Five epic hikes for 2024
Don’t let winter’s blast get you down. Pour a cup of coffee, dream, then plan your spring escape.
By Roy Harryman
Publisher
Sure, right now we’re sitting under a forecast of cold and snow. But soon enough, the season will change and new horizons will open. I enjoy the planning and anticipation as much as the hike itself. In that spirit, here are five epic hikes to put on your 2024 calendar.
Road trips
We’ll start with the most adventurous options. A road trip to Kanopolis State Park and the Elk River Trail will each take about three hours. These border on the ragged edge of day hiking and may require an overnight stay.
Kanopolis State Park
Explore canyons and red rock formations in the shadow of great figures of the past. This where the West begins.
Elk River Trail/Elk City State Park
The 15-mile Elk River Trail appears to have been transplanted from some other state and dropped into southeastern Kansas. Giant rock outcroppings, wooded hills, the Elk River and a reservoir provide the backdrop to this challenging hike.
Local Trails
Olathe’s Cedar Creek Trail begins at Lake Olathe and a waterfall, then follows Cedar Creek through wooded terrain. The trail is being extended to connect with Cedar Lake. It just keeps getting better.
Lake Jacomo’s Augie Trail is perhaps Kansas City’s most scenic. This nearly 14-mile mountain bike trail feels like it’s an extension of the Ozarks.
It's local, urban and awesome. We’re talking about Kauffman Legacy Park and the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. These two entities are adjacent to each other and feature a lake and beautifully cultivated native plants. The Gorman Center also offers an indoor exhibit created with school kids in mind.
There you have it: Five excellent hikes to explore Kansas City and beyond once we hit spring thaw. In addition, there are more than 100 local trails on our website. Carpe diem!