Free guided hikes, presentations for summer at GoG Visitor Center

       The Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center has started its summer programming, which includes a variety of free, guided outdoor walks and or presentations to take advantage of warmer weather.
       All but one of these require making reservations in advance by calling the center at 219-0108 and then (at the scheduled time) meeting at the center, 1805 N. 30th St.
       The exception is the prairie falcon hikes Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. until the end of June, which show where those annually returning birds have made their nests in the Garden rocks this year. Participants meet their guides, Cliff and Jane Eisenach, at the north Garden parking lot (off Juniper Way Loop).
       Here are the other scheduled summer “experiences,” for which reservations are necessary:
  • Honey Ant Presentation, by Bret Tennis, 11:30 a.m. June 26, July 10 and 24 and Aug. 7.
  • Photography Hike - Ridge Trail, by Paul deBerjeois, 9 a.m. June 13, July 18, and Aug. 15.
  • Wildflower Walk, by Suzanne Jarvinen, 9 a.m. June 23 and 25 and July 14 and 16.
  • Geology Hike - Ridge Trail, by Beverly Cellini. 6:30 p.m. June 30, July 21 and Aug. 25.
  • Photography “Lesson,” by Paul deBerjeois, 9 a.m. June 11, July 16 and Aug. 13.
  • Bat Walk, by Jeanne McElderry, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, until the end of August.
           Year-round, naturalist-led half-hour walks are offered from the Visitor Center at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
           Another continuing hiking opportunity is the self-guided health fitness walk through the Garden and neighboring Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, leaving from the center at 9 a.m. every Wednesday.

    Westside Pioneer/press release