Iowa Appaloosa Association

Trail Ride

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Elk Rock State Park

Open to everyone!!

 Join club members and friends for a day of relaxing trail riding at Elk Rock State Park.

 2:00 p.m. – Ride begins at the Equestrian Day Use Area in the Equestrian Campground.

 Larry Goodale & Duane Harken will fire up the grills and cook for us, after the ride.   Potluck side dishes are welcome.

 Trails : Elk Rock State Park offers 13 miles of trails that extend outward from the equestrian campground area. 

Trails at Elk Rock are occasionally closed due to wet conditions.  Contact the park office for trail status. Park office phone: 641-842-6008

Equestrian Campground
The equestrian campground features 57 sites, 42 with electrical hookups. A modern shower building, horse stalls, hitching rails, equestrian wash station and a 100' x 200' riding arena are available. Advance campsite reservations for half the campsites can be made online through the park reservation system. Some campsites are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Nearby Towns
Knoxville is seven miles south on Highway 14. Pella is ten miles east on G-28

RSVP or for more information, contact:
Cindy Maher: Email: cindylee53@aol.com  or phone: 319-331-3925  OR Duane Harken Email: dandrharken@windstream.net  or phone: 515-848-5657

Club Members Hit the Trail in July 2008

By:  Cindy Maher 

     With a compass in my left hand, trail map in my right hand and reins in my teeth, I led 17 riders out onto the trail at Elk Rock State Park the afternoon of July 7.   No, make that 16 riders.   Less than 5 minutes into the ride, my cell phone rang and it was Larry Goodale.  “Did you guys take a left or right at that last Y?” he asked.  As soon as he caught up, we had our 17 riders again. 

     Although the forecast said it would be a typical hot July day, we didn’t feel it as an umbrella of tall, beautiful trees and a wonderful cool breeze made for comfortable riding conditions. 

     I could hear a little chatter behind me but for the most part, our riders enjoyed the relaxing ride and the great outdoors as we wound through the miles of trails. Occasionally, we saw some wildlife. We stopped only long enough so I could ask, “Does anyone know where we are at?”

     After a pleasant 2 ½ hour ride, Duane Harkin’s family helped set up the grill where he cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for the riders.   After all the horses had been watered and made comfortable, people started gravitating with their lawn chairs and side dishes towards the picnic tables the men had carried into the shade for us.   

     I think everyone felt it was great to take an afternoon to enjoy our horses and the company of our fellow club members. Thanks, all, for joining us.  Let’s do it again some day!