Supporting the Big Muddy National
Fish and Wildlife Refuge
A hike along the trail at Jameson Island during the refuge's Centennial Celebration.
Friends of Big Muddy is working on an ongoing project to develop and maintain a trail at the Jameson Island unit of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. We work with refuge staff and other groups to develop the trial and had the trail dedication in June of 2004.
The Jameson Island Unit of the refuge is located just below the bluff that the town of Arrow Rock sits on. The trail extends along a levee beside a backwater creek that is close to the boundary of the refuge. The trail continues all the way to the river, and ends about where the Santa Fe trail crossed the Missouri River and traveled up into Arrow Rock. For directions to the Jameson Island unit of the refuge and a map of Arrow Rock showing how to get there, see this page. If you came to our boat rides at Jameson Island in summer 2003, we boarded the boat about where Arrow Rock's port and the trail crossing were, and you know how nice it is to have this trail completed!
Assembling a park bench along the trail.
We are in the process of expanding this trail up the gap in the bluff that was once the main road into Arrow Rock from the warehouse district beside the river. Most of this spur has been completed, but we still need to do a bridge over the creek and other work. We will continue to have work days on this project.
Anne and Mary lay down the fabric to prevent vegetation on the trail.
As you can see from the photos, building the trail was very labor intensive. After the levee was cleared for the trail (most work on this was done by Boy Scout Troop 707), a geotextile fabric was laid down to prevent vegetation from growing in the trail. Then, a fine gravel was laid down the entire 3/4 mile length. Most of the gravel was hauled from the beginning of the trail using ATVs and trailers.
Tim and Anne fill "The Mule" with gravel
to be hauled down the trail then spread.
Alongside the trail are two park benches and there are interpretive signs at various points as well as a descriptive trail brochure. At the very end of the trail is the Missouri River. The area at the end of the trail has proven to be a bit of a problem. Because it is at the lower end of the Jameson Island river bend, we have had trouble with the river swirling around and leaving logs and debris. We currently have a narrow path between the willow trees at the end, so hopefully it won't cause as many problems in the future.
Peter and Bob unloading the gravel.
The trail is ADA compliant, and helps to make the refuge accessible for all ages and abilities of people. The first 1/2 mile of trail is accessible for most types of wheelchairs, and the final quarter mile is for more rugged all terrain wheelchairs.
Bob and Troy spreading and smoothing the gravel.
We offer guided tours of the trail on the second Saturday in April and the last Saturday in October (and by special arrangement for groups). Watch our calendar of events page in the spring and fall for more information.
Cutting the ribbon at the trail dedication in June, 2004.
We are also in the planning stages for trails at other units of the refuge. Continue to check back with us for more information!