15 min
Overview
North of Highway 26 in Bethany, the Waterhouse Trail continues along a powerline corridor through a series of parks to connect with the Stoller Creek Greenway and Rock Creek Greenway. Raised boardwalks cross wetlands and creeks where walkers can pause to scope for waterfowl, perching birds, raptors, and nutria. Beavers are also present but rarely seen during the day. From your car, walk back to Bronson Road, and bear right on the sidewalk. Then turn right onto the two-lane paved bike trail that runs under the powerlines in Waterhouse Linear Park. You’ll pass a couple of thicketed storm water swales and cross Avondale Drive. Soon the pathway begins to dip as it crosses Audrey Drive to reach the curving raised boardwalk that passes through the extensive wetlands at Bronson Creek. There is much habitat here for various creatures. A red-tailed hawk may be stationed on a tree limb or power pylon. A solitary great blue heron could be posed, statue-like, at the edge of a pond. Red-winged blackbirds tinkle in the marshes. Common waterfowl here include mallards, green-winged teals, wigeons, and hooded mergansers. Beaver sign, in the form of gnawed alders and willows, is abundant, but the large rodent you’re likely to see is the exotic nutria. Continuing up from the wetland, the trail crosses Joscelyn Drive and Paisley Drive. The path splits under pine trees and crosses Somerset Drive to enter John Marty Park. You’ll pass a play area and then a community garden on your left before crossing Charlais Street. The route descends over the dead end of Tucson Street and passes another play area. Then you’ll enter another wetland of cattails and alders to cross a footbridge over a small creek. The trail rises past outdoor basketball hoops to pass through a hedge and reach West Union Road. Turn left to cross Oak Creek Drive, and then use the crosswalk to get over West Union. From here, the path continues along a narrowing corridor with the Claremont Golf Course to your right. Cottontail rabbits squeeze back under the fence at
Trail Stats
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74 m
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Photos
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350px-WaterhouseStollerCreekMap
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250px-Wigeon_pair%2C_Bronson_Creek%2C_Waterhouse_Trail
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400px-Near_the_Rock_Creek_Greenway%2C_Stoller_Creek_Trail