Best Local Trails

Transportation topics in KC
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20042
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Best Local Trails

Post by DaveKCMO »

Since the lockdown began, we've been spending a lot more time on trails. Just walking/hiking. What are your favorites? Here are some that we've done:

- Landahl Park Bike Trails (dirt, great for hiking, our favorite so far), Blue Springs
- Bonebender Trail (flat, paved, not a lot of shade), Smithville Lake
- Bridle Trail (not great markings, dirt, but good for hiking), Wyandotte County Lake
- Big Bull Creek Park (great for hiking, some paved sections), Edgerton
- Blue River Trails (lots of cool water views, dirt), KCMO
- Rock Island (paved, but the tunnel is very cool), KCMO/Lee's Summit
- Mill Creek Streamway (paved section from Wilder Drive), Shawnee
- Line Creek Trail (south from Line Creek Community Center, paved, very nice), KCMO/Riverside

Tasty Goodness Trail, at Landahl Park:

Image

Bonebender Trail, Smithville Lake:

Image

Bridle Trail, WyCo Lake:

Image
User avatar
Eon Blue
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1124
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:28 pm
Location: Downtown KCMO

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by Eon Blue »

Weston Bend State Park has some nice trails, both paved and dirt. You can grab some great views of the river from bluff tops and one trail takes you into Weston proper. Some time in the park is a nice component of a day trip to Weston.
flyingember
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 9862
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:54 am

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by flyingember »

Martha Lafitte in Liberty.
About 4 miles of trails all intnerconnected. Easy to do a short hike and visit the center.
Part follows the old interurban with a great view of the Historic bridge.


Parkville Nature Santuary. Two different experiences within each loop.


Hidden Valley Park. Best map is the mountain biking one. Interesting three mile loop that reaches below 152 on the far end. Amazed there’s a ravine that deep you can’t see from anywhere else.
User avatar
Anthony_Hugo98
Valencia Place
Valencia Place
Posts: 1932
Joined: Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:50 pm
Location: Overland Park, KS

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by Anthony_Hugo98 »

To be honest, I’m quite fond of the Indian creek trail, although some municipalities don’t maintain their sections as well as others, It’s an awesome trail for any type of distance.
gfisch95
Parking Garage
Parking Garage
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:07 pm

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by gfisch95 »

The wife and I have enjoyed the Little Blue Trace Trail quite a bit. It's very conveniently located for us and long enough we can choose different sections to shake things up a little bit.
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20042
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by DaveKCMO »

First visit to Kill Creek Park over the weekend. Nice trails, but only a sliver of them is shaded. The new tower is pretty cool, although the scenery from up top is kinda meh.

Image

Image

Image
User avatar
Highlander
City Center Square
City Center Square
Posts: 10169
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by Highlander »

Anthony_Hugo98 wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 1:24 am To be honest, I’m quite fond of the Indian creek trail, although some municipalities don’t maintain their sections as well as others, It’s an awesome trail for any type of distance.
I've noticed this on maps. Is it good for cycling? Are there a lot of street crossings?

Biking is the sport I'll be depending on to stay in shape during retirement but I want as little car-bike interaction as possible (I rode extensively in Houston and someone I know of was constantly getting injured by automobiles). Indian Creek and Mill Creek look great on the Kansas side. Anything on the Missouri side for any distance?
User avatar
normalthings
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:52 pm

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by normalthings »

Highlander wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:22 pm
Anthony_Hugo98 wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 1:24 am To be honest, I’m quite fond of the Indian creek trail, although some municipalities don’t maintain their sections as well as others, It’s an awesome trail for any type of distance.
I've noticed this on maps. Is it good for cycling? Are there a lot of street crossings?

Biking is the sport I'll be depending on to stay in shape during retirement but I want as little car-bike interaction as possible (I rode extensively in Houston and someone I know of was constantly getting injured by automobiles). Indian Creek and Mill Creek look great on the Kansas side. Anything on the Missouri side for any distance?
Rock Island. Line Creek. 152 Highway.
User avatar
GRID
City Hall
City Hall
Posts: 17083
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:20 pm
Contact:

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by GRID »

Highlander wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:22 pm
Anthony_Hugo98 wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 1:24 am To be honest, I’m quite fond of the Indian creek trail, although some municipalities don’t maintain their sections as well as others, It’s an awesome trail for any type of distance.
I've noticed this on maps. Is it good for cycling? Are there a lot of street crossings?

Biking is the sport I'll be depending on to stay in shape during retirement but I want as little car-bike interaction as possible (I rode extensively in Houston and someone I know of was constantly getting injured by automobiles). Indian Creek and Mill Creek look great on the Kansas side. Anything on the Missouri side for any distance?
I used to ride the Little Blue Trace a lot in Independence and Lee's Summit. The JoCo trails are nice too though. KC does have some pretty good suburban trails.
User avatar
Anthony_Hugo98
Valencia Place
Valencia Place
Posts: 1932
Joined: Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:50 pm
Location: Overland Park, KS

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by Anthony_Hugo98 »

Highlander wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:22 pm
Anthony_Hugo98 wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 1:24 am To be honest, I’m quite fond of the Indian creek trail, although some municipalities don’t maintain their sections as well as others, It’s an awesome trail for any type of distance.
I've noticed this on maps. Is it good for cycling? Are there a lot of street crossings?

Biking is the sport I'll be depending on to stay in shape during retirement but I want as little car-bike interaction as possible (I rode extensively in Houston and someone I know of was constantly getting injured by automobiles). Indian Creek and Mill Creek look great on the Kansas side. Anything on the Missouri side for any distance?
Depending on the municipality you have both subterranean and at grade road crossings, the further east you’ll get it seems to get to quite a few road crossings, but most of the major roads are separated crossings. It’s fantastic for biking as a lot of the trails are very wide. And there are further extension plans west to connect into Olathe trail infrastructure. I haven’t been on the trail in nearly 4 years though as that was the last time I was stateside, but I can’t imagine much has changed.
User avatar
rxlexi
Penntower
Penntower
Posts: 2290
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 10:30 pm
Location: Briarcliff

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by rxlexi »

Biking is the sport I'll be depending on to stay in shape during retirement but I want as little car-bike interaction as possible (I rode extensively in Houston and someone I know of was constantly getting injured by automobiles). Indian Creek and Mill Creek look great on the Kansas side. Anything on the Missouri side for any distance?
It's been mentioned, but I'll add further detail re: Line Creek trail up north. Runs from the inner Northland in Riverside (Argosy Casino) all the way up to 152 Hwy, where you can pick up the east/west 152 trail. It's paved, runs through some interesting and very pretty scenery (particularly in the northern stretches) with some subtle hills. From the Argosy, you can also get onto the Missouri Riverfront Trail, which runs on top of the levee through Riverside northwest all the way over to Parkville, and will eventually connect to the beautiful English Landing Park there (currently stops a couple hundred yards short due to issues with the Railroad). There is no shade on top of the levee though, so that's something to keep in mind on the hottest summer days.
User avatar
normalthings
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:52 pm

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by normalthings »

rxlexi wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:03 am
Biking is the sport I'll be depending on to stay in shape during retirement but I want as little car-bike interaction as possible (I rode extensively in Houston and someone I know of was constantly getting injured by automobiles). Indian Creek and Mill Creek look great on the Kansas side. Anything on the Missouri side for any distance?
It's been mentioned, but I'll add further detail re: Line Creek trail up north. Runs from the inner Northland in Riverside (Argosy Casino) all the way up to 152 Hwy, where you can pick up the east/west 152 trail. It's paved, runs through some interesting and very pretty scenery (particularly in the northern stretches) with some subtle hills. From the Argosy, you can also get onto the Missouri Riverfront Trail, which runs on top of the levee through Riverside northwest all the way over to Parkville, and will eventually connect to the beautiful English Landing Park there (currently stops a couple hundred yards short due to issues with the Railroad). There is no shade on top of the levee though, so that's something to keep in mind on the hottest summer days.
Levee trail near Parkville is closed due to a participating landowner having equipment stolen.

The “missing segment” that you refer to was due to the Parkville Boat Club not wanting to play ball. I think the new plan is to build a paved trail along 9 highway.
flyingember
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 9862
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:54 am

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by flyingember »

https://twitter.com/LCLoudmouth/status/ ... 4138455041

Sounds like it was a railroad issue that may have been solved

Looks like work is continuing up the side of MO 45. Good expansion of the network in Platte County
auntbigdog
Pad site
Pad site
Posts: 65
Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:08 pm
Location: North End

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by auntbigdog »

Roanoke Park has volunteer-built trails all around it.
https://www.roanokeparkkc.org/plans/trails

Maybe it's less wild than you're looking for, but I do love Cliff Drive/Kessler Park. It's been my pandemic sanity saver.
User avatar
rxlexi
Penntower
Penntower
Posts: 2290
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 10:30 pm
Location: Briarcliff

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by rxlexi »

The “missing segment” that you refer to was due to the Parkville Boat Club not wanting to play ball. I think the new plan is to build a paved trail along 9 highway.
The missing connector segment between the Missouri Riverfront Trail in Riverside and English Landing Park in Parkville is nearly complete (open by spring). Paved path running alongside the railroad tracks and MO Hwy 9, as noted above. Will make for a nice long loop along the river in warmer months, connecting a levee trail, some wooded bottomlands, and a vibrant city park. Excited to see this come to fruition so quickly and hoping it brings more users to the Riverfront Trail.
bchociej
Ambassador
Posts: 80
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:02 pm
Location: Mission

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by bchociej »

Highlander wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:22 pm
Anthony_Hugo98 wrote: Tue May 26, 2020 1:24 am To be honest, I’m quite fond of the Indian creek trail, although some municipalities don’t maintain their sections as well as others, It’s an awesome trail for any type of distance.
I've noticed this on maps. Is it good for cycling? Are there a lot of street crossings?

Biking is the sport I'll be depending on to stay in shape during retirement but I want as little car-bike interaction as possible (I rode extensively in Houston and someone I know of was constantly getting injured by automobiles). Indian Creek and Mill Creek look great on the Kansas side. Anything on the Missouri side for any distance?
Living out south, I used to ride the loop formed by the Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trails, and it was fantastic. Almost all street crossings were grade separated, IIRC. Of all things, I'll never forget how good the floral blooms smelled in spring through the Corporate Woods stretch
City Council Member for Ward 4 in Mission, KS
bchociej
Ambassador
Posts: 80
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:02 pm
Location: Mission

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by bchociej »

rxlexi wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:06 am
The “missing segment” that you refer to was due to the Parkville Boat Club not wanting to play ball. I think the new plan is to build a paved trail along 9 highway.
The missing connector segment between the Missouri Riverfront Trail in Riverside and English Landing Park in Parkville is nearly complete (open by spring). Paved path running alongside the railroad tracks and MO Hwy 9, as noted above. Will make for a nice long loop along the river in warmer months, connecting a levee trail, some wooded bottomlands, and a vibrant city park. Excited to see this come to fruition so quickly and hoping it brings more users to the Riverfront Trail.
Speaking of missing connections, if we got:
  • Indian Creek to Trolly Track connection
  • The missing MO-9 stretch
  • Better connectivity from the Plaza to Heart of America
we'd be flirting with uninterrupted trails from the southern bit of KCI all the way out past Garmin to 159th in Olathe.

Turkey Creek to downtown via Southwest Blvd is another tragic stretch of underdeveloped trail. I'd also love to see Turkey Creek's collapsed portion in far north OP connect through the inner NE JOCO suburbs to Midtown.
City Council Member for Ward 4 in Mission, KS
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20042
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by DaveKCMO »

KC River Trails (the nonprofit that built/oversees the Riverfront Heritage Trail) has a renewed focus on expansion, starting with a connection along the Missouri River to the Blue River trail system.
scooterj
Ambassador
Posts: 6020
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2003 1:30 pm
Location: Northmoor
Contact:

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by scooterj »

bchociej wrote: Sat Feb 06, 2021 11:55 pm Living out south, I used to ride the loop formed by the Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trails, and it was fantastic. Almost all street crossings were grade separated, IIRC. Of all things, I'll never forget how good the floral blooms smelled in spring through the Corporate Woods stretch
This is the one thing I miss about living in JoCo. I would ride that every weekend. It's been more than 18 years since I lived there and that smell came right back to me when I read your comment.
User avatar
Highlander
City Center Square
City Center Square
Posts: 10169
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Best Local Trails

Post by Highlander »

scooterj wrote: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:17 pm
bchociej wrote: Sat Feb 06, 2021 11:55 pm Living out south, I used to ride the loop formed by the Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trails, and it was fantastic. Almost all street crossings were grade separated, IIRC. Of all things, I'll never forget how good the floral blooms smelled in spring through the Corporate Woods stretch
This is the one thing I miss about living in JoCo. I would ride that every weekend. It's been more than 18 years since I lived there and that smell came right back to me when I read your comment.
I've been enjoying these two trail systems since moving back to KC earlier in the year. I'm out almost every day that has been suitable weather wise. The Johnson County trails can get very crowded on weekends so recently took the trail system the other way into Missouri. Quite the contrast. While the trails are decent, they are in a much greater state of disrepair and the area is much wilder - fewer homes and more expansive urban wilderness as the Blue River is approached. What struck me was the existence of homeless camps, associated trash and homeless folks along the trail immediately after crossing State Line into KCMO. Other than that, it was a fairly enjoyable trail system with a lot fewer users than the Kansas side.

On both sides of the state line, I've been surprised by the number of electric-assist bikes. I guess I'll never understand why that is a big thing on a trail system meant more for exercise than for transportation? The speed at which some of these riders passed pedestrians was a little scary.
Post Reply