Join us at Southwoods Park. This park is just off 35th Street, south of Mills Civic Parkway, in West Des Moines. Meet by 10:00 a.m. in the disc golf course parking lot.

We will walk up the paved trail from the lot to the singletrack and turn right. We will explore the additions and subtractions they have made to the trail, primarily by turning right at every fork. When we return the pavement, we will head over to the original Rothschild hiking trail. After exploring that and returning to the lot, the total mileage should be around or just over 2 miles.

We will walk slowly, think “stroll,” and no one will be left behind. If the dirt is muddy, we will walk over to the paved trail around the West Des Moines City Hall pond instead.

Southwoods Park is hilly. The trails here are relatively clear of roots and rocks, compared to other local dirt trails. Hiking poles are useful for the hilly bits, but not a necessity.

I lead 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!