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A very enjoyable, challenging trail for Kansas runners.


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Map Key

2.2

Miles

3.5

KM

92%

Runnable

892' 272 m

High

842' 257 m

Low

277' 84 m

Up

269' 82 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Views · Wildlife

Description

The trail is very rewarding with a fantastic view of the dam area across the lake from a 50-100' up view.

The run is a long one, so don't start it too late in the day or take a flashlight. It would be ideal if you could leave a car at the endpoint and drive back to the start of the run near the spillway. Also, wear proper footwear. I ran into some runners coming from the camping area in flip-flops and they were not working well for them.

The run has three major lake coves crossings. The day I did the trail, the lake was at 801 feet elevation and the crossings were a small creek to cross. There was tree debris in each cove that made me look at historical elevation data for the lake (flooding was bad in May 2019) and it was up to 829 feet. These coves would be impassable in those times, please use caution if running when the lake is up. Lake elevation information is at swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ELKC.…

Flora & Fauna

Armadillos, deer and song birds.

I only saw armadillos while on this trail, but I heard many birds and enjoyed the experience very much.

Contacts

Shared By:

Andy Cramb

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#9150

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#49

in Kansas

#9,150

Overall
3 Views Last Month
385 Since Feb 29, 2020
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Photos

This is the lake view you've been looking for!
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
Another great view of the lake!  Be careful here though, I'm standing above an area that has slumped and fallen off into the lake; that's why there's no trees in front of this shot.
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
This lake was up 30' higher than this picture in May of 2019. Here's remnants of that flooding. Do not hike this trail when the lake is up.
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
I hiked this about three days after it had rained and while it was dry at the entrance, there are some places where the water seeps out of the hillside and really muddies up the trail.
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
This is a flatter part of the trail, there are some pretty steep climbs in here.
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS
This lake was up 30' higher than this picture in May of 2019.  Here's remnants of that flooding.  Do not hike this trail when the lake is up.
Mar 29, 2020 near Indepen…, KS

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