Oak Hill 2 – Mountain Bike Trail

Oak Hill 2 is an easy looped trail that skirts the Menomonee River on one side and the World War II Veterans Memorial Hwy on the other. As such, you get the best of the city and nature in one place. Unfortunately, you won't be able to experience the quietness and cleanness of nature with all the cars you can hear whizzing past. However, you can tackle the fairly easy to intermediate-level trail if you want a fun, short ride.

Given that it's just under a mile and a half long, you can combine it with the other loops, e.g., Oak Hill 3, although you'll mostly be going over similar terrain.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

The main trailhead is on the Menomonee River Parkway just north of Capital Drive. However, there's no direct way to get onto the Parkway from Capital Drive. As such, you'll need to turn north onto Mayfair Rd from Capital Drive, then get on Fiebrantz Avenue due west.

At the end of Fiebrantz Avenue, turn north again onto 110^th Street. Once you reach the end, turn west onto Raymir Cir, then west again onto Hope Avenue. This should take you to the Menomonee River Pkwy, from where you'll head south and park on the side of the road just before you reach Capital Drive.

The trailhead should be close to a paved trail next to Capital Drive.

It might be easy to miss since there's no parking lot, and the trail is often overgrown and bushy. Once on the trail, you'll go through a tall grass and bushes section next to the bridge. Cross it, and the trailhead sign should be just ahead.

There are hardly any major elevation changes on this trail. Also, after you cross the bridge, you should stick to your left. Mountain bikers are supposed to ride it clockwise while everybody else, i.e., hikers and dog walkers, can go through it the other way around. This makes it easier to see oncoming traffic and to get out of the way in time.

Going clockwise takes you behind Oak Hill Cemetry, from where you'll be riding near the edge of the World War II Veterans Memorial Hwy. The highway can be a reminder that you're still in the city with cars whizzing past. However, you will be traveling next to the Menomonee River on your way back.

The trail might still qualify as an intermediate-level option due to how twisty it is. However, this often means you can't see more than a few feet ahead. There's plenty of shade throughout, with trees lining the trail's edges. For some, the trees might be too close for comfort, so you can't go through it fast.

The trees add roots to the trail path. You'll also have to watch out for branches and possibly fallen trees as you go through it.

A downside of the trail is it doesn't drain or dry very well after a bit of rain. As such, it can take a few days after a storm for the trail to be usable. Also, being so close to the road, some trash inevitably gets onto the trail and might ruin an otherwise serene-looking environment. Nevertheless, this is not enough reason to write off going for a few loops before heading back home.

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

You get to see some creek crossings and the Menomonee River.

Recommendations and Precautions

• Being near a river, there are plenty of bugs, so rub some insect repellent on your arms and feet if necessary.
• Avoid during wet weather since the trail is unlikely to be usable.