for most of its route.{{cite news| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81804187/| title=New mile markers dot trails| first=Christena T.| last=O'Brien| newspaper=Leader-Telegram| location=Eau Claire, WI| date=October 3, 2013| page=1B| via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81804398/| title=Scenic Trails: Chippewa Valley offers multiple options for bikers| first=Eric| last=Lindquist| newspaper=Leader-Telegram| location=Eau Claire, WI| date=May 1, 2019| page=A3| via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} The trail also provides access between Lake Wissota State Park and Brunet Island State Park. Old Abe State Trail is managed cooperatively by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Chippewa County.{{cite news| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81804835/| title=City of Stanley, Chippewa County seeks funds for trails| newspaper=Chippewa Herald-Telegram| location=Chippewa Falls, WI| date=September 9, 2007| page=13| via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} An extension south to Eau Claire is planned to link to the Chippewa River State Trail.