Matsell Bridge Natural Area - Linn Parks Challenge Multi-cache
Matsell Bridge Natural Area - Linn Parks Challenge
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Difficulty:
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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
Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Rich in history, the Matsell Bridge Natural Area is the largest Linn County area at 1887 acres.
Diverse in terrain and habitat, Matsell Bridge is home to many species of native Iowa wildlife and plants.
The area contains numerous “one-of-a-kind” facilities within the Linn County Park system: shooting ranges, primitive year-round cabin, equestrian camping and unique historical features.
The first acquisition of public land occurred at Matsell Bridge in 1956 by the then Iowa Conservation Commission, but this part of Linn County has a rich history dating back hundreds, if not thousands of years.
Matsell Bridge is named after George W. Matsell, a New York City chief of police from 1845-1857.
At one time, his land holdings in Iowa included over 3,000 acres.
Legend has it that Matsell befriended some American Indians visiting New York City.
They appreciated his kindness and invited him to visit them in Iowa.
When he arrived, Matsell fell in love with the land and eventually built a mansion near the present day equestrian campground.
Matsell fashioned his home after George Washington's Mount Vernon home that overlooks the Potomac River.
Additional buildings were added to the farmstead until there were a total of 11 buildings including livestock barns, grain storage, a gate-keeper's house and an ice house.
Over time, the buildings fell into disrepair and were razed.
Only the ice house and stone pillars of the entrance gate remain today - reminding us of the grand old history of Matsell Bridge.
Camping
With over 70 primitive campsites in 4 campgrounds, along with a unique regional equestrian campground the Matsell Bridge area is certainly a camping destination.
All sites are primitive (NO ELECTRICITY, water is available at a centralized location), and some campsites necessitate “packing it in” as there is no vehicular access.
Sites include a picnic table and ground campfire ring. (Campsites are currently NOT RESERVABLE in this area).
Equestrian Activities
With an expansive equestrian campground and over 10 miles of equestrian trails, the historic Matsell Bridge Natural Area in Linn County is a destination for equine enthusiasts.
The campground features hitching posts, water availability and a lot of space - situated with direct access to the equestrian trails in the park.
Additionally the area features a shooting range, rustic camping cabin, fishing & boating on the Wapsipinicon River,and an on-site park ranger residence.
For specific information about camping and other equestrian activities, please contact our park staff at the Wapsipinicon District Office at (319) 438-6616.
Location
Matsell Bridge is located at 3745 Matsell Park Road, Central City, 52214.
Features
Red Oak Cabin - Rustic overnight camping cabin
12.5 miles of trails - open for equestrian use, hiking & cross-country skiing (Red Oak Trail, Pine & Prairie Trail, Ruffed Grouse Trail)
Boat Ramp on Wapsipinicon River
Mature conifer forests planted in the 1950s
Popular for hunting & trapping
Operating Hours & Seasons
Park hours are from 4:00AM-10:30PM
This cache is a multi-stage cache, so you need to find coordinates at each of the first three stages which lead to the final cache container.
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
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