Road condition update as of 2-25-21

Entrance to Shimek Forest 

Oh the weather outside is delightful. I'm so ready to go riding it is frightful. 

Oh wait - winter is not quite over yet!

It's so hard to wait!  Here is want the conditions look like at Shimek Lick Creek right now.  We better think twice before hooking up and heading out.

Update on the status of Lick Creek Roads - Road and Equestrian Campgrounds in Shimek as of 2/25/2021.  As the snow turns to icy slush, road conditons are, if anything, even worse that earlier as the mud season creeps even closer.  John Byrd, Forester said: "The roads are VERY SLOPPY."

This is the entrance view to Lick Creek Unit. 

 As you can see it is still snow, ice, slush, and then mud covered.

And then there is the Concrete Hill to manipulate.  I'm pretty sure this would be a very challenging endeavor to maneuver this hill with a trailer in tow and actually make it safely up the hill.  As the saying goes, things that go up must come down.  One way or another.  

The campgrounds do look so lovely and peaceful though - at least for the moment...but looks can be deceiving as we all know.

Lower campground

Upper campground

The campgrounds looks so lovely and peaceful.  I could envision a few snowball fights and a couple snowmen scattered throughout the camp sites.  A hot campfire would be enticing. We could be sipping on warm coffee or hot chocolate to take the chill away.

Oh, but it would be best to wait until all the road conditions are safe, ice and snow has melted away, and the muddy sloppy mess is a bit more solid.

In due time, we can enjoy a nice hot campfire, hot coffee and chocolate, and the ever present merriment of fellow campers.

Spring is coming - the geese are heading North.  It won't be too long before the trails will be buzzing with riders and hikers.

Until then - May the sun shine brighten your winter spirits, may you find peace in the clear blue skies and warmer weather.

Photos courtesy of Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician. By the way- he was not pulling or attempting to pull a trailer on these road conditions.

Kathy

Editor

Shimek Forest Road Conditions

 

Ready to get the horse loaded up? The weather will be great!

But --wait a little bit longer!

I am just a eager as the next person to hit the trails.  I'm ready to get some fresh air after being cooped up all winter.  We need to be a little bit more patient.  Hopefully, we will get this snow melted, the trails firmed up, and  ready to ride once all the conditions are more favorable to ride.

Start making that list of things to do once the weather allows us to be out in the woods.

I can hardly wait to see everyone along the trails.

Until then - be safe - be healthy.  

Spring is just around the corner.

Happy Trails are coming!

Kathy

Editor

Shimek Camping Fees have changed

 

It's February!

Is anyone ready to load up the camper and go camping?

Check out the fee changes before you head to your favorite camp site.

It will soon be time to hit the trails.  Let's start planning the ways we can help with trail maintenance.  We need to be mindful of down trees, briars that are hanging out in the trail, and the always ongoing trash that accumulates along the trails.  Our forest is a beautiful place to ride and enjoy it's serenity.  We all need to pitch in to keep it that way.

Winter will soon be over.  Spring is around the corner.  Trail riding is coming into focus.

  Until we meet on the trail, be safe!

Kathy 

FOS Editor

Photo and fee update by

Lora Conrad

Winter in all its glory.

 

Winter Wonder Land

January the month that is usually long and dreary.  It is normal the month that we just must settle into winter and make do.  There is nothing extremely special about it.

What a surprising winter start this year.  I cannot remember ever having such a beautiful expression of wintery splendor than the first week of this month produced.  Snow, rain, freezing rain, and frost made for a scene of wonder and merriment. We were blessed to get a glimpse of the forest this year during the winter.  The winding, curvy uphill road covered in this wintery mix leading up to the Lick Creek campgrounds usually doesn’t allow for many to reach the top; let alone experience the trees in their shiny glory. 

Take a look at some of the most magnificent looking winter wonderland trees within the forest.

As you can see the road is snow covered and the trees are hanging with sparkling frozen ice covered with a layer of frost.

These trees are standing tall as if to say "Look at me.  See how tall I stand"

There is something soothingly peaceful about these soft pine needles covered in snow.

                                                                                               Gently swaying is the brilliant winter sun.

Looking through a tunnel of dancing delight.

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I have.  They are absolutely stunning.

Let each day begin with new wonders and adventures.  

Let this year bring peace and joy to you.

Photos Courtesy of Ross and Kathy O'Day

Kathy 

FOS Blog Editor 

Reflections of 2020

 Reflections on 2020

There wasn't much positive about they year 2020 or was there?  We have the choice to focus on all the negative or dig deep and reflect on the positive.  I don't know about you, but positive thinking sure sounds better to me.

Let's take a look at some of the events that happened within the Forest in 2020.

January 1, 2020 - DNR hosted at First Day hike coordinated by Patrick Thomas. There were 43 people who attended this event. Friends of Shimek supplied snacks.  What a fun way to start the year off.

March 7th - Friends of Shimek held a Volunteer Recognition Dinner at Little Mexico in Mt. Pleasant.  Gary and Denise Schieffer were recognized as Bennett Volunteers of the year.  Ann Bennett, DNR John Byrd, and Patrick Thomas as well as the Hoaglin Foundation were honored.  A total of 31 volunteers were recognized.  It was a fun filled evening with many memories shared by all.

March 18th- Friends of Shimek was awarded 5 gallons of stain by Diamond Vogal under the Paint Iowa Beautiful program.  This stain will be used to refinish the picnic tables throughout the various Shimek Forest camp locations.

As many of us know COVID started having a huge impact on how we could socialize, work, and enjoy the parks.  Many of the work days were cancelled.  The use of the camp sites were restricted.  

People began to get creative with "social distancing."  The day parking areas became filled to capacity with trucks and trailers just about every weekend.  People were tired of being cooped up so many of them hit the trails hiking, biking, or horse back riding.  Everyone was courteous to allow plenty of space between each other.  You could hear the sound of people visiting, laughing, and having a good time while out on the trails. More people were camping.  The use of the equestrian campsites were booked full most all weekends.   

September 26th - DNR Patrick Thomas coordinated a Volunteer workday.  The tables were spaced safely apart to allow volunteers to have sufficient room to stain the picnic tables.  All the tables had been pressure washed and were ready for the stain to be applied.  The tables looked beautiful once completed.

October 13th - DNR personnel John Byrd and Patrick Thomas hosted the Director of DNR and the Assistant Director for a morning of trail riding at Shimek.  They were joined by Bonnie Moothart, Doug Moothart, and Ann Bennett.  A delicious lunch was provided for all participants.  A few FOS volunteers collected, sorted, and bagged cans for recycling.  

October-November - The DNR crew worked diligently on resurfacing the Wet Weather Trails.  The roads were cleared, built up where needed, leveled, and new fine lime chip rock was applied to the trails.  The Wet Weather Trails looked so clean and fresh.  We are grateful for these trails. 2020 provided an excessive amount of rain which closed the dirt trails a large portion of the prime riding season.  These Wet Weather Trails allow for people to continue to get out for exercise and fresh air.  

 As you can see if we look real hard, we can find something positive even during a very challenging negative year.  If we focus on the negative, then there is very little room to find the positive in all situations.  I choose to look for the good and positive.  How about you?

Covid is not over.  It doesn't seem to be slowing down.  

Covid will not beat us, unless we let it.  Let's have a better 2021.

This coming year lets try to:

Challenge someone to help clean trails

Organize an activity to improve the campsites

Volunteer some time to clear trails and trim low hanging branches

Initiate a safe organized workday.

Develop ways to be helpful.

Let's let this COVID become a useful tool this coming year.

May your 2021 be a blessed year.  May you find the "good" in all the circumstances the New Year holds.  

Happy Trails this coming year!

Kathy

Editor

THE WILLIAM M. AND DONNA J. HOAGLIN FOUNDATION, INC. (Foundation)

  

                                        Shimek State Forest Wet Weather Trails                                     

This Project was begun after the completion in 2019 of a separate project funded by the Lee County Charitable Fund, and FOS to repair several areas with major weather damage on the Wet Weather Trails at Shimek. The complete re-rocking of over six miles of trails to prolong the life of the trails was begun in fall 2019 and concluded by the end of November 2020. Forester Byrd planned and scheduled the project to perform the work at the best possible time for protecting the trail surfaces. He selected a smaller grind lime-chip size rock for the flatter trails which will be easier on the horses feet and used road rock on the more sloping, vulnerable areas. All work has been completed as documented in the photo page attached.

 All Wet Weather Trails are entering the 2020-21 winter in excellent condition. Never has this been more valuable for the Forest and for the equestrian community in southeast Iowa. Due to the impact of COVID-19 in 2020, the usage of the trails has rocketed as people turned to more outdoor activities for recreation. Forester Byrd estimates that the usage on the trails has at least quadrupled as compared to last year. (There are no precise numbers as so many riders are day-riders.) FOS Board members and Forester Byrd express their appreciation to the Foundation for the support to provide area citizens a high quality, safer trail system for riding in wetter weather.

Documentation and pictures

by Lora Conrad

Editor

Kathy

Shimek State Forest Hike on Your Own First Day Hike 2021 Recommendation

 

Join the First Day Hike Challenge in Iowa State Parks DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR and Travel Iowa invite Iowans to participate in the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge to ring in the New Year through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19. “We are looking for ways to encourage both outdoor fun and social distancing,” said Todd Coffelt, Bureau Chief of Parks, Forests and Preserves. “First Day Hikes are a popular tradition in state parks, and the passport is a great way for people to enjoy winter hikes on their own or with their families.” With the First Day Hike Challenge, park visitors can check into any of the more than 50 participating state parks on the passport from Friday, Jan. 1 through the end of Sunday, Jan. 3. Every check-in will qualify for a prize drawing of a 2-night stay at a 2-bedroom cabin at Lake Darling State Park near Brighton. Restrictions will apply on the cabin stay, with reservation fees and other business rules applying. Visitors can go to as many parks as they wish during the weekend -- every check-in counts as a contest entry.  Additionally, visitors will find trail suggestions and directions from park staff under the “More Info” tab for each park entry on the passport. Last year, more than 4,300 people participated in hikes on New Year’s Day across Iowa. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s State Parks. Participants should dress for the weather, including warm, sturdy boots for winter conditions. For more details on First Day Hikes in Iowa’s State Parks, and to find links to sign up for the Parks Passport, visit www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes.

Trail Status Change at Lick Creek Unit-WWT Only 11/24/20

Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest

 

 
Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest

 

  

Picnic Table before pressure washing

Diamond Vogel, through the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project, awarded Friends of Shimek a grant of 5 gallons of stain in 2020. The stain was to be used to refurbish picnic table tops and benches, beginning with those in the Shimek Forest Lick Creek Unit. The stain was awarded to Ringo Covert, President of Friends of Shimek, by Nick Wittenmyer at the Diamond Vogel Store in Burlington. Due to the COVID pandemic, work was delayed, seeking a way to safely accomplish the task. Under the leadership of Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician at Shimek, DNR staff  began the project by pressure washing the tables to remove soil and mold from the old but sturdy tables. A test project showed that one gallon of stain would only cover a few tables!! The wood had been untreated for so long that it is very absorbent. With sufficient tables cleaned for the stain available, on the Iowa DNR Parks Volunteer Day, Patrick and a group of five Volunteers completed the staining of tables until all five gallons of awarded stain and three additional gallons purchased by DNR were used. The result was tables that look like new! A remarkable transformation occurs and hopefully the useful life of the tables will be extended. There are many more tables yet to do! Hopefully with volunteers, DNR staff, and additional stain, more can be refurbished next year.

 

 The first step of the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest  was to pressure wash the tables. On the DNR State Parks Volunteer Day, a small group of volunteers, following COVID guidance, worked with DNR Technician Patrick Thomas to stain the tables.  Volunteers shown, left to right, Marvin and Doris Thomas, Bruce Huddleston, Jo Watson and Marsha Achenbach assisted Patrick with the staining.

   

  

The results of pressure washing tables and applying Diamond-Vogel stain is spectacular!  The tables look new again though they are well over 20 years old, thanks to the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest.  This project has only done a small number of the tables, but more are planned in the future, when funds are available.

 

 Thank you for your support of our project.

on behalf of Friends of Shimek

Lora Conrad, Secretary

Kathy, Editor 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DNR crew completing work on the Wet Weather Trails

The Shimek DNR crew have been spreading lime chips and road rock on the Wet Weather Trails--getting them ready for another year of trail riding even in wet conditions. The rock has been provided by a grant from the William M and Donna J Hoaglin Foundation. The Foundation has been the major benefactor in the development of the Wet Weather Trails at Shimek. The DNR Crew have provided most of the ...labor. As riders, our responsibilities are two-fold --- 1)do no harm: Follow the regulations about riding only on trails that are open --trails can be all open, or only Wet Weather Trails open or all closed--depending on weather conditions. 2)leave no trash: If you carry it in, carry it out--maybe be extra nice and pickup and remove any trash you see. Much appreciation to both the Foundation and the DNR Crew from all the Friends of Shimek. (Photo by Jo Watson)

 

As a reminder hunting season is upon us.  Please use caution by wearing your reflective clothing while out riding. 

 

We hope you are enjoying these beautiful fall days. Winter will soon be upon us and we will be wishing for the warm riding weather.

 

May your trails be blessed with beauty and enjoyment.

 

Kathy

 

Editor