| Total Distance Travelled (Using intended
route): |
approx 3.5 miles
|
| Park Fees: |
A Pottawattamie County Conservation Board park
permit is required ($10.00 annual, $2.00 daily).
|
| Dogs: |
Allowed on a leash.
|
| Bicycles/Horses Allowed on
Trails? |
No/No
|
Location - Hitchcock Nature Area - Approximately 5 miles
north of Crescent, Iowa; about 15 miles north of Omaha.
Access - Take the Crescent/North Omaha/I-680 exit from
I-29, go east to Crescent. At the stop sign, go left (it's a T
intersection, you must go left or right). Stay on this road for
about 5 miles until you see the sign for Hitchcock Nature Area, go
left. At the stop sign, go right (there's another sign for the
park). Follow the road up the hill and it takes you right into the
park. Once inside the park, continue left past the
trailer--where the trailer was. You'll pass the
shop (on the left), and will continue to a large parking lot.
Permission - This cache was placed with the permission
and assistance of "Ranger Chad".
Map - A trailmap is available at the trailhead or at
http://www.elftmann.com/hitchcock/map.pdf
(380k) It is recommended that you take one with you.
IMPORTANT
- You will find ticks in this park
- Leave enough time. This is not a straight-forward cache
- About 50% of your hike will be under treecover, the rest is out
in the open. Perhaps some sunscreen would be wise in the
summer?
- There is no drinking water on the trails
-
Read what others said about the original HitchCache.
About Hitchcock Nature Area - Hitchcock is a
relatively little known park just north of Omaha. "Ranger Chad" has
done a lot of work in the last 3 years and it shows. Visitation to
this park will increase in the next few years, major improvements
are planned.
Hitchcock offers an equal access trail (but not near the cache);
an archery range; two picnic areas; and three scenic lookouts near
the road.
Additionally, Hitchcock offers three backcountry campsites; two
1-tent locations and one group camp. You will need to pack your own
water, water is only available at the parking area (and is subject
to seasonal shut off). You can see Omaha and hear the interstate
from the solo campground but it's not a bad weekend getaway to test
out your equipment.