Cedar Valley Nature Trail - Linn Parks Challenge Traditional Cache
Cedar Valley Nature Trail - Linn Parks Challenge
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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What is this all about???
Linn County Conservation wants YOU to visit their parks and find some Geocache's.
Linn County Conservation owns 29 Parks and Recreation areas.
The Linn Parks Challenge will take you to 25 of these 29 Parks and Recreation areas.
(Listed below)
As an extra incentive, if you "find" all of the Geocache's for all 25 locations you will be rewarded with a special collectable trackable Geocaching coin!
Only one special / collectable trackable coin will be given per household.
How is this accomplished?
Download your "Passport" HERE.
Take this Passport with you when you are seeking these Caches.
Each of these 25 Caches will contain a small plate with a 'unique' embossed tag on them. Some of the caches will also have the embossed tag on the outside of the container.
They also contain a crayon in them.
Use the tag and the crayon to mark your 'Passport' to prove that you have found this Cache!
Once your Passport is completed you may claim your special coin at Wickiup Outdoor Learning Center.
N 42° 04.960 W 091° 45.862
(10260 Morris Hills Rd, Toddville, IA 52341)
NOTE: - The "Special" Coin is NOW available!!!
Each Geocaching family / Household will receive a FREE special / Trackable Coin once they have completed the passport.
Other family members (that have completed this Challenge) may purchase a coin for $10.00.
This special coin may NOT be purchased by the general public.
The month of June 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of this cache Series.
The Linn Parks Challenge Series has had a great run!
The Linn Parks Challenge Series will be ending on June 30, 2024.
Special Thanks to the Geocachers that created this series and kept it going for 10 years:
Art & Marcia Temple (Cosmic Cachers), Corely Welch (CCWelch), Dave Beck (teambecks), Frank Helsell (dazedandconfused), Jeff Goodson (SuperGoober), Mike Brace (Tikibirds), Nathan Welch (welch), Ron Tonneson (RonTon) & Tim Stewart (The Weasel).
Abbe Creek School Museum
Buffalo Creek Park
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Center Point Historic Depot
Chain Lakes Natural Area
Eastern Iowa Observatory & Learning Center
Goose Pond Natural Area
Harold & Ruth Rehrauer Natural Area
Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve
Hoover Nature Trail
J. Harold Ennis Preserve
Jay G. Sigmund Memorial Site
Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Morgan Creek Park
North Cedar Natural Area
Palisades-Dows Preserve
Palo Marsh Natural Area
Pinicon Ridge Park
Rock Island Botanical Preserve
South Cedar Natural Area
Wanatee Park
Troy Mills River Access
Wakpicada Natural Area
Wickiup Hill Learning Center
Wickiup Hill Natural Area
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is one of the pioneer “linear parks” in Iowa.
It was built on the abandoned Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern (WCF&N) railroad right-of-way in the early 1980's.
Spanning four counties, the 51-mile trail meanders from Hiawatha to Evansdale, passing through Robins, Lafayette, Center Point, Urbana, Brandon, LaPorte City and Gilbertville.
It is managed jointly by the Black Hawk and Linn County Conservation Boards.
Originally having a crushed limestone surface, nearly 11 miles in Linn County, from Boyson Rd North to Schultz Rd., have been converted to asphalt.
In Black Hawk County about 16 miles of trail have been asphalted.
During the spring, summer and fall, the Cedar Valley Trail is a great trail for walking, running, bicycling, and rollerblading.
In the winter months, the trail can be used for snowshoeing and snowmobiling (on designated unpaved surfaces), as there is no snow removal service.
Nature study and photography are activities are popular year-round.
Additionally, there are many points of interest along the trail.
Stop in Center Point to visit the Center Point Depot and Historical Museum.
Or stop in one of the many restaurants in the communities located adjacent to the trail.
Location
The trail is accessible from several locations.
A southern trailhead is located on Boyson Road in Hiawatha, IA.
Another good access point in Linn County is from the historic Center Point Depot in Center Point.
Parking Details
Boyson Rd: Access to the Hiawatha Trailhead parking area for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail is from Kainz Drive - just south of Boyson Road.
From this juncture, you can access the Cedar Valley Nature Trail to the north, and the Cedar River Trail (managed by the City of Cedar Rapids) to the south.
County Home Rd: Access to the Cedar Valley Trail is available at County Home Rd, to the east of I380.
Activities
- Geocaching!
- Biking
- Walking/Running
- Cross-country skiing
- Rollerblading
- Snowmobiling (on designated limestone portions)
- Nature Study
- Photography
Trail Safety & Enjoyment
The following guidelines will help you have a safe and enjoyable trail experience:
- Be considerate of other trail users
- Wear a helmet and other safety equipment
- Keep to the right to allow others to pass - when in a group, don't block the trail
- Always pass on the left after checking both directions to be sure it is safe to pass
- Announce your presence to other users when approaching them from behind ("pass on the left" alerts them)
- Obey all traffic signs at road intersections
- Rest frequently to avoid fatigue and carry plenty of fluids
- Use front and rear lights after dark
- Maintain your equipment in good repair
- Don't wear headphones as it may limit your ability to hear other trail traffic
- Carry identification with you
- Dogs must always be on a leash (less than or equal to 6' long)
Operating Hours & Seasons
4 am - 10:30 pm
Closures
September, 2013: The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is currently closed between the Urbana blacktop and the I-380 underpass.
A farm crossing is being rebuilt and the trail is being regarded to match the new grade on the crossing.
Current estimates are that this work will be completed by early October.
There isn't a designated detour as the county roads in this area do not have bike lanes.
There is no snow removal performed on the trail and the County Home Road parking lot is closed during the winter months.
Congratulations to those that have found all 25 Caches for the Linn Parks Challenge!
A list of the Cachers that have found all 25 Caches can be viewed on the Linn Co Conservation Profile page or at this link:
Those that have completed the Linn Parks Challenge
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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