If you’ve ever clipped into your pedals or laced up your running shoes at Area 178, you know it’s a special piece of ground. Tucked along the banks of the Chippewa River, its flowing singletrack, scenic river overlooks, and hidden ravines offer a rapid escape into nature just minutes from town.

But long before it had official trailhead signage, a name, or a spot on the CORBA trail map, Area 178 was a very different kind of place.

The story of how this network came to be isn’t just about moving dirt—it’s a masterclass in grassroots advocacy, community diplomacy, and what happens when local trail lovers refuse to give up.

Phase 1: From Fishing Paths to Unofficial Singletrack

In the beginning, there was no master plan.

Decades ago, the land along Highway 178 was mostly frequented by anglers, hunters, and local neighborhood kids exploring the riverbanks. Over time, informal fishing paths began to interconnect. Local mountain bikers started linking those footpaths together, rolling in rough lines, and creating a raw, makeshift network of secret singletrack.

It was fun, local, and entirely unofficial. But as popularity grew, so did a natural dilemma: land ownership.

Unlike a typical county park with single-entity oversight, the corridor flanking Highway 178 was a complex quilt of public and private property. In the early days, riders often didn’t know whose land they were on—and land managers didn’t necessarily want people out in the woods maintaining unpermitted trails.

If the trails were going to survive, they needed to come out of the shadows.

Phase 2: A Patchwork of Partners

When CORBA formed in the mid-2000s, turning the informal paths into a legitimate, permanent trail system became a top priority. But doing so meant pulling off a high-wire act of community organizing.

Connecting the network required sitting down with an unprecedented number of distinct landowners along both sides of Highway 178, including:

• Xcel Energy (managing power line and hydroelectric land along the river)
• Chippewa County & The City of Chippewa Falls
• Dove Healthcare
• McDonell Area Catholic Schools
• Local private landowners

Every entity had different priorities, insurance requirements, and safety standards. Working with Xcel Energy, in particular, meant navigating federal regulatory requirements tied to hydro operations, turning what felt like simple trail upkeep into a multi-year administrative process.

It was slow work, but local advocate Pat Rasmus and early CORBA champions like Jay and Laura Plummer stepped up to bridge the gap. Living right down the road, Pat used deep community ties to start conversations, build trust, and prove that an organized bike club could be a responsible partner rather than a liability.

Phase 3: “Area 178” Hits the Map

After years of behind-the-scenes meetings, land-use agreements, and volunteer sweat equity, the milestone moment finally arrived roughly a decade ago: the official Grand Opening of Area 178.

The name itself was born out of local slang—a nod to Highway 178 running right through the heart of the zone, with a subtle, playful tip of the hat to Area 51.

Having CORBA’s organizational structure and insurance policy provided the missing link that allowed land managers to officially sign on. What was once a collection of disconnected fishing tracks was now a recognized, multi-partner recreational asset for the entire Chippewa Valley.

Phase 4: Adapt, Preserve, and Grow

Securing the initial land agreements was a huge victory, but maintaining a multi-owner trail network is an ongoing journey. Over the years, as properties changed hands, the trail system had to adapt:

• Doctor’s Orders: When hospital land transitioned ownership, a beloved section of trail known as Doctor’s Orders was briefly shut down. Thanks to swift outreach and existing local relationships with McDonell Area Catholic Schools after they acquired the parcel, CORBA was able to secure a new agreement and reopen the trail to the public.
• Expanding South: In recent years, CORBA partnered with the City of Chippewa to expand beyond the original core, adding nearly two miles of scenic, family-friendly trail and nature conservancy loops south of the river near the Seymour Cray bridge.
• Shared Stewardship: Today, maintenance at Area 178 relies on a tight-knit crew of volunteers sharing tools, mowers, and labor between Area 178 and the nearby network: Hickory Ridge.

The Legacy on the River

Today, Area 178 stands as a testament to what a dedicated community can build when they work together. From the rock outcrops below the dam to the flowing loops above the river, every mile of singletrack represents years of patience, handshake agreements, and endless hours of volunteer labor.

The next time you head out for a quick evening lap or a weekend ride along the river, take a look at the woods around you. You’re riding on a piece of Chippewa Valley history—built by hand, preserved by community, and rolling smoothly into the future.

Want to help keep Area 178 looking great? Trails don’t trim themselves! Whether you can lend a hand for an hour of lopping or want to learn the ropes of trail care, CORBA is always looking for new volunteers to help care for our local dirt. Drop us a line or keep an eye out for upcoming trail days!