Sounds like some very nice hiking. Which reminds me: how are things at Brown's Woods? Have they been able to keep out the dirt bikers, trail bikers, et al? > Sierra Club June Events--Central Iowa > Hikes, program and campout/astronomy outing. > > June 6 Walk Report > Sharon, Robbie, Dick, Cindy, Phyllis urban-hiked the approximately 2.5 > miles > from Gray's Lake on to the new downtown path veering off on the south end > of > the trail to dine at Romeo's. The one-way trip was about 40 minutes. And > then back during a gorgeous view of downtown above the river as the sun > set. > We saw deer, ducks, hawks, and bats. This route is becoming more of a > popular trail as people discover it for urban hiking and biking. > > Next walks > TONIGHT > TUESDAY, JUNE 13: Weekly Hike-6:30 p.m. > Jester Park in northwest Polk County. We will take advantage of several of > the 8 hiking trails Jester Park has to offer. Meet at the parking lot just > inside the entrance. Contact Ginger at [log in to unmask] or 253-0232 for > directions. > > TUESDAY, JUNE 20: Weekly Hike-6:30 p.m. > Walnut Woods State Park in West Des Moines. Meet by the boat ramp just > inside the west entrance of the park for an easy one-hour hike through > this > beautiful park along the Raccoon River. Contact Phyllis at 274-4319 or > [log in to unmask] > > WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21: Des Moines Monthly Public Program- Fort Des Moines > Park > Mel Pins, president of Somerset Neighborhood Association will present a > program on Fort Des Moines Park and the proposed expansion of Blank Park > Zoo > into the county park. Our public programs are 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Grace > United > Methodist Church, 37th & Cottage Grove. Refreshments follow the program. > Contact Jane at 223-5047 or [log in to unmask] for more information. > > SATURDAY, JUNE 24 > Campout and stargazing at Ashton/Wildwood Park north on Hwy. 330, We can > meet at the campground at 4:30 p.m. A walk is planned for about 5 p.m. A > potluck is planned for about 6 p.m. Expect some flexibility in times. If > the > weather permits, the Des Moines Astronomical Society will give us a > lecture > followed by telescope viewing. The DMAS asks for a $2 per person donation > for the lecture and scope event. Contact Phyllis at [log in to unmask] or > 274-4319 for information. You are welcome to come to camp overnight or > just > join in whenever. > > Phyllis would appreciate it if you could tell her if you intend to join > us. > Call Phyllis at 274-4319 or e-mail her at [log in to unmask] > > Cancellation only in really horrible weather and then, only those people > who > let me know that they are coming. > Hope to see you, Phyllis. > > Facilities: > Pit toilets > Drinking water spigots > Free camping fee > > What to do: > 4 pm Set up Camp, sit around, relax > 5 pm Short, easy nature hike, about 30 minutes (I'm told) > 6 pm pot luck: bring your own tableware , drink, main dish and a side dish > or dessert to share. > 8 pm Astronomy lecture by a member of the Des Moines Astronomical Society, > half an hour. Now, at this date it won't get dark until around 9 pm, so > bring your imagination. A $2 donation is requested to the DMAS. > 8:30 pm Sit around the fire, tell big stories, and roast marshmallows. > > Getting there: > Ashton/Wildwook Park is northeast of I-80 on Hwy. 330 (that's the diagonal > road to Marshalltown.) Go about 20 miles northeast of the Interstate. At > the > first road past the Hwy. 65 turnoff, you can reach Ashton Park by taking > County Road F-17 (this is the Baxter road) east of Hwy. 330 1/2 mile and > then turning south for 1/4 mile. Look for the park entrance next to the > Ashton Chapel. It features a 1/2 mile self-interpretive nature trail. > The > trail, covered with wood chips, can be used for hiking, environmental > education and nature observation. > > TUESDAY, JUNE 27: Weekly Hike-6:30 p.m. > Sycamore Trail off NW 66th east of Johnston-We will hike a portion of the > trail, which will take us through some of the most wild and scenic sites > of > the metro area, as we follow the west bank of the Des Moines River. > Wildlife is abundant in this wooded area. Meet at the small parking lot > west > of the river and south of NW 66th in Johnston. Contact Ginger at > [log in to unmask] or call 253-0232. > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: > [log in to unmask] > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]