Work Day Scheduled for July 7th

 Any and all available volunteers are welcome to lend a helping hand.

FRIENDS OF SHIMEK FOREST (FOS) JULY 7 WORK DAY –

  CAN YOU COME HELP? 

Come join other friends of Shimek at the Lick Creek Lower Campground on Wednesday, July 7th at 8:30 AM at the gravel circle as you first arrive at the campground. Forester John Byrd will give us an update on what is happening at Shimek. Then he and Work Day Coordinator Ringo Covert will assign work day tasks, volunteers will sign liability forms and volunteer log. After a morning of work, all will return to the Lower Campground at noon to report back on progress, then rest a while with friends. Bring a sack lunch (if you like), water provided. Don't forget your blaze orange Friends of Shimek work vest if you have one. There will be some loaners available to identify all of us as volunteers. Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary. The threat of COVID-19 is not gone, so people will be distributed around the camp to work and out onto the trails to work. Extra care to socially distance, wear gloves and masks as appropriate is advised.

Areas where work is needed include the following. In campgrounds: putting gravel around hitching rails, fire rings cleaned, lime placed in stalls, sort recycle cans. On the trails: pick up cans and bottle, clear downed trees, cut back multi-flora. If you plan to bring an ATV and/or chains saw, please contact Forester John Byrd in advance (319-878-3811).

Should weather cause cancellation, it will be posted on FB and sent to the FOS e-mail list and to anyone who has responded that they will attend. RSVP, if desired, to FOShimek@gmail.com.

Lets make some Happy Trails 

Kathy

Editor

Dirt Trails are closed again. Wet Weather Trails are open.

 

Effective 6-24-21 per Shimek DNR staff

The dirt trails are CLOSED.  Too much rain has left them wet, slippery,  or standing in water.

The Wet Weather Trail is open for use.

We will post a new alert once the dirt trails are open for riding again.  

Please spread the word on the trail conditions.

Until we meet again.

Happy Trails

Kathy

Editor

Trails Are OPEN 6-3-21

 

On June 3, 2021 Forester John Byrd  opened the dirt trails for riding.  There are still some boggy spots so please avoid those areas if at all possible.

Remember to share the trails with a smile and a kind word as you pass by other riders or hikers.

Go enjoy this beautiful weather in one of the most colorful forests in this area.

Happy Trails

Kathy

Editor

Dirt Trails are CLOSED - Camping Fee Increase reminder

 Spring brings rain showers!

The dirt trails have been closed for the time being.

May 1st Camping Fee Increases

Lick Creek Unit - Upper & Lower campground rates will be $13 per night.

Bitternut & White Oak campground will be $9 per night.

The weather is finally getting to be nice enough to enjoy camping and riding.  As we know spring showers pop up quite frequently, so go prepared for any unexpected weather conditions.

Have fun, enjoy your ride, bike, or hike, and continue to be respectfully of everyone you meet along the trail.

Stay Safe! 

I hope to see you on the trail soon!

Kathy

Editor. 

Trails are OPEN 4-16-21

The Trails are Open.

We are expecting rain and colder temperatures in the next few days.  Please avoid the very soggy, wet areas so they will dry properly.

There was a  rider out checking trails this am after they were opened: Riders should exercise caution as some dirt trails remain slick—especially in the creek bottoms and heavier timber.

As always, stay safe- be courteous of fellow riders- do your part to keep the trails clean - allow plenty of social distancing space between riders - but most of all - enjoy your time in the forest!

Happy Trails

Kathy 

Editor

Bridge is now closed as of April 7, 2021

 Lick Creek Bridge is officially closed!

There is access to Lick Creek road.

Want to ride in the Lick Creek Unit of Shimek? 

You can still get there - you just have to travel a little bit further to reach your destination.  

 Reminder: According to DOT, they will close Highway 2 for through traffic between Farmington and Donnellson beginning April 7th. Traffic from Farmington to the Lick Creek entrance WILL BE OPEN! See this Map from DOT. To get to the Lick Creek entrance which is immediately west of the "Lick Creek Bridge Project" on the map, you must drive from Farmington east on Highway 2. (They are replacing the Lick Creek Bridge. ) You may encounter construction crews and equipment on that section of highway 2, so you need to be extra careful and expect possible delays.

As always, please stay clear of the construction site.  Be mindful of any construction equipment or workers along the road or site area.  

Let make the best of this inconvenience and still enjoy a summer full of camping, riding, and hiking.

I hope to see you along the trail one day soon!

Kathy

Editor

Road and bridge closures on Hwy 2

Be advised Highway 2 west bound (Donnellson to Farmington) traffic will be closed starting March 29, 2021 at 8 am.

Please plan accordingly!

Bridge closure on Iowa 2 east of Farmington begins at 8 a.m. Monday, Mar. 29  

Posted on: March 22, 2021

FAIRFIELD, Iowa – Mar. 22, 2021 – Replacement of the Iowa 2 bridge over Lick Creek (4.3 miles east of the junction with Iowa 81) east of Farmington, and the bridge over Sugar Creek (1.8 miles west of U.S. 218), will require closing the road to traffic over the Lick Creek bridge beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Mar. 29, until late-June, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Fairfield construction office.

Once the Lick Creek bridge opens, the Sugar Creek bridge will close for construction. The bridge projects will be coordinated so the Iowa 2 bridges are not closed at the same time.

Lick Creek Project: This project involves removing the existing steel girder and floor beam bridge and replacing it with a single span beam bridge. The project will also involve raising the grade, erosion control, paving the shoulders, and installing new guardrail.

Sugar Creek Project: This project involves removing the existing steel I-beam/concrete beam bridge and replacing it with a pretensioned, prestressed concrete beam bridge. The project will also involve raising the grade, erosion control, paving the shoulders, and installing new guardrail.

Detour Route: Through traffic on Iowa 2 will be detoured using U.S. 218, Lee County Road J-40/160th Street, and Lee County Road W-46/100th Avenue. It is anticipated the detour will be in place for most of the construction season. Local traffic will have access to Iowa 2 except for the bridges crossing over Lick Creek and Sugar Creek (see map).

Additional shoulder construction and micro surfacing operations will be active along Iowa 2. Flaggers, pilot cars and signalized lights will be in place to assist motorists in getting around the work zones.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive the email/text alerts. Visit https://new.511ia.org/#login to sign up. For instructions and help for this feature, visit https://www.511ia.org/help/section/how-to-create-and-manage-a-511-account.html.

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Contact: Hector Torres-Cacho at 641-469-4007 or hector.torres-cacho@iowadot.us

Camp Fee Increase Reminder 2021

 

Camp Fees have increased. 

 Before you drop your deposit in the box, make sure you have enclosed the correct amount.

WHOA!

Just a friendly reminder of the DNR fee changes statewide announced earlier this year.

Lick Creek overnight camping fee for both Upper and Lower campgrounds has increased.

New Fee is $13 per night 

October 16, 2021 to April 30, 2022 the fee will be $10

Have a wonderful time camping, riding and hiking this coming season.  Let's hope the weather cooperates and gives us some beautiful days on the trails.  Stay safe and enjoy yourself.

Editor

Kathy

Update on the road into Shimek 3-10-21

 

The news we have all been waiting for has arrived! 

Update on roads and trails at Shimek Lick Creek Unit. 

Forester John Byrd advised today (3/10) that roads are clear and passable now. Wet Weather Trails are open and good for riding. 

All dirt trails still closed due to some very slimy spots and downed trees. Please stay off of the dirt trails - they will be opened as soon as firm enough for riding. 

Campgrounds are clear of snow but ground off the gravel pads VERY soft so take care if you pull into a camping space to stay on the pad.

Upper day parking is clear. Lower day parking is still partly occupied by logs, but they are being removed.

As always, be mindful of fellow riders and hikers.  We need to share the trails in a joyful and cheerful manner.  Take time to be respectful and responsible for the items you carry along.  (if you have room to carry a bottle, can, or snack in, you have room to bring it back out with you.)  Please help keep the trails clean and well maintained.

Have a safe and wonderful time within the forest.

Happy Trails

Kathy

Editor

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