New Trail At Pierce Creek!

I never imagined, when we moved to Iowa, that we'd get the opportunity cut a new trail through timber!  There's so little left, most has already been designated for whatever purpose, usually hunting.  But - with the forethought of some inspiring people, Pierce Creek Recreation Area is still working to add what horse trails they can.

Our SW Chapter of BCHIA had this on our list for the year & we were determined to do what we could to help get this long anticipated perimeter trail laid out & cut in.

Butch & Pat 

 We started off one of the existing trails, in the SW corner - just off the far end of the campground.  That's the place where I'd walked in with the Ranger & Skid Steer operator in September.  Our hike then, was to familiarize me with the tentative path where the trail would go.  We'd followed the ribbons that Randy had put up in March.  Today, I didn't get photos of that area, I was busy leading the way - trying to spot one marking ribbon & then going to the next.

Near the SE corner~

 With chain saws blazing away behind me, once Butch was used to finding the ribbons, he & Robert went ahead, while the rest of us picked up their mess & cut & chopped where we could.

Butch cutting back the Sumac

 Even after our hard freezes, it was just amazing how much brush we had to get through.  Randy gave us some lee-way in where the trail would lay, so we did our best to give it some nice curves.  We kept to high ground & avoided the widow makers that we couldn't reach to cut down.  We did our best to get in every foot of mileage that we could.

Robert & Amy~

 There were times that the undergrowth was so thick we couldn't even see the person nearest us!  Finding ribbons became an art-form!  :-)  Eventually, we rounded the corner & could just see the fields to the east!

Heading along the eastern edge~

 We ran into huge multiflora rose bushes, almost as big as trees, sending tendrils in all directions.  Even Goose Berry became an enemy & I don't even want to mention the Locus Trees with their long, nasty thorns!

Butch heading along the eastern edge~

 We had such high hopes of getting all the way through - at least I did!  We all continued on, as the sun got lower & lower on the horizon.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for trail work!  Cool, cloudy & no bugs!  Later when the sun appeared, the woods became so beautiful!  Finally we hit a spot along the creek on the north edge, where the undergrowth was just too thick for the tools we had & the strength we had left!

Where we gave up clearing~

It was after 4 p.m., we were all tired, none of us had even taken a break & Pat mentioned Jo's chili was waiting back in camp!  I wanted to get the entire trail on my GPS, so two of our group turned back to pick up our coats & miscellaneous gear while the rest of us forged forward again looking for ribbons.  The ones we found now, were fresh - Randy had said he would get out to add ribbons to aid us in our quest.  We were actually glad, once we broke through, that we hadn't started from this end.  Our chain saws etc., were put to much better use the way we'd come.

Pat, Richard, Robert & Butch~

 All these guys were sporting bloody wounds by the time we came out on the trail!  We hustled back to camp & it was with sweet relief that we sat down to a bowl of Jo's hot chili, chips & Joyce's wonderful brownies!

Can you see  our trail?

 After our rest, Butch & I headed back up - I had promised some of the ladies in our matt-making group that I would try to bring back some hedge apples for them.  I also wanted my Garmin to have the entire route.

One of the easier sections to clear!

We were thrilled with the work everyone had done.  In WA, this would now be considered a trail & with the horses going over it, would soon be well settled.  Here though - wider trails mean less trail maintenance & a lot is done with the machines. 

Perimeter Trail~

In January, Terry will be out with the skid-steer, especially adapted for trail-clearing.  I understand that it's a Beast!  I do hope to come out & see it at work - from a distance!

BCH Work Party at Waubonsie~

Several of our Back Country Horsemen's Chapter members spent last night camped at Waubonsie.  This morning Butch & I drove down to meet up with everyone for our scheduled work party.

Our Banner!

Ryland, the new Park Ranger arrived with plenty of pruners, loppers, hand saws & a weed whacker.  That equipment, along with what we'd all brought, gave us plenty to do!

Butch, Robert & Ryland~

After a short meeting to discuss our game plan - we got to work!  The one chore that we were told no volunteers wanted to do - was picking up the two piles of manure at each end of the horse corrals.

Sue, Amy & Vickie

No slackers when it comes to work - we ladies took one pile & Butch worked on the one at the far end.  We used the wheel barrows for a large portion, then Ryland came by with his Gator & that made things easier!

Robert hard at work around the corrals~

We cleaned the inside & outside of the corrals & got all the weeds knocked down.

Clean fire-pits

Next, fire pits!  All the trash was removed & the pits left with just ash in the bottom.  Wouldn't it be great if they were always left so nice?

Butch's work~

With Butch & Robert working with the weed whackers - it was amazing how much they got done.  I took off with my loppers & started working all along the edge of the mowed area.  I cut back all the bushes, vines & shrubs that were encroaching onto the lawn.

Connie & the loppers~

Leave it to me to find a way to cut & chop!  I did leave a lot of piles - Ryland said they'd do the pick up & haul away for us :-)

The sink hole~

The good news - is that the park plans to fix the sink hole later this year!  That would open up the closed spots for camping again! Our friends planned to ride out in the afternoon & cut out some wire that's caused a couple accidents.  What a good feeling to spend some time at such a nice park.  We hope to obtain grant money next year for manure bunkers!

We left at noon - our Grand-kids were flying into Omaha!

Lookin' like Snow~

We've been spoiled - again...  No two ways about it!  That sunshine & warmth was deceptive.  So glad we got out & enjoyed it while it lasted!  Today, the clouds were back & we were back into the low 30's.

I met with Sue & for lunch in Council Bluffs & am very excited to be helping with the formation of a SW Iowa Chapter of BCHIA!  It will take some work, but state wide - we have one hundred members!  It's a start!  We're looking forward to the opportunity to meet other horsemen in our area!  This will also help me to get a start on what advocacy work I can do here for the AERC.

The Home Place ~

Butch was ready to walk by the time I got home, so out we went.  This is one of the prettiest parts we've found so far of Tinkle Branch Creek.  You can just see our place on the far side, through the trees.

View east - from the top of Townsend Street~

Above is the view from as far up the hillside as we can get from this street.

From the top of Arnold Street~

We walked another block south, then went up again to as far as we could go & I took this view looking a little Southeast toward highway 34.  The wind was blowing on the hilltop, my ears got cold!

Tinkle Branch Creek :-(

As you can tell from the photo above - taken in town - creeks are not a priority here - they're used more as a place to dump things...  So sad.

Taken from the SW corner of the Square~

Even on a gray, late January day, the town square has so much character.  Christmas music was playing during the holidays.  Now it's more mainstream tunes :-) 

Brick roads~

The brick roads just amaze me!  There are many still in use all over town, some with the herringbone pattern, others just laid in rows.  With all the years of wear & the weather - most are still holding up.  I'm sure it's the salt that's put down - that gives the brick it's white spots.

Our walk~

We only walked over two-miles today - it was cold, brisk & refreshing to be out & about.  The house was nice & warm when we returned - dinner is on!  Snow in the forecast - we'll see what tomorrow brings~