March 28, 2024

Newton Wellness Talks: Happy Birthday, Chichaqua Valley Trail

Guess who’s turning 30? The Chichaqua Valley Trail. In 1962, the last passenger trains operated through Bondurant, with rail service permanently abandoned in 1984. In 1987, the first 20 mile section of the Chichaqua Valley Trail opened on the old railroad right-of-way between Baxter to just east of Bondurant at 88th Street, and the rest is history. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary throughout 2017. Events are quickly getting added to the calendar for another great year on the trail.

Pedal CVT: June 10 the Chichaqua Valley Cyclists will host Pedal CVT. This event will include a 5K run at 8:00 a.m. in Bondurant, and a bike ride at 9:30 a.m. The bike ride will include Bondurant, Altoona, Mitchellville, Mingo, Ira, Valeria and Baxter. Check out www.bikeiowa.com for more information.

Pedaler's Jamboree: Aug. 26-27 will be the Iowa Pedaler's Jamboree on the Chichaqua Valley Trail between Baxter and Bondurant. We hope you can join us for two fun days of music, food and riding. We have already ordered up two beautiful summer days. Stay tuned for more information to come at www.pedalersjamboreeiowa.com

Community Events: This summer make sure you check out these annual community events along the trail: Bondurant Summerfest in June, Jazz in July at the Bondurant Depot Trailhead on July 7, Mingo Days in June, and Baxter Fun Days in early July.

Now more than ever we encourage you to make a day of it on the Chichaqua Valley Trail. For years, the trail extended 20 miles between Baxter and Bondurant. In 2015, the trail was extended 6 miles from Bondurant to Berwick, and 1.5 miles from Bondurant to 88th Street. This allows the CVT to connect to the Gay Lea Wilson Trail and the rest of the Des Moines metro and Central Iowa trail system. Trail counts show many more cyclists using the trail now. You can now ride on trails and separated sidewalks all the way between Baxter and downtown Des Moines. A long wooden bridge crosses the Skunk River and features pullouts where trail users can pause to admire the river valley. Rest stops and picnic tables are found in Baxter, Ira, Mingo, Bondurant and Berwick. Stop midway in Bondurant at one of their great establishments that cater to bikers. Ride the Chichaqua and make a day of it.