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Whitham Woods segment of the Fairfield Loop Trail

The trails are marked by the dashed lines. The Whitham Woods boundary is yellow.
The trails are marked by the yellow-black lines. The Whitham Woods boundary is yellow on this map.

The western end of the Whitham Woods segment begins under Business Hwy 34, at the north end of the Iowa DOT Trail.
The western end of the Whitham Woods segment begins under Business Hwy 34, at the north end of the Iowa DOT Trail.

The trail then turns right (east) to follow the fence-line, then turns left (north) to go through the cow pasture.
The trail then turns right (east) to follow the fence-line, then turns left (north) to go through the cow pasture.

Cattle on parade.
Cattle on parade.

Nearby is the intersection of Business 34 and the freeway portion of US 34.
Nearby is the intersection of Business 34 and the freeway portion of US 34.

The trail rises to go over the cattle-crossing tunnel.
The trail rises to go over the cattle-crossing tunnel.

The tunnel will let cattle cross to the other side of the pasture (taken 04/13/10).
The tunnel will let cattle cross to the other side of the pasture (taken 04/13/10).

This is how the pasture looked before construction.  The stakes show the old railroad bed.  No trains have run here since 1901.
This is how the pasture looked before construction. The stakes show the old railroad bed. No trains have run here since 1901.

Entering the Whitham Woods, still on the old railroad bed.
Entering Whitham Woods, still on the old railroad bed.

A small pond next to the trail.
A small pond next to the trail.

We move further eastward into Whitham Woods on the old railroad bed.
We move further eastward on the old railroad bed.

The main trail turns right, away from the railroad bed, and goes up a hill.
Continue straight ahead on a grassy trail to see the old railroad-bridge abutments (or see them here).
The main trail turns right, away from the railroad bed, and goes up a hill.

Going uphill, definitely off the railroad bed now.
Going uphill, definitely off the railroad bed now.

Built-in water bars help control erosion.
Built-in water bars help control erosion.

Now we can see the lake, almost, through the trees.
Now we can see the lake, almost, through the trees.

Approaching the Whitham Woods parking lot and Burlington Ave.
Approaching the Whitham Woods parking lot and Burlington Ave.

Looking back towards the Loop Trail from the Whitham Woods entrance.
Looking back towards the Loop Trail from the Whitham Woods entrance.

The Loop Trail emerges from Whitham Woods onto the concrete trail along Burlington Ave.
The Loop Trail emerges from Whitham Woods onto a concrete trail along Burlington Ave.

Looking east down Burlington Ave towards Brookville Rd.
Looking east down Burlington Ave towards Brookville Rd.

Looking back (west) on Burlington Ave towards Whitham Woods.
Looking back (west) on Burlington Ave towards Whitham Woods.

Looking east.  Take the sidewalk to the long bridge, then turn left onto the bridge.
Looking east. Take the sidewalk to the long bridge, then turn left onto the bridge.

Follow the bridge along Brookville Rd.
Follow the bridge along Brookville Rd.

Then cross Brookville Rd to enter the Northwest segment.
Then cross Brookville Rd to enter the Northwest segment.

Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, Aug thru Oct 2011

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