Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 2 – The Balcony
Enjoy the view of the Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area and the distant Pikes Peak.
Listen to discover how the two far apart formations are connected.
Transcript:
From the balcony of Fountain Creek Nature Center, you have a stunning view of Pikes Peak in the west the towering mountain has been called many names over the years. The Utes may have called it Tava – Sun Mountain, and the Arapahoe may have called it Heey-otoyoo’- Long Mountain, American Explorer Zebulon Pike called it Grand Peak but it is his name we know the peak by today. Pikes Peak is the top of the Fountain Creek Watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water that’s under it or drains off of it collects in the same place. Water from snow melt rushes down the east side of Pikes Peak, the water slows down as it comes to the plains and begins to meander across the landscape, forming Fountain Creek. Fountain Creek is the spine of our watershed. All the water from rain, snowmelt, and smaller creeks in our watershed eventually flow into Fountain Creek. The creek brings life to the 5 distinct habitats here in Fountain Creek Regional Park and Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area. Hike the nature loop trail to explore the creek, woods, wetlands, meadows, and ponds that provide food, water, and shelter for many native wildlife. Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area is a safe place for wildlife to rest. Keep habitat intact by staying on the trails and walking your dog only on the regional trail accessed through Willow Springs Ponds or Duckwood Active Use area.