Nearby, Comforting Hikes to Soothe Your Soul

By Bette Erickson

It’s not a long drive to Westminster’s Mushroom Pond. The drive was plenty of time, however, for my vacationing friend to discourse on the main themes of shopping in New York City: the variety, trends and bargains.

“But I’m here to get back to nature,” she sighed.

I’ve been to NYC numerous times – it’s nothing compared with being in nature (my preferred destination).

Studies show nature is a powerful therapy for all ages in reducing depression, obesity, and attention deficit disorder. Spending time outdoors, particularly in parks and forests, has been shown to increase the ability to concentrate in both children and adults.

So, with that, I’ll offer a couple of nearby hikes that I find relaxing and invigorating. Wait. Is that an oxymoron?

A quick trip about Westminster’s refurbished Mushroom Pond is just about .8-miles, but if you’re lucky you may spot resident turtles and bullfrogs nestled in the cattails along the shoreline, barely making themselves visible. Bette Erickson/For Our Broomfield

Mushroom Pond

Sturdy, old growth cottonwood trees, pleasing to the eye hug the shore of Westminster’s refurbished Mushroom Pond. At just .8-mile, it’s a short loop circling the lake, but the rewards are worth a second pass. I typically walk around twice savoring the birdsong, allowing my dog to sniff and pause frequently. Once I spotted a turtle with a shell the size of a dinner plate, and on a separate trip, a bull frog croaking in the cattails along the shoreline.

When you arrive, take a look at the trailhead kiosk to familiarize yourself with the area and choose either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Either direction will suffice, as you will more than likely finish the outing feeling better than when you arrived.

To get there:

The trailhead is about 1.4-miles south from 120th Avenue on Federal Blvd., take a left into the large parking lot just past the Savory Mushrooms tower.

Interlocken’s East Park to Central Park

A friend and I have a Thanksgiving morning tradition: We meet at Interlocken’s East Park and saunter around the quiet area. If you choose to do both loops (pictured), the walk will sum to about 3.5-miles. However, other options include the loop around East Park, at just one mile or the loop out and back to Interlocken’s Central Park is a 2.5-mile outing.

If you’ve not done a walk around these carefully planned open spaces at Broomfield’s prestigious Interlocken Business Park, it’s worth a visit. I find this area off the beaten path and satisfying in the fall or winter (on snowshoes, given adequate snowpack). The routes are wheelchair-friendly, too.

To get there:

Find East Park at the bottom of Edgeview Drive at 282 Interlocken Blvd.

Bette Erickson writes about people, places, and events. She is the author of numerous hiking books and articles. Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com.