Ascending Hikes – Two Ponds Wildlife Refuge West Side (Prairie) 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 -- check out flowers, trees and the view along the way, or maybe stop to take a few pics … 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

West Side (Prairie) Loop Trail : This route is about 2.5 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 year-round, this trail is located on the west side of the Refuge known as the Prairie Management Area. This well-maintained, flat, accessible crusher fines trail loop can be navigated and traversed easily, looping around the outer edges and bisecting of a grassland meadow; it connects to its extended portion by crossing a bridge over the Croke and Farmers’ Highline Canals, along which the trail continues to run as an out-and-back.

 Connecting Trails

The back entrance of the connecting 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 Time:  5pm
Meet at the southwest, alternate trailhead (see below).

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.

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 sunbrella/parasol. For cool or rainy-looking weather, bring a light jacket or raincoat, maybe an umbrella, and add a warm layer, wool socks, and perhaps waterproof shoes.)

Getting to the Trailhead

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 but continue past the Two Ponds National Wildlife sign; do NOT turn into the main parking area there. 

Instead, continue another 0.8 miles, and turn LEFT (south) onto Kipling Street. Go 0.4 miles south to West 77^th Drive. Turn left (EAST) and park on the street, by the trailhead that’ll be visible on your left-hand side.

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 but continue past the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge sign; do NOT turn into the main parking area there. 

Instead, continue another 0.8 miles, and turn LEFT (south) onto Kipling Street. Go 0.4 miles south to West 77^th Drive. Turn left (EAST) and park on the street, by the trailhead that’ll be visible on your left-hand side.