Trail Description.

Running between Ottawa and Iola, KS, This 51-mile trail hard packed limestone is relatively and fun easy to assemble. It offers to attract attention panoramic views, near and far out. Both sides of it are filled with rows of tree cover, plants and wildflowers, tall grass, and sumac and cedar numerous evergreens. It was developed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP).

Several sections are heavily wooded with partial and complete canopies, while others are open to the prairies and agricultural viewpoints, ie, grazing cattle with hay fields, corn, sorghum, Milo, soybean, sunflower, and tall grasses (big bluestem, India, switch, and buffalo). The trail is dotted streams, rivers, bridges, ponds, slews, and small lakes. It also has a few strong embankments to be aware that while driving.

Where the corridor of forest or grassland borders undeveloped, much wildlife can be seen sooner or later in the day, such as bobcats, turkeys, coyotes and deer, plus the abundance rabbits, squirrels, snakes, green corridors, turtles and lizards throughout his career. The abundance of tiles, doves, flickers, woodpeckers, hawks, quail, ducks, geese, and small birds can also be seen along this road. In autumn, berries, persimmons, apples, cover, and nuts are plentiful.

Cities and basic rules.

In the big cities of Ottawa, Garnett, and Iola, where there are several cafes and accommodation, the road is paved. In Garnett, who is also lit at night. Many local walkers use these sections. The trail is open during daylight hours, except for some parties within the city limits of large cities. Basically, camping or motorized vehicles except wheelchairs and patrol vehicles, firearms, no hunting, and no alcohol are allowed on the road corridor itself. At road crossings, the wooden doors are published with the path information and path names.

Trailheads.

Your trailheads eight, some of them located in small public parks, have the roof covered picnic tables on concrete slabs. Seven have outside water sources. Six have stations pay $ 3.50/day to mount beyond the limits of the city paved. Five of them have well-built bathrooms, four of them are open to From mid-April to mid October. The Garnett, that of a renovated Santa Fe Depot with running water and bathrooms inside, one plus one central information is open all year. SAG is also a popular stop eating, or for organized charity rides. The average distance between the trailheads is 7.1 miles.

Details Trailhead (north to south).

1. Ottawa. Old Museum tank w / water fountain outside at the north end of the business district across the Marais des Cygnes River. places to eat in the Main Street business block to the east of the road. 1 ½ miles Further south, a path of limited park w / picnic area just south of ^17th Street.
2. Princeton. W full path / bathroom, outdoor water fountain, and picnic areas. W gas station / convenience store and pizza on Highway-59, three blocks east of the road.
3. Richmond. Full Path. Restaurant-out grocery on Hwy-59, five blocks east of the road.
4. Garnett. Full Path in the tank. Places to eat in the square in front ½ A-Block ANDA road west of Highway-59 in the west.
5. Weld. Full Path.
6. Cologne. Full Path. A restaurant in Midtown-block east of the track.
7. Carlyle. Footpath Limited W / bath and table Picnic, a waterless fountain.
8. Iola. W public park with water fountain near the pay station, without bath. Two cafes on the street the park; Othera outlets nearby.

Due to the distance between several cities wide apart and well constructed trailheads, the Prairie Spirit Trail is ideal for walks or rides of any length up to 102-mile round trip or more. Residents of Kansas, eastern and western Missouri are fortunate to have a safe well-maintained way in which nature and views of the prairie are seasonally pleasant and refreshing. Yes, Italian is held.

For more information about rail-to-trails and Kansas trails, see the following sites.

1. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy http://www.railstotrails.org/index.html

2. Kansas Cyclist Kansas Bicycle Trails http://www.kansascyclist.com/trails

Part 3 Carp Camp TVP Winfield KS Walnut Valley Festival 2006