Raccoon River Valley Trail

Rail trail in Iowa, United States

Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) is a rail trail running 56 miles (90 km) from Waukee, Iowa, to Jefferson, Iowa. In 2013, an additional 33.1-mile (53.3 km) north loop was completed on the RRVT, making the RRVT nearly 90 miles (140 km) of paved trails and having a paved interior loop of more than 72 miles (116 km). The 39-mile (63 km) portion of the trail from Waukee to Herndon is part of the American Discovery Trail, which runs between Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware and Point Reyes near the Bay Area of California. In Iowa, the American Discovery Trail will be concurrent with U.S. Bicycle Route 50 (see United States Numbered Bicycle Routes).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

The recreational trail runs through the counties of Polk, Dallas, Guthrie, and Greene in Iowa. It is a paved trail, mainly asphalt,[a] though three sections are concrete. One concrete section extends from Jefferson south for four miles (6 km). Another concrete section is an eighteen-mile (30 km) section connecting Redfield, Linden, Panora, and Yale.[b] Constructed during 2010–2013, the 33.1-mile (53.3 km) North Loop, which runs between Dawson and Waukee through Perry, Minburn, and Dallas Center, is the third concrete section.[15][16][17][18][19] In March 2024, the Dallas County Conservation Director Mike Wallace announced that the bridge over the North Raccoon River on the east side of Adel will be closed from mid-July 2024 to mid-October 2024 in order to resurface and widen the bridge from 10 feet to 12 feet which will allow emergency vehicles and maintenance equipment better access to the trail.[14][20]

Between Yale and Ortonville, which was a trail head 3 miles east of Adel, the 31 miles (50 km) of trail is very scenic and mostly tree covered. The north loop between Herndon and Waukee, is wider, nearly flat, and is much more exposed to the sun and wind.

On April 8, 2024, Waukee officials discussed a Hickman Road Pedestrian Crossing study which would involve constructing a tunnel for pedestrians and bicyclists under Hickman Road at 10th Street near the RRVT trailhead in Waukee and a bridge or overpass for pedestrians and bicyclists at Warrior Lane over Hickman Road.[21][22]

By 2007, the conservation board directors estimated that more than 125,000 people use this trail each year.[23] In 2014, the Dallas County Conservation Department estimated over 330,000 trail users of the RRVT annually.[24] In March 2024, the Dallas County Conservation Director Mike Wallace stated that 150,000 persons used the RRVT in 2023 which was the last year of the annual fee: 2024 is the first year of no daily or annual fee for trail users; however, special permits will be needed for event organizers for events held on the trail.[14][25][26]

Since the late 2000s, Snyder & Associates has been the engineering firm which supports development and upkeep of the Raccoon River Valley Trail as well as the High Trestle Trail and the nine-mile connector between the two trails.[27][28][29][30][31][32]

Locations of trailheads

Original RRVT[33][34][35][c]

  • Waukee (41°36′44″N 93°47′46″W / 41.61222°N 93.79611°W / 41.61222; -93.79611)
  • Waukee - junction with North Loop[d] (41°36′55″N 93°53′24″W / 41.61528°N 93.89000°W / 41.61528; -93.89000)
  • Adel
  • Redfield
  • Linden
  • Panora
  • Yale
  • Herndon - junction with North Loop (41°50′46″N 94°20′59″W / 41.84611°N 94.34972°W / 41.84611; -94.34972)
  • Cooper
  • Jefferson (42°00′58″N 94°22′05″W / 42.01611°N 94.36806°W / 42.01611; -94.36806)

North Loop RRVT

  • Herndon - junction with Original Trail (41°50′46″N 94°20′59″W / 41.84611°N 94.34972°W / 41.84611; -94.34972)
  • Jamaica
  • Dawson
  • Perry
  • Forest Park Museum (south of Iowa 141 on K Ave.)
  • Minburn
  • Dallas Center
  • Waukee - junction with Original Trail[d] (41°36′55″N 93°53′24″W / 41.61528°N 93.89000°W / 41.61528; -93.89000)

History

Original RRVT

The RRVT trail between Waukee and Yale runs along the rail line established in 1881 as a narrow-gauge line of the Des Moines Western Railroad, which became part of the Wabash Railroad. About 10 years later, the Milwaukee Road took over the line and converted it to standard gauge. Passenger service ended along the line in 1952. Freight service continued along the line until 1987. In 1982, the Chicago & North Western purchased the line. In 1987, the Central Iowa Energy Cooperative (CIECO), an affiliate of the Central Iowa Power Company, purchased the line and hundreds of acres of land located south of Panora, Iowa. CIECO intended to build a coal-fired power plant on the land it had acquired south of Panora, near the railroad line. However, plans for this power plant were abandoned. Much of the land that was to have been the site of the power plant was placed in the 1,236-acre (5.00 km2) Lennon Mill Wildlife Area south of Panora. In late 1987, CIECO, Iowa Trails, and the Conservation Boards of Dallas and Guthrie Counties agreed to develop the railroad line as a recreational trail.[23][38]

On October 7, 1989, the first section of the Raccoon River Valley Trail opened. In 1990, 34 miles (55 km) of this paved trail were opened between Waukee, and Yale. North of Yale, the RRVT lies along an old Union Pacific Railroad line which was abandoned in the late 1990s.[39] In 1997, the trail was extended with a paved trail from Yale to Jefferson. In 1999, the trail was extended with a 5 miles (8.0 km) paved trail link from Waukee to the 11.3 miles (18.2 km) Clive Greenbelt Trail in Clive.[23][39]

North Loop

The 33.1-mile (53.3 km) North Loop is an additional paved branch from Herndon through Perry to Waukee. This paved branch follows the old Union Pacific Railroad line which was abandoned in late 2005. From Herndon, it travels through Jamaica and then northern Dallas County to Dawson, Perry, Minburn, Dallas Center, and then to Waukee.[23][40] On May 14, 2011, the six mile (10 km) concrete segment from Dawson to Perry opened for use.[41][42] A six-mile (10 km) concrete segment from Waukee to Dallas Center opened for use on October 15, 2011[15][16] On December 15, 2012, the section from Perry through Minburn to Dallas Center was completed.[17]

The remaining sections of the North Loop were completed during early 2013 and opened for use on June 1, 2013.[16][18][43]

In downtown Perry at noon on Saturday, June 1, 2013, the grand opening of the new 33 mile "north loop" occurred with Chuck Offenburger as Master of Ceremonies and a keynote speech by Kevin Cooney.[18][44][e]

Connections to other trails

Clive Greenbelt Trail

5 miles (8.0 km) east of Waukee in Polk County, the RRVT connects to the 11.3 miles (18.2 km) Clive Greenbelt Trail in Clive and forms part of the Central Iowa Trails network.[39][45][46][47][48][49]

High Trestle Trail

On August 17, 2024, the 9-mile (14 km) connector between Perry and Woodward opened with a ribbon cutting at the trailhead in Bouton which is located at 110 East 1st Street. This paved concrete trail connects the Raccoon River Valley Trail with the 25-mile (40 km) High Trestle Trail.[45][50][51][52][53]

This connector between the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the High Trestle Trail forms two 100-mile (160 km) recreational trail loops near Des Moines with a continuous 120-mile (190 km) paved loop.[52][53] The western loop involves the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the Clive Greenbelt Trail. The eastern loop includes the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, the Chichaqua Valley Trail and the Gay Lea Wilson Trail.[54] The High Trestle Trail connects at Slater to the 32-mile (51 km) Heart of Iowa Nature Trail in Story and Marshall counties.[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64] Using the Perry to Woodward connector, the High Trestle Trail, the 28.2-mile (45.4 km) Neal Smith Trail, which is also called the East River Trail, and the connector between Ankeny and the Neil Smith Trail, both Des Moines and Big Creek State Park are accessible along paved trails.[65][45][66][67][68][69][70]

Connections to state parks

Connecting Big Creek State Park north of Polk City in Polk County, Ledges State Park south of Boone in Boone County, and Springbrook State Park west of Yale in Guthrie County, the 160-mile (260 km) Central Iowa Bike Route is a picturesque circuit ride among the valleys of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers and involves some "challenging" hills and the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Camping is available at both Ledges State Park and Springbrook State Park.[71]

Future connection to Krushchev in Iowa Trail

A connection is planned at Herndon to the 22-mile (35 km) Krushchev in Iowa Trail in northern Guthrie County.[72][73][74] This link will give Coon Rapids, Bayard, and Bagley a paved trail connected to the RRVT.

Winter activities

Beginning in February, 2009, when at least 4 inches (10 cm) of snow covers the paved trail, the Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC) groom the paved trail. The RRVT between Jefferson and Waukee along with the North Loop is part of a larger winter activities trail network of over 200 miles (320 km). During the winter, this groomed trail is ideal for both cross country skiers and snowmobilers.[75][76][77][78]

Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC)

Search social media pages for "Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers" to get current information for snowmachines on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.[77] Created July 28, 2010, the RVSC social media page contains a timeline of past events.

Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC):

  • Monthly meetings, usually on the 2nd Thursday at the Lake Panorama Conference Center near Panora
  • Summer campouts, often in July at Springbrook State Park near Yale
  • Summer outings, often in August, at the main beach, also known as boulder beach, on the east side of Lake Panorama near Panora
  • Fall grass drags, often on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday in November or the 1st Sunday in December, at the Flack river farm five miles west of Jefferson—just south of Highway 30 and just west of county road P14
  • Winter ice drags, often the 2nd Sunday in February, at the main beach, also known as boulder beach, on the east side of Lake Panorama near Panora
  • Winter rides, sometimes in other nearby states: near Cable, Wisconsin at Lake Namekagon during the 2nd week of February in 2014
  • DNR-certified Iowa snowmobile safety classes for youths ages 11 to 18, often the 2nd Saturday in December, at the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) Conference Center near Panora

In 2011, RVSC received the ISSA "CLUB OF THE YEAR" award.[77]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ During the spring and summer of 2020, the 10-mile (16 km) section of the trail between Adel and Redfield had most bridges replaced and widened and the trail paved surface was widened and replaced with a new asphalt overlay.[12]
  2. ^ On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the 6-mile (9.7 km) section of the trail between Linden and Redfield, which had been closed since August 2023 for trail improvements, opened with the five bridges widened and a new wider concrete surface.[13][14]
  3. ^ Formerly, Kennedy Station and Ortonville had parking for the trail. Kennedy Station is located along I Avenue in Dallas County 0.8 miles (1.3 km) north of Old Highway US 6 also known as CR F60. Ortonville is located at the intersection of Hickman Road ( US 6) and
    CR R16 north (R Avenue in Dallas County)[36][37]
  4. ^ a b The Waukee trailhead is near Sugar Creek Elementary at the northeast corner of the lighted intersection of Hickman Road ( US 6) and North 10th Street which is also known as
    CR R22 north (U Avenue in Dallas County). In Waukee, 10th Street is the western terminus of Ashworth Drive.
  5. ^ In downtown Perry on Saturday, June 1, 2013, the grand opening of the new 33 mile "north loop" included food and beverage vendors; a bicycle poker run from 9:00 until 12:30 with cards at Waukee, Dallas Center, Minburn, Forest Park Museum, Perry, the bicycle bridge over the North Raccoon River west of Perry, Dawson, and Jamaica.[18] See the "north loop" Grand Opening flyer for more.

References

  1. ^ "Map of Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT)" (PDF). Dallas County Conservation Board website. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  2. ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists 2009 edition (see trail #35)" (PDF). Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website. May 1, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  3. ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists 2015 edition (see trail #42)" (PDF). Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website. May 1, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 7, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  4. ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists June 2021 edition (see trail #43)" (PDF). Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website. June 1, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "Transportation Map for Bicyclists (2009 ed.)" (PDF). (see trail #35) Iowa DOT website. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  6. ^ "American Discovery Trail". American Discovery Trail website. Archived from the original on December 14, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  7. ^ "An Update Concerning the U.S. Bicycle Route System: Getting It Done, States Move Quickly toward Implementation" (PDF). Adventure Cycling website (www.adventurecycling.org). September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  8. ^ "US Bicycle Route System begins connecting America". US DOT website. July 2, 2010. Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  9. ^ "United States Bicycle Route System: National Corridor Plan". May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  10. ^ "American Discovery Trail in Iowa". American Discovery Trail website (discoverytrail.org). May 19, 2013. Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "American Discovery Trail in Iowa (Details)". American Discovery Trail website (discoverytrail.org). May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Cerwinske, Joe (March 13, 2020). "Maintenance Closing Raccoon River Valley Trail from Adel to Redfield". Raccoon Valley Radio. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  13. ^ Mantz, Logan (August 4, 2023). "Portion of the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Dallas County to be Closed Soon". Raccoon Valley Radio (www.raccoonvalleyradio.com). Perry, Iowa. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Harden, Ray (March 18, 2024). "Conservation's Mike Wallace updates Perry Lions Club". The Perry News. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Ride to the Ribbon flyer" (PDF). www.waukee.org website. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  16. ^ a b c Hanson, Eric (September 28, 2011). "New Trail to Connect 15 Iowa Towns". KCCI-TV. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  17. ^ a b Offenburger, Chuck (December 15, 2012). "Great News! The Raccoon River Valley Trail is completed between Dallas Center and Minburn,..." Raccoon River Valley Trail Association. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  18. ^ a b c d Offenburger, Chuck (January 15, 2012). "Grand Opening is set for Saturday June 1, ..." Raccoon River Valley Trail Association. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  19. ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop Grand Opening" (PDF). Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  20. ^ Nettingham, Shi-Quan (July 24, 2024). "RRVT Lighted Bridge Closure Affecting Adel Until October". Raccoon Valley Radio. Perry, Iowa. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  21. ^ "Waukee leaders considering pedestrian crossing projects on Hickman Road". KCCI. April 9, 2024. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024. Archived April 9, 2024, KCCI video segment of "Waukee leaders considering pedestrian crossing projects on Hickman Road"
  22. ^ "City of Waukee: City Council Meeting Communication Work Session. Agenda D1-6". City of Waukee website. April 5, 2024. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024. To access the archived website, use plain text mode.
  23. ^ a b c d "RRVT History". Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. Archived from the original on August 26, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  24. ^ "Let's Connect" (PDF). "Let's Connect" fundraising committee and Dallas County Conservation Department. July 11, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 3, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  25. ^ Mantz, Logan (October 17, 2023). "RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL TO DISCONTINUE TRAIL PERMITS". Raccoon Valley Radio. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Carlson, Coltrane (October 15, 2023). "PERMIT FEES TO VANISH IN 2024 ON THE RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL". Raccoon Valley Radio. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  27. ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail Design Packs User-Friendly Amenities". Snyder & Associates website (www.snyder-associates.com). April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  28. ^ "High Trestle Trail & Bridge Connects Central Iowa Trail Network". Snyder & Associates website (www.snyder-associates.com). April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  29. ^ ""Let's Connect" Trail Segment Expands High Trestle & Raccoon River Valley Trail Systems". Snyder & Associates website (www.snyder-associates.com). April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  30. ^ "High Trestle Trail". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (www.inhf.org). April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  31. ^ Butler, Ben (May 19, 2015). "Dallas County Conservation Board Holds Public Hearing on Trail Connnector". Raccoon Valley Radio. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  32. ^ Butler, Ben (May 29, 2015). "Dallas County Conservation Board Hosts Second Public Meeting in Regards to the Trail Connector Project". Raccoon Valley Radio. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  33. ^ http://www.co.dallas.ia.us/index.aspx?page=886 Raccoon River Valley Trail Dallas County website retrieved February 19, 2010
  34. ^ Raccoon River Valley Trail. Dallas County website. Archived on December 17, 2009. Retrieved on April 19, 2023.
  35. ^ Raccoon River Valley Trail Map. Dallas County website. Archived on June 8, 2011. Retrieved on April 19, 2023.
  36. ^ The Raccoon River Valley Trail Map Dallas County website. Archived on July 18, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  37. ^ Raccoon River Valley Rail: Eighty-Nine Miles of Paved Trail Passing Through Fourteen Communities in Three Counties. Dallas County website. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023
  38. ^ "Lennon Mill Wildlife Area". Guthrie County Conservation Board website. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  39. ^ a b c "Raccoon River Valley Trail to close gap". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website. October 1999. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  40. ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail". Guthrie Center Times. June 17, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  41. ^ "RRVT Ribbon Cutting Poster" (PDF). Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. May 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  42. ^ "Perry and Dawson are already showing the impact..." Raccoon River Valley Trail website. May 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  43. ^ "Bummer! Completion date for the Raccoon River Valley Trail's new "North Loop" now delayed..." Raccoon River Valley Trail Association website. June 14, 2012. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  44. ^ "Raccoon River Valley Trail "North Loop" Grand Opening flyer" (PDF). Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (raccoonrivervalleytrail.org). January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  45. ^ a b c "Central Iowa Trails Network". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  46. ^ Strohman, James (April 6, 2022). "Hightail it to High Trestle". Cityview. Des Moines. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  47. ^ Strohman, James (April 6, 2022). "Trails Map". Cityview. Des Moines. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 – via Street Collective.
  48. ^ "Central Iowa Trail System". greaterdesmoinestrails.org. August 31, 2006. Archived from the original on August 31, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  49. ^ Engstrom, Cathy (December 1, 2006). "Central Iowa Trails Map". Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (inhf.org). Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  50. ^ Nettingham, Shi-Quan (August 17, 2024). "RRVT-HTT Grand Opening is Today". Raccoon Valley Radio. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  51. ^ "Two Iconic Iowa Trail Finally Connect: The High Trestle Trail 9 mile extension now connects with the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Perry". bikeiowa.com. August 5, 2024. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  52. ^ a b Carlson, Coltrane (August 18, 2024). "Connector with High Trestle and Raccoon River Valley Trails Celebrated in Bouton Saturday". Raccoon Valley Radio. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  53. ^ a b The Perry News staff (August 18, 2024). "Ribbon cut on Woodward-Bouton-Perry connector trail Saturday". The Perry News. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
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  56. ^ "Heart of Iowa Nature Trail". Story County website (www.storycountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
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  58. ^ "Chichaqua Valley Trail". chichaquavalleytrail.org. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  59. ^ "5. Chichaqua Valley Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  60. ^ "Chichaqua Valley Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  61. ^ "Chichaqua Valley Trail Map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  62. ^ "11. Gay Lea Wilson Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  63. ^ "Gay Lea Wilson Trail". Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  64. ^ "Gay Lea Wilson Trail Connection Map" (PDF). Polk County website (www.polkcountyiowa.gov). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  65. ^ Steiden, Bill (March 18, 2024). "Why linking the High Trestle, Raccoon River Valley trails is a big deal". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
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  69. ^ "Ankeny to Woodward trail map (big)". INHF website. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
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  75. ^ "Snowmobile Club". Guthrie Center Times. December 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  76. ^ "Numbers on the raccoon river valley trail are exprected to jump this winter with snowmobilers now authorized for the first time to use the trail in all three counties a new regional snowmobile club". Raccoon River Valley Trail website. December 19, 2009. Archived from the original on December 22, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  77. ^ a b c "Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers". Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers website. 2011. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
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  • Archived "north loop" Grand Opening flyer
  • United States Bicycle Route System (USBR): National Corridor Plan - see USBR 50 (archive April 19, 2023)
  • American Discovery Trail
  • Archive American Discovery Trail Maps and Books
  • Raccoon River Valley Trail - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website
  • Raccoon River Valley Trail - Chuck Offenburger's website
  • RRVT - Mobile apps website
  • Archived Trail Map with trailheads which included Ortonville
  • Archived Interactive Trail Map
  • Archived Central Iowa Trail System
  • Archived Central Iowa Trails Map (released 2012)
  • Central Iowa Trails Map (released April 2023). Archived front side of Central Iowa Trails Map (released April 2023). Archived back side of Central Iowa Trails Map (released April 2023).
  • Archived Central Iowa Trails Network - overview from INHF
  • Clive Greenbelt Trail INHF website
  • Archived Clive Greenbelt Trail City of Clive website
  • Archived High Trestle Trail INHF website
  • Krushchev in Iowa Trail
  • Bike Iowa
  • Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers (RVSC). Search "Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers" on social media pages for current information.
  • Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers Snowmobile Trail Map 2010