Ascending Hikes – Two Ponds Wildlife Refuge East Side (Ponds) Loop Trail

Walking Wounded Rehab Hikes

These outings are meant for anybody who loves being outdoors but wants to SLOWLY work their way back to full health and fitness, or anyone who just feels like taking it very easy this week by enjoying a short and easy-going walk outside. 

Say hello to a social group of folks who are jonesing to get OUT THERE despite everything that life has thrown at us -- maybe check out flowers and trees along the way, or even take a few pics of the view … and breathe a little more freely.

If you find yourself wondering if even the other 'Ascending Hike' series may be a little too aggressive for you, or you simply want to get out for an easy amble for fun, to de-stress despite any issues, then our 'Walking Wounded' Rehab Outings are meant for you.

As long as you’re good to go (and, if injured or have some medical condition, have a thumbs-up from your physical therapist or doctor), then come join your hike leader (who has, for too long, been in the same boat) for an EASY, SHORT, CASUAL-PACE outing that’s pretty much on-the-flat without a lot of elevation change … a walk on which NOBODY has to worry about holding up the group, because we're all right there with ya, and don’t mind waiting.

After a short session of stretches (or whatever rehab exercises help you), we’ll head up the trail. And since we're the 'walking wounded,' not the 'walking dead,' we’ll take an easy amble up the trail at maybe a couple of mph ... turtle slow, but not DEAD slow.

This Particular Hike

East Side (Ponds) Double Loop Trail:

This trail is about 2-3 miles long. We can and will shorten the outing as participants prefer and can manage.  The point is to be accommodating and not push anyone beyond their limits.

Open Memorial Day (May) through Labor Day (September), this trail meanders past the refuge’s eponymous ponds and through mixed prairie grass meadows. After moving through the refuge's Environmental Education Area (just off the main meadow facing Friends Pond), you’ll slope a bit higher for views of several natural areas, including the Rocky Mountain Front Range. The lower portion of the trail is wheel-chair accessible with crushed fines used on the switchback to navigate the steeper slopes, while much of the rest of the trail is dirt track. Several benches are scattered along the trail to rest and enjoy wildlife viewing.

Connecting Trails

The back entrance to the East Side Trail opens onto the Farmer’s Highline Canal and Croke Canals, along which trails run on each side all the way southeast to Majestic View Park and Nature Center, and northwest to Standley Lake.

Related Websites

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/dot-segment-26-farmers-croke-canals-trail-through-two-ponds-national-wildlife-refuge

https://www.americantrails.org/resources/two-ponds-national-wildlife-refuge-trails-colorado

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/two-ponds

https://www.twopondsnwr.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Ponds_National_Wildlife_Refuge

https://coloradobirdingtrail.com/site/two-ponds-national-wildlife-refuge/

Meet at the trailhead (see below) at 5pm. 

Please don't be late, since we may take a few moments to stretch, loosen up and warm up, as people feel wise for their conditioning.

If You Can’t Make It
If you didn’t cancel on the CMC website earlier, but have decided you can’t make it, then please text Karen at 720-244-3377 to let her know not to expect you, so folks aren’t waiting for no shows.

But do Try to Make It
Please put in reasonable effort to show up.  Be prepared to adjust for variable weather conditions, and participate, anyway.  (For hot weather, dress light, bring some cool water and maybe a sun parasol. For cool or rainy-looking weather, bring a light jacket or raincoat, maybe an umbrella, and maybe add a warm layer, wool socks, and waterproof shoes.)

Getting to the Trailhead
The main Trailhead and its free parking lot is at 9210 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 (GPS 39.841742, -105.102669).  It's the best access point for the East Side (Ponds) Loop Trail.

From Boulder, go south on Highway 93 up and over the hill, continuing southeast and all the way to the Broomfield / Wadsworth Boulevard exit. Turn RIGHT (south) onto Wadsworth Parkway.  Keep south on Wadsworth to 80^th Avenue. Turn LEFT (west) onto 80th Avenue and continue 4.4 miles, and look for the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge sign, at which you’ll turn LEFT (south) into the main parking area there.

From Denver, go north on I-25, then northwest on Highway 36. Take the US-287 N / Federal Boulevard exit RIGHT (north) from US-36 W, and IMMEDIATELY and QUICKLY cross ALL the lanes of Federal Boulevard to get into the far left-hand lane.  Turn LEFT (west) onto West 80^th Avenue.  Continue on 80th past Wadsworth Boulevard, continue 4.4 miles, and look for the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge sign, at which you’ll turn LEFT (south) into the main parking area there.