Why Trails? Why not? The road is the road. Sure-- it's smooth, it's consistent, that old reliable friend that will always be there for you. But what about that OTHER friend? You know, that one that you always take some "bail money" when you go out with her? Because you just never know what's going to happen? That's the trail. Unpredictable. Maybe you will find a new path. Maybe you will see a deer. Maybe you will fall on your face. Maybe you will get a little bit lost. It probably won't go as planned, but that's kind of the point. Shake it up. When I am "trail running", I let go of mile splits and distance. I see things. I listen to different music, or none at all. I go out with my other friend. The road will always be there for me when I get back. -Molly Derner
Why trails? I started trail running this past June with a group that was training for the Pikes Peak Marathon. I wasn’t running it, but I figured I could benefit from the group runs. Before that, all of my miles were logged on pavement. I enjoyed running, but I didn't really get hooked until I took it to the trails. I started hiking and backpacking several years ago, but it practically requires a 3 day weekend or more to plan a trip worthy of giving me my fix. Trail running is like a concentrated version of backpacking, only I get to cover more distance in a much shorter amount of time. There is nothing better than being out on the trails navigating the dirt, roots, and rocks. The more technical the trail the better. Just relax and find that mental space where the only thing you think about is your foot placement. To me, nothing is more freeing. -Denzil Jennings
Why trails? Good question. I would certainly have an easier time answering “Why not trails?” After all, I don’t fall on pavement. I don’t end up with black toenails, rolled ankles, cuts, bruises or scrapes. On pavement, I can see the finish before I get there, and I’ve never gotten lost while doing a paved run for the tenth time. I can’t say the same about trails. So, why trails? It’s really a question I can’t answer. For me, the attraction can’t be identified, quantified, or qualified. It just is. All I know is this - for every runner who runs a trail and disgustedly announces he’ll never do that again, there are ninety-nine who finish their first trail wondering how they had missed out on that exhilaration for so long and when they can come back. Somewhere in that collective experience lies the answer. You can try to identify it yourself, or you can just trust me… it’s there. -Frank Evans
Big Thank You to Molly Derner, Denzil Jennings, Kristen Strange, Frank Evans,
Bethany Murray & Drew Beaty for your literary contributions!
Below is a list of area trails and corresponding websites.
This Trail Key can also be found in the Group Files.
North Side of River
KATY Trail: 237 miles across state, double track, gravel, flat, many access points, many scenic views and connections to other trails
Klondike Park: ~ 6 miles with KATY trail access, multiple loops, asphalt, packed dirt, overlook
Matson Hill Trail: 2.5-7.4 miles with KATY access if you take the Matson Hill Road up to trail head, main trail loop feeds into secondary loop and out and back option, all trails are packed dirt or rock shelf with minimal roots, elevation change is gradual with clean forest floor and tall old growth trees
Weldon Springs
Lost Valley: 10.5 miles, loop with gravel service road, single track meadow, 2 sections of single track, gravel and packed dirt, connection to Hamburg Trail
Hamburg Trail: 3 miles Point to Point, double track gravel service road, connects the KATY Trail to Lost Valley
Lewis and Clark: 5.3 miles on Clark Trail or 8.2 for both Lewis and Clark loop, single track, gravel, packed dirt, some elevation gain, overlooks
East of Washmo
Shaw Nature Reserve: 14 miles, asphalt, double track gravel, single track, system of 3/4 mile trails and service roads with multiple scenic views and Meramec river access
Greensfelder: 7.8 mile DeClue Point to Point, 2.6 mile Dogwood Valley Loop, 3.4 mile Eagle Valley Loop (3 main trails), several adjoining trails/service roads, almost entirely single track, switchbacks, elevation climbs, creek crossings, gravel and packed dirt paths
Rockwoods Reservation: ~ 13 miles (4 small trails and a difficult climb to connecting Greensfelder on the Green Rock Trail), some paved, stairs, bridges, single track, gravel, rock shelf and packed dirt trail
Rockwoods Range: ~ 10 miles (4 trails), all difficult single track trail, gravel, rock, packed dirt, creek access, connectors to Greensfelder and Rockwoods Reservation
Missouri State Park
Al Foster Trail: 5.5 miles, point to point, crushed rock double track with multiple connectors
Zombie Road: 3 miles, point to point, paved or gravel double track
Bluff View: 2.5 miles, point to point, accessed from Al Foster, steady incline to overlook, packed dirt, roots, rocks
Chubb Trail: 6.5 miles, point to point, open spaces, single track and technical challenges
Stinging Nettle Trail: 2.5 miles, point to point, connects Al Foster along the Meramec to Sherman Beach
Castlewood
Castlewood Loop: 3 miles, entire length in flood plain, river/farmland views
Cedar Bluff Loop: 2.25 miles, highest point in the park
Grotpeter Trail: 3.75 miles, challenging elevation changes
Lone Wolf Trail: 1.5 miles, bluffs and drop offs next to river
River Scene Trail: 3.25 miles, grand staircase
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