The cross-country ski trail at Red Tail Ridge Habitat Area is groomed with ski tracks for your enjoyment! Parking and
trail access are available on the south side of C44, east of the Little Sioux River. No skis? The Cherokee County Conservation
Board has many pairs of skis with shoes and poles available for the daily rental fee of $5 per set. We have children's sizes
as well as adult. Call ahead so that we can set aside your size, and remember we are staffed from 8-4:30 M-F. No snowmobiles
are permitted at Red Tail Ridge, so the trails are safe, quiet and smooth. Nearly two miles of trail is groomed, and many
skiers enjoy the adventure of a trek beyond the trail into the river bottom timber. Expect plenty of wildlife sightings!
The Little Sioux River ice, in case you are curious, is still unsafe for any sort of traffic. The river was up this fall,
so flow is strong and pools are deep. Don't take any chances!
Hot coffee? Every morning. I prefer mine black and piping hot. Just in case you wonder what to bring should you stop
in for a visit. Oh, and my staff has a fondness for raised doughnuts and cinnamon rolls. They don't turn their noses
up at cookies either.
Happy New Year! Get outside and enjoy the season if you can! It will be a while before that dormant green world
warms up and starts blooming and budding again. Might as well appreciate the snow on crooked tree limbs, the tracks telling
stories of unseen animals, and the sun dogs in an icy sky...
I'm a terrible multi-tasker. I recently had to dispose of the gum I was chewing in order to make it across an icy ravine
with my feet still under me. It's true! I would rather focus on one task at a time. Today is not shaping up that way, however,
nor did yesterday...
What does the CCB do in winter? Well, my staff is out cutting trees and later will be outfitting work vehicles with complete
tool sets for next summer. Earlier this week finished servicing and repairing the mowers that they hastily put away
in October after one last go around. On a nice day like this (34 degrees, sunny, 6-8 inches of snow on the ground), they have
the opportunity to get out and make the parks cleaner and safer. Plus the firewood they bring back will heat the building
in which I sit grinding gears right now.
This update is to confirm that the park gates are closed for the season. Shotgun deer season is well underway. The Natural
Resource Commission (DNR) will decide this morning whether to extend gun season to enable more hunters to fill tags. The weather
has been rough for both hunter and prey. Hunt safely!!! I can't say it enough.
Cross-country ski trails at Red Tail Ridge will be groomed when gun season has ended. No sense disturbing habitat or
encouraging pedestrians this time of year.
I'm neck-deep in paperwork and fundraising efforts, scheduling meetings and sending letters, answering and making phone
calls, firing off emails. Thank you SO MUCH to those who have donated and pledged toward our
Martin's Access Addition. Soliciting donations is not my specialty (think plants, animal tracks, campfire cooking...), but you have made it easier
with your willingness to give. Let's pay for this land by New Year's!!!
Stop back often...I'll keep you updated!
