AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 4 lakes

3.7 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 1 hr 15 min

Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 4 lakes is a 3.7-mile out-and-back near Des Moines, IA. The route passes Raun Reflection Garden, Pond for Growth and Pond for Prosperity. It is mostly level, with 28 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi781 – 843 ft4.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Neal Smith Trail 41.60764, -93.60850
Nearest town Des Moines, IA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 4 lakes

3.7 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 1 hr 15 min

Elevation 780–844 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Neal Smith Trail · 41.60764, -93.60850

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:15 PM

Transit-accessible: E 14th St & E Washington Ave stop 655 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Neal Smith Trail, heading S.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  3. 0.7 miPass Raun Reflection Garden.
  4. 450 ftPass Pond for Growth.
  5. 50 ftPass Pond for Prosperity.
  6. 300 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  7. 50 ftTurn right onto John Pat Dorrian Trail, heading SW.
  8. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Principal Riverwalk, heading S.
  9. 200 ftSharp left, heading S.
  10. 0.5 miTurn left onto Meredith Trail, heading S.
  11. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Principal Riverwalk, heading S.
  12. 50 ftBear right onto Meredith Trail, heading S.
  13. 100 ftTurn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Trail, heading S.
  14. 50 ftBear right onto Meredith Trail, heading S.
  15. 0.2 miReach Pond for Growth, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 0.2 miBear left onto Martin Luther King Junior Trail, heading SE.
  17. 50 ftTurn right onto Meredith Trail, heading SE.
  18. 150 ftBear left onto Principal Riverwalk, heading SE.
  19. 50 ftContinue straight onto Meredith Trail, heading SE.
  20. 0.2 miTurn right onto Principal Riverwalk, heading NW.
  21. 0.5 miTurn left, heading N.
  22. 250 ftContinue straight onto John Pat Dorrian Trail, heading N.
  23. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  24. 0.8 miTurn left onto Neal Smith Trail, heading NE.
  25. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/birdland-lagoon-pond-for-growth-out-back-7-lakes-7-km

Trail surface

41% paved5% boardwalk54% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:02 AMSunset 7:15 PM

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: E 14th St & E Washington Ave stop 655 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Neal Smith Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Des Moines, Iowa