Trailblazer Bonanza New Trail Celebration at Hitchcock Nature Center

Pottawattamie Conservation is adding four new trails to Hitchcock Nature Center's trail system in the beautiful Loess Hills of Iowa and we need YOUR help blazing them!

Visitors of all ages are invited to join Pottawattamie Conservation and the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol for a public ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. at Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hills Lodge with guided hikes to follow.

Event Schedule:

• Presentation and Ribbon Cutting at the Loess Hills Lodge: 1:00 p.m.
• Guided Hikes: Approximately 1:30 p.m.
  • Guided hikes to explore each new trail will take place immediately following the public presentation and ribbon cutting.
  • Visitors should plan for hikes to take approximately 2 hours with each trail offering varying levels of difficulty.

The new trails are on newly acquired property that has not yet been blazed or enjoyed by the public and increase the park's trail system from 10 to 13 miles. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to difficult and visitors will enjoy views of a 16-acre walk-in-only fishing pond, high-quality remnant prairie, oak woodlands, degraded woodlands that we are working to restore, and reconstructed prairie. Trails loop through Mt. Crescent Ski Area, a 106-acre property acquired by Pottawatttamie County in December 2021.

What to bring:

Visitors should come prepared with proper hiking shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a passion for adventure! Please be sure to dress for the weather. It is advised to wear a hat and long socks to avoid ticks and to bring sunscreen or bug spray.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome to join and must remain leashed at all times. Please be responsible and bag and properly dispose of any waste. Note that trash cans are available in parking areas and at the Loess Hills Lodge, but not on trails.

About National Trails Day:

You don’t have to go it alone. National Trails Day® provides the perfect opportunity to set off on a local trail with others in your community. Join the nationwide movement to give back to trails and build a world where everyone feels welcome and has access to enjoy the great outdoors.