“When people talk about trails in Colorado they don’t typically think of the eastern half of the state,” Tyler Sewald, a 2:24 marathoner from Greeley, explains. “What the eastern plains lack in elevation, they make up in history, scenery, and long flat running routes. The often overlooked Great Western Trail between Windsor, Severance and Eaton is no exception.”
Sewald tells us about the Great Western Trail, aka the GWT, for the December VFuel Colorado Trail of the Month.
The GWT begins in the fast-growing community of Windsor, and is a short 10-15 minute drive from Fort Collins. The best place to park to access the trail is the Windsor Lake parking area. Windsor Lake provides a paved 1.5 mile path that circles the lake. The GWT is an off-shoot trail beginning in the Greenspire neighborhood on the north side of the lake loop and heading north on Saratoga Drive. Signs for the GWT are prominent on each corner intersection pointing you toward the trail. After running through the neighborhood you will find yourself on a paved path for approximately ½ mile until the pavement ends and a crushed rock surface trail begins.
Users can also access the trail at Weld County Road 74 near Fourth Street in Severence. And, at Weld County Road 37 (Cheyenne Street) just north of Fifth Street in Eaton.
The GWT is a Rails-to-Trails project. The trail was built over the raised rail beds of the Great Western Railway, a railroad system that was active from 1905 through 1977 hauling sugar beets and passengers between the towns of Eaton and Windsor. The trail crosses two train trestles that still stand and makes its way over 12.5 miles of farmland making it a perfect place for long runs, tempos, and mile repeats. Few trails pass through wide open, unfenced agriculture as the GWT. Runners are often rewarded with spectacular vistas of the mountains and occasional crossings of pheasants, deer and overhead flights of geese as they take to the corn fields to feed.
When many trails are too busy, too paved, or weather conditions make for poor footing, the GWT is always the perfect place to run. Seldom are there more than a couple of other users on the trail and when the roads are too icy, muddy or wet to run, the raised surface and porous surface of the trail makes for a perfect running surface that is clear and dry.
The most commonly used portions of the trail are from Windsor to Severence, a 5.2 mile stretch. For those runners looking to add mileage to their runs, the trail ties into the scenic and well maintained Poudre River Trail and the Windsor city trails. The Great Western Trail Authority, the managing organization of the trail, is continuing to connect portions of the trail between Eaton and Severance. Some portions of the trail in these areas may be under construction or closed.
A long run or hard workout on this beautiful trail demands a visit to the public swim beach at Windsor Lake where you can cool off in the lake and rest on the sand. The city of Windsor also provides free outdoor showers. Recovery must also include re-hydrating at the High Hops Brewery in Windsor or a hearty refueling lunch at Bruce’s Bar in Severence, the home of the world famous Rocky Mountain Oysters. You might notice the welcome sign entering Severence: “Where the Geese Fly and Bulls Cry.”
VFuel
Not only is VFuel based out of Estes Park, but seriously, their gels and drink mixes are the best tasting on the market. Tyler Sewald agrees.
Past VFuel Colorado trails of the month:
November – Intemann Trail, Manitou Springs
October – Hell Roaring Ridge to Capitol Pass Traverse, Aspen
September – Elk Park/Needleton Loop, San Juan Mountains
