Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Center-- Long Forest Loop

Just off highway 20 south of Dubuque, IA you can find Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Center.  Catfish Creek, a tributary of the Mississippi River runs throughout the park and it is a great place for Trout Fishing, hiking, or relaxing.  There is a nature center on site that has a variety of exhibits and hosts events regularly.  You can read more about the Iowa DNR and the Trout Fishing and Restoration program on the link bellow as well as the Nature Center's Calendar of events! 

I particularly like this Nature Preserve for the variety of trails that they offer.  They have many different trails to offer and you can choose if you want a long trail, or a short trail.  You can also choose what kind of landscape that you would like to hike through such as forest, ridge, limestone, stream bottom; etc.

On this beautiful December day, I chose to hike the Long Forest Loop.  Bellow are some photos from the hike; I hope that you enjoy them!

Bridge Across Catfish Creek

 

Stairs Leading to the Upper Forest Trail

Beautiful green moss for this time of year!

 

First signs of winter!

View from the top of the trail!

View of Catfish Creek-- water is very high.

Thank you for reading.  I hope that you enjoyed it.  For more information about Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Center please click on the links bellow, or feel free to comment on the post!  Until next time!



http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing

http://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Dubuque/Park/Swiss-Valley-Nature-Preserve-and-Nature-Center.aspx

Mines of Spain- Catfish Trail

In Dubuque, IA there are so many natural places within the city limits that can keep you busy and in touch with nature.  This year the weather had been amazingly warm, which has kept my hiking boots from retiring which allows for some spectacular sights that are not usually seen.  Last week, I went hiking on Catfish Trail (2 mi).  This trail is usually surrounded by lush vegetation which provides shade, privacy and cover for people who want to take it easy and take in the sights.  There are small benches along the trail for people to stop and rest, and just take in the views which are breathtaking.

As it is December now, the leaves have long from fallen from the trees which allows for these magnificent views of Catfish Creek which flows through the heart of The Mines of Spain (also available for recreation such as canoeing).

Bottom of the trail- View of beginnings of the beaver dam.

View from the top portion of the trail-- beautiful contrast in colors.

Bottom of the trail where you can start to see the creek.

Beavers taking down trees

Close up of the markings on the trees

Zoomed in photo of the beaver dam

 I hope you enjoyed these photos from Catfish Trail at The Mines of Spain in Dubuque taken in December 2015.  Please follow this blog for more local Wilderness!


If you want more information about the Mines of Spain recreational area and the activities that you can do there or for volunteer opportunities please follow the link bellow:


http://www.minesofspain.org/