Gay lea wilson trail

University Ave. Head east for 1. Nestled in the suburbs of Des Moines and traveling through the towns of Ankeny, Berwick, Pleasant Hill, and Altoona, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail is named for a local advocate who first conceived of a network of trails in eastern Polk County in the s.

Benches are strategically placed for taking breaks, spotting birds, and snapping photos of Iowa wildflowers. Turn right onto First Ave. N, and go 1 mile. After a horizontal stretch heading east along Northeast 54th Avenue—an intersection for the mile Chichaqua Valley Trailwhich travels northeast to Baxter—the trail meets with Fourmile Creek and then heads south under I Here, the trail is enveloped by dense, quiet woodland as it follows the creek to Pleasant Hill and Copper Creek Lake, which the trail circles.

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenery, or head east, where restaurants are in abundance. The nearest parking lot to the northwestern trailhead is located a half mile south along the trail at SE 54th St. Turn right east onto NE 66th Ave. Turn left onto NE 14th St.

Turn left into the parking area just after passing the marsh and crossing over the trail. From this central hub of the trail, a segment accessible at North Pleasant Hill Boulevard runs south for 1. The endpoint is located about 0. Residents use the trail to walk or bike to recreation facilities, the library, and other town amenities.

Residents use the trail to walk or bike to recreation facilities, the library, and other town amenities. Eventually, the trail will link several central Iowa communities and open spaces over a mile course. Turn left onto First St.

E immediately after the railroad tracks, and turn left into the parking lot. Beginning at the northern trailhead, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail winds southwardly along rural roads and through suburban neighborhoods that offer many access points for locals.

A less-than At North Pleasant Hill Boulevard, you can also take the trail northeast approximately 4 miles to the heart of Altoona.

At the northern trailhead in Ankeny, trail users have the option of connecting with the Oralabor Gateway Trail and heading west for 5 miles to just past Northwest Toni Drive, where the Oralabor Gateway Trail connects with the Neal Smith Trail and creates a seamless off-road route to Saylorville Lake.

To reach the nearest parking lot to the northeastern trailhead at the intersection of First Ave. S and First St. E from I, take Exit toward Altoona.

Gay Lea Wilson Trail : Trailheads Sites & Attractions History of the Trail Gay Lea Wilson is a woman who has pushed, and continues to push for recreational trails on the East side of Des Moines

Beginning at the northern trailhead, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail winds southwardly along rural roads and through suburban neighborhoods that offer many access points for locals. Benches are strategically placed for taking breaks, spotting birds, and snapping photos of Iowa wildflowers.

The Gay Lea Wilson Trail, when completed, will extend for approximately 35 miles throughout the eastern and northern parts of Polk County. The trail will also make up the lower portion of a mile Central Iowa Trail Loop that will connect existing parks, trails, and businesses in five counties.

Gay Lea Wilson Trail Travel north/south between Des Moines to Pleasant Hill and Ankeny on the Gay Lea Wilson Trail West ( miles) or take the spur in Pleasant Hill for the Gay Lea Wilson Trail east to Altoona ( miles). Note: While the very flat trail surface is composed of asphalt and concrete for a majority of its length, there are a few portions of dirt surface in heavily wooded areas.