2012
Trail reviews
and photos
2011
Trail reviews
and photos
New
trails at Wyandotte
Hillsdale Lake
2010
Trail reviews
and photos
Prairie
Spirit Trail
September
2
This 51-mile, converted rail trail in rural Kansas is a special delight for anyone
accustomed to crowded suburban trails. The trail runs south from Ottawa through
small (sometimes micro) towns along US 59. An extension was recently completed
from Welda to Iola providing 20 new miles of trail to explore. On a holiday weekend,
we began our ride from Iola north through Carlyle to Colony and only crossed
paths with one family that day. Sunflowers were out in force, the temperature
was an accommodating 78 degrees with a brisk breeze and blue sky stretched as
far as the eye could see.
The new Iola trailhead begins at Cofachique Park on State Street with plenty
of parking available. There are picnic shelters, but no restroom. As the trailhead
is in a commercial area on a fairly busy street, you can find accommodations
in town. The trail begins on asphalt and crosses State Street, then turns north
and heads through town for a short distance before turning to crushed gravel.
The surface is well packed and smooth, in very good condition despite heavy rains
two days prior. It quickly enters a natural area with thick brush, sumac, wildflowers
and trees which create a blind. Trees sometimes form tunnels and provide shade.
Occasional clearings give way to views of farmland and ranches dotted with cattle
and reflective watering holes. Decorative bridges span substantial creeks. Butterflies
play in our draft, often following us down trail. Lizards dart across the trail--gone
before your eyes can even focus on them.
The Carlyle trailhead lies a meer 4.5 miles north of Iola. A small gravel lot
and very clean primitive restroom has been installed. A covered picnic table
rests in a grassy lot within view of a barn and silo. It's another 5.5 miles
to the trailhead at Colony which is substantial with a couple of covered picnic
shelters and a restroom with a water fountain. A carnival was in full swing and
we could see a fairly large crowd from the trail as it meandered the edge of
town. Although the new section of trail continues north for another 10 miles
to Welda, we turned around here. There is a temporary detour just south of Welda
where bridge construction forces cycles onto country roads for an extra four
miles of riding.
For hikers who want to explore this new section of trail, I recommend beginning
at Carlyle and walking to Colony. You'll have full amenities at each end of the
hike and pleasant, natural scenery in between. Visitors can pay the trail fee
of $3.50 per day at any of the trailheads.
Directions to the new Iola trailhead: Take U.S. 54
through Iola and turn north on State Street. Cofachique park is on
your left.