High Line Canal Mile 54-47 Urban Aurora to Urban Denver

All around us, thunderstorms threatened our attempt at High Line Canal Segment 4. But guess what, we had gorgeous walking weather. In partnership with the High Line Canal Conservancy and Walk2Connect, I am leading a 71-mile walk along the High Line Canal, one segment at a time. This Segment 4 left from the Central Library in Aurora on Alameda and ended between Windsor Gardens and Fairmount Cemetery. With cool breezes and a few rain drops, our evening walked ventured on.

Mile 54 Leaving the Aurora Government Center

If you read my last post, you know that our mileage got a little wonky. When we picked up our walk again, we discovered a marker missing its number, which we determined to be mile marker 54. It’s behind the Aurora Government Center just to the east of Sable. Thus, we jumped back on the High Line and continued west. After crossing the very busy and poorly marked Sable crossing, where one of our brand new Walking Movement Leaders got to practice getting a group across a street, we set out for what we hoped would be dry skies.

To see footage of this mile, watch this video.

Mile 53 Just another Day on the Trail

Since we hadn’t walked for awhile together, there was a lot of catching up to do. Of the original 26 folks who signed up on our first day, only 4 remain who have done all the segments. But each time we walk, new people join us, bringing their own experiences of joy on the Canal. As we walked along the Aurora Hills Golf Course, our group of strangers became a team, checking in on each other and getting to know one another.

To see footage of this mile, watch this video.

Mile 52 Approaching Denver

It had been a while since we had actually seen a mile marker with a number on it. When we finally came upon mile 52, it was reassuring to know that we were making progress in the right direction. We had crossed into Denver and the tone of the Trail changed. Whereas some of the houses along its border seemed proud to be associated with the Trail and its access, other homes completely fenced off their yards trying to ignore the Canal. By the way, I love the photo above. It has two High Liners who have done all 4 segments and two brand new walkers!

To see footage of this mile, watch this video.

Mile Marker 51 We Complete 20 Miles

Thinking back to how far we’ve walked and what we’ve seen so far, 20 miles impresses all of us. From a subdivision where we couldn’t even see a trail, across major roads, through three Frisbee golf courses, a gorgeous urban farm, and now our second county, the High Line Canal is allowing almost 40 people to connect to Denver in ways we’ve never connected before. We have such a treasure in the Canal and a capacity to change people’s lives through its use.

To see footage of this mile, watch this video.

Mile 50 Which Way at Expo Park?

At Expo Park, the Canal splits the Westerly Creek to the east and the High Line Canal Trail to the West. Although a nice new sign points to the Trail, we realized that the sign culled you to walk through Expo Park along Westerly Creek. The older traditional High Line sign to the west pointed us in the right direction down a pebble trail. Dodging a few rain drops with the goal to pick the pace up just a bit, darkness started to fall.

To see footage of this mile, watch this video.

Mile 49 Windsor Gardens

At Mile 49, one of our Walking Movement Leaders had stashed a cooler of cold water, which was an absolute treat. Unfortunately, one of our walkers had a bit of a heat exhaustion issue. While taking care of her, the remainder of the walkers went ahead and finished our last mile before darkness finally set in. Slowing down a bit to do a little first aid, a small group of us banded together to help everyone finish this leg.

To see footage of this mile, watch this video.

Despite a very late night, all the walkers completed the segment with smiles on faces and joy in hearts to tackle the next segment. Thus we all completed High Line Canal Segment 4, will you join us for Segment 5?