Home - Great Headwaters Trails

Finishing Up the Conover-Phelps Trail

Patience and commitment are keeping things on track to build the last 2 miles of trail. Construction is now scheduled for summer of 2020.

We thank all those who have helped us reach the $430,000 mark, close to full funding for the last section.

This update explains what is in the works to complete the trail in 2020.

Add my donation!

In the works: The River Trail

This 10-mile trail will extend the 55-mile Heart of Vilas Trail System to Eagle River and the 13-mile Three Eagle Trail.

GHT is working on the project under the authority of the River Trail Commission which is made up of the municipalities of St Germain, Cloverland and Eagle River.

We've done a lot to lay the groundwork for this project. Read more about the project.

Watch for new developments here!

Help Build the River Trail!

2018 was record-breaking, 2019 was even bigger!

SepTimber Ride was bigger than ever in 2019: 291 participants came out to enjoy a 26 mile trail ride or a 60k or 100k road ride, all leaving from Eagle River's Tribute Brewing Co. and passing a special rest stop at Three Lakes Winery.

Winners of the SepTimber Ride raffle received a Specialized electric bike, a Wilderness Pungo 140 kayak and paddle, an overnight stay at Wild Eagle Lodge, or special growler and wine bottle bike carriers. Watch for details about SepTimber Ride VI, Sept. 12, 2020.

Building family-friendly biking and walking trails
near the source of a Great River

Since its founding in 2010, the Great Headwaters Trails foundation’s goal has been to build 40 miles of biking and walking trails in eastern Vilas County, the headwaters of the Wisconsin River. The system we envision will connect the towns of Land O’ Lakes, Conover, Phelps and Eagle River to the Three Eagle Trail, the Heart of Vilas Trail System and the Wilderness Lakes Trails.

A grand vision, it will result in a connected family-friendly trail system over 110 miles long.

The first leg of the Great Headwaters Trails system is the Conover-Phelps Trail.

Nine years in, get GHT's 2019 Annual Report here!

The Conover-Phelps Trail

Growing steadily - Help add the last 2 miles of this 11-mile trail!

Donate Now

First 3.2 miles -
in place and in use in spring 2016.

5.5 more miles
completed in 2017.

.

Check out the new trail!

Completing the final 2 miles
is scheduled for summer 2020.

paid for

Now

funded

Coming next July: A trail celebration!

December 14, 2017

Don Gillum (above) was a valued GHT volunteer and a respected and well-known member of the eastern Vilas County community. The Don Gillum Memorial Bike and Hike coming up next summer will honor his memory and celebrate the developing Conover-Phelps Trail. The July 21 family-oriented event will start in Conover’s Community Park…

Heavy lifting and successful trail building

December 14, 2017

The Conover-Phelps Trail is now almost 9 miles long. Behind that great news are these key people: Carlton Schroeder, PE, designed the newest 5.5 mile section working with Gary Meister to do the groundwork and take the project from the conceptual stage to a Certified for Construction design package, with…

Third Annual SepTimber Ride a Success

November 12, 2017

Great Headwaters Trails (GHT) held its third annual SepTimber Ride in partnership with the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce on September 9th. This fun ride started at the Tribute Brewery Co. proceeding to the Three Lakes Winery in Three Lakes via the Three Eagles Trail and then back to…

Be an active ingredient – all kinds of skills are needed to build top notch biking and walking trails. Add yours! <a href="https://ghtrails.org/volunteer-2/">VOLUNTEER</a>

Be an active ingredient – all kinds of skills are needed to build top notch biking and walking trails. Add yours! VOLUNTEER

Make the Northwoods even better – donate to help build the Great Headwaters Trail System <a href="https://ghtrails.org/donate">DONATE NOW</a>

Make the Northwoods even better – donate to help build the Great Headwaters Trail System DONATE NOW

When it comes to nonmotorized trails, here are the people – all volunteers - who are moving things forward in eastern Vilas County. <a href="https://ghtrails.org/about/">LEARN MORE</a>

When it comes to nonmotorized trails, here are the people – all volunteers - who are moving things forward in eastern Vilas County. LEARN MORE

Good trails pay off in fun, well-being, and dollars. Here’s what is in place and in the works right now! <a href="https://ghtrails.org/trail-system/plans-and-progress/">SEE THE PROGRESS</a>

Good trails pay off in fun, well-being, and dollars. Here’s what is in place and in the works right now! SEE THE PROGRESS