2012
Trail reviews
and photos
2011
Trail reviews
and photos
New
trails at Wyandotte
Hillsdale Lake
2010
Trail reviews
and photos
Chautauqua
Hills Trail System
November 01, 2011
This delightful, singletrack series is located at Cross Timbers State Park
in
Southeastern Kansas. This fall, mother nature brought draught conditions and
while the region
retains is peaceful beauty, its plentiful sandstone rocks, lichen and moss have
lost their luster and vibrant color due to the dry conditions. Fall colors prevailed
despite lack of rain and crowds were non-existent in late October. Also on the
plus side, there were no pesky insects, but also little wildlife. Lake Toronto
has been lowered to allow dam repairs underway.
There are three color-coded, connected loops that can be hiked separately, or
can be combined or even hiked one way if you have two vehicles. Be sure to download
the park map before you go to make sense of it all. With a trail map in hand,
the system is very easy to follow even under the cover of fall leaves and it
is
very well marked with corresponding, paint blazes on the trees. Hiking
boots are highly recommended because of all the trip obstacles and rocks hidden
by the leaves this time of year. Even without leaf cover, the sandstone may be
slick in periods of moisture.
The blue loop is just a mile and a half and can be accessed directly from Toronto
Point at Cross Timbers State Park. It crosses a wooden bridge then follows the
Miller Creek Arm of the lake providing views of the rocky shoreline across the
lake and loops back through some grasslands and woods.
The yellow trail is linear and can also be accessed from Toronto Point. It is
two and a half miles one way for a total of five miles. Unlike the other loops,
the yellow trail does not follow the lakeshore but meanders behind the cove.
You
may
expect
it
to
be less scenic, but on the contrary, short sections of the yellow trail offer
views
of
the open, rolling, golden prairie from the edge of the woods. Mostly shaded,
the trail wanders some steep ravines and provides sandstone slabs and boulders
on
which
to break and enjoy immersion in the rocky, oak woodlands. With no understory
to
speak of, this trail is a great choice for mountain biking, although no cyclists
were on the trail today.
The west red loop is closer to the secondary trailhead found on Coyote Road or
it can be accessed after 2.5 miles on the yellow trail. The west red loop is
three and a half miles long and was the most scenic section with open lake views,
rolling terrain, natural beaches and prairie areas as well views of the cabins
perched across the lake.
If you aspire to hike the entire system, I recommend starting at the secondary
trailhead on Coyote Road (east of Toronto Point on K-105). You will first tackle
the red trail and connect to the yellow accumulating 4.5 miles. With a leisurely
pace and snack breaks, the hike takes a little over 2 hours. The trail ends in
Toronto Point campgrounds, where you can refill your water and use the restrooms
before returning for a hike just under nine miles. There are no amenities at
the secondary trailhead and only space for four to five cars.
The park map shows the East Red trail resting in "other public lands" which
indicates hunting is allowed. Based on trailhead signage, the East Red trail
is a three mile loop and is also accessed from Coyote Road.
The Chautauqua Hills Trails system features three backcounty, walk-in campsites.
With permission, backpackers can reserve these primitive but exclusive sites
for coveted solitude.
Open to hikers, cyclists and backpackers, everyone can enjoy the dazzling lake
with a sandstone shoreline and the rolling, boulder and oak-covered hills of
southeast Kansas.
Directions: Take I-35 to exit #155 and proceed south for 38 miles on US 75. At
Yates Center, turn right on U.S. 54. After 12 miles, make a left on K-105. At
the town of Toronto, turn south on Point Road.
Note: Most recently, the state park has established a canoe / kayak water trail.
Ask about a brochure that corresponds with blue trail markers posted in the lake
arm.