November 2021 will forever be remembered by Kaitlyn Yonke. Kaitlyn ran all 71-miles of the High Line Canal trail in under 10 hours to support The Lockwood Foundation, which creates opportunities for those with limited mobility to access the trails and mountains in a way only community can. Kaitlyn had a community of her own to support her in completing this feat. Read her full story:
This past November, I chose to run the entirety of the High Line Canal trail for a local organization that helps persons with disabilities get out into the outdoors (The Lockwood Foundation). This amazing organization takes people up 14ers, through the Colorado wilderness and through other parks they may not see because they are in a wheelchair. For this project, I asked friends to join me along the way and every mile was shared with friends and family. I finished the last three with my dad who has MS and uses an adaptive bike to recreate. I picked the Canal because of how accessible it is and how easy for those in chairs and other adaptive devices to use. My memory is that entire day!
I drive a ton for work and pass by several entrances to the Canal and different parts of it from Waterton Canyon to Green Valley Ranch, and every time it gets me. I ran that entire path in a day, and even more, I remember the people who showed up for me and helped me and were a part of the cause.
The High Line Canal Conservancy is committed to making the Canal accessible for all. In 2021, we completed an accessibility audit on four trailheads located on the southern section of the Canal – County Line Road Trailhead, Elati Street Trailhead, DeKoevend Park and Miliken Park. We enlisted Topher Dunham and Dakota Anderson from Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks to help pilot the program. With their expertise and guidance, the Conservancy has developed a checklist and rating system to help people with physical disabilities or reliance on mobility aids gauge the level of ease or difficulty for getting onto the trail. Initial trailhead audit finds will be included in the reprint of the Guide for the High Line Canal (coming fall of 2022). The Conservancy also has formed a partnership with Craig Hospital, working with their recreational therapists to use the Canal as a resource for their patients and families. The Conservancy hopes to continue this work, conducting a full accessibility audit of the Canal, including all 27 segment starts and trailheads.
