The North Cascades Scenic Byway is much more than a utilitarian route. Sure it connects North Cascades National Park with points east and west, but it also offers a scenic drive with a few old growth forest wheelchair-accessible hikes along the way. So next time you are tooling along Highway 20 west of North Cascades National Park, be sure and stop for these two wheelchair-accessible big trees trails.
Rockport State Park
Along the West Interpretive Loop in Rockport State Park
First up is the West Interpretive Loop in Rockport State Park (https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/rockport-state-park). It’s located along Highway 20, about 25 miles west of Newhalem. This 1.4-mile round-trip hike offers a beautiful stroll through a wheelchair-accessible slice of an old growth forest.
There’s accessible parking near the picnic area, with level access over to the accessible restroom. From the picnic area, follow the trail west for .2-mile until you get to a junction with a signpost. From there, take a right (away from the Sauk Spring Trail) and continue on the Evergreen Trail for another .2 miles until you get to the West Interpretive Loop.
The .6-mile hard-packed dirt trail is covered in crushed rock, and is wide enough to accommodate even large wheelchairs. It’s not a flat trail, but it’s certainly within the ADA trail standards. The undulating trail leads through the lush forest filled with Douglas firs, western red cedars and western hemlocks. There are interpretive plaques along the way, and this shady forest stroll is the perfect place to cool off a hot afternoon. When you complete the loop, head back to the picnic area on the Evergreen Trail. As an added bonus, it’s not a crowded park, so you will probably have the trail to yourself.
Baker Lake
View from Panorama Point at Baker Lake
After you’ve completed the Western Interpretive Loop, continue west on Highway 20 to Concrete, then head north to the Shadow of the Sentinels at Baker Lake (https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mbs/recreation/baker-lake). It’s located about 15 miles off Highway 20, but it’s definitely worth the short detour. The trailhead is located in a small pullout, just before the turnoff to Horseshoe Grove Campground. You can’t miss it, as there’s a cross section of a large old growth tree in the parking lot.
Shadow of the Sentinels Trail
There’s accessible parking near the trailhead, and at the other end of the lot near the accessible vault toilet. This .5-mile loop trail begins as a boardwalk through the old growth forest, and transitions back-and-forth between that and an asphalt trail and a hard-packed dirt trail. There’s a slight elevation gain along the way, but it’s well within the standards. The boardwalk is in excellent repair, and although there are a few frost heaves in the asphalt, they are pretty easy to dodge.
The trail is lined with Douglas firs and western hemlocks, with interpretive plaques along the way. There are a number of downed trees and snags in the adjacent forest, and if you’d like to take a break there are a few benches on the trail. There are also a few side trails to viewpoints in the forest, and one to an extra large Douglas fir tree. It’s estimated that some of the trees in this grove are nearly 700 years old.
Shadow of the Sentinels Trail
As an added bonus, the drive up to Baker Lake is beautiful. And if you’d like to sneak a peek at at Baker Lake and the Cascades, then head over to the Panorama Point boat launch or drive down to the end of Mount Baker Dam Road. It’s the perfect way to end this North Cascades scenic outing.
Barrier-Free Travel Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Located along the St. Helena Highway, Bothe Napa State Park (napaoutdoors.org/parks/bothe-napa-valley-state-park/) is easy to overlook, especially if you’re winery hopping along this popular Napa County thoroughfare. That said, it’s not only a nice place to stop for a picnic or to enjoy a short hike; but if you’re up for an adventure, it’s also an excellent place to overnight. Although the park offers wheelchair-accessible campsites, it also boasts a comfortable wheelchair-accessible yurt. Granted, this yurt is pretty basic — some would even describe it as rustic — however it provides a quiet, off-the-beaten-path lodging option in what can often be described as a crowded and overly congested area of the state.
Sleeping in a Wheelchair-Accessible Yurt
Inside Yurt 26 at Bothe Napa State Park
There are two campgrounds and yurt areas in the park, but this accessible yurt (26) is located away from the Group Campground, in the quieter Ritchey Creek Campground. There’s plenty of room to park on a level dirt pad in front of Yurt 26, with ramp access up to the front door. Access features inside the yurt include a wide doorway, wooden floors and ample space to navigate a wheelchair. Furnishings include a 21-inch high queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides, four folding cots, and a table with two benches.
You’ll need to supply your own bedding, sleeping bags, pillows and towels; and since the yurt lacks electricity it’s also a good idea to pack along a lantern, flashlights and a camp stove. And although the mattress is certainly adequate, if you prefer more support you might also want to bring an air mattress.
Outside, there is a short accessible path over to a picnic table and a storage locker. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, sip some wine, and relax as the sun sets. As an added bonus, it’s also very dark in the park, and with no ambient light you can really enjoy the night sky.
The bathhouse is just a short walk away. A family restroom with a roll-under sink and toilet grab bars is located in the front section of the bathhouse, while the private pay showers are located on the side. The accessible shower room includes a roll-in shower with grab bars, a built-in shower bench and a lowered showerhead. There’s plenty of room for an attendant in the large shower room, and it also features a spacious changing area with lowered hooks.
A Nice Picnic Stop
Picnic Grounds at Bothe Napa State Park
Even if you don’t spend the night in the wheelchair-accessible yurt, make plans to stop in for a picnic lunch and explore the park. The bulk of the accessible picnic tables are located in the day use area, which is located just down the park road from the visitor center. Accessible parking is located near the tables, with paved pathways to the tables and the accessible restrooms. If you’d prefer a more secluded repast, drive all the way to the end of the park road, park in the accessible parking spot, and feast at one the tables in the level shaded area.
Pioneer Cemetery at Bothe Napa State Park
Save some time for a short walk to the Pioneer Cemetery on the accessible trail, which begins near the picnic tables at the end of the road. The hard-packed dirt loop winds around the restored graveyard, which dates back to the mid 1800s. There are benches to sit and rest along the way, while you gaze at the plots surrounded by quaint white picket fences. The trail then loops back through the woods to the site of the historic White Church, before it returns to the picnic area.
Last but not least, make sure and stop at the Native American Garden, which is located on the left side of the visitor center. The accessible pathway begins near the back of the building and winds through a natural garden filled with plants that were important to the first people of the area — the Wappo. Although a few of the species are labeled, the visitor center also has a plant guide to enhance your understanding of the native people. It’s just a short trail — only 150 yards or so — but it’s a pleasant stroll to top off your Bothe Napa State Park visit.
Trail to the Native American Garden at Bothe Napa State Park
Barrier-Free Travel California National Parks Road Trips Travel Ideas for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Every fall Sandhill Cranes take to the Pacific Flyway in a mass migration from their breeding grounds in Alaska and British Columbia, to travel to their wintering areas in California. And one of their favorite places to winter is in the California Delta near Lodi. In fact, from October to February masses of these majestic birds can be seen feeding in the fields that line the roads of this rural agricultural area.
And to celebrate their yearly return, the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association presents the annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival. Now in its 27th year, the 2025 event will run from Friday November 7 to Sunday November 9, with most of the events happening over the weekend. And the good news is, not only are the festival venues wheelchair-accessible, but there’s no admission charge to many of the festival events.
Exhibits, Presentations and More
The bulk of the festival events take place at the Hutchins Street Square Community Center in downtown Lodi. There’s barrier-free access to the building, with plenty of room for wheelchairs and scooters to maneuver. For a full schedule of the downtown exhibits and educational presentations, visit lodisandhillcrane.org.
The festival kicks off with the opening night reception on Friday evening. Attendees can nosh on hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine, while enjoying a program that includes the presentation of the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association Conservation Award. Top it off with a silent auction and for a fun opening event.
The educational presentations about the life and habits of the Sandhill Cranes are a perennial favorite of festival attendees. These weekend sessions include speakers, videos, and hands-on projects. And there’s even a few activities for kids. Additionally there’s a variety of vendors and exhibitors that focus on birding, wildlife, and of course the Sandhill Cranes. Box lunches will be for sale in the exhibit hall, while snacks will be available to purchase in the rotunda.
One of the highlights of the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival is the Art Show. There are two divisions. One division is photography and the other is fine arts, which includes oils, watercolors, pastels and sculptures. There are two subject areas within each division — Sandhill Cranes in California and other California wildlife in their natural habitat. There are lots of creative entries, and the best part is that the winners are picked by the attendees. So be sure and stop by and vote for your favorites.
Take a Tour
A more remote aspect of the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival are the local tours. Led by naturalist guides, these tours cover all aspects of the migratory cranes, and include a variety of landscapes. Although some tours are not a good choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers because of the rough terrain, several other tours are doable.
At the top of the list is the Consumnes River Preserve Guided Wetlands Walk. Led by Mary DuBose, this three-hour morning walk begins at the Consumnes River Preserve Visitor Center. It includes a one-to-two-mile walk over a smooth level trail and some boardwalks. You’ll not only see the Sandhill Cranes on this walk, but also find a nice selection of ducks, geese, raptors and woodland birds along the way. There is a $20 charge for this tour.
The Crane Fly-In tours are also good choices for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. They take place at the North and South Units of the Woodbridge Ecological Preserve. These offerings include a short presentation, before the Sandhill Cranes descend en masse to their nightly resting spots. It’s quite a sight to see! Both the North and South Units have level access to a wheelchair-accessible viewing area for the program. The South Unit Tours are priced at $30, while the North Unit tours are $40. And if you’d like to get up early, there’s also a Fly-Out tour at the North Unit that’s priced at $45.
It’s also important to note that all participants in the North and South Unit tours must also posses a current hunting or fishing license, or purchase a Lands Pass at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass.
The majestic Columbia River flows through the Pacific Northwest and forms the border between Washington and Oregon. On the Oregon side of the river, Interstate 84 travels through several mid-sized cities as it skirts the waterway. That said, Highway 14 on the north side of the river offers a bucolic view of the Washington landscape. Even better, the northern route boasts several wheelchair-accessible hikes. So take the time to hop off the interstate, cross the river, and enjoy these scenic wheelchair-accessible Columbia River hikes on your next Pacific Northwest road trip.
Sam’s Walker Trail
Sam’s Walker Trail
While traveling on the western part of Interstate 84, the best — and frankly the most scenic — river crossing is at the Bridge of the Gods (www.portofcascadelocks.gov/bridge-of-the-gods), in Cascade Locks. After you cross this two-lane toll bridge, head west on Highway 14 for about 10 miles to get to the first accessible hike on the list — Sam’s Walker Trail. When you hit Skamania Landing Road, turn south and and follow the signs to the trailhead. It should be noted that Skamania Landing Road is a loop, so be sure and take the western turnoff.
There’s no accessible parking in the gravel lot, but there’s plenty of room to parallel park an adapted van. An accessible vault toilet sits on one side of the parking lot, and an accessible shaded picnic table graces the other side. There’s level access over to the 1.2-mile hard packed dirt trail. It winds through a sweeping meadow, then passes through a shady cedar forest before it loops back to the trailhead,.
Sam’s Walker Trail is pretty well maintained, but there may be some slight vegetation overgrowth depending on the season. It’s mostly a flat trail, although there are some slight elevation changes along the way. Still it’s well within the ADA guidelines for accessible trails; as the steepest grade is only 4%, and that’s just for a few feet. It’s a great spot for a spring wildflower hike, and the meadow is an excellent birding venue. As an added bonus, there’s an accessible picnic table set off the trail under a few trees, about halfway along the hike If the table in the parking lot is occupied, it’s a great spot for a picnic lunch. And even if the parking lot table is available, the trail table offers more privacy. Sam’s Walker Trail makes for a nice accessible hike throughout the year.
Catherine Creek Universal Trail
Catherine Creek Universal Trail
Next up on the list of wheelchair-accessible Columbia River hikes is the Catherine Creek Universal Trail. From Sam’s Walker Trail, head east on Highway 14, then turn north on Old Highway 8, about 40 miles up the road. The Catherine Creek Universal Trail is about 1.5 miles up Old Highway 8.
There’s a small dirt parking area on the north side of the street; and although there are no lined spaces, there’s room enough to parallel park in the level lot. There’s another trailhead near the parking area on the north side of the street, but the Catherine Creek Universal Trail begins across the street, near the accessible porta potty.
You can take the trail in either direction, but most folks choose to head east (left). The trail winds through a meadow and over to the Catherine Creek Falls viewpoint. It’s just a quarter-mile walk to the falls, and the area is filled with lilies, poppies and balsamroot blooms in the spring. The waterfall decreases to just a trickle in the summer months, but it’s rather impressive earlier in the year . And if you’d like to stay a spell, there’s also a bench in the waterfall viewing area. As an added bonus, there’s also a nice Columbia River view.
The next part of the route crosses a small footbridge and then an accessible boardwalk, before it splits into two trails. The trail to the right is the half-mile shortcut, and it’s a bit steeper than the longer route. The trail to the left winds along the Columbia River and then intersects with the shortcut, before it returns to the starting point for a 1.2-mile stroll. Although neither route is level, they both are accessible. And don’t forget to bring a hat, as there’s not much shade along the way.
Balfour Klickitat Loop
Balfour Klickitat Loop
The final trail on our north shore collection of wheelchair-accessible Columbia River hikes is the Balfour Klickitat Loop. From the Catherine Creek Universal Trail, continue east along Old Highway 8 for about 4.5 miles. The trailhead is on the left, and although it’s marked, it’s east to miss. If you hit Highway 14, turn around and backtrack for about .2 mile.
This land was originally farmed by the Thomas Balfour family in the 1800s, and remnants of the Osage orange trees they planted are still visible along the trail today. There’s accessible parking near the trailhead, with level access over to an accessible vault toilet.
The .75–mile wide paved trail winds through a meadow and offers a panoramic Columbia River view, complete with parasailers. There are turn outs along the way for wheelchair-users, and this is also a great spot for wildflower viewing in the spring. At about the halfway point there’s a single accessible picnic table on a pad, with plenty of room for a wheelchair. It’s a great place for a picnic as it’s tucked off the trail in a private cove, but still offers a nice river view.
The trail then crosses a small bridge and continues along the meadow, with a view of the peaceful Klickitat River. It’s a great birding place, and bald eagles are known to congregate here during the salmon run in January and February. When you reach a fork in the trail, bear left to the return to the parking area. Although there is some elevation gain there, it’s within code, with resting spots every 20 feet. It’s a pleasant trail, that’s definitely worth a stop while road tripping along Highway 14.
Stay a Spell
After you finish exploring the Balfour-Klickitat Loop, head out Highway 14 to continue your trek east. Alternatively, you can extend your stay and explore this less-touristed side of the Columbia River.
Maryhill State Park is located about 20 miles east of the Balfour-Klickitat Loop, and it’s a nice place to stop for a picnic or even spend a night or two. The Maryhill Museum, Maryhill Winery and Maryhill Stonehenge are also all worth a visit while you’re in the area. (emerginghorizons.com/linger-on-in-maryhill-state-park/).
Vista House on the Columbia River Waterfall Corridor
And finally, if you’d prefer to camp out, then check out Beacon Rock State Park. It offers a nicely accessible campsite, as well as a few accessible hikes. Either way these wheelchair-accessible Columbia River hikes only take a few hours, and the scenery is most definitely worth the slight detour.
Barrier-Free Travel Washington National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
In order to make their natural areas more accessible to wheelchair-users and slow walkers, a number of Texas state parks offer GRIT Freedom Chairs. The GRIT Freedom Chair is a cross between a manual wheelchair and a mountain bike, and it allows wheelchair-users and slow walkers to access rugged terrain or sandy beaches.
Built with mountain bike parts, the GRIT Freedom Chair has three wheels – two standard wheelchair wheels on the sides of the seat, and a smaller wheel in front of the chair. It’s easier to self-propel than a standard wheelchair, thanks to the lever handles installed on each side of the seat; however there are also push handles on the back of the chair for folks who need more assistance. Add in some all terrain tires, and you have a rugged wheelchair, built to tackle rougher terrain. And although GRIT Freedom Chairs are easy to transport, these Texas State Parks offer loaner models on site.
And the good news is, thanks to the popularity of these GRIT Freedom chairs, more and more Texas state parks are adding them to their inventory. So check out this updated list to see if any additional Texas State Parks offer these adaptive wheelchairs tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/accessibility/assistive-chairs.
Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers
Population 13,802
California City — which is smack dab in the middle of the Mojave Desert — is actually the third largest city in the state by land area. And although it spans 203 square miles, it has a population of just over 13,000 people. Compare that to San Francisco, which occupies 49 square miles, with a population of 885,000, and you begin to understand the vastness of this desert burg. And truly the big attraction — the desert tortoise — is found far outside of the populated section of the city, at the Desert Tortoise Natural Area. There’s a level parking area near a kiosk filled with interpretive exhibits, and barrier-free access over to the quarter-mile hard packed loop trail. Look for the tortoises near the creosote bushes that line the trail, as that’s where their burrows are located. There are also three other trails through the desert — the .5-mile Plant Trail, the .75-mile Animal Trail, and the 1.75-mile Discovery Loop — all of which are wheelchair-accessible. The best time to spot the tortoises is from March through May, in the early mornings or late afternoons.
Population 1,307
Fanning Springs is a great place to get away from the city. And there’s no better place to stay than in the Fanning Springs State Park (https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fanning-springs-state-park) cabins. One two bedroom cabin is wheelchair-accessible, and it includes a full kitchen and a bathroom with a roll-in shower. It also has a large wrap around screened porch that’s furnished with a picnic table, a swing, three rocking chairs and a small side table. And for added comfort on warm evenings, it’s also equipped with ceiling fans. There’s also an accessible boardwalk that winds through a cypress swamp, just a short walk from the cabin. The Palmetto Nature Trail, which winds through the forest, may also be doable for some wheelchair-users. And don’t’ miss the 32-mile Nature Coast Trail, which features barrier-free access along its length, with a trailhead just across the street for the state park.
Located in sleepy Mendocino County, just east of the hamlet of Philo, Hendy Woods State Park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=438) is home to an off-the-beaten-path wheelchair-accessible redwood grove. And although it’s easy to pass by this secluded park, it’s definitely worth a slight detour on any road trip along scenic Highway 128. Whether it’s for a picnic and a short stroll, a longer hike through the grove, or even a sleep-over in a camping cabin, a stop at Hendy Woods offers wheelchair-users and slow walkers an abundance of options.
Wander Through the Grove
All Access Trail in Hendy Woods State Park
There are several wheelchair-accessible hikes in Hendy Woods, but they all begin in the day use area parking lot. There’s accessible parking in the lot with level access over to the picnic area, where you’ll find several accessible tables under the trees. There’s also an accessible vault toilet near the parking area.
The shortest accessible trail begins on the other side of the picnic area. The .3-mile All Access Trail, is wide, level and doable for just about everyone. The hard-packed dirt trail, which winds through Big Hendy Grove, is lined with redwoods and ferns. The trail ends on the park road; and from there you can double back through the redwoods for a .6-mile hike, or roll along the paved park road back to the day use area.
The accessible Discovery Loop Trail, which branches off of the All Access Trail, is another good choice. This .45 mile hard-packed dirt trail travels through the grove for a nice .85-mile hike. And if you’re up for a longer stroll, then take the Upper Loop Trail which branches off the Discovery Loop for a nice 1.8-mile hike through the grove.
Camp in the Redwoods
Puma Cabin in Hendy Woods Redwood State Park
Although spending the day at Hendy Woods is a treat, there’s nothing quite like spending the night surrounded by the giant redwoods. And although the Azalea Campground offers four accessible campsites, the adjacent Wildcat Campground also boasts a comfortable wheelchair-accessible camping cabin.
The Puma Cabin (1), which is located right across from the visitor center, is pretty basic, but it will save you from pitching a tent. There’s accessible parking on a cement slab in front of the unit, with level access over to the front door. Although there’s a slight lip on the threshold, most folks can bump over it easily. Inside there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair around the bunk bed (double on bottom, single on top), wood stove, table and bench. Bedding is not provided, and you’ll definitely want to bring an air mattress or an egg crate, as the wooden bunks are bare – and hard. Outside there’s level access to a raised grill and an accessible picnic table.
There’s no water or plumbing in the cabin, but an accessible showerhouse is just a short roll away. Both the men’s and women’s sides include a accessible stall, roll-under sinks, and roll-in showers with grab bars, a lowered showerhead and a built-in shower bench. The pay slots for the showers are within easy wheelchair reach, and the accessible shower stalls also feature enlarged changing areas.
Accessible Shower and Toilet in the Showerhouse at Hendy Woods Redwood State Park
All in all the Puma cabin is a rustic but comfortable wheelchair-accessible lodging option. After all, how often do you get to spend the night in an ancient redwood grove?
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
, via Wikimedia Commons” width=”1000″ height=”667″ Sandhill Crane
Every fall Sandhill Cranes take to the Pacific Flyway in a mass migration from their breeding grounds in Alaska and British Columbia, to travel to their wintering areas in California. And one of their favorite places to winter is in the California Delta near Lodi. In fact, from October to February masses of these majestic birds can be seen feeding in the fields that line the roads of this rural agricultural area.
And to celebrate their yearly return, the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association presents the annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival. Now in its 26th year, the 2024 event will run from Friday November 1 to Sunday November 3, with most of the events happening over the weekend. And the good news is, not only are the festival venues wheelchair-accessible, but there’s no admission charge to many of the festival events.
Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival
The bulk of the festival events take place at the Hutchins Street Square Community Center in downtown Lodi. There’s barrier-free access to the building, with plenty of room for wheelchairs and scooters to maneuver. For a full schedule of the downtown exhibits and educational presentations, visit lodisandhillcrane.org.
The festival kicks off with the opening night reception on Friday evening. Attendees can nosh on hors d’oeuvres and sip beer and wine, and enjoy a program that includes the presentation of the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association Conservation Award. Top it off with a silent auction for a fun opening event.
The educational presentations about the life and habits of the Sandhill Cranes are a perennial favorite of festival attendees. These sessions include speakers, videos, and hands-on projects. And there’s even a few activities for kids. Additionally there’s a variety of vendors and exhibitors that focus on birding, wildlife, and of course the Sandhill Cranes. Box lunches will be on sale in the exhibit hall, while snacks will be available to purchase in the rotunda.
One of the highlights of the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival is the Art Show. There are two divisions. One division is photography and the other is fine arts, which includes oils, watercolors, pastels and sculptures. There are two subject areas within each division — Sandhill Cranes in California and other California wildlife in their natural habitat. There are lots of creative entries, and the best part is that the winners are picked by the attendees. So be sure and stop by and vote for your favorites.
Take a Tour
A more remote aspect of the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival are the local tours. Led by naturalist guides, these tours cover all aspects of the migratory cranes, and include a variety of landscapes. Although some tours are not a good choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers because of the rough terrain, several other tours are doable.
At the top of the list is the Consumnes River Preserve Guided Wetlands Walk. Led by Mary DuBose, this three-hour morning walk begins at the Consumnes River Preserve Visitor Center. It and includes a one-to-two-mile walk over a smooth level trail and some boardwalks. You’ll not only see the Sandhill Cranes on this walk, but also find a nice selection of ducks, geese, raptors and woodland birds along the way. There is a $20 charge for this tour.
The Crane Fly-In tours are also good choices for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. They take place at the North and South Units of the Woodbridge Ecological Preserve. These offerings include a short presentation, before the Sandhill Cranes descend en masse to their nightly resting spots. It’s quite a sight to see! Both the North and South Units have level access to a wheelchair-accessible viewing area for the program. The South Unit Tours are priced at $30, while the North Unit tours are $40. And if you’d like to get up early, there’s also a Fly-Out tour at the North Unit that’s priced at $45.
It’s important to note that all participants in the North and South Unit tours must also posses a current hunting or fishing license, or purchase a Lands Pass at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass.
For more information about the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival tour offerings, visit lodisandhillcrane.org/events-calendar, or e-mail your questions to tours@lodisandhillcrane.org.
Barrier-Free Travel California National Park Road Trips for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
Make no mistake about it, Staunton State Park (cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Staunton) includes some challenging physical access barriers for folks with mobility issues. That doesn’t mean you should cross it off your “to visit” list though. Quite the contrary, as track chairs are now available at this Colorado park. These all terrain wheelchairs make inclusive access a possibility for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Says Track Chair Program Manager Natalie Bostow, “The goal of our program is to help everyone experience the outdoors, and to enable wheelchair-users and slow walkers to enjoy hikes with friends and family. And the Staunton State Park track chairs are our means to accomplish that.”
An Innovative Program
The Staunton State Park track chairs are the result of a collaborative partnership. The Friends of Staunton State Park (friendsofstauntonstatepark.org) raised the funds to buy the track chairs, while the state park manages the program. To date, a robust group of volunteers have conducted more than 1,000 track chair hikes
The track chairs have tank tracks instead of wheelchair tires, which makes it possible to explore terrain that’s off-limits to standard wheelchairs. They can be operated with a joystick — either a golf ball, a tennis ball or a t-bar — which can be mounted on either side of the track chair. You do need some hand dexterity to operate these chairs; however if you can operate a power wheelchair, you can probably operate a track chair.
Suspension and non-suspension track chairs are available, but the suspension models offer much smoother rides. A car seat is also available, so small children over the age of two can utilize the track chairs. The track chairs can accommodate up to 350 pounds, and there are variety of transfer boards and a sling lift on hand to facilitate safe transfers. The track chairs will work for almost everyone; however because of safety issues they are not appropriate for someone who is 100% ventilator-reliant.
And the track chair rules are pretty simple. All track chair users must be accompanied by a companion as well as a volunteer. After a short orientation the volunteer will walk behind the track chair, so they can jump in to help out if the user can’t manage things. Generally speaking though, the volunteers are there for support and they try to let users be as independent as possible.
Take a Hike
The Staunton State Park track chairs are free, but reservations are required. They can be made online on the Staunton State Park reservation form. They are available from June to October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations open for the season on May 1, so plan ahead as they fill up quickly. And if you have any questions, just call (303) 816-0912.
When you get to the park, follow the signs to the Meadow Parking Lot. There’s accessible parking in front of the track chair garage, and an accessible picnic table next to it. There’s also an accessible vault toilet in the parking lot.
The track chairs have a battery range of about eight miles, but volunteers usually keep the hikes to four or five miles, just to be on the safe side. All of the track chair trails depart from the Meadow Parking Lot.
The most popular track chair trail is the Davis Ponds Trail, which is a 2.7-mile beginner trail with some stream crossings. There’s an accessible fishing pier and a picnic table at the mid-point, and adapted fishing poles are available at the track chair garage.
The more advanced 2.3-mile Mason Creek Trail includes some rock obstacles, but it also includes a peaceful meadow and stone house ruins. The longest and most difficult track chair trail is the 3.5-mile Staunton Ranch Trail, which travels through aspen filled meadows and offers a great view of Pikes Peak.
The track chairs also come with a backpack that has rain gear, additional water, tools and a blanket, but track chair-users are asked to bring water, medication, additional clothing layers, a seat cushion, a hat, sunblock and glasses. And don’t forget to pack along a lunch as there are a number of pleasant picnic spots to stop for a break throughout the park.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
Make no mistake about it, Staunton State Park (