SOUTH PLATTE RIVER FROM THE AUDUBON CENTER WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Leader: Blaine

This week we’ll have two special visitors from California walking with us:

1. Blaine’s son, Brendan, has a PhD in biochemistry and is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Cancer Institute performing cancer drug research.  He identifies new drugs to selectively kill harmful cancer cells, while sparing healthy cells.  He is committed to the cancer drug discovery process to develop “precise” medicines that improve patient quality of life.
2. Daughter-in-Law, Rachel, is a Registered Veterinary Technician specializing in a wide variety of wildlife rehabilitation including raptors.  She will be available to answer all those puzzling nature questions that have been “bugging” you.  She is currently the Lead RVT at the Peninsula Humane Society Saratoga Wildlife Center in the south San Francisco Bay area and is also the current Chair of the Board for the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance near Sedalia, CO.

For those who may interested in continuing the conversations, we’ll go to Blaine’s favorite coffee spot, Vellichor Coffee Roasters (formerly Bean Fosters) just north of C470 on Kipling.

The start of this walk will take us to the east side of the cattailed-rimmed ponds with reflections of the  foothills. The flat dirt pea-gravel trail is mostly shaded in the riparian Cottonwood zone along the river.  Deer, herons, hawks, ducks and songbirds are often seen. 

Where: The parking lot for the “Audubon Center at Chatfield State Park” is 4.1 miles south of C470 on Wadsworth Blvd. (3 miles past the traffic light for the entrance to the State Park The Aubudon Center abuts the south end of the park and its trails connect to the park’s trails.  This access allows us avoid the park’s fees and access the river trails to the south of Chatfield Reservoir.

Plus Code:  FWV5+M4G  

Enter this code into Google Maps (Note this only works in Google Maps)

Entrance fees:  No.  The Audubon Center parking lot is outside Chatfield State Park but the trails connect with the Park’s trails.

Distance: 2-5 miles depending on the group’s interests and capabilities. 

Elevation gain: Negligible – the trail is along the river and adjacent ponds – it’s very flat

Dogs allowed: Yes, if well-behaved on a leash

Toilets at the trailhead: Yes

Be sure to bring:  Water, sunscreen, hat and desire to get out an enjoy nature

Hike Leader Number:  720-392-3421 – Blaine’s cell ---  Please call or text if you need to cancel last minute or if you are running late.