High Trestle Trail

The High Trestle Trail follows the route of a former Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) freight line between Woodward and Ankeny, Iowa. UPRR first proposed retiring the line in 2003. The lowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), which had organized other rail-trail projects in Iowa, bought the {{convert|439|acre}} corridor from UPRR in 2005. As part of the transaction, UPRR donated over $3 million of land value. INHF then transferred sections of the land to partner agencies in the five cities and four counties within the corridor.

Construction on the trail, designed by engineering firm Snyder and Associates, Inc. began in early 2006 to include {{convert|1010|ft}} of trail in Woodward. In 2007, bookend projects in Woodward and Ankeny were constructed. The catalyst for construction came from a $5.6 million Congressional appropriation in 2005. With the help of additional state and federal grants, 20 additional miles of trail were completed and opened to the public in 2008.

The last portion to be completed was the high bridge over the Des Moines River. A $1.75 million grant from Vision Iowa, a project of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, helped fund the construction of a new bridge superstructure designed by Shuck-Britson, Inc., and artwork by RDG Dahlquist Art Studio. The project was officially completed with the grand opening of the bridge in April 2011.{{cite journal|last=Hein|first=Lisa|title=Trail Blazers|journal=Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Magazine|date=Spring 2012|pages=14–17}} Following its completion, the trail was awarded a Mid American Energy Trails and Greenways project award that October.{{cite web|title=Trail Partners|url=http://www.inhf.org/pdfs/about_us/annual_report/inhf-spring2011-hightrestletrail.pdf|accessdate=June 24, 2012|author=Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation|year=2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203212139/http://www.inhf.org//pdfs/about_us/annual_report/inhf-spring2011-hightrestletrail.pdf|archive-date=February 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}

File:High Trestle Bridge at Night - Iowa (24189757769).jpg

The 13-story-high (40-meter) and nearly half-mile-long (770-meter) trestle bridge provides scenic views of the Des Moines River Valleyhttps://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42663&id=20832839998 High Trestle Trail Photos High Trestle Trail INHF Facebook website updated April 2011, retrieved July 19, 2011. {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}} and is located near mining shafts that were worked by Italian immigrant families and others who settled nearby.{{Cite web | last = Cooney| first = Kevin| title = Bridge Art Wows Bicyclists| publisher = KCCI-TV 8HD| date = March 14, 2011| url = http://www.kcci.com/video/27172543/detail.html| accessdate = March 14, 2011 }} The bridge decking incorporates a decorative structure that represents the view through a mine shaft,http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/components.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019030632/http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/components.html |date=2017-10-19 }} High Trestle Trail: High Trestle Bridge | Artwork Components of Bridge Art on RDg Dahlquist Art Studios website retrieved July 19, 2011.http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/photos.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802213859/http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/photos.html |date=2016-08-02 }} High Trestle Trail: High Trestle Bridge | Artwork Daytime Photos of the bridge art on RDg Dahlquist Art Studios website retrieved July 19, 2011.http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/2011/04/photos---april-13-2011.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222070345/http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/2011/04/photos---april-13-2011.html |date=2015-12-22 }} High Trestle Trail: High Trestle Bridge | Artwork Nighttime Photos of the bridge art on RDg Dahlquist Art Studios website retrieved July 19, 2011. and its design includes decorative lighting that remains on from dusk until midnight in the summer and until 9:00 pm in the winter.{{cite web |url=http://www.inhf.org//trails/central-iowa-trail-network.cfm |title=Central Iowa Trails Network |work=Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927074806/http://www.inhf.org//trails/central-iowa-trail-network.cfm |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2009}}

The bridge was originally built in the 1970s to carry rail traffic on a Milwaukee Road line. With the retirement of that rail line in the early 2000s, the original bridge deck was removed, and its steel I-beams were reused for a new Union Pacific bridge in Boone.{{Cite web | url=http://bridgehunter.com/ia/boone/woodward-rail/ |title = High Trestle Trail Bridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014004543/http://bridgehunter.com/ia/boone/woodward-rail/ |archive-date=October 14, 2011}} However, the piers (or trestles) remained in place, and the original piers now support a new deck designed for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Between the removal of the original decking and the construction of its replacement, the single-file line of unconnected concrete piers was informally known as "Iowa's Stonehenge".

On April 2, 2015, the BBC showcased the High Trestle Trail Bridge as part of a globe-spanning collection of eight eye-catching footbridges.{{cite news | last = Macdonald | first = Fiona | title = Architecture Design: Eight Amazing Footbridges | url = http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150401-eight-amazing-footbridges | publisher = BBC | date = April 2, 2015 | accessdate = January 23, 2016}}

These are the trailheads:{{cite web |url=http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/13-high-trestle-trail/ |title=High Trestle Trail |work=Polk County Conservation Board website |access-date=April 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619025529/https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/13-high-trestle-trail/ |archive-date=June 19, 2012}}

• Ankeny
• Sheldahl
• Slater
• Madrid
• Woodward

On August 17, 2024, the {{convert|9|mi|adj=on}} 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 High Trestle Trail.{{cite news |last=Nettingham |first=Shi-Quan |url=https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2024/08/17/rrvt-htt-grand-opening-is-today/ |title=RRVT-HTT Grand Opening is Today |work=Raccoon Valley Radio |date=August 17, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819221041/https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2024/08/17/rrvt-htt-grand-opening-is-today/ |archive-date=August 19, 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://bikeiowa.com/Feature/2038/two-iconic-iowa-trail-finally-connect |title=Two Iconic Iowa Trail Finally Connect: The High Trestle Trail 9 mile extension now connects with the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Perry |work=bikeiowa.com |date=August 5, 2024 |access-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903203916/https://bikeiowa.com/Feature/2038/two-iconic-iowa-trail-finally-connect |archive-date=September 3, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Carlson |first=Coltrane |url=https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2024/08/18/connector-with-high-trestle-and-raccoon-river-valley-trails-celebrated-in-bouton-saturday/ |title=Connector with High Trestle and Raccoon River Valley Trails Celebrated in Bouton Saturday |work=Raccoon Valley Radio |date=August 18, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819220355/https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2024/08/18/connector-with-high-trestle-and-raccoon-river-valley-trails-celebrated-in-bouton-saturday/ |archive-date=August 19, 2024}}{{cite news |author=The Perry News staff |url=https://theperrynews.com/ribbon-cut-on-woodward-bouton-perry-connector-trail-saturday/ |title=Ribbon cut on Woodward-Bouton-Perry connector trail Saturday |work=The Perry News |date=August 18, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822155358/https://theperrynews.com/ribbon-cut-on-woodward-bouton-perry-connector-trail-saturday/ |archive-date=August 22, 2024}}

The High Trestle Trail lies between two {{convert|100|mi|adj=on}} recreational trail loops near Des Moines which form a continuous {{convert|120|mi|adj=on}} paved loop.{{cite news |last=Steiden |first=Bill |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2024/03/18/why-linking-high-trestle-trail-raccoon-river-valley-trail-in-des-moines-is-a-big-deal/72957799007 |title=Why linking the High Trestle, Raccoon River Valley trails is a big deal |work=Des Moines Register |date=March 18, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240822172244/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2024/03/18/why-linking-high-trestle-trail-raccoon-river-valley-trail-in-des-moines-is-a-big-deal/72957799007/ |archive-date=August 22, 2024}} The western loop involves the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the Clive Greenbelt Trail. The eastern loop includes the High Trestle Trail, the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, the Chichaqua Valley Trail and the Gay Lea Wilson Trail.

The High Trestle Trail connects at Slater to the {{convert|32|mi|adj=on}} Heart of Iowa Nature Trail in Story and Marshall counties. With the High Trestle Trail, the {{convert|26|mi|adj=on}} Neal Smith Trail, which generally follows the east bank of the Des Moines River and often is called the East River Trail, and the connector between those two trails which is called the Ankeny connector, both Des Moines and Big Creek State Park are accessible along paved trails.https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=212816457429398096288.0004a0bb69abdd70f28f5&ll=41.872373,-93.88813&spn=0.110696,0.207367&z=12&iwloc=0004a0bb6d45af79befe8%20%3Chttp://maps.googleAnkeny to Woodward trail map (big) INHF website retrieved February 22, 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.inhf.org//trails/neal-smith-john-pat-dorrian.cfm |title=Neal Smith and John Pat Dorrian Trails |work=INHF websit |access-date=April 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109032255/http://www.inhf.org//trails/neal-smith-john-pat-dorrian.cfm |archive-date=November 9, 2011}}

As of May 2021, a spur trail is planned to connect the High Trestle Trail from Woodward through Granger to the {{convert|1834|acre|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Jester Park located along the western shore of the {{convert|5950|acre|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Saylorville Lake. The {{convert|17|mi|km|0|adj=on}} long Saylorville Lake is located {{convert|11|mi|km|0}} upstream of Des Moines and has the {{convert|28.2|mi|km|adj=on}} Neil Smith Trail, a paved recreational trail, located near its eastern shore. South of the Saylorville Dam is a trail, which is known as "the connector", that connects the Neil Smith Trail and the Ankeny trails system. The Neil Smith and John Pat Dorrian Trails connect southward along the east side of the Des Moines River from the Big Creek Lake marina, through Polk City, Saylorville Lake, the Birdland Marina, and the Des Moines Botanical Center to the {{convert|167|acre|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Gray’s Lake Park located just south of downtown Des Moines in the greater Des Moines trails system. When the Des Moines River is {{convert|13|ft|m}} above flood stage between the Saylorville Dam and Des Moines, portions of the Neil Smith trail may be underwater.[https://www.adelnews.com/story/news/2021/05/18/granger-trails-committee-hold-ribbon-cutting-fundraiser-june-5/5039741001/ Granger Trails Committee to hold ribbon cutting, fundraiser on June 5, 2021: Courtesy of Granger Trails Committee]. Dallas County News website. Adel, Iowa. Retrieved May 25, 2021.Ullmann, Allison (June 13, 2021). [https://www.theperrychief.com/story/news/2021/06/13/granger-trails-committee-cuts-ribbon-trail-hub-fundraises-bridge-project/7590624002/ Granger Trails Committee cuts the ribbon on trail hub, fundraises for bridge project]. The Perry Chief website. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved June 16, 2021.{{cite web|title=Neil Smith and John Pat Dorrain Trails|url=http://www.inhf.org//trails/neal-smith-john-pat-dorrian.cfm|publisher=Iowa Trails Homepage from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation website|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503145431/http://www.inhf.org/trails/neal-smith-john-pat-dorrian.cfm|archive-date=May 3, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Des Moines Parks and Recreation|url=http://www.dmgov.org/Departments/Parks/Pages/Parks.aspx|publisher=City of Des Moines Park and Recreation website|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429172024/http://www.dmgov.org/Departments/Parks/Pages/Parks.aspx|archive-date=April 29, 2013|url-status=live}}{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210525131443/https://desmoinesoutdoors.com/the-neal-smith-trail-one-of-the-best-unique-trails-in-central-iowa/ The Neal Smith Trail: One of the Best, Unique Trails in Central Iowa]}}. DesMoinesOutdoors.com website. Retrieved May 25, 2021.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210526011815/https://desmoinesoutdoors.com/john-pat-dorrian-trail-a-fantastic-trail-in-downtown-des-moines/ John Pat Dorrian Trail: A Fantastic Trail in Downtown Des Moines]}}. DesMoinesOutdoors.com website. Retrieved May 25, 2021.[https://web.archive.org/web/20170125135130/http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Portals/48/docs/Recreation/ODS/Master%20Plan/Draft%20Master%20Plan/Posters/NealSmith_Improve_sign.pdf PDF Map of the Neil Smith Trail]. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website. Retrieved May 25, 2021.[https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=05481650 Des Moines River height]. Retrieved May 25, 2021.[https://www.bikeiowa.com/Trail/neal-smith-trail Neal Smith Trail]. BikeIowa website. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

• List of rail trails
• Raccoon River Valley Trail

{{reflist|25em}}

• [http://www.inhf.org/trails/high-trestle.cfm High Trestle Trail] - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160802213859/http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/photos.html Daytime photos of the bridge art] RDg Dahlquist Art Studios website
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151222070345/http://rdgusa.com/high_trestle_trail/latest_news/2011/04/photos---april-13-2011.html Nighttime photos of the bridge art] RDg Dahlquist Art Studios website
• [http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/media/8020/high-trestle-trail.jpg High Trestle Trail Map] Polk County Conservation Board website
• [http://www.inhf.org/iowa-trails.cfm Map of High Trestle Trail with connections to other trails (pdf)] Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website
• [http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/13-high-trestle-trail/ High Trestle Trail] Polk County Conservation Board website
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120120011128/http://www.iptv.org/iowaoutdoors/story.cfm/story/3111/iao_20110609_104_high_trestle_trail_bridge/video High Trestle Trail Bridge] Documentary produced by Iowa Public Television
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160201020145/http://www.dsmbikecollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Central-Iowa-Map-2012.pdf Central Iowa Trail System]
• [http://www.inhf.org//trails/central-iowa-trail-network.cfm Central Iowa Trails Network] - overview
• [http://www.inhf.org//trails/heart-of-iowa-nature-trail.cfm Heart of Iowa Nature Trail] - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website
• [http://www.inhf.org//trails/neal-smith-john-pat-dorrian.cfm Neal Smith Trail] - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111109104518/http://www.inhf.org/trails/raccoon-river-valley.cfm Raccoon River Valley Trail] - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) website
• [http://raccoonrivervalleytrail.org/ Raccoon River Valley Trail] - Chuck Offenburger's website
• [http://www.bikeiowa.com Bike Iowa]
• [http://www.envisionwoodward.org Envision Woodward!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809223724/http://envisionwoodward.org/ |date=2018-08-09 }} website
• [https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=11/41.8107/-93.7354 OpenStreetMap including Ankeny and Woodward]

{{Iowa hiking trails}}

{{Coord|41.867251|-93.868050|type:landmark_region:US-IA|display=title}}

Category:Rail trails in Iowa

Category:Protected areas of Polk County, Iowa

Category:Protected areas of Story County, Iowa

Category:Protected areas of Boone County, Iowa

Category:Protected areas of Dallas County, Iowa

Category:Ankeny, Iowa

Category:2011 establishments in Iowa