Whitham Woods, as seen from the parking lot. Walking trails circle the lake, and go into the woods.
The new Loop Trail section will utilize some of the current trails in Whitham Woods - seen under construction across the lake.
Let's head north on the under-construction Loop Trail section.
The Loop Trail curves to the left to go along the lake. Another trail goes straight.
The lake is to the left. Photo by Ron Blair
Looking back at the lake.
The Loop Trail curves uphill.
A bulldozer pushed the brush to the side.
The trail heads downhill.
The hill gets steeper. The final trail will not be this wide.
This section doesn't need as much clearing out.
At the red marker, instead of continuing north, we turn left to follow the old railroad, built in 1858. (Details)
Now we are on the old roadbed of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad (later CB&Q). Note how straight and level it is.
In 1901 the railroad changed the route to the north of Whitham Woods and dualized it, where the BNSF now runs.
Drainage needs to be attended to here.
This is the southwestern border of Whitham Woods. Ahead is a cow pasture, which we will see later.
Let's go back the way we came.
Before we turn right to go back to the lake, let's continue east on the railroad bed.
Now we come to the old railroad bridge abutments.
The bridge was built about 1858, and was abandoned in 1901 when the tracks moved north.
Many of the abutment stones have fallen into the creek.
Now we go back up the hill, back to the lake.
We get off the Loop Trail Section as we approach the lake.
The lake is to the right.
The plastic barrier keeps the dirt from falling into the lake.
The Loop Trail heads south out of Whitham Woods and goes east along Business Highway 34. Photos here
West of Whitham Woods - the new bridge on Business Hwy 34. Looking north at the the DOT Trail section and Mitchell Creek.
Looking down at the trail and Mitchell Creek from the Hwy 34 bridge.
North of the bridge, the Loop Trail will follow this old railroad roadbed into Whitham Woods. The creek is behind the trees.
This is currently being used as a cow pasture. The cows will be kept off the trail. Construction will start soon.
Follow the surveyor's stakes straight back to the woods. No trains have run here since 1901.
Work has started on the railroad bed. 12/05/09
Looking south at the 6-mile-long DOT section of the Loop Trail, from the bridge.
Go to the Highway 34 Section.
Go to the Western Section Trail Page.
Go to the Whitham Woods page on the Jefferson County Conservation website.
Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph
