Author: Cecilia

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park’s accessible trails include Lily Lake Trail, Sprague Lake Trail, Bear Lake Trail, Coyote Valley Trail and the Holzwarth Historic Site Access Road.  There is also a paved trail to the Forest Canyon Overlook.  This high altitude park is 415 square miles of beautiful mountain country, easily reached from the northern Front Range Cities.  Stop by a Visitor Center to learn about easy trails that might work for you.  Phone 970-586-1206   Park Brochure  Park Website    Description in The Disabled Traveler’s Companion.  Accessibility page from the Park Service.
Wheelchair Accessible Trails described by RockyMountainNationalPark.com   This web site is not affiliated with the National Park Service or National Forest Service, but looks pretty useful.   They also have information on Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests and the neighboring communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake.
The drive over Trail Ridge Road goes above timberline to 12,000′ altitude giving you a chance to experience the tundra and distant mountain views without needing to hike.   However, even walking may leave you short of breath at this altitude.

Wheelchair AccessibleSprague Lake  0.75 mile around the lake.  There is a striking view of the Rampart to the west.   This trail is open in the winter and the snow is usually packed down so you can walk it using poles and with spiked treads attached to your boots.  For those of use who can’t ski anymore it is wonderful to get out and experience some winter.
Wheelchair AccessibleBear Lake 0.89 mile loop around popular Bear Lake.

Wheelchair AccessibleCoyote Valley 1 mile round trip in the Kawuneeche Valley, downstream from the Colorado River’s headwaters in the Never Summer Mountains.

Wheelchair AccessibleLily Lake Trail 0.8 mile – a pretty loop around the lake.  You can reach it off of highway 7 south of Estes Park and although it is administered by the Park Service, there is no fee.
GPS at parking lot N40° 18.404′  W105° 32.270′

ADA wheelchair accessible fishing pier, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Lily Lake and ADA wheelchair accessible fishing pier, Rocky Mt. National Park, CO
ADA wheelchair accessible easy trail around Lily Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Wheelchair accessible trail around Lily Lake, Rocky Mt. National Park, Colorado

Wheelchair AccessibleForest Canyon Overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park is fully wheelchair accessible and has beautiful views of the canyon below and Longs Peak in the distance.  GPS at parking lot N40° 23.731′ W105° 12.691.  Trail Ridge Road is closed in winter and early spring.

Wheelchair accessible Forest Canyon Overlook, Rocky Mt. National Park, Colorado
Wheelchair accessible Forest Canyon Overlook, Rocky Mt. National Park, Colorado Altitude about 11,700
Parking at Wheelchair accessible Forest Canyon Overlook, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Parking space at Forest Canyon Overlook, Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mt. Nat’l Park

National Geographic – American Samoa

National Geographic provides some interesting information about American Samoa in general

I haven’t learned of any wheelchair accessible trails here, but heard from the Park Service that:   “There is …an area suitable for disabled at Lower Sauma Ridge.  There are wayside exhibits installed for reading and a nice view of a national natural landmark in American Samoa.”

They also sent a link to a brochure describing Day Hikes in the Park.

There may well be some easy, if not wheelchair accessible, trails outside of the Park.   I hope someone will let me know of them.  Send a picture and I will post it with © and credit given to you.  As you can see, the only pictures I have of American Samoa are from 33 years ago!

Rails-to-Trails – California

Wheelchair AccessibleThe Rails-to-Trails Conservancy – lists wheelchair accessible trails in California.

We happened on the Bizz Johnson rail trail near Susanville. What a treat! There is parking at either end of the seven mile accessible trail or you can take a wheelchair -accommodating shuttle bus from Susanville and then enjoy a 3% downhill ride along the Susan River. The bus operates from June – October on the first and third Saturdays. Call 530-252-7433 to learn more.

Susan River from Wheelchair accessible Bizz Johnson Rail/Trail near Susanville CA
Susan River from accessible Bizz Johnson Trail
Access to the Wheelchair accessible Bizz Johnson Rail/Trail near Susanville CA
Access to the Wheelchair accessible Bizz Johnson Rail/Trail near Susanville CA

City of Palo Alto

City of Palo Alto
  “Palo Alto’s open space preserves offer a chance to hike from the marshes of the bay to the redwoods of the upper Santa Cruz mountains.”
Wheelchair AccessibleBaylands Nature Preserve  near Palo Alto – According to Wikipedia, this preserve is the “largest tract of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay.”   Here is Mark Hehir’s video of the accessible paths and many of the birds to be found there.  Phone 650-329-2506  This is their website.
Palo Alto Open Space and Parks