Wilbert's Way

From the Oxbow parking lot, cross the train tracks and head east towards the Animas River. The first loop of this route that is closest to the river is overgrown with over head-high willows. The trail pops out at the river edge a couple of times before gaining a few feet of elevation onto the river bank. Contour around an oxbow bend in the river and arrive at a green gate. No dogs or bikes are allowed beyond this point. From the gate, enter more open terrain with huge cottonwoods providing shade for benches. If doing the larger loop in the counter-clockwise direction, you'll go through some more open fields, then areas overgrown with tall willows. Pass along a fenceline and get a few glimpses of the river. Close the upper loop through more cottonwoods and arrive back at the green metal gate. Stay right at the fork on a wider gravel trail. You soon return to the parking area. Named for Paul Wilbert, beloved Durango landscape architect who helped plan, build and fundraise for many area trails, open space and the Children's Museum / Science Center. Wilbert died in 2016.