The singletrack was too muddy (though, I bet with some sun and wind by the afternoon it’d be fine). We took a little vote about which way to go and ended up taking the Bill Riley and Walnut Creek trails all the way to N. Valley Drive. We discussed and pointed out all the trails—both singletrack and paved—in the area.
Join us for a walk at Center Trails in Des Moines. This walk takes the outer loop of Hillside and returns on the paved trail for a total of 1.4 miles. Meet in the Ashworth Pool parking lot at the end of 45th Street by 10:00 a.m. We will walk slowly, think “stroll,” and no one will be left behind. There will be much to see in these urban woods. It’s a fun way to meet other people and enjoy some fresh air.
The trail name is Hillside, and it will be hilly. Most of the route is dirt singletrack, punctuated with with roots and rocks. Hiking poles are useful, but not a necessity.
Every week or so I lead a group walk on a different trail.
My goals for this series are to help people looking for a simple way to become more active, and to increase appreciation of our local soft trails.
What is a soft trail? Simply, it is an unpaved trail. Its surface may be dirt, grass, or crushed rock/gravel. I am an avid mountain biker and know all these trails very well. I can guarantee that no one will get lost!
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Learn more about Center Trails from the Central Iowa Trail Association.
