Join us for a walk along the north part of Rollercoaster Trail and an excursion through the Rose Garden. We will meet on the west side of the Des Moines Art Center. Park on Myron and Jacqueline Blank Pkwy by 10:00 a.m.

This route begins walking down the parkway and takes an out-and-back on Rollercoaster. When we return to the parkway, we will cross over and hike up to the top of the hill before we return through the Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden. Depending exactly where we turn around, the total will be about 1.9 miles.

If the dirt trails are muddy, we will stay on the rose garden and art center paths instead. Either way, we will walk slowly, think “stroll,” and no one will be left behind.

The trail name is Rollercoaster, and it will be hilly. The route is dirt singletrack, with many roots and rocks. Hiking poles will be quite useful on this route, but not a necessity.

––
I lead a group walks on different trails a few times a month. This free series is designed 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!