Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) is a rail trail running 56 miles (90 km) from Waukee, Iowa, to Jefferson, Iowa. In 2013, an additional 33.1-mile (53.3 km) north loop was completed on the RRVT, making the RRVT nearly 90 miles (140 km) of paved trails and having a paved interior loop of more than 72 miles (116 km). The 39-mile (63 km) portion of the trail from Waukee to Herndon is part of the American Discovery Trail, which runs between Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware and Point Reyes near the Bay Area of California. In Iowa, the American Discovery Trail will be concurrent with U.S. Bicycle Route 50 (see United States Numbered Bicycle Routes).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
The recreational trail runs through the counties of Polk, Dallas, Guthrie, and Greene in Iowa. It is a paved trail, mainly asphalt,[a] though three sections are concrete. One concrete section extends from Jefferson south for four miles (6 km). Another concrete section is an eighteen-mile (30 km) section connecting Redfield, Linden, Panora, and Yale.[b] Constructed during 2010–2013, the 33.1-mile (53.3 km) North Loop, which runs between Dawson and Waukee through Perry, Minburn, and Dallas Center, is the third concrete section.[15][16][17][18][19] In March 2024, the Dallas County Conservation Director Mike Wallace announced that the bridge over the North Raccoon River on the east side of Adel will be closed from mid-July 2024 to mid-October 2024 in order to resurface and widen the bridge from 10 feet to 12 feet which will allow emergency vehicles and maintenance equipment better access to the trail.[14][20]
Between Yale and Ortonville, which was a trail head 3 miles east of Adel, the 31 miles (50 km) of trail is very scenic and mostly tree covered. The north loop between Herndon and Waukee, is wider, nearly flat, and is much more exposed to the sun and wind.
In March 2024, Dallas County Conservation Director Mike Wallace stated that the connector between the High Trestle Trail and the Raccoon River Valley Trail will be completed and opened for use on August 16, 2024.[14][21]
On April 8, 2024, Waukee officials discussed a Hickman Road Pedestrian Crossing study which would involve constructing a tunnel for pedestrians and bicyclists under Hickman Road at 10th Street near the RRVT trailhead in Waukee and a bridge or overpass for pedestrians and bicyclists at Warrior Lane over Hickman Road.[22][23]
By 2007, the conservation board directors estimated that more than 125,000 people use this trail each year.[24] In 2014, the Dallas County Conservation Department estimated over 330,000 trail users of the RRVT annually.[25] In March 2024, the Dallas County Conservation Director Mike Wallace stated that 150,000 persons used the RRVT in 2023 which was the last year of the annual fee: 2024 is the first year of no daily or annual fee for trail users; however, special permits will be needed for event organizers for events held on the trail.[14][26][27]
Since the late 2000s, Snyder & Associates has been the engineering firm which supports development and upkeep of the Raccoon River Valley Trail as well as the High Trestle Trail and the nine-mile connector between the two trails.[28][29][30][31][32][33]
Locations of trailheads
[edit]- Waukee (41°36′44″N 93°47′46″W / 41.61222°N 93.79611°W)
- Waukee - junction with North Loop[d] (41°36′55″N 93°53′24″W / 41.61528°N 93.89000°W)
- Adel
- Redfield
- Linden
- Panora
- Yale
- Herndon - junction with North Loop (41°50′46″N 94°20′59″W / 41.84611°N 94.34972°W)
- Cooper
- Jefferson (42°00′58″N 94°22′05″W / 42.01611°N 94.36806°W)
North Loop RRVT
- Herndon - junction with Original Trail (41°50′46″N 94°20′59″W / 41.84611°N 94.34972°W)
- Jamaica
- Dawson
- Perry
- Forest Park Museum (south of
Iowa 141 on K Ave.)
- Minburn
- Dallas Center
- Waukee - junction with Original Trail[d] (41°36′55″N 93°53′24″W / 41.61528°N 93.89000°W)
History
[edit]Original RRVT
The RRVT trail between Waukee and Yale runs along the rail line established in 1881 as a narrow-gauge line of the Des Moines Western Railroad, which became part of the Wabash Railroad. About 10 years later, the Milwaukee Road took over the line and converted it to standard gauge. Passenger service ended along the line in 1952. Freight service continued along the line until 1987. In 1982, the Chicago & North Western purchased the line. In 1987, the Central Iowa Energy Cooperative (CIECO), an affiliate of the Central Iowa Power Company, purchased the line and hundreds of acres of land located south of Panora, Iowa. CIECO intended to build a coal-fired power plant on the land it had acquired south of Panora, near the railroad line. However, plans for this power plant were abandoned. Much of the land that was to have been the site of the power plant was placed in the 1,236-acre (5.00 km2) Lennon Mill Wildlife Area south of Panora. In late 1987, CIECO, Iowa Trails, and the Conservation Boards of Dallas and Guthrie Counties agreed to develop the railroad line as a recreational trail.[24][39]
On October 7, 1989, the first section of the Raccoon River Valley Trail opened. In 1990, 34 miles (55 km) of this paved trail were opened between Waukee, and Yale. North of Yale, the RRVT lies along an old Union Pacific Railroad line which was abandoned in the late 1990s.[40] In 1997, the trail was extended with a paved trail from Yale to Jefferson. In 1999, the trail was extended with a 5 miles (8.0 km) paved trail link from Waukee to the 11.3 miles (18.2 km) Clive Greenbelt Trail in Clive.[24][40]
North Loop
The 33.1-mile (53.3 km) North Loop is an additional paved branch from Herndon through Perry to Waukee. This paved branch follows the old Union Pacific Railroad line which was abandoned in late 2005. From Herndon, it travels through Jamaica and then northern Dallas County to Dawson, Perry, Minburn, Dallas Center, and then to Waukee.[24][41] On May 14, 2011, the six mile (10 km) concrete segment from Dawson to Perry opened for use.[42][43] A six-mile (10 km) concrete segment from Waukee to Dallas Center opened for use on October 15, 2011[15][16] On December 15, 2012, the section from Perry through Minburn to Dallas Center was completed.[17]
The remaining sections of the North Loop were completed during early 2013 and opened for use on June 1, 2013.[16][18][44]
In downtown Perry at noon on Saturday, June 1, 2013, the grand opening of the new 33 mile "north loop" occurred with Chuck Offenburger as Master of Ceremonies and a keynote speech by Kevin Cooney.[18][45][e]
Connections to other trails
[edit]5 miles (8.0 km) east of Waukee in Polk County, the RRVT connects to the 11.3 miles (18.2 km) Clive Greenbelt Trail in Clive and forms part of the Central Iowa Trails network.[40][46][47][48][49][50]
Future connections to other trails
[edit]Krushchev in Iowa Trail
[edit]A connection is planned at Herndon to the 22-mile (35 km) Krushchev in Iowa Trail in northern Guthrie County.[51][52][53] This link will give Coon Rapids, Bayard, and Bagley a paved trail connected to the RRVT.
High Trestle Trail
[edit]Another future 9-mile (14 km) connector will link the RRVT at Perry to Woodward and the 25-mile (40 km) High Trestle Trail which is in northern Polk and Dallas counties and southern Boone and Story counties.[25][31][54][55][56][57] Upon the completion of this connector to the High Trestle Trail, two trail loops of more than 100 miles (160 km) near Des Moines would be created with a western loop using the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the Clive Greenbelt Trail and an eastern loop using the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, the Chichaqua Valley Trail and the Gay Lea Wilson Trail.[21][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67]
In the middle of April 2016, the Dallas County Supervisors approved the connecting route between the two trails. The connector will depart Perry and travel generally along 130th Street in Dallas County and along 128th Place in Dallas County into Bouton to Woodward utilizing both the existing railroad bed and road shoulders. In 2016 from Perry to US 169, 130th Street is a 3-mile (4.8 km) crushed limestone rock road in Dallas County. From US 169 to Bouton, the trail will be near the .7-mile (1.1 km) 128th Place in Dallas County which is a crushed limestone road lying just north of Beaver Creek. Between Bouton and Woodward, 130th Street, also known as
CR R30, is a 4-mile (6.4 km) paved concrete road.[25][56][68][69] The $5 million connector was expected to be completed by 2022 but will be completed in 2024.[69][70][71] The portion of the connector in Perry was completed in 2018 with the trail bridge over Beaver Creek to M Avenue completed in 2021. In March 2020, construction began from the Woodward end of the connector.[69][72]
As of April 20, 2023, the paved connector trail from Perry to Woodward is completed in two sections: one section is from the Perry High School over Beaver Creek to the intersection of M Avenue and 130th Street in Dallas County and the other section is from Quinlan Avenue in Dallas County to S Avenue in Dallas County at the northwest corner of Woodward. To take the connector route from Perry to Woodward proceed on the paved trail from 18th Street in Perry in front of the westside of the Perry High School building over Beaver Creek on a trail bridge to the intersection of M Avenue and 130th Street in Dallas County.[69] Eastward from here, the connector route has a 2.1-mile (3.4 km) surface of crushed limestone rock and is on 130th Street in Dallas County with a short portion northward on the shoulder of US 169 then eastward on 128th Place in Dallas County entering the northwest corner of the city of Bouton.[69] The connector route leaves from the southeast corner of Bouton eastward for 2 miles (3.2 km) on the concrete surfaced 130th Street in Dallas County, also known as
CR R30, to the gravel surfaced Quinlan Avenue in Dallas County on which the connector route follows north of 130th Street for about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) to the completed paved connector trail.[69] From Quinlan Avenue in Dallas County, follow the paved connector trail eastward for approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) to S Avenue in Dallas County at the northwest corner of Woodward just north of the Woodward-Granger High School softball and baseball fields.[69] The trailhead for the High Trestle Trail is at the old Woodward railroad depot and is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the Woodward-Granger High School softball and baseball fields. The trailhead for the High Trestle Trail has heated restrooms and is located on the northside of Woodward east of Main Street, also known as
Iowa 210, between the northside of the grain elevators, which are located at the intersection of Main Street and Railroad Street, and the Whistlin' Donkey restaurant, which is located at 111 North Main Street, Woodward, IA.[73][74] The Whistlin' Donkey has a primitive campground.[75][76][77] Funding for the last 2-mile (3.2 km) section of the connector was received and the section from the east side of Bouton between the town of Bouton and Quinlin Avenue will be paved and a new bridge will be completed for use on August 16, 2024.[14][21][78]
Connections to state parks
[edit]Connecting Big Creek State Park north of Polk City in Polk County, Ledges State Park south of Boone in Boone County, and Springbrook State Park west of Yale in Guthrie County, the 160-mile (260 km) Central Iowa Bike Route is a picturesque circuit ride among the valleys of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers and involves some "challenging" hills and the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Camping is available at both Ledges State Park and Springbrook State Park.[79]
Winter activities
[edit]Beginning in February, 2009, when at least 4 inches (10 cm) of snow covers the paved trail, the Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC) groom the paved trail. The RRVT between Jefferson and Waukee along with the North Loop is part of a larger winter activities trail network of over 200 miles (320 km). During the winter, this groomed trail is ideal for both cross country skiers and snowmobilers.[80][81][82][83]
Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC)
[edit]Search social media pages for "Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers" to get current information for snowmachines on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.[82] Created July 28, 2010, the RVSC social media page contains a timeline of past events.
Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC):
- Monthly meetings, usually on the 2nd Thursday at the Lake Panorama Conference Center near Panora
- Summer campouts, often in July at Springbrook State Park near Yale
- Summer outings, often in August, at the main beach, also known as boulder beach, on the east side of Lake Panorama near Panora
- Fall grass drags, often on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday in November or the 1st Sunday in December, at the Flack river farm five miles west of Jefferson—just south of Highway 30 and just west of county road P14
- Winter ice drags, often the 2nd Sunday in February, at the main beach, also known as boulder beach, on the east side of Lake Panorama near Panora
- Winter rides, sometimes in other nearby states: near Cable, Wisconsin at Lake Namekagon during the 2nd week of February in 2014
- DNR-certified Iowa snowmobile safety classes for youths ages 11 to 18, often the 2nd Saturday in December, at the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) Conference Center near Panora
In 2011, RVSC received the ISSA "CLUB OF THE YEAR" award.[82]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ During the spring and summer of 2020, the 10-mile (16 km) section of the trail between Adel and Redfield had most bridges replaced and widened and the trail paved surface was widened and replaced with a new asphalt overlay.[12]
- ^ On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the 6-mile (9.7 km) section of the trail between Linden and Redfield, which had been closed since August 2023 for trail improvements, opened with the five bridges widened and a new wider concrete surface.[13][14]
- ^ Formerly, Kennedy Station and Ortonville had parking for the trail. Kennedy Station is located along I Avenue in Dallas County 0.8 miles (1.3 km) north of Old Highway
US 6 also known as
CR F60. Ortonville is located at the intersection of Hickman Road (
US 6) and
CR R16 north (R Avenue in Dallas County)[37][38]
- ^ a b The Waukee trailhead is near Sugar Creek Elementary at the northeast corner of the lighted intersection of Hickman Road (
US 6) and North 10th Street which is also known as
CR R22 north (U Avenue in Dallas County). In Waukee, 10th Street is the western terminus of Ashworth Drive.
- ^ In downtown Perry on Saturday, June 1, 2013, the grand opening of the new 33 mile "north loop" included food and beverage vendors; a bicycle poker run from 9:00 until 12:30 with cards at Waukee, Dallas Center, Minburn, Forest Park Museum, Perry, the bicycle bridge over the North Raccoon River west of Perry, Dawson, and Jamaica.[18] See the "north loop" Grand Opening flyer for more.
References
[edit]- ^ "Map of Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT)" (PDF). Dallas County Conservation Board website. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists 2009 edition (see trail #35)" (PDF). Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website. May 1, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists 2015 edition (see trail #42)" (PDF). Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website. May 1, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 7, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists June 2021 edition (see trail #43)" (PDF). Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website. June 1, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists (2009 ed.)" (PDF). (see trail #35) Iowa DOT website. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ "American Discovery Trail". American Discovery Trail website. Archived from the original on December 14, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ "An Update Concerning the U.S. Bicycle Route System: Getting It Done, States Move Quickly toward Implementation" (PDF). Adventure Cycling website (www.adventurecycling.org). September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ "US Bicycle Route System begins connecting America". US DOT website. July 2, 2010. Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ "United States Bicycle Route System: National Corridor Plan". May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ "American Discovery Trail in Iowa". American Discovery Trail website (discoverytrail.org). May 19, 2013. Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "American Discovery Trail in Iowa (Details)". American Discovery Trail website (discoverytrail.org). May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Cerwinske, Joe (March 13, 2020). "Maintenance Closing Raccoon River Valley Trail from Adel to Redfield". Raccoon Valley Radio. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ Mantz, Logan (August 4, 2023). "Portion of the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Dallas County to be Closed Soon". Raccoon Valley Radio (www.raccoonvalleyradio.com). Perry, Iowa. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Harden, Ray (March 18, 2024). "Conservation's Mike Wallace updates Perry Lions Club". The Perry News. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ride to the Ribbon flyer" (PDF). www.waukee.org website. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ a b c Hanson, Eric (September 28, 2011). "New Trail to Connect 15 Iowa Towns". KCCI-TV. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ a b Offenburger, Chuck (December 15, 2012). "Great News! The Raccoon River Valley Trail is completed between Dallas Center and Minburn,..." Raccoon River Valley Trail Association. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Offenburger, Chuck (January 15, 2012). "Grand Opening is set for Saturday June 1, ..." Raccoon River Valley Trail Association. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop Grand Opening" (PDF). Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Nettingham, Shi-Quan (July 24, 2024). "RRVT Lighted Bridge Closure Affecting Adel Until October". Raccoon Valley Radio. Perry, Iowa. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c Steiden, Bill (March 18, 2024). "Why linking the High Trestle, Raccoon River Valley trails is a big deal". Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Waukee leaders considering pedestrian crossing projects on Hickman Road". KCCI. April 9, 2024. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024. Archived April 9, 2024, KCCI video segment of "Waukee leaders considering pedestrian crossing projects on Hickman Road"
- ^ "City of Waukee: City Council Meeting Communication Work Session. Agenda D1-6". City of Waukee website. April 5, 2024. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024. To access the archived website, use plain text mode.
- ^ a b c d "RRVT History". Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. Archived from the original on August 26, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Let's Connect" (PDF). "Let's Connect" fundraising committee and Dallas County Conservation Department. July 11, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 3, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ Mantz, Logan (October 17, 2023). "RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL TO DISCONTINUE TRAIL PERMITS". Raccoon Valley Radio. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Carlson, Coltrane (October 15, 2023). "PERMIT FEES TO VANISH IN 2024 ON THE RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL". Raccoon Valley Radio. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail Design Packs User-Friendly Amenities". Snyder & Associates website (www.snyder-associates.com). April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "High Trestle Trail & Bridge Connects Central Iowa Trail Network". Snyder & Associates website (www.snyder-associates.com). April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ ""Let's Connect" Trail Segment Expands High Trestle & Raccoon River Valley Trail Systems". Snyder & Associates website (www.snyder-associates.com). April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "High Trestle Trail". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (www.inhf.org). April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ Butler, Ben (May 19, 2015). "Dallas County Conservation Board Holds Public Hearing on Trail Connnector". Raccoon Valley Radio. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ Butler, Ben (May 29, 2015). "Dallas County Conservation Board Hosts Second Public Meeting in Regards to the Trail Connector Project". Raccoon Valley Radio. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ http://www.co.dallas.ia.us/index.aspx?page=886 Raccoon River Valley Trail Dallas County website retrieved February 19, 2010
- ^ Raccoon River Valley Trail. Dallas County website. Archived on December 17, 2009. Retrieved on April 19, 2023.
- ^ Raccoon River Valley Trail Map. Dallas County website. Archived on June 8, 2011. Retrieved on April 19, 2023.
- ^ The Raccoon River Valley Trail Map Dallas County website. Archived on July 18, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Raccoon River Valley Rail: Eighty-Nine Miles of Paved Trail Passing Through Fourteen Communities in Three Counties. Dallas County website. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023
- ^ "Lennon Mill Wildlife Area". Guthrie County Conservation Board website. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Raccoon River Valley Trail to close gap". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website. October 1999. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail". Guthrie Center Times. June 17, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ "RRVT Ribbon Cutting Poster" (PDF). Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. May 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "Perry and Dawson are already showing the impact..." Raccoon River Valley Trail website. May 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "Bummer! Completion date for the Raccoon River Valley Trail's new "North Loop" now delayed..." Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. June 14, 2012. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail "North Loop" Grand Opening flyer" (PDF). Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (raccoonrivervalleytrail.org). January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "Central Iowa Trails Network". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ Strohman, James (April 6, 2022). "Hightail it to High Trestle". Cityview. Des Moines. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Strohman, James (April 6, 2022). "Trails Map". Cityview. Des Moines. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 – via Street Collective.
- ^ "Central Iowa Trail System". greaterdesmoinestrails.org. August 31, 2006. Archived from the original on August 31, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Engstrom, Cathy (December 1, 2006). "Central Iowa Trails Map". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (inhf.org). Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ "Corn Diplomacy Trail". Guthrie Center Times. May 7, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ "Corn Diplomacy Trail". Guthrie Center Times. May 14, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ "Trails Grant". Guthrie Center Times. June 25, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ "High Trestle Trail". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ "High Trestle Trail". TrailLink website. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ a b "Dallas County Conservation Decides on Route for Connector Trail". Raccoon Valley Radio. April 18, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "HIGH TRESTLE TRAIL - WOODWARD TRAILHEAD". Travel Iowa website (www.traveliowa.com). April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "13. High Trestle Trail". Polk County Conservation Board website. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Heart of Iowa Nature Trail". Story County website (www.storycountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Heart of Iowa Nature Trail Map". Story County website (www.storycountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Chichaqua Valley Trail". chichaquavalleytrail.org. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "5. Chichaqua Valley Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Chichaqua Valley Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Chichaqua Valley Trail Map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "11. Gay Lea Wilson Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Gay Lea Wilson Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Gay Lea Wilson Trail Connection Map" (PDF). Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Efforts to Connect Two Premier Recreational Trails Intensify". Raccoon Valley Radio. July 18, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Let's Connect Trail Project: Raccoon River Valley Trail to the High Trestle Trail". Dallas County website (www.dallascountyiowa.gov). April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "Connector Trail Project Receives $171,000 from the Iowa DOT". Raccoon Valley Radio. January 21, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ "Dallas County's Week Ahead: Connector Trail Route Selected, Perry's Road Resurfacing Project Starts Monday". Raccoon Valley Radio. April 17, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- ^ The Perry News staff (March 26, 2020). "Clearing starts at Woodward end of Let's Connect trail project". The Perry News (theperrynews.com). Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ "High Trestle Trail". Dallas County website (www.dallascountyiowa.org). April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "Woodward Iowa: Tourism". Woodward Iowa website (www.woodwardia.org). April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "Whistling Donkey". Whistlin' Donkey website (whistlindonkey.com). Woodward, Iowa. April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "A Guide to Des Moines RV Parks". Des Moines Outdoors website (desmoinesoutdoors.com). April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023.
- ^ Art C. (September 2014). "Whistlin' Donkey review". Restaurant Guru website (restaurantguru.com). Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ Mantz, Logan (October 13, 2023). "IOWA DOT APPROVED $675,000 FOR RACCOON VALLEY TRAIL ON HIGH TRESTLE TRAIL EXTENSION". Raccoon Valley Radio. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Central Iowa Bike Route" (PDF). Iowa DNR. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ "Snowmobile Club". Guthrie Center Times. December 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ "Numbers on the raccoon river valley trail are exprected to jump this winter with snowmobilers now authorized for the first time to use the trail in all three counties a new regional snowmobile club". Raccoon River Valley Trail website. December 19, 2009. Archived from the original on December 22, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers". Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers website. 2011. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ "Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers Snowmobile Trail Map 2010" (PDF). Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers website. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Archived "north loop" Grand Opening flyer
- United States Bicycle Route System (USBR): National Corridor Plan - see USBR 50 (archive April 19, 2023)
- American Discovery Trail
- Archive American Discovery Trail Maps and Books
- Raccoon River Valley Trail - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website
- Raccoon River Valley Trail - Chuck Offenburger's website
- RRVT - Mobile apps website
- Archived Trail Map with trailheads which included Ortonville
- Archived Interactive Trail Map
- Archived Central Iowa Trail System
- Archived Central Iowa Trails Map (released 2012)
- Central Iowa Trails Map (released April 2023). Archived front side of Central Iowa Trails Map (released April 2023). Archived back side of Central Iowa Trails Map (released April 2023).
- Archived Central Iowa Trails Network - overview from INHF
- Clive Greenbelt Trail INHF website
- Archived Clive Greenbelt Trail City of Clive website
- Archived High Trestle Trail INHF website
- Krushchev in Iowa Trail
- Bike Iowa
- Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC). Search "Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers" on social media pages for current information.
- Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers Snowmobile Trail Map 2010