... the stretch from Seven Bridges down to Black Hawk County, like Siggelkow Park, is not popular. Seven Bridges is about 20 miles north of Meyers Lake in Evansdale, where the cousins disappeared July 13.
Where you would normally get in and get out I dont think is even close to the spot where they found the girls, just from what I saw on the news with where the cars were, he said. I doubt kayakers would have found them.
Sometimes paddlers get out at Seven Bridges, but not as many people start there, he said. A lot of trees in the water are difficult to navigate. Upriver, like from Iowa Highway 3 or County Road C50, are more open, according to Siefken. Paddlers also tend to prefer areas farther down toward Independence or Quasqueton.
I think about when its 100 degrees during the summer, the mosquitoes are eating you alive and there are so many plants and weeds and thorny bushes, most people arent out tromping through the woods as much, he said. When deer season starts, you have a lot more people out walking.
There hasnt been much need to be in the woods prior to last weekend, he added. Just kind of dumb luck they got in just the right spot at the right time.
The remote location is mainly used by hunters, fisherman and the occasional camper. Those searching for mushrooms frequent the area in the spring.