High Trestle Trail - Ribbon Cutting - Ready For Action

Wow! Our new neighbor, the High Trestle Trail, with its amazing half-mile long bridge that is 13 stories high, is even better than people were saying it’s going to be. Dignitaries and the media got a preview of it on Wednesday, and a huge turnout from the public is expected Saturday for the opening “Grand Celebration.”
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER

Board member, RRVT Association

MADRID, Iowa, April 27, 2011 — We’ve now had our first look at the brand new 25-mile-long “High Trestle Trail” and its already-legendary ”Art Bridge” that is a half-mile long and 13 stories high.

It’s as good as they were saying it was going to be. Maybe better.

“This is something I’m going to look forward to, riding my bicycle on this trail and across this bridge,” said Governor Terry Branstad, who reminded the crowd at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 27, that he and First Lady Chris Branstad own a home eight miles north of the trail. “And I’m sure my children and grandchildren will want to ride it, too, as well as people coming from across the nation.”

“I love it!” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds. “This is another great example of big things happening in small places.”

Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation President Mark Ackelson, U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell and other dignitaries gathered Wednesday, April 27, at the west end of the “Art Bridge” on the brand new High Trestle Trail for a ribbon cutting and formal opening. A “Grand Celebration” of the opening is scheduled in all the towns on Saturday, April 30

“It’s been a $15 million project,” said Mark Ackelson, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, which led the development, fundraising and promotion of the new trail. “That’s quite a price. But when you think about all the wonderful experiences that our families, friends and visitors from across the nation are going to have out here, it’s really a priceless project.” He noted that 80 percent of the cost was covered by 18 different public grants.

Congressman Leonard Boswell said he looks forward to riding his bicycle on the trail, too, and he told about how in recent years, he has flown an airplane up the river valley many times to monitor the project. “This is a natural, just what we need,” Boswell said. “People across the United States know Iowa for RAGBRAI, which is tremendous, but I tell people to come to Iowa a week early, or stay afterward, and ride our recreational trails. I see this and it makes me look forward to our next (trail) project. Let’s just keep on going.”

Read the remainder of the article and see some great pictures of the HTT here:

March/April Iowa Outdoors Magazine - Great Features

I just received the March/April edition of Iowa Outdoors magazine. It is full of great articles - but two are of particular interest.

The Quietest Park by Jennifer Wilson is a terrific piece on Three Fires State Park.  


Tender shoots rise from the vast croplands of southwest Iowa. Last year's corn stubble has gone gray over a long winter in Taylor County, 100 miles southeast of Council Bluffs. Windmills and weather vanes stand rusting, but working, next to broke-down barns. They're lonesome relics of life as it once was in Iowa.

For weekenders shaking off winter's sleepy mantle and looking for an old-fashioned outdoors good time, Taylor County's Lake of Three Fires State Park is where to go-a 694-acre park named for the council fires of three Native American tribes that once shared this land.

Lake of Three Fires is one of the most underused in the state parks system. It feels like you have it all to yourself. But if improvements continue to work out as well as they have been, then that's about to change.

Workers are shoring up its 10.5 miles of trails and a lake renovation in 2004 is just beginning to bear serious bobber-friendly benefits. With nothing more than a rod and a lightly outfitted tackle box, you can easily catch your first fish of the season...

Get the rest of the story in the 2011 Mar/Apr Issue:

A second article by Shane Hallengren features the artwork of Ames artist Nancy Thompson who is on a quest to paint all of Iowa's great state parks.

Check out some of Nancy's work here -  

Get the rest of the story in the 2011 Mar/Apr Issue:

State Parks Trails Challenge Runners

by Joe Wilkinson, Iowa DNR

Building endurance can be an uphill battle for serious runners. But it doesn't have to be round and round the track... or along lonely county blacktops. Throw in a few park trails and you get real hills... and various surfaces for a different and scenic workout.

Brogan Austin won the Iowa high school Class 3A cross country meet last fall, after logging 100 of his 518 summer training miles on the hills and bluffs of Ledges State Park. The Boone senior continued his hill climbs and won the 3200 and 1600 meter runs at the 2010 state track meet, in May.

He's on to something that is far from a well kept secret. If there is a park trail in the vicinity... somebody is running it. At Lake Macbride State Park, west of Solon, there's a steady stream of traffic. "It gets our athletes off the roads and to a softer surface," notes Emy Williams, cross country coach at Solon High School. Her teams use it regularly; as do athletes from Prairie High School, the University of Iowa, Cornell and Coe Colleges.

A steep hill near the trailhead at the park's north entrance challenges runners and bicyclists. From there, a crushed limestone trail winds five miles east to the Solon Nature and Recreation Area. Most of the route is flat; perfect for racking up miles, or for a family stroll. As you approach Solon, a couple rolling inclines challenge runners. "It's the versatility. The terrain is similar to most cross country courses," compares Williams. As I walked it Monday morning, five of her runners passed me. Earlier in the month, her boys and girls teams had summer camp there.

Throw in the 1.5 mile loop from the beach to the Macbride dam and you have a tree-shaded bonus. In all, there are about 20 miles of trails along the lake or through the parks' steep, wooded terrain. Jog across the dam, and pick your way across the rocky spillway and you have wooded hillsides and hard dirt trails pointing toward the University of Iowa's Macbride Field campus.

You can even do your running for college credit. Through the University of Iowa's Lifetime Leisure Studies program, Paul Sueppel offers an eight-week, one credit hour class on Trail Running. "I'm always telling them to keep their feet underneath their body; short, quick steps," advises Sueppel. "(Other than that), it's good posture, body up, head up. You need to retain your balance, especially going downhill. Watch for objects lying ahead."

With any sport, specialized equipment makes a difference. A good pair of trail running shoes does not resemble 'stock' Nikes, adidas or Sauconys. With trail running growing by leaps and bounds (literally) most full service shoe departments or running stores now stock trail shoes. "The thing to look for is big lugs on the bottom...and good ankle support," urges Sueppel. He says a new generation of trail shoes features just a low cushion; almost barefoot running, but with a little protection.

Lots of flat land runners get an outdoor education in a hurry, in state parks. Sueppel's class meets twice a week for eight weeks. With the Coralville Reservoir, Iowa River and Lake Macbride, there is a variety of terrain; Squire Point, Sugar Bottom recreation area...as well as the Solon to Macbride trail. "It's fantastic; the kids from out of state especially--who think Iowa is flat," notes Sueppel. "It gives them an idea of Iowa's landscape."

Many state park trails come with a plan. Brogan Austin took advantage of the familiar 'box' step design at Ledges. "The steps are designed with the same 'rise' in each one," explains Angela Corio, from the DNR parks bureau. "You know each step is going to rise six inches. You can focus on the view, instead of tree roots and irregular terrain. They are also built for long term erosion control."

The 'tread'; the number of steps you take on each has a purpose, too. Some allow one footfall. Every once in awhile, though; a longer one requires two. "That way, you are not always leading uphill with the same leg. You have to change," explains Corio.

It's no coincidence that many of Iowa's state parks have steep topography. In the first few decades of the 1900s--many were gifts to the state, or relatively cheap purchases because no one could farm them! Many of the resulting trails offer jaw-dropping beautiful vistas, as well as a great workout.

But it's not just the family stroll or heavy-duty hikers who take advantage. Some park users go full throttle. "Surprisingly, we get quite a few runners; Briar Cliff and Morningside Colleges and area high schools come out regularly," says Park Ranger Kevin Pape, about the steep bluffs of Stone State Park, at Sioux City. "The Missouri River Runners Club sponsors its Broken Toe Trail Run here. We do see our regulars out here."

Some are far enough away from the nearest town that it's a workout just to get to them. That trims the number of runners...but some still show. "We see our regulars. The trails are their network. They create their own routes," says Matt Tschirgi, park manager at Pikes Peak State Park, high above the Mississippi River near Marquette and McGregor.

Besides the break from looking at street traffic or the same striped track surface lap after lap, many runners come for the view...as well as the softer, kind-to-the-legs surface of many state parks.

June 17 - Volunteers Needed for Trail-Building Day

A crew of volunteers will come together to clean up and blaze an interpretive pedestrian trail at Riverview Recreation Area in Waterloo on June 17. The trail-building and trash pickup will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An interpretive pedestrian trail will be developed by clearing brush and linking together existing dirt paths. The trail will wind along recently restored wetlands, creating a scenic viewing area.

The trail will be featured at the 2010 Iowa Trails Summit Family Fun Day at Riverview Recreation Area on June 19. The Fun Day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature paddling, hiking and biking, as well as horse demonstrations and interpretive trail walks, among other activities.

Volunteers will be in groups and people of all ages and fitness levels are welcome.

The project is being organized by the Iowa DNR AmeriCorps Trails Program. It aims to promote citizen involvement and encourage the sharing of an area by numerous outdoor recreation groups.

Tools will be provided. Volunteers are advised to bring gloves and sturdy shoes.

For further information on these and other events visit: www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes

Trail Summit Coming to Cedar Falls in June

A diverse gathering of Iowa trail users will take place at the University of Northern Iowa Lang Hall Auditorium, in Cedar Falls, on June 18 and 19.

The Iowa Trails Summit is a first of its kind conference bringing together hikers, bikers, paddlers, equestrians, Off Highway Vehicles, snowmobilers as well as health experts and tourism officials.

The summit agenda on June 18 includes panel discussions in four sessions covering healthy communities, diversity and accessibility, trail planning, development and funding, and on multi-use and shared trails.

On June 19, there will be a wide range of free demonstrations and outdoor trail events at the Riverview Recreation Area in Waterloo.

For information on registration and fees, go to www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes and click on Iowa Trails Summit in the navigation bar on the left.

The Iowa Trail Summit is supported by the Federal Highway Administration, Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, the Iowa Whitewater Coalition, Greater Des Moines Volkssport Association, Iowa State Snowmobile Association, Iowa Off-Highway Vehicle Association, Iowa Motorsports Coalition, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, Sierra Club, Cedar Valley Paddlers, Friends of Iowa Trails, Friends of Iowa Rivers, Cedar Trails Partnership, Cedar Valley Association of Soft Trails, Iowa Horse Council, Iowa Trail Riders Association and the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mountain bikers build their own paths

By MIKE KILEN
mkilen@dmreg.com

A small group of mountain bikers didn't sit around and whine after they were booted out of Browns Woods south of Des Moines in 1996.

They meticulously built a network of dirt trails in central Iowa.

"Our state doesn't have a lot of public land so the battle for everybody to get their own is a lose-lose. The answer is in how to improve and share these trails," said Ryan Hanser, president of the Central Iowa Trails Association.

The trail work continues Saturday with volunteer trail building. The benefits will be on display Sunday, Nov. 15, during the Des Moines Dirty Duathlon race.

"People don't understand that dirt trails don't just happen if a lot of us walk in the same place," Hanser said. "Good trails don't build themselves. When built right, they last for generations and don't require a lot of maintenance. But the construction is pretty demanding."

With 50 members, CITA helped build:
- A dirt trail system in Des Moines' Greenwood and Ashworth Parks that links to adjacent Water Works Park. (Seven miles).

- Sycamore Trail on the west side of the Des Moines River north of Euclid Avenue. (7.5 miles).
- Summerset State Park off Highway 69 between Indianola and Des Moines. (Four miles).

City officials estimate the volunteers worked 350 hours in Greenwood Park alone, estimated at $70,000 of labor.

It took a lot of toil through the woods and up and down hills with fire-fighting equipment such as hoses, axes, fire rakes and tampers.

And it took expertise.

After mountain biking popularity spread from the coasts to the Midwest in the mid-1990s, Hanser said, conflict between users developed.

But proper trail design, aided by advice from the International Mountain Biking Association, helped calm the tensions.

Well-designed trails alleviate erosion and collisions with slower-moving walkers by being tight and technical, Hanser said.

City officials say the volunteers have been vital.
"These trails not only benefit mountain bikers but also anyone who wants to get up close to nature," said Mindy Moore, city park planner.

A parks department survey of Des Moines residents found that 80 percent of households rank walking and biking trails as their greatest recreation need.

Moore said plans for more unpaved trails are in the works following a study last summer on appropriate locations. A skill-building, BMX-like dirt track is in development in Bates Park.
Area mountain bikers gather for weekly rides and competitions, linked at centraliowatrails.org.

Hanser said other dirt trail networks have formed across the state, including in the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs and Decorah, with a showcase system in Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids under consideration.

"It's really about Iowans volunteering," he said.

Race Event on Nov. 15
Des Moines Dirty Duathlon. Greenwood Park, Des Moines. Sunday, Nov. 15. Registration, 10 a.m.; Beginner race, 11 a.m.; Free kids race, 12:30 p.m.; Open/relay race, 1 p.m. $25. centraliowatrails.com.
Additional Facts
How to volunteer
Volunteers are needed for trail work. No experience required; wear sturdy shoes, eye protection and bring water.

- Saturday, Nov. 7, 1-5 p.m., Greenwood Park, 4500 Grand Ave., Des Moines. (Meet at Ashworth Pool.) Rerouting trail.

- Saturday, Nov. 14. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Summerset State Park, east of Highway 69 between Des Moines and Indianola. Building trail.

Maquoketa Caves State Park Appreciation Day

Maquoketa Caves State Park Appreciation Day

Saturday August 8 - 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Schedule of Events -

Rudy Vallejo-Native American Dance

10:30am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm

Live Music

Doug and Lisa Frey --performing from 1pm-3pm --Old Lodge Shelter

Hiking Tours -Flint Knapping - Visitor Center

10:30am & 12:30pm

Doug Gonner -Dutch Oven cooking demo

4:00-5:00 pm

Please join us in celebating our appreciation for YOU and the Maquoketa Caves. Bring your own chair. Come and enjoy free popcorn & Lemonade at the visitor's Center

9:00am - 5:00pm. For more information contact Maquoketa Caves at 563-652-5833.

Maquoketa Caves is probably Iowa’s most unique state park. Its caves, limestone formations and rugged bluffs provide visitors a chance to "step back" into geological time thousands of years. Caves vary from the 1,100′ Dancehall Cave with walkways and lighting system to Dugout Cave. The remaining caves are all different sizes and shapes. Some can be explored by walking while others can best be seen by crawling. In any case, a flashlight and old clothes and shoes are most helpful.

The caves at the state park have been found to release treasures such as tools and projectile points made of stone, hundreds of years of history just waiting to be explored by you.
Early recorded history tells of the Native Americans in the area, and that they were likely visitors to the Raccoon Creek valleys. From the discovery of the caves in the 1830’s by settlers until the present day explorers the caves have revealed the story of the past.

Beautiful milk white stalactites once hung from the ceilings and stalagmites rose from the floor. Souvenir hunters have robbed the caves of this rare beauty, but many formations remain.

The park contains more caves than any other state park in Iowa. A beautiful trail system links the caves, formations, and overlooks while providing an exciting hiking experience. Many areas on these trails have seen new construction, making the journey to the caves safer and easier. Trail highlights include the dramatic "Natural Bridge" which stands nearly 50 feet above Raccoon Creek, and the 17-ton "Balanced Rock".

The park has beauty all its own each season of the year. Spring wildflowers give way to the lush green growth of summer. Fall brings dramatic hues of yellow, gold and crimson. Snow transforms the park into a winter wonderland. Whatever the season, Maquoketa Caves has something special to offer.

TrailsHikers can enjoy the scenery along the 6 miles of trails. The trails in the eastern part of the park connect the park facilities and provide access to the caves. Trail highlights include the dramatic "Natural Bridge" which stand nearly 50 feet above Raccoon Creek, 17-ton "Balanced Rock", and "Dancehall Cave." A trail in the western area of the park takes hikers past a restored prairie, an experimental oak savanna restoration and a wildlife food plot.

Interpretive Center

The former Sager’s Museum building has been converted into an interpretive center. This new facility contains detailed information about the geology of cave formations, park history, and a background of the early "inhabitants" of the park.

It also contains a "video tour" of the park, for those who are unable to withstand the rugged terrain that the park offers. This facility will be open on the weekends during the summer and by special arrangement with the park office.

Location: Maquoketa is seven miles southeast of the park. Actual address is 10970 98th St., Maquoketa, IA 52060
Phone: 563/652-5833

Heading to RAGBRAI ? Discover State Parks Along The Way!

Only one week left until the launch of RAGBRAI XXXVII beginning in Council Bluffs July 19, 2009. The July 12 edition of the Des Moines Register features "Gems Along the Ride"- that highlights many excellent hidden treasures on or near this year's route.

In addition the RAGBRAI XXXVII Route presents numerous opportunities for riders and their crews to get acquainted with a few of Iowa's beautiful state parks along the way.

For those traveling along I-29 from the north - you will want to stop by Stone State Park and the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center in Sioux City. The center features a variety of interpretive displays, including a "walk-under" prairie, a 400-gallon aquarium of native fish, and natural history dioramas. A children's discovery area provides opportunity to handle furs, antlers, fossils, and other artifacts.

A little farther south, you will find the Lewis and Clark State Park near Onawa. While visiting Lewis and Clark, please take the opportunity to view the full-sized reproduction of Lewis and Clark's keelboat/barge, "Best Friend," which was constructed by Butch Bouvier of L&C Replicas. Imagine, if you can, the expedition winding its way up the Missouri River while sailing, pulling and poling the 55-foot boat.

Lewis and Clark State Park lies on the shores of Blue Lake, an "oxbow" formed by the meanderings of the picturesque Missouri River many years ago. The park is named for Meriwether Lewis, secretary to President Thomas Jefferson, and Captain William Clark, United States Army, who were commissioned by President Jefferson in 1804 to head an expedition into the northwest to explore the vast territory purchased from France. With 26 men and supplies, Lewis and Clark led their expedition up the Missouri River from St. Louis by keelboat.

On August 10, 1804, the expedition arrived at the site where Lewis and Clark State Park now lies. They spent some time there exploring the region and making observations on the geographical conditions, plants and animals in the area.

You will also find Wilson Island State Park and its visitor's center about 25 miles north of Council Bluffs. This is a great space for a break from the road - refreshments and a picnic. Immediately north of Wilson Island is the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is open to the public one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset year round. The DeSoto Visitor Center, open year-round 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., displays artifacts of the sunken steamboat Bertrand and audio-visual programs depicting Missouri River and wildlife conservation history. The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area is located 25 miles south of the park.

If you are coming up from the South, you will want to stop by Waubonsie State Park the first Iowa stop on the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail and just north of the Missouri border. The unique topography of the park resembles the "badlands" of the west and harbors plants like the yucca which are normally found in more arid climates. Named for Chief Waubonsie of the Native American Pottawattamie tribe, the park is much the same today as it was when it was purchased in 1926.

Those traveling from the east along I-80 will want to stop and take a break at Lake Anita State Park just five miles south of the Anita interchange. Lake Anita was dedicated in 1961and is one of the most popular outdoor recreation facilities in southwest Iowa. The 1,062-acre park features a beautiful 171-acre artificial lake which was formed by creating a dam on a branch of the Nishnabotna River.

Another great stop along I-80 Prairie Rose State Park which provides a number of beautiful picnic areas with excellent views of a 218-acre lake. Prairie Rose State Park is one of the most attractive outdoor recreation areas in western Iowa. The 422-acre park lies in a region of scenic hills, six miles east and three miles south of Harlan. The park received its name from a small town called Village of Prairie Rose which was once located near the present park location. Plans for Prairie Rose were initiated in the 1930s. However, actual construction of the dam started in 1958 with the park dedication taking place in 1962.

Saturday July, 18, 2009 - Council Bluffs
No visit to Council Bluffs would be complete without a visit to Lake Manawa State Park. Riders looking for a quick 'warm up' ride on Saturday should jump on the Council Bluffs trail system which will link you to a paved bike trail within the park, the Western Historic Trails Center and the Wabash Trace Trail. A great way to start off your RAGBRAI experience.

'Breathing Spaces' is the Official Blog of the Iowa Parks Foundation