Hoover 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 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. There has been a renewed push lately[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

When the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad went bankrupt, Milly Gregg led a group of West Liberty, Iowa residents in an attempt to preserve some features of the former Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern mainline. Initial efforts focused on a possible steam-powered tourist line, but this 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]

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References
  1. "Hoover Nature Trail". Iowa Trails. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Archived from the original on 2012-02-03. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  2. press-citizen.com | Local News
  3. Joseph P. Schwietertman, West Branch, Iowa (2,188), When the Railroad Leaves Town Truman State University Press, 2004; pages 140-144.
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