Easter Lake Trail Update

On the west end of the bridge looking east.  Trail is between the lake and the road.  NOTE the lake has been drained for dredging.

Mary and rode to Carlisle on this lovely November day.  Temperature right now is 59F which is amazing for Iowa this time of year.  As stated many times in my posts, we like to get to Carlisle by riding to Easter Lake.  Back in late August was our last visit to this place See Easter Lake in August.  Today we saw a lot of progress.

Looking west from the bridge, trail is on the north shore of Easter Lake.

The bridge on Evergreen Ave is not quite done and there is about 200 yards of trail that need to be completed and paved before one can bicycle or walk on the finished trail.  As it was a Sunday there was not work being done so we felt legit riding through the construction site. 

Looking south of Evergreen Ave and the bridge at the trail segment that leads to the park entrance on the southeast corner of the lake.

On the other side of the bridge the trail is complete to park entrance on Easter Lake Dr.  Also a new trail south of Easter Lake Dr looks complete and it leads to SE 34th St.

At the south east entrance to the park/lake.  Not shown in photo is the trail leading south of here to SE 34th St.  There is a trail entrance

The pink line is the new trail.  Green is the existing trail,

What does this all mean?  It means that there may eventually be a trail or trail system that connects Des Moines to Carlisle.  Yes, I am aware that is the plan.  But I have not always supported it.  There are other trail connections that I'd like to see done first.  Others that I deem more important like connecting downtown Des Moines trails to the Gay Lea Wilson Trail.  Today, However, I changed my mind.  We took our normal route which brought us to the north side of Easter Lake then we hang a left and take SE Brooks trough a nice curvy road with a few rollers that empties into a wonderful downhill by the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative then hang a right at the stop sign and climb the hill and down again to Highway 5 or Old Army Post Rd.  Left toward Avon Lake and various entrance and exit ramps for the bypass.  That last part may sound a bit scary but really is not.  But today 11:15 am on a Sunday it was the busiest I have ever seen it.  Church just let out?  Holiday travelers?  Mad dash to and fro to the store in Des Moines before lunch?  Then it downed on me.  traffic increases every year and in a few years I may not be able to use this route.  Shame too because it is scenic, fun and a great workout.  So now I wholeheartedly support the new trail connection.

I think I'll go back next weekend to do some more exploring here.  We did not take the trail south of Easter Lake.