A special event to introduce more users to the Panorama West Nature Trail is planned for Sunday, June 4. Friends of Lake Panorama encourages LPA members and guests to ‘take a hike’ on the trail during that day. Bottled water, coffee and cookies will be available in the Panorama West golf course clubhouse from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Trail visitors are invited to stop in during those hours before or after their hike.
A total of $5,000 from the 2021 Beach Ball was committed by the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors to the Panorama West Nature Trail, plus some private donations were received. A volunteer task force identified portions of an existing trail being used by a limited number of people and the Panorama school’s cross-country track teams to create this designated nature trail.
In late October 2022, seven posts with directional signage and a trailhead sign were installed, plus two benches. Parking is in a cul-de-sac at the end of Nicholl Drive, which intersects with Panorama Road just south of the Panorama West clubhouse. Signs pointing to the trail were installed on the same post as the Nicholl Drive street sign.
The trailhead sign at the end of Nicholl Drive features a drawing of the trail. Users are encouraged to take a photo of the drawing to help guide them on the trail. Users also are encouraged to begin their hike at this location, rather than attempting to join the trail from the north, because no trail markers have been placed at previous access points
At the three-quarters mile mark, there is an optional three-quarters of a mile loop. Those who use the official trail, plus the optional loop, will complete 2.25 miles. The trail winds through grassy open areas and timber, and does not cross any portion of the golf course or roadways. For safety reasons, and in compliance with current LPA rules, users of the trail may include hikers, runners, cross-country skiers and dogwalkers, but no motorized vehicles.
By this fall, the Panorama Community Schools cross country team will be practicing and competing on a new trail on Lake Panorama’s south shore. The cross country trail will begin on school property, continue onto the south shore for much of the course, and loop back to end on school property. This will be part of a larger trail system that is in the works for the south shore.