The Highline Canal Trail

The Highline Canal Trail is special to me. I have lived in Denver since 1969. It has always been here, winding 71 miles from the foothills to the west, through the city and the suburbs, pouring into a small irrigation reservoir northeast of the metro area. When I moved here, the canal was operational, delivering water diverted from the South Platte River to irrigate crops on the plains. Since then it has been shut down and operated as a ribbon park through the urban region. Every so often, water courses through it, to provide liquid sustenance to the cottonwoods and other vegetation that grows along its path. Each year, more than a half a million people walk or ride the trail to get a nature fix and brief respite from noisy city life. The trail is literally at our doorsteps.

Hiking the Trail

From time to time, I walk a segment of the Highline Canal Trail, shoot some photographs, write a few notes. This post is from a few years ago. Okay, I’m behind in posting. I’ve been occupied with other writing projects as well as a lot of family stuff (FAMILY FIRST!). I am doing this in chunks, small chunks. Semi-retired, I am finished with all-nighters, killing myself with deadlines to satisfy clients or editors, working till I drop, and trying to prove myself on a trail. I do not have to do the Highline Canal in two days. It will take years. I will do little chunks, in no particular…