AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 5 lakes

2.9 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 1 hr

Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 5 lakes is a 2.9-mile out-and-back near Des Moines, IA. The route passes Raun Reflection Garden, Pond for Growth and Pond for Prosperity before reaching Lauridsen Fountain at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 81 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi787 – 873 ft3.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.60052, -93.60898
Nearest town Des Moines, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 5 lakes

2.9 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 1 hr

Elevation 787–872 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 41.60052, -93.60898

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:13 PM

Transit-accessible: E 14th St & E University Ave stop 704 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Neal Smith Trail, heading SW.
  4. 0.7 miPass Raun Reflection Garden.
  5. 450 ftPass Pond for Growth.
  6. 50 ftPass Pond for Prosperity.
  7. 300 ftTurn left, heading S.
  8. 50 ftTurn right onto John Pat Dorrian Trail, heading S.
  9. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Principal Riverwalk, heading SW.
  10. 250 ftBear right onto Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge, heading S.
  11. 300 ftContinue straight onto Principal Riverwalk, heading W.
  12. 450 ftPass Lauridsen Fountain.
  13. 150 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  14. 450 ftReach Pond for Growth, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge, heading S.
  16. 350 ftBear left onto Principal Riverwalk, heading N.
  17. 200 ftContinue straight onto John Pat Dorrian Trail, heading SE.
  18. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  19. 0.8 miTurn right, heading NE.
  20. 0.1 miArrive 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/pond-for-growth-pond-for-prosperity-out-back-7-lakes-5-km

Trail surface

49% paved51% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:03 AMSunset 7:13 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:53 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:13 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:41 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: E 14th St & E University Ave stop 704 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Des Moines, Iowa