We have been hearing about the new trail in Waterloo since last year and have been wanting to go check it out. Tonight there was beautiful weather and we had no kids so we decided to go see what it was all about.
There is no actual address for the trail that I’ve seen so we put in Sherwood Lane on our GPS and headed that way. It takes you into a subdivision and then you keep going on Sherwood Lane and you see an area for parking (for a few cars) and a sign marking the trail.
This next step is VERY important. Below the sign there is a trail map, take a picture of the map. You will need it.
As you can see, there is a lot going on with the trail map. Where you park for the trail is the green dot on the map. Our goal was to try and see as much of the trail as possible so we started on the trail that looks lIke it starts below the green dot on the map and goes off to the left.
The trail we took started going back on the road for a bit then went into a field along the woods. The trail was marked with the pink plastic ties so you knew you were going the right way.
The trail then went into the woods, it was well marked and easy to navigate and we saw a nice creek. The trail continues this way for about 3/4 of a mile and then it becomes a little hard to navigate and you start noticing an odd smell.
So as you wind back by the creek, these signs start appearing all along the water. And it does have somewhat of an odor. I know if we took our kids on this trail they would definitely try to play in the creek so if you are taking kids beware that these signs show up after you have been by the creek a few times.
A few of the trails that take you in to the woods then loop back around to the original trail. Pay close attention to the map to try to stay on the path you are trying to follow. At this point we came to a road and that is when we got lost.
The trail markings stop at this point and the road splits and it is very confusing. We tried to take the left route which led us about 1/4 mile before ending, so then we had to turn back around. Down that road we did find these sewer tanks and the smell was so bad it made me gag.
We then follow the road in the other direction, after not seeing any trail markings and being very confused by the map and come to what I believe is the sewer treatment facility. We did find where they are storing the old Waterloo city welcome signs though!
At this point we decide to follow along the outside of the woods in order to find our way back to our car and hopefully end up back on the trail.
We finally see another flag marker on a tree and get back on the trail. After looking at the map for far too long, we are unsure of exactly where we are on the trail BUT we spot our car in the distance. After taking one more wrong turn we finally end up on the right path and make it back to our car.
Personally, I wouldn’t visit this trail again. The trails were well marked at first but then it is extremely hard to figure out where to go. More than half the time we were on the trail we will walking in a field or on a road. We were also put off by all the sewer smells and signs saying to keep out due to the creek having sewer drainage.
I think this trail needs less trail options and one or two clear trail paths to follow. And the trails need to be clearly marked so people can stay on track. Overall, we walked about 3 miles in our attempt to figure out the trails. We spent a lot of time studying the picture of the map and trying to figure out where to go.
It was a beautiful evening out and we are glad we got to check this trail off our list.
