The LoHi Trek, an annual multi-day hiking and camping excursion in western Iowa’s unique Loess Hills, took place from Oct. 17-20 in Mills and Fremont counties.

The route included scenic gravel and dirt roads, state parks, and wildlife areas. Hikers registered for the trek and paid a $300 fee or applied for scholarships.

The idea for LoHi, which is short for Lo(ess) Hi(lls), started when Monona County resident Kelly Madigan hiked the length of Iowa’s Loess Hills landform in 2020.

“Hamburg and the surrounding area have endured some rough times in recent years, and maybe that draws out the generosity in people,” Madigan said. “As I connected with the community during the planning stages of the LoHi trek I was struck by their community pride and their willingness to help me overcome obstacles.

“Individuals volunteered to do everything from being a shuttle driver to bringing in homemade desserts. When I hit a roadblock, somebody would provide me with a name and number of whom to call to solve the problem,” Madigan said. “People answered their phones, returned my messages, replied to my email, and unlocked doors, both physical and metaphorical. Our goal as planners of the LoHi Trek is to make the experience so positive for the community and the hikers alike that when we return in the future to do this again everyone is excited to have us back. I hope we achieved this, and we are so grateful to Hamburg and the surrounding area for making this a delightful and meaningful event.”

Forty-five trekkers arrived on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 16 to camp in Mills County.

Due to a faily large area being without public lands, private landowner Anne Stoysich allowed the group to camp on her property. Prior to the Trek, several participants assisted with land stewardship and invasive species management on the Stoysich property as a token of appreciation.

Each evening, the group received a briefing about the following day’s route to help understand the route and logistics. During each leg of the journey, a lead hiker familiar with the route led the group, and many areas were marked with flagging tape. A ‘sweep’ at the end of the line made sure everyone made it safely and picked up the flagging tape. Maps were given to trekkers prior to the event that could be viewed on mobile apps, and paper maps were also available.

Trekkers were given information about Leave No Trace Principles and how to safely hike in the different areas, which included everything from well-maintained trails to public roadways to wildlife areas without designated trails. Hikers were checked in each morning and evening and were encouraged to find at least one hiking buddy for safety.

The group included a mix of previous trekkers and new ones. Throughout the event, participants stepped up to volunteer for a variety of needed tasks to assist the organizers.

Thursday morning, after coffee from J’s Coffee and a light breakfast, the hike began. Participants were shuttled with support from Faith in Action and local volunteers to the west side of the Loess Hills along the Missouri River floodplain, where they immediately went up Raleigh Road, locally known as “Lake Hill Road.” This road includes an iconic, deep road cut with high walls of loess forming a canyon along the roadway.

The route then continued on gravel roads to the historic Waubonsie Church, where lunch was catered by Classic Cafe from Malvern. Local resident Joyce Bolin gave a brief history of Waubonsie Church, which now only hosts two services per year (Christmas and Easter) and occasional weddings. Tara Mitchell with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation discussed the tribe’s history in the local area, and the church’s namesake, Chief Waubonsie, of the Potawatomie Tribe. Local landowner and camp host Anne Stoysich also discussed the local history of the area.

From there, they continued on gravel roads along the Waubonsie Loop of Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and nearly a mile through prairies and woods on private trails to their campsite on private land. Dinner was provided by Classic Cafe. Thursday’s hike totaled about 9 miles.

Friday morning, everyone packed up camp and drove south to Fremont County. There, they hiked a loop through Blackburn State Park and the adjacent Green Hollow Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Friday lunch was hosted at the Blackburn gazebo, again provided by Classic Cafe. Iowa DNR wildlife biologist Matt Dollison presented about the acquisition of Blackburn State Park, and his team’s work with ecological restoration in southwest Iowa, including several WMAs that the trekkers visited. Brilliant fall colors in the woods and prairies offered stunning views for the hikers back south through Blackburn State Park. Friday’s route was about 5 miles.

After hiking, the group again drove south, where they camped at Waubonsie State Park and the nearby Eli Slusher WMA for Friday and Saturday evenings. Friday dinner was held at Wa-Shaw tee Lodge at Waubonsie, provided by the Hamburg Kiwanis and Hamburg Hometown Pride. Several trekkers presented poetry readings of their own poems.

Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and coffee were provided by the Hamburg Community Schools’ Culinary Arts program, also hosted at Wa-Shawtee Lodge at Waubonsie S.P.

Saturday’s hike started on the northeast side of Waubonsie State Park and explored much of the equestrian area north of Highway 2. Hikers enjoyed a refreshing stop at Mincer Orchard for apples, cider, and other treats. One hiker commented “That was the best cider I’ve ever tasted!” They continued south through Waubonsie State Park, including the Valley Trail and scenic overlook, with lunch at the Overlook Shelter provided by Hamburg Culinary Arts. After lunch on Saturday, the group hiked more of the trails at Waubonsie, including the iconic prairie bluffs of Sunset Ridge overlooking the Missouri River floodplain into Nebraska.

Dinner on Saturday evening included live music by Kelly McGovern and Brian Hull with Kelly Oh Brian band from Lincoln, Nebr., food from nearby Whiskey Springs, and desserts from Hamburg resident Angela Hullman.

Sunday morning started along Bluff Road at Slusher WMA (where Saturday ended), then went west and south into Draper Bottoms WMA. This wildlife area includes floodplain wetlands, with a panoramic view of the Loess Hills to the east. Hikers had conversations about the geology and history of the area, including the importance of wetlands for wildlife habitat and flood reduction.

From Draper, trekkers headed into the town of Hamburg, where lunch was hosted by the Old Hamburg High/Cornelius Orthodox Christian Retreat Center. One hiker noted “A highlight for me personally was the wonderful lunch and tour by John and Melanie at Old Hamburg High/St. Cornelius Orthodox Christian Retreat Center and seeing them put this building to great use for the community and our hikers.” Following lunch, the hike went through O.S. Wing WMA, the southernmost WMA in the Iowa Loess Hills. The area included prairies and woods, with epic views of Nishnabotna and Missouri river valleys. The Trek ended just south of O.S. Wing at the Missouri State line, and the southern terminus of Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. The Sunday hike was around 7 miles.

After breakfast, Matt Moles (Waubonsie State Park’s manager) – who is passionate about land conservation – led a 9+ mile hike through the park and the Eli Slusher wildlife management area. Again, the Hamburg High School Culinary Arts program provided food – a lovely picnic lunch on route – complete with sandwich fixings, fresh veggies/dip and a nice tray of cut up fresh fruit.

Event organizers sent thanks to the Friends of Waubonsie State Park for paying for the culinary program food service. Local folks rallied to the call and said, they would love to help. Charlie, Cindy, Jeanne, Faith in Action, Shelly, Virginia and others got them loaded, transported and unloaded with great precision and lots of smiles and laughter

That evening, as they all gathered for a final time at Wa-Shaw-Tee Lodge, they were served a nice (and very tasty!) pulled pork meal prepared by Whiskey Springs. One hiker shared “I thought the coleslaw was some of the best I had ever had.”

On day 4, the hike carried on into Hamburg where a lovely lunch (sandwich fixings, homemade soups, fresh veggies/dip and fresh fruit) was served at the old Hamburg High School which is now being renovated into a retreat center. The owners shared their hopes for the future with the group of hikers.

Each hiker that wrote about their adventure summed it up best with “It deepened our love and awe of the Loess Hills.

Article information submitted by Teresa Crecelius.