August 2024
The day I stopped the museum and other buildings were closed but I was able to walk around the cemetery. There is a lot of history there. A couple of the buildings I was able to look inside and this appears to be an interesting stop. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stop again and the buildings will be open.
You can see a few of my photos on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836&sk
White Tail and Old Kate Loop
August 3, 2024
This is a very popular trail so I arrived early at sunrise and was able to cover almost all of the trail without seeing many people. It is rated an easy trail and I would agree. There are parts of the White Tail trail that will be hills and rocks but it is easily transversed.
Upon arriving, there is a flower bed, picnic tables, and an old jail to see. There are restrooms somewhere but I didn’t find them. I traveled the trail by going to the left or counter clockwise. Shortly into the hike, you will come to the waterfall. When I was there, it did have a little water flowing. You are able to walk up and around to the top and come down on the opposite side. It can be a little steep and rocky doing this. Along the trail, there are benches to sit and enjoy the scenery, animals, or peace and quiet. There aren’t many signs to help guide along the path but you should be able to figure out which way to go.
I did see some racoons and was able to get pretty close to a family of deer. A buck, doe, and two fawns. There is also the Blue Bird Trail that is another easy path to follow. It will intersect with the Old Kate Loop.
All in all and very nice easy trail to enjoy.
You can see more of my photos from my visit on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836
Mindenmines, Kansas
September 11, 2021
Today I participated in a guided hike to see the bison, or as most people call them buffalo, at Prairie State Park. The guide was very informative and the hike very short so when we reached the bison and the guide turned back to the visitor center, I and a few others continued on down the trail.
I did not get close to the bison as that can be very dangerous but I kept them in sight and continued on the path that went to the west and curved around and came up north of the visitor center. Eventually I came to a road which lead back to the parking lot.
This is mostly a grass trail and during the rainy season could be very wet and possibly be tick infested. I would rate the trails as easy.
Overall, it was a nice day to get outside and enjoy nature and see bison in the wild.
You can see more of my photos from the day on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836&sk
December 24, 2024
Today’s hike was a last-minute outing and am I so very glad that I went. The original plan was to do the 5 mile Cedar Niles Columbine Loop but as usual when I start following the trails, I get a little side-tracked and want to cover more than planned. (I’m already there, might as well. Right?)
At the “B” marker, you can go to the right and follow the Billy Goat Trail but today I chose to go to the left and follow the Columbine trail clockwise. The trail is nice larger and flatter rocks with a little dirt sometimes. You will travel through the trees and then you may come to a little clearing. There is an overlook just passed the intersection where the Scapegoat trail/trailhead sign is. You can see quite a distance from the ledge.
When I came to the Columbine Bypass and Columbine Trail intersection, “F”, I chose to stay on the Columbine Trail at this time. When I reached the “J”, I took the Tech Loop. The Tech Loop is a harder trail than the Columbine, which is rated as a moderate trail. The Tech Loop trail is narrow and has lots of ups and downs but it also has some nice rock ledges. When I finished the Tech Loop, I did walk back to the “J” intersection so I didn’t miss anything.
Between “L” and “M” I encountered several deer in the area. When I reached the car, I followed the Columbine ByPass trail to where it meets the Columbine Trail and turned back around and at the car, once again, continued along the Columbine Trail. When I once again came to the Columbine Trail and Billy Goat intersection, I followed the Billy Goat trail to the open ledge area near the Scapegoat trail/trailhead sign. The Billy Goat trail is also a harder and narrower trail. At the ledge, I turned back around and went back to the parking lot.
Following my route today I did about 9 miles. You can download a map of the park and see where all the letters are and it will kind of give you an idea of the trail I traveled. My trail had me seeing the letters in this order: B, C, E, F, J, L, M, N, H, I. I think it might be fun to go back another day and try to follow the letters in order and see that route.
The parking lot for the trailhead is a nice size and has a port-a-potty and water station. This is a very popular trail area for hikers and bikers. I was the first one there today but when I left, the parking lot was completely full. I had the trail mostly to myself and about half way through I started encountering others on the trail. Also, because I started out early, about sunrise, the trail was pretty solid but as the temperatures began to warm and the trails became busier, the trails became wet and muddy. The wet conditions were due to the snow, ice, and rain that had been in the area previously. I did check with the Johnson County Parks website and made sure that the trail was going to be open. The Urban Trails of Kansas City also shows trails that are open and closed.
There is also a paved trail that starts at the parking lot. I’m not exactly sure how far it goes but I was able to see it when walking on the Columbine Loop and the Billy Goat Trails. A nice alternative if the trail happens to be closed.
Overall, a very nice hike and I would recommend.
There are a few more photos of the things I came across along the trail on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571357578836
