Hunter's Ed Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

The trail begins at the gate with a chain across it, and heads straight uphill on an old roadbed that is wide and overgrown. On the right as you begin the trail, notice the wrought iron fence - it guards the old Osborne Cemetery, home to Sophia the friendly ghost.

After a very short wooded section (featuring some beautiful old growth walnuts), the trail opens up to an expansive prairie. Numerous short segments branch off the main trail; turning to the right (towards the river) will give runners some serious challenges as narrow, rugged singletrack with minimum maintenance leads them down to the Volga River floodplain.

Ignoring those segments, the trail "ends" at the wooded area on the east edge of the prairie. From here, it connects with the Archery trail system, so if you intend to continue, use caution and observe "do not enter" signs.

This is an exceptional piece of prairie. White Indigo, spiderwort, and prairie clover in early summer gives way to black-eyed susans and coneflower by August and September. Expect phenomenal birding opportunities with Dickcissels and Goldfinches adding to the splashes of wildflower and butterfly color.