New 911 sign at the entrance of Lick Creek

Shimek Forest has a 911 Address

Good News Update from Lick Creek Unit - Shimek State Forest 4/28/22

Let's start at the entrance. See the 911 sign in the photo? Lick Creek now has its own 911 Address. No, don't start having your mail delivered here when camping -- But if you need any emergency service such as medical, police, or fire services while there, give this 911 address when you call on your cell phone. Also tell them where in Lick Creek to come (Upper Campground, Lower Campground or other location).

Shimek State Forest - Lick Creek Unit

1176 Highway 2

Farmington, IA 52626.

Next--the road into the campgrounds has been graded and smoothed so that is oh so much better for pulling your horses in trailers--not jarring their teeth right now. The rains and winter had really put the road in bad shape --so we are thrilled to find it in good shape, for now. Thanks much to the road crew.

Forester John Byrd and the DNR Crew have been clearing the downed trees off the trails. Our intrepid rider and Board Member Marsha Achenbach rode the Wet Weather Trails today--rain or not (yes-it rained there today!)--and let us know that all the downed trees have been cleared off the Wet Weather Trail--save one newly fallen smallish one your horse can step over (well, hers did anyway). She says: "It's on the smaller WWT section across the creek. Then if going clockwise around the loop—just past the step over is a nice patch of bluebells on the left.":

So the last piece of great news--the spring wildflowers are in full swing at the moment--the lovely bluebells are here--almost two weeks later than expected --and so are spring beauties, violets, false rue anemone, Dutchmen's breeches and other early spring flowers to enjoy. Morels are rumored as they have been found in several southern Iowa counties already.

SO--Enjoy riding the Wet Weather Trails--and remember, the Dirt Trails are CLOSED as rains continue still.

May your troubles be less, your blessing more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door.

Enjoy your time in the forest!

Editor

Kathy

Photos

courtesy Lora Conrad

 

Shimek Trail Update 4-14-22

Shimek Forest Lick Creek Unit Update. 4/14/22

 With recent rains, the lower campground and dirt trails are still wet. Dirt trails remain closed. The Wet Weather Trails (WWT) are open and holding up well.

 There are some small trees down in several areas on the WWT. There is also one large tree down on the short WWT spur that goes to the Croton Highway. This is in a rough area where you are advised to turn around and not try to ride around. With the very high wind gusts today, more trees are expected to fall. The DNR crew will clear trees off trails after they finish some forest work that must be done by May 1. 

Some people have been picking up cans/trash/bottles --that is much appreciated. More clean up is needed. The wildflowers and redbuds are going to be late this year. Here to remind you how lovely they will be is a photo of the red buds at a stream crossing in Lick Creek made in mid April several years ago. 

Be on the lookout for more things to be happening in the camp grounds in the near future.  A work day will be scheduled and posted on facebook as well as the blog.  You do not have to wait for a work day to pitch in cleaning up fire pits, dragging brush away, or just collecting trash.  If you do some volunteer work, please let one of the board members, John or Patrick know what was done.  A huge thank you in advance to those who help out.

 

May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door. (BG)

Kathy

Editor

Photo courtesy  of Lora C

Volunteers Needed

 

Trash seems to be accumulating along the roads that go through Shimek Forest.  

Can you help cleanup the litter in Shimek State Forest? Litter, especially cans and bottles, has increased over the winter along all of the Forest roads and forest edges. If you can volunteer on your own schedule to help clean this up, the results will be well worth the time. We would all appreciate it looking better!

You can call Forest Headquarters at 319-878-3811 or DNR Technician Patrick Thomas on his cell phone (319-931-7805) to schedule obtaining trash bags and vinyl gloves. Call between 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday a couple of days before you need supplies.

To help the most, walk along the forest roadsides and public trails, pickup and separate cans and bottles from just trash. Filled bags can be left by the road or near trail heads for pickup. Please call Patrick to tell him where you have left the filled bags and how may hours you volunteered!. The bags can also be left at Forest Headquarters, if convenient to do so.

You are reminded that although the forest roads are gravel, they are State of Iowa roads and fall under Iowa Highway laws, which means that one can not drive vehicles not licensed for state roads on them, such as ATVs, dirt bikes or golf carts. (We don't want any of you great volunteers to get a ticket!)

So--can you set a date, meet a friend, and hike and pick up trash to improve the appearance of our Forest?

Thank you for all you do to help make Shimek Forest a nice place to visit.

Editor

Kathy