Chichaqua Valley Trail - Trailhead

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Trailhead for Chichaqua Valley Trail

DESCRIPTION: The Chichaqua Valley Recreation Trail lies on an old railroad bed and is hard surfaced with blacktop. The trail crosses the forested banks and timbered bottomlands of the Skunk River, which was called Chichaqua by the Fox Indians. Young trees and prairie lining the trail are punctuated by vistas of rich farmland that is the result of Iowa’s ice ages and prairies.

PARKING: East end of trail: Turn north off highway F-17 W to Baxter, and go to the trail head and parking lot located in the Baxter business district. A restored caboose in next to the parking lot in Baxter. West end of trail (about 1 mile east of Bondurant): Exit off US highway 65 and go ½ mile south on 88th street (gravel) to the trail head and parking lot. Other parking areas are located at Ira, Mingo, and Valeria. Restrooms, water, and picnic shelters are located at Baxter, Ira, and Mingo. This trail is paved from beginning to end, making it popular with rollerbladers as well as cyclists and hikers. Along the trail, one will spot mile markers showing the distance to Kansas City for this former railroad route. The trail also crosses stone bridges dating from the Wisconsin, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad that built this rail line in 1885.
In later years, the line was used by the Chicago, St. Paul, & Kansas City Railroad (1886-1892), Chicago Great Western Company (1892-1968), and finally the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company (1968-1984). The line was abandoned in 1984, and reopened as a recreational trail in 1987.

www.trailsfromrails.com/chichaqua_trail.htm