Dale’s Antique Beach
When the river floods, Dale’s Antique Beach is not very accessible, but in early spring this is a nice walk. Start on the River’s Trail from the end of Aviation Way. Walk along the trail west. Side trails stay closer to the river and come to a fence. You can go this way or go past the fenced enclosure and turn toward the river.
Along the way, the black cottonwoods are not yet in leaf, but the willows and red ossier dogwoods provide some early color.
The “antiques” are an abandoned set of old vehicles, left on the edge of the river to rust out. Behind the piles of wrecks are the remains of an old concrete foundation building, a pump house from the looks of it. We usually stop to look at the old cars then continue on to the beach beyond. This area is a “clothing-optional” spot in warm weather, but it in the spring, it is just a nice beach to walk along. We continue past this spot for another kilometer along the sand. We return by the same route or we can cut through the brush to the Rivers Trail. The whole route is flat, scenic, dry, and quiet, a perfect route for the early spring.