I'm as susceptible as the next person to all that Emerald Isle shtick this time of year, though in most cases it's as authentic as a big bar of Irish Spring. And if a little green man approaches you in one of them and offers to show you his shillelagh, chances are you've had one too many jars of Guinness, boyo. Hard to avoid 'em in this town or any other American city. Actually, I'm as sure that Shane MacGowan likes his Jameson that you've been to one. There is no wonder why Iowa is becoming the "Trails Capital of the World".Irish Disneylands? You bet they exist. KUDOS A BIG Thanks to Polk County Conservation, Jasper & Polk Counties and all the other involved! This was a HUGE undertaking to bring back one of Central Iowa's most scenic trails. The scenic corridor, nowĬalled the "Chichaqua Valley Trail Connector", would serve as the link from Ankeny and Des Moines to Bondurant and Jasper County. The property which extends from Bondurant to NE 29th Street is 5.5 miles of abandoned Union Pacific railroad. It includes a scenic crossing of the Skunk River.įUTUREBig plans await this trail! The Chichaqua Valley Trail extension was purchased earlier this year with the help of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). The line was abandoned in 1984, and reopened as a recreational trail in 1987. Stone and wood railroadīridges have also been refurbished for the trail. Markers that show the distance to Kansas City. You'll see evidence of the train route in mile Western Company (1892-1968) and the Chicago & Northwestern RailroadĬompany (1968-1984). Paul, & Kansas City Railroad (1886-1892), Chicago Great Later other railroads came along:Ĭhicago, St. Rail right-of-way that once was used by the Wisconsin, Iowa & HISTORYThe trail is paved for its entire route, and it occupies an abandoned Route you'll be treated to wildflowers and wildlife in this woodedįind out more about the Chichaqua Valley Trail on Polk County Conservation's website. The trail is a gem among Iowa's cultivated fields, and throughout the "skunk" but actually referred to the smell of wild onions that grewĪlong the Skunk River, which the trail crosses.
The name isĭerived from a Native American word that early settlers mistook to mean Of Bondurant and the town of Baxter, passing through the smallĬommunities of Ira, Mingo and Valeria along the way. The second second photo shows the repair of the same generalĪBOUTThis scenic Chichaqua Valley Trail runs for 20 miles between just east That section of railroad bed had been there since theġ880’s. You can see how the trail base was washed out. PHOTOSThe two photos at the bottom show the wash out area. Till it’s gone?” or maybe that was a quote from a Joni Mitchel song ).
There still may be some shouldering, cleaning and mowing to be done, but if you are a cyclist, go out and ride the trail!Īs Loren Lown of Polk County Conservation said - “you don’t know what you’ve got Plates we added to make acceptable transitions between the repaired trail andīridges. Working in two counties, and the discovery of additional structural Process due to the difficulty of dealing with a federal disaster agency (FEMA),
Repaired sections are approximately 5 miles in length and cost Some washouts were longer than a football field.
In August 2011 floods washed out 12 different sections along the 20 mile trail. The communities and individuals who have enjoyed the trail for many Not having that resource for several years has been a loss for Chichaqua Valley Trail is a trail that has a special attraction for many of our trail
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