Mary Carter Greenway with Special Guests

Description:    This dedicated natural area is another urban treasure. Multiple trails traverse the area along the river, through the trees  and around several ponds.  This week we’ll have two special visitors from California walking with us:

1. Dr. Brendan Dwyer (Blaine’s son) is a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Cancer Institute performing cancer drug research.  He is committed to the cancer drug discovery process to develop “precise” medicines that improve patient quality of life.  He is very excited about the progress that is being in field and is looking forward to sharing it with as we walk.
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.

Where:  The Mary Carter Greenway Trailhead is in South Platte Park barely north of C470 on west side of the South Platte river.  The Park’s entrance is where the east-west running Chatfield Avenue bends northeast to become South Platte Canyon Drive.

If coming from the East on C470: take the Platte Canyon exit.  At the roundabout right after the off-ramp take the 1st exit to go NE on Platte Canyon.  Take the next right – it’s a very sharp hairpin curve. You’ll quickly see a sign that says you’re entering South Platte Park and, above it in smaller letters, Mary Carter Greenway.  Follow the road (there are no possible turns to take before coming to the first of two parking areas.  We’ll meet in the first one  because it’s bigger than the one next to the river and it has nicer restrooms.

If coming from the West on C470: take the Wadsworth exit (there is no exit from east-bound C470 to Platte Canyon Drive).  Turn right at the first light and go east on Chatfield Ave.  to the roundabout. Take the second exit to continue on Chatfield which then becomes Platte Canyon.  As above, take the next right – it’s a very sharp curve.  You’ll quickly see a sign that says you’re entering South Platte Park and, above it in smaller letters, Mary Carter Greenway.  Follow the road (there are no possible turns before coming to the first of two parking areas.  We’ll meet in the first one because it’s bigger than the one next to the river and it has nice restrooms.

If coming from the east or the west on Ken Caryl Road:  turn South at the light at Platte Canyon and take the second left.  It is  across from Depew St.  The road  immediately bends to the right and you’ll quickly see a sign that says you’re entering South Platte Park, and, above it in smaller letters, Mary Carter Greenway.  Follow the road (there are no possible turns to the first of two parking areas.  We’ll meet at a the first one  because it’s bigger than the one  next to the river and it has nice restrooms.

Entrance fees:  No (we’ve time our outing to avoid the peak season and any requirements to pay for, or reserve, parking)

Distance:   1- 3 miles depending on the group’s interests and abilities

Elevation gain: Negligible

Dogs allowed:  Yes, if mellow and leashed.

Toilets at the trailhead: Yes

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

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

Plus Code: HX93+9VQ 

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