A view from just past the parking lot that I could not get to from Squire Point road. That makes five parks we’ve tried to enter that are closed with either gates or emergency tape. Included are a state park, two county parks, and two Department of Natural Resources or Corps of Engineers areas.
I thought to take a hike in one of my favorite forests for a Birthday treat today. I hadn’t been to Squire Point in well over a year, a place I used to go to train for upcoming backpacking trips. Trails meander up and down and around the reservoir along thick tree canopies and sheer cliff outcroppings that have contained flood waters along the Iowa river for thousands of years.
But the road to Squire Point was closed due to the derecho. So I took a drive to the other side of the area to an entrance near a campground (the campground is closed due to the storm). It wasn’t long before my expectations for storm debris were realized. Here are some examples of what I encountered.
Didn’t take long to start the fun. I went under this one 
I didn’t count how many instances this pic exemplifies. I went around this one 
Fortunately, many people use these trails, bushwhacking around the obstacles. Look to the right for the new path 
From the other side 
Look closely up the center of the pic. This tree lays down for 30′-40′ just off the trail 
Hard to get the perspective of the domino effect of a fallen tree. The damage above is extensive. This is a section I had to bypass by about 25 yards to get around the debris 
I finally made it about 3 miles to Squire Point parking lot. It looks like a wind storm went through here – ya think?
This was an interesting spot. The video below begins as I looked back to where a tree blocked a tricky, sloping spot on the trail. Then I pan to the next section that I’ll have to navigate to get to the Squire Point trail across the bridge.
I so enjoyed being out in nature today. It took longer than usual to make the circuit through Squire Point and Woodpecker trails. Change is inevitable. Natural change is amazing and awesome. I love the experience and continue to be amazed and in awe!
Just finished reading, viewing, listening…and enjoying catching up on all the Tales of Javia’s Travels. I was moved by your songs of love and loss, pictures of nature’s beauty and destruction, and appreciated the inner and outer side trips, such as from Walter White to cornstalks.
Thanks for the journeys….it feels great to travel again!
You are such a good writer! Your descriptions really help us picture your trails!