Lick Creek Bridge is now OPEN.

The Lick Creek Bridge is now OPEN for traffic.

However, the bridge 1.5 miles west of Donnellson is CLOSED for replacement. The estimated reopen date is Mid November.

 8/23/21 Updates on Bridges between Farmington and Donnellson and impact on Lick Creek entrance.

#1: The new Lick Creek Bridge is open and the entrance off of Hiway 2 to Lick Creek is clear and much improved with asphalt, as reported by DNR Technician Patrick Thomas.. However, there is still some work going on near the bridge so drive with caution in the area. Access to Lick Creek entrance from Farmington should now be much easier.

#2: According to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Fairfield construction office, replacement of the Iowa 2 bridge over Sugar Creek, 1.5 miles west of Donnellson in Lee County, will require closing the roadway to traffic beginning TODAY and expected to complete in mid-November, weather permitting. DOT says motorists will be detoured around the work zone with a marked detour using Iowa 2, Lee County roads W-46 and J-40, and U.S. 218. (Note--This is the route originally posted by DOT for going around both bridges and shown on the map on the FOS FB page. Other routes may can be used now to access Lick Creek but that is not known at this time.)

Please continue to follow the detour routes to access the Equestrian trails.

Update noted by Lora Conrad

Post by

Kathy

Editor

Trails are open 8-18-21

 The trails are open!!!

Forester John Byrd has opened the trails.  There are some wet boggy spots so please use extra caution to avoid injury to animal and rider.  These wet soggy areas still need time to dry.  

The entrance to the Lick Creek Unit is now open for use.  DOT has completed the shoulder work.  

The bridge at Lick Creek will be open for use on Monday, August 23.  However, the bridge west of Donnellson on Highway 2 will be replaced next.

May your next trip to the forest be an enjoyable one.

Kathy

Editor

Dirt Trails are CLOSED 7-31-21

UPDATE 7-31-2021

Advised by DNR officer Patrick Thomas

The Dirt Trails are now CLOSED due

 to the 

recent heavy rainfall. 

 

 The WWT is still available for use at the present time.  

Please refrain from using the dirt trails as it takes longer to reopen when there are deep pockets made in the trails.

As always, have a safe and enjoyable time during your ride, hike, or visit to the forest.

Kathy

Editor

Trails are OPEN 7-22-21

The trails are OPEN as of today 7-22-21.

John Byrd, Area Forester, has advised the trails are now

OPEN.  There are probably some wet spots that need to be avoided if at all possible.  For the most part, the trails are in good shape and ready to ride

Can you find this hidden treasure within the forest?

As the temperatures rise, be mindful to stay hydrated.  It is important to take breaks to rest your animals and yourself often.  Remember to drink plenty of fluids and offer your animal water frequently.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

Happy trails to you, keep smiling until then.

Put a song in your heart and a smile on your face.

Enjoy your ride!

Kathy

Editor

 

Successful Workday 7-7-21

A very long overdue workday took place on 

July 7-7-2021

A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers that made this workday an enormous success.  

THANK YOU

Forester John Byrd, DNR Patrick Thomas and Ringo Covert for organizing this event.

Covid may have slowed the work days down, 

but it didn't stop progress from being made at a later date.

Wednesday July 7th Friends of Shimek held a Workday. First one since COVID began. FOS President Ringo Covert was the Coordinator . Forester John Byrd and four of his crew worked with ten FOS Volunteers to get a lot done in the campgrounds. Assignments are being discussed in this early morning photo as people arrived.

 

Cans were sorted and 

bagged to be hauled 

away for redemption

Ann, Pam, Addison, 

and Marsha did a 

great job organizing

them.

Tie rails were taken down and new sturdy one were put up to replace the old ones.  A much needed improvement for safety of rider and animal.

Out with the old....

           In with the new.

The stalls were also given a fresh layer of lime stone.  Unfortunately, several needed to be cleaned prior to any maintenance being done to them. Alan, Ringo, and Bob did a great job leveling and raking the lime in each stall. 

Fire pits were cleaned.  Let's chat a little about fire pits.  They are intended to burn wood, charcoal, or wood chips.  They are not intended to be trash collectors.  Aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, silverware, or bags do not burn.  They leave a very big mess that someone has to clean out before the next person can use it.  Please bag those items and place them in the trash dumpster provided near the manure pits.

Bill and Linda Fiordelise cleaned the firepits.

Thoughts to ponder - are you willing?

Friends of Shimek are always looking for new (young or young at heart) volunteers to join the work days.  Anyone and everyone is welcome to come help make Shimek Forest a beautiful place to spend time riding, hiking, camping, or just a drive through on a Sunday afternoon.  There is a serenity about this park that makes a person just relax and enjoy the time spent within the forest.

Watch for the next post on a future work day.  It will be posted on our Facebook and Blog pages.

Until then - May you always have a song in your heart, a smile on you face, and find that peace to carry you on.

Kathy

Editor

Help raise funds

 Additional stalls are in the works. 

Would you like to help make this possible?

Friends of Shimek is raising funds to add 2 stalls to each of the three horse shelters in the Lick Creek Unit. We need $4,000 which combined with the $2,000 from a Lee County Charitable Fund grant would enable the DNR Crew to add two stalls to each of the three horse shelters this summer...six new stalls.. As of today, 7/10, we have received $1,100 in donations for the shelter expansion and another $500 for trail maintenance. We very much appreciate each person who has donated to-date.

CAN YOU HELP? Send a check made out to Friends of Shimek to Lee County Bank, c/o Debbie Miller, FOS Treasurer, 2501 Ave. L, Ft. Madison, IA 52627.

Use of the stalls is free for paid overnight campers on a first come-first served basis.

Being able to secure your horse/mule/donkey in a stall is a comforting feeling as you are sitting around the campfire visiting with friends or when you turn in for the night.  Each stall provides ample room for your animal to rest and relax.  The stalls also provide shelter from inclement weather, pesky flies, and the hot sun. 

Please consider the well being of your prize possession (horse/mule/donkey) if you would like to contribute for the construction of more stalls.

May the trails your ride be a blessing to you and others you encounter along the way!

Kathy

Editor

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.