Basic HTML Version
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235
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snushill
vineyard&winery
the“oasis”
trailhead
high trestle bridge
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210
17
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earl grimm park
big creek
state
park
jester park
swede point
park
b o o n e
c o u n t y
s t o r y
c o u n t y
p o l k
c o u n t y
d a l l a s
c o u n t y
edgewood
park
Woodward
Madrid
Slater
Huxley
Sheldahl
Ankeny
Polk
City
Saylorville
Des Moines
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1st St.
Co. Rd. R6F
Oralabor Rd.
36th St.
118th Ave.
126th Ave.
134th Ave.
142nd Ave.
150th Ave.
14th St.
158th Ave.
340th St.
330th St.
334th Rd.
141st St.
141st St.
QF Ln.
325th St.
320th St.
Violet Ave.
S Ave.
142nd St.
142nd St.
Main St.
18th St.
Ash Dr.
Ankeny Blvd.
16th St.
2nd St.
26th St.
44th St.
Boone St.
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Not for navigation.
miles
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I OWA
29
rails
to
trails
u
spring/summer.12
map by danielle marks
GETTING THERE:
Des Moines International Airport
is only five miles south of downtown Des Moines.
To reach the southern trailhead from the airport,
head north on Fleur Drive and then merge onto
Interstate 235 heading east; continue onto I-35
as the highway swings north. In Ankeny, exit and
head west onto East First Street (which becomes
West First Street). Continue until you pass
Southwest Maple Street, then look for the trail-
head on your right, under the water tower.
For pedestrian access to the bridge overlook,
you will find QF Lane about a half-mile east of
the bridge as you drive on 210 between Slater and
Woodward (look for the “Trail Access” sign). Head
south on QF Lane for a few blocks until you reach a
gravel parking lot on your right; you’ll know you’re
there because it’s the first right turn after you
drive across the paved trail.
WHERE TO EAT:
InWoodward, head two blocks
south of the trailhead to reach Cayannes’ Café. The
owner is a big trail supporter, and the café offers a
salad bar and a number of great sandwich options
to refuel. (Restaurants are available in Madrid and
Slater as well.)
If you have room for more snacks or dessert,
continue south on Main Street and then onto
S Avenue, which is gravel, to reach Picket Fence
Creamery (
www.picketfencecreamery.net
; 515.438.
COWS); it’s about a three-mile trip. Picket Fence,
owned and operated by the Burkhart family, is a
dairy farm, creamery and country store. Don’t miss
their homemade ice cream and other treats. Store
hours are Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE TO STAY:
Two Bears Lodge Bed & Breakfast
near Woodward (
www.ia-bednbreakfast-inns.com/
twobearslodge.htm
; 515.795.3880), run by innkeepers
Wyman and Tami Martinek, offers three bedrooms
and is nearly walking distance to the trail and bridge.
Another fun option is the Hotel Pattee (
www.
hotelpattee.com
; 515.465.3511) in Perry, 11 miles west
of Woodward on Highway 141. Originally opened in
1913, the hotel is a veritable railroad museum, from its
photo galleries of old railroad accidents to the restau-
rant, David’s Milwaukee Diner, which is loaded with
paintings and other memorabilia of the Milwaukee
Road. It’s also a block from a trailhead for the 70-mile
Raccoon River Valley Trail!
MORE INFORMATION:
The trail is open year-round,
and you do not need a pass to use it. The best source
for trail expertise in Iowa is the Iowa Natural Heritage
Foundation (
www.inhf.org;
515.288.1846). This non-
profit has been instrumental in developing, promoting
and protecting Iowa’s trails and natural resources—
including the High Trestle Trail.
Additionally, for a detailed GIS map of the High
Trestle Trail, as well as photos, user reviews and plan-
ning tools, visit
www.TrailLink.com
, RTC’s free trail-
finder website.
RENTALS:
So far, bicycle rentals aren’t available
along the High Trestle Trail.