2024 LoHi Trek
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Registration full.
Cost is $300 for four days, which includes camping, meals, shuttle transport, and other support. Participants should bring their own snacks and water bottle(s), camp spoon and utensils. The LoHi Trek is a multi-day supported hike in Iowa’s Loess Hills, utilizing a combination of public ground, private land and remote gravel roads. The 2024 route, which will be in both Fremont and Mills counties, takes us around and through public lands and some of the most scenic backroads in Iowa. Hikers will set up camp at a private landowner's home and at Waubonsie State Park, using their own tents and sleeping gear. Campers will move once during the four days. |
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Meals, coffee, shuttles, all required permits and permissions will be provided for you. Mileage will be roughly between six and ten miles per day, with the option to shorten the distance by catching a ride. Educational components will be woven into the activity each day, so expect to leave knowing a whole lot more about the Loess Hills and the unique opportunities for protection of this vital resource. Participants should be training on their own beforehand, including elevation changes (or staircases!). Bring your own headlamp or flashlight, favorite trail snacks, and musical instruments. You should plan to arrive Wednesday evening, October 16th, and the hike concludes on Sunday, October 20th.
The actual route will be provided to registered attendees prior to the hike. Coffee and breakfast will be provided at the campsite each morning, lunch meals will be brought to a central location during the hike, and evening meals will be catered to the campsites.
This is a semi-rugged hiking and camping experience. Attendees should be physically conditioned for hikes of this length and elevation change and be prepared for being outdoors for extended periods of time in Iowa in late October (weather could be hot, cold, rainy, snowy, windy, etc.). You will bring your own tent and sleeping gear. This year camp will be at two sites and move once. We will shuttle hikers to the start and back from the end points each day. Morning and evening meals will be held at the camp facilities, and showers, bathrooms, and electric outlets are available. Loess Hills educational/entertainment pop-ups will happen each day. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or other accommodations as soon as possible.
This event can be as social or as solitary as you prefer - while we will make sure you don't get left behind, we will respect your wishes to hike alone if you would like to do so. While it can be a time for deep introspection, it is also a great time to meet fellow adventurers and create friendships.
This LoHi Trek is made possible by Golden Hills RC&D, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Kelly Madigan, and additional supporters. This group hike was developed after Kelly Madigan's (mostly) solo hike of the entire Loess Hills through Iowa in 2020. More about Kelly's journey can be found here.
After the inaugural LoHi Trek, we learned a few things - including that we needed to keep doing this event! We hope that each year we can show you a different part of these majestic hills.
There are a limited number of registration slots available and it may sell out. There will be a limited number of partial scholarships available for financial assistance. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about those opportunities.
The actual route will be provided to registered attendees prior to the hike. Coffee and breakfast will be provided at the campsite each morning, lunch meals will be brought to a central location during the hike, and evening meals will be catered to the campsites.
This is a semi-rugged hiking and camping experience. Attendees should be physically conditioned for hikes of this length and elevation change and be prepared for being outdoors for extended periods of time in Iowa in late October (weather could be hot, cold, rainy, snowy, windy, etc.). You will bring your own tent and sleeping gear. This year camp will be at two sites and move once. We will shuttle hikers to the start and back from the end points each day. Morning and evening meals will be held at the camp facilities, and showers, bathrooms, and electric outlets are available. Loess Hills educational/entertainment pop-ups will happen each day. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or other accommodations as soon as possible.
This event can be as social or as solitary as you prefer - while we will make sure you don't get left behind, we will respect your wishes to hike alone if you would like to do so. While it can be a time for deep introspection, it is also a great time to meet fellow adventurers and create friendships.
This LoHi Trek is made possible by Golden Hills RC&D, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Kelly Madigan, and additional supporters. This group hike was developed after Kelly Madigan's (mostly) solo hike of the entire Loess Hills through Iowa in 2020. More about Kelly's journey can be found here.
After the inaugural LoHi Trek, we learned a few things - including that we needed to keep doing this event! We hope that each year we can show you a different part of these majestic hills.
There are a limited number of registration slots available and it may sell out. There will be a limited number of partial scholarships available for financial assistance. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about those opportunities.
About LoHi
In late 2020, Kelly Madigan hiked the length of western Iowa's (Lo)ess (Hi)lls. Learn more about her hike here.
In June 2021, more than 30 people participated in the first-ever LoHi Trek from Southwood Conservation Area to Loess Hills State Forest. Find a summary and photos of the event here.
Read about the second LoHi Trek here. This Trek was held in Monona and Harrison Counties in June 2022.
The third Trek was held in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in May 2023. Read about it here.
The fourth LoHi Trek is being scheduled for October 2024 in the southern Loess Hills.
In June 2021, more than 30 people participated in the first-ever LoHi Trek from Southwood Conservation Area to Loess Hills State Forest. Find a summary and photos of the event here.
Read about the second LoHi Trek here. This Trek was held in Monona and Harrison Counties in June 2022.
The third Trek was held in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in May 2023. Read about it here.
The fourth LoHi Trek is being scheduled for October 2024 in the southern Loess Hills.
