Eastern Mojave Vegetation Welch Ditch, Jefferson County, Colorado  
 

Tom Schweich  
Home Page  The Welch Ditch, which first carried water in 1871, was constructed to supply water to Colorado School of Mines when the school was located at the current Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center. It was later extended as far as Smith Reservoir near the intersection of Kipling Park was and West Jewell Avenue.

Other articles:
• Peaks to Plains Trail:  at Welch Ditch head gate;  

Head Gate.

The plan is to install a suspension bridge from the head gate across to the Peaks to Plains Trail.

 

Waste gate.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 2311, 3 Jun 2020;  

Jamesia americana on the cliff above the trail.

 

Narrow steep scramble above the trail.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  20210408;
Full Size ImageHornwort on cliff at Welch Ditch  

Small hornwort on cliff.

Other articles:
• Climbing Access Trail:   at Welch Ditch;  

Junction: JCOS Climbing Acess Trail

Take this trail to go down to the Peaks to Plains Trail and cross the Grant Terry Bridge.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 2315, 3 Jun 2020;
Full Size ImageWhere I found Cotoneaster lucida … thanks to Cindy.
Full Size ImageColl. No. 2315, Cotoneaster lucidus  

Unnamed gulch with flume for gulch runoff.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 2316, 3 Jun 2020;
Full Size ImageHesperis matronalis in the ditch.
Full Size ImageWhat the well-dressed botanist wears while chasing noxious weeds in the grass.  

Location of Coll. No. 2316, Hesperis matronalis

 
Golden s.l. below.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 2451, 5 May 2021;  Coll. No. 2452, 5 May 2021;
Full Size ImageColl. No. 2451, Acer negundo
Full Size ImageFlower of Coll. No. 2452, Acer glabrum  

Plants of Jefferson County Open Space
Jefferson County, Colorado
Sapindaceae

Acer negundo L.  Box Elder Maple.

Clear Creek, Jefferson County, Colorado. Mouth of Clear Creek Canyon, south side of the canyon, i.e., north-facing slopes, along the Welch Ditch, on berm of ditch, 2.2 km. west of the GNIS location of Golden. 39.7519°N, 105.2403°W. WGS 1984 Elev. 1777 m. Staminate flowers. Collection location is in both Golden s.l. and Clear Creek Canyon Park of Jefferson County Open Space. Variety interius if infraspecific names are to be applied.

Collected by permit: Jefferson County Open Space, 2021, issued: Apr 1, 2021, to: Tom Schweich.

Tom Schweich 2451. 5-May-2021

Full Size Image
Emerging leaves and inflorescence of Coll. No. 2452, Acer glabrum		 Full Size Image
Coll. No. 2452, Acer glabrum

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  3 Jun 2020;

Locations: Welch Ditch.
Full Size ImageGolden from the Welch Ditch.  

Jefferson County above …

Concrete lid at scree slope.

City of Golden below …

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  Coll. No. 2318, 3 Jun 2020;  

Holodiscus

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  20210408;
Full Size ImageWaste gate on Welch Ditch.  

Waste Gate

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  3 Jun 2020;
Full Size ImageLots to see in this photo.  

Intersection of US 6, CO 58 and CO 93.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  29 May 2022;
Full Size ImageEvolvulus nuttallianus seen along the Welch Ditch  

Dirt access road.

Other articles:
• Chimney Gulch Trail:   at junction;  

Junction: Chimney Gulch Trail

 

Cross under US Highway 6

 

Cross under Illinois Street

 

Cross under S. Golden Rd

 

Leave Golden city limits

 

Cross under I-70

 

Smith Reservoir

If you have a question or a comment you may write to me at: tas4@schweich.com I sometimes post interesting questions in my FAQ, but I never disclose your full name or address.  

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Date and time this article was prepared: 3/17/2023 4:55:46 PM