Forester Update: New Addition to WWT

We began the Wet Weather Trail System (WWT) in 2013 with the objective of providing some trails that can be ridden in more adverse conditions than the dirt trails, thus offering you, the riders, more days of suitable riding opportunity each year.   The first section of over 3 miles opened in 2014.

The project of adding 2.2 miles of trails to the WWT system has been ongoing since fall of 2015.  Weather is always a contributing factor to getting work completed on the trails, but we have been working diligently when it has been dry and we can take a break from forestry duties.  It is my pleasure to announce that we have COMPLETED the new addition to the WWT system.  This is an exciting time due to the scope of the project that we started a couple years ago.  It opens up a new part of the forest to riding when dirt trails are too soggy to ride.  This new trail should give users another option when conditions could otherwise be damaging to trails.  The WWT should insure  increased safety for both riders and horses or mules and  protect another section of the forest from extreme erosion.  

       

The new section of WWT was made possible by many hands and organizations that also share the forest's vision of protected and sustainable trails.  The major funding agency was the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation which provided grants for the majority of the rock for both the initial WWT and for the addition to the WWT.  Friends of Shimek also provides  major support by dedicating funds every year to rock for trail development and maintenance and by managing the foundation grant.  The Iowa DNR funded additional rock needed and DNR Shimek staff did the trail construction work including shaping and rocking.  

       

From today forward this new section of the WWT System is open and is included in the trails that can be ridden both when all trails are open and when the trail status is Closed---WWT Open.  Signage is not complete yet but the trail should be obvious due to the rock on the trail.  A sign is posted on the side of each information kiosk that shows the complete WWT System.  There still is a possibility of closing the WWT if maintenance is needed or there are unusually wet conditions, so always check trail status before riding.  
       

Thank you to everyone that put work into the project or donated funds.  Thank you to all of the riders who have supported the plan to have a WWT System by following the guidelines posted for trail status and only riding trails that are open.   This addition to the WWT is another big step in the development of a sustainable trail system. The DNR Shimek staff and Friends of Shimek, with your help and support, will continue to work towards having the most sustainable trails possible.

   

Thank you and happy riding.

   

John Byrd,  Shimek Forester


Note:  See the page titled Trails at Shimek: Open, Closed or WWT? for a map and guidelines.

 

Section of the WWT Addition