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This trail does have some hills but nothing too hard. The north part was tree lined, there were bridges and several views of the lake. You do ride next to a highway in some portions but you are still on the paved trail so no traffic. The south end is blocked due to building of the Hydro plant. I just loaded up my bike after I was done with the north and unloaded and went around the south end and up to Pella. The south end is very pretty but the ride to Pella was not very scenic after you left the lake. All in all a great trail that will be better when they get the construction done. Will definitely do this again this fall.
Lots of bridges over creeks and drainage ditches, but the views aren't terribly scenic, and the bridges feel pretty rickety. Occasional signs of farm life are a nice sight. The riding surface is above average, with some cracking in spots. Also, watch out for big tree nuts on the trail.
We had a great ride from Berwick to Baxter. We were pleasantly surprised to find the awful coated surface east of Mingo had been replaced with a new layer of asphalt!! This was done after we rode the trail last July (2016). It just made the whole ride so enjoyable and we have now added this to our "favorite --gotta do" list when we are in the Des Moines area. The improvements are greatly appreciated!!
I am a regular bike rider and usually ride for at least 30 miles round trip on any given day, but after 15 miles round trip on this Trail I was ready to call it a day. Trail is too soft even for mountain bikes as I was sinking into dirt. I would suggest to walk only on this trail.
The 3.7 mile section of the trail that was pulverized and seal coated in 2013 received a new asphalt surface in October of 2016.
Starts out grassy at the south end, then at Derby things get better. Some Amish kids were heading south on horse and buggy so I let them pass, then continued north. Wish we would have met at the covered bridge, but they don't approve of photos.
We loved this trail. Like others said, there is a part east of Mingo that is in poorer condition, however, we parked at the trailhead in Bondurant which is phenomenal. Rode to Mingo and back giving us 30 miles. Had lunch in Bondurant at Founders Irish Pub which was great with outdoor seating. After lunch we rode west for 6 miles, it then connects to two other trails. It is in excellent condition. Much of it is concrete. Back in Bondurant is a new Brewery named Reclaimed Rails with a great selection of craft beers for after a long ride. Highly recommended!
About 3 years ago my wife and I used to ride this trail a lot. It scenery is gorgeous and the trail WAS smooth. Yes, it is a little dangerous in spots. If you zone out and your wheel were to go off the trail, in spots, you would plummet 20 – 30 onto rocks and or Over rocks. (Stay aware and have all your life and health insurance paid on time.)
However, last nite I rode the trail from Bondurant to Baxter. After passing thru Mingo the trail became awful. The surface looks and feels like they poured oiled on it, and then sharp shards of crushed white rock. It is wavy, bumpy and absolutely horrible on your tires and wheels. If someone were to lay their bike down, the road rash would look like someone took hundreds of shards of glass and ran them over your body.
This goes on for about 4 – 5 miles until you pass IRA.
What is sad is that the bartender in Baxter claims that Jasper County was granted funds to fix it and this is what they did. Now they claimed they were going to resurface it this spring. But, didn’t.
Between Bondurant and Mingo I came upon many people riding bikes. From Mingo to Baxter, about 10 miles, I did not come upon any people riding bikes.
We are rookies in our 60's, trying to increase our mileage. We started our morning parked at the Bondurant depot, hoping to get all the way to Baxter. Morning temp was about 66 with slight breeze blowing. A few miles east of Bondurant, we began the long winding gentle slope down to the Skunk river- all great pavement, and mostly in shade. After the Skunk river, pavement quality deteriorates a little and eventually becomes packed gravel, but still OK for my road bike. A slight incline toward Valeria (past which there is a beautiful grove of big cottonwood trees right next to the trail). Then down somewhat to Mingo where there is a nice pavilion and bathroom right by the trail. More open and some poorer quality surface as you get further east, but there are nice views of Iowa farmland. The long gentle grade up to Baxter has better pavement and more shade. Trail ends at the caboose in Baxter. Temp was 87 when we arrived in Baxter, we had quite an appetite so we went to the Blue Ribbon café, on the highway at south end of town (actually just up the hill on the highway from the trail). Café is open 7 days, you might check on their hours before going there. We took a brief rest, then headed back. Return trip that afternoon was in slightly warmer conditions but we had plenty of water and snacks. The grade coming back into Bondurant is easier than we thought it would be. Trail is well maintained, and well used. We saw all kinds of bikes on the trail- kids, fat tires, and speedsters with their Tour de France lightweights. Had a great time on the trail; we made the 46 mile round trip in 6.5 hours including all stops. Keep in mind there are no services on the trail between Bondurant and Baxter.
Nice gravel and dirt trail, flat grade. First half between Washington and West Chester often under trees lining the trail. Freshly laid gravel in first 3-4 miles outside Washington was a bit thick at times and bogged me down even with 700x38 tires meant for such trails. Main objection is lack of services outside Washington, particularly water. West Chester has very nice trail side park, but no water. Pump behind the shelter but it was off and this was early June. Trail end in Keota was disappointing and ugly, ending confusingly in the middle of a co-op, tho nice golf course next door. If any facilities nearby I didn't see them. Two bottles of water and ran out at last 7 miles of return trip, so may want to take three if riding full trail round trip. Overall nice scenery and worth the trip.
My wife and I rode the entire length of the Kewash trail from Washington to Keota and back. The paved section was a little bumpy in places but not too bad. Would have been better if it had been swept of leaves and sticks. Once on the unpaved section it was a lot smoother though a good game of "pick up sticks" would have made it much better. There were places where if it was wet it could have caused us some grief but only had to walk one short section which was sort of steep with a little mud. Maybe 20 or 30 feet with a 6 foot section of mud with a gravel path to walk through. Someone braver than me probably could ride right through it. Not trying to scare anyone,the trail is not perfect but we had a great time really enjoyed ourselves and will definitely ride it again.By the way, we both rode on 23mm tires and had no problems.
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