Hardin County Headquarters Segment or: The Search

Normally my agenda for hiking in Iowa is to learn more about nature, challenge myself physically, and enjoy my outdoor surroundings. However, my quick jaunt last week to Hardin County Conservation's Headquarters Segment had just one goal in mind: BLACK RASPBERRIES. These aggregate fruits will stain your hands, tongue, and heart and leave you wanting more.

I had visited the Headquarters Segment a few years before with my friend Heather, and we filled our little buckets with with nearly wild abandon. It was difficult to practice the forager's Rule of Thirds when it came to these sweet, sweet blackcaps. We tried. We really did. But if you've ever tasted a black raspberry pie, all syrupy and warm from the oven, you would have difficulty with restraint as well.

Unlike blackberries, black raspberries have a hollow center. They are also tinier than blackberries.

It was the end of June. Sunlight spilled through the cracks of my bedroom blinds at 6 a.m. and I awoke with only one thought: it was berry season.

Raspberry bushes abound at the Headquarters Segment, and visions of an overflowing whipped cream container filled my head. Unfortunately, those thoughts were the only thing that was filled--the berries weren't ripe yet!

There were definitely a few bushes ready to harvest, but by and large it was a sea of tiny red berries. I scored maaaaaybe a cupful of black raspberries and gazed forlornly at the red ones left on the bushes.

With my hiking spirit, I decided to make the most of the gorgeous morning at the Headquarters Segment and take in the trails.

The trails are wide and mowed at Headquarter's Segment so you can easily navigate.

There was plenty of sunshine and greenery during my trip to the Headquarters Segment.

Although I can't find at trail map of the segment, the paths are easy to follow. Both times I've visited they've been mowed and wide enough for at least two people to walk side-by-side. It's a maze though. There are many path offshoots within the segment, but it's tough to get totally lost. I was able to keep the Headquarter's buildings in my sight for a good chunk of the walk.

While on the trails, I worked on identifying a few of the plants. There was bedstraw, my old garden nemesis. So many gardens I used to weed were scattered with bedstraw--it grows quickly and can be a skin irritant. Stay away!

The mayapple plant was another plant I'm learning. Heather had shown these to me on our earlier hike, and I found them in shady spots along the trail.

These plants can be toxic to humans; the fruit must be fully ripe for harvest. There were a couple of tiny fruits on the underside of the leaves, and I left them to continue to grow.

I even identified poison ivy without tramping through it! Not getting me today, buster!

Bedstraw = itchy

There's a tiny fruit on the underside of the mayapple's leaves.

You're gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion for poison ivy.

The Headquarters Segment is pretty flat and can be walked at a leisurely pace. I did just that! The only downside to my stroll was the substantial amount of dew on the paths; my shoes and socks were sopping wet by the end of my excursion. The wet socks couldn't dampen my spirits though. The day was too sunny to feel bad!

 I will most likely return to the Headquarters Segment. The black raspberries are still out there, ripening and waiting. Soon.