French
DeutschHoover Nature Trail
The Hoover Nature Trail (HNT) is a crushed limestone rail trail in eastern Iowa that follows the old Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad route between Burlington and Cedar Rapids. The trail is a shared-use trail for bicycling, hiking, jogging, walking, cross-country skiing, and nature study, and it is 24 miles (39 km) long.[1]
Portions of the trail are in varying stages of development, with sections near Ely, West Branch, Nichols, Columbus Junction, and Morning Sun completed. In 1990, a three-mile (4.8 km) section opened east of Morning Sun. Lately, there has been a renewed push[2] to connect the HNT with other trails in eastern Iowa.
The trail is part of the American Discovery Trail, and when completed, the HNT will become Iowa’s longest recreational trail.
History
[edit]When the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad went bankrupt, Milly Gregg led a group of West Liberty, Iowa residents to preserve some features of the former Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern mainline. Initial efforts focused on a possible steam-powered tourist line, which proved impractical. In the early 1990s, under Gregg's leadership, the Hoover Nature Trail began acquiring the Burlington to Cedar Rapids right of way for conversion to a recreational trail.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hoover Nature Trail". Iowa Trails. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Archived from the original on 2012-02-03. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ^ press-citizen.com | Local News
- ^ Joseph P. Schwietertman, West Branch, Iowa (2,188), When the Railroad Leaves Town Truman State University Press, 2004; pages 140-144.
External links
[edit]- Iowa Trails: Hoover Nature Trail. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
