Welch Ditch

Eastern Mojave Vegetation	Welch Ditch, Jefferson County, Colorado
	Tom Schweich

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.

Suspension Bridge

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

Other articles:
• Field Notes: 14 May 2023;
Viola canadensis beside the Welch Ditch.

Viola canadensis nestled up against the wooden side of the ditch (I guess it's actually a flume at this point.)

Other articles:
• Field Notes: 14 May 2023;
Cascade coming from Windy Saddle.

One of several cascades running in mid-May 2023.

Stairs down to 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;
Hornwort 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;
Where I found Cotoneaster lucida … thanks to Cindy.
Coll. No. 2315, Cotoneaster lucidus

Unnamed gulch with flume for gulch runoff.

Other articles:
• Field Notes: Coll. No. 2316, 3 Jun 2020;
Hesperis matronalis in the ditch.
What 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;
Coll. No. 2451, Acer negundo
Flower 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

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

Coll. No. 2452, Acer glabrum

Other articles:
• Field Notes: 3 Jun 2020;

Locations: Welch Ditch.
Golden 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;
Waste gate on Welch Ditch.

Waste Gate

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

Intersection of US 6, CO 58 and CO 93.

Other articles:
• Field Notes: 29 May 2022;
Evolvulus 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: 9/18/2023 5:09:43 PM