RecumBum

I rode the entire length of the Mill Creek Streamway today, from the 119th & Northgate trailhead in Olathe to the Kansas River, and back. This is advertised as a 17-mile trail, but I found it to be about 15. I had a total of 34.44 miles, and a little more than 4 miles of that was city streets before and after the trail.

But regardless of the length, riding this trail was a wonderful experience. It’s paved with asphalt for the entire distance (except for a few brief segments where there was some construction activity), and the surface is excellent. There is only one street crossing (at 11th street); the trail passes under all other significant streets.

The only exception is at Johnson Drive, toward the north end of the trail. At this point the trail leaves the asphalt and takes to a concrete sidewalk as it passes over Mill Creek, and continues on the west side of the creek, on to the river. The trail was not well marked at this point, and I was initially confused as to which way to go. But I eventually found my way.

I encountered quite a few people on the trail, enjoying the pleasant morning, including bikers, joggers, walkers, and even an inline skater. The wildlife was out in the warm morning air as well. I saw seven deer (including a fawn), squirrels, rabbits, hawks, cranes, a turtle, a lizard, and a small snake. Regardless of the number of people on the trail, there were several long sections where I encountered no one at all.

The terrain is quite varied, with sections passing thru prarie, woods, and wetlands. There are numerous short bridges that pass over gurgling creeks, and several brief tunnels. There are flat sections, and numerous rather steep sections as well. I had to push my bike up a number of short but severe hills, and took advantage of the numerous benches to break for water and food.

The one thing this trail does not offer is services. There is no easy access to convenience stores, though there are some stores a few blocks off the trail, if you know where to look. However, there are several trailheads that offer restrooms and water fountains.

By the time I’d completed my loop the temperature was climbing into the low nineties, and I was sweating and tired. My average speed for the day was only 11.73 MPH. But riding this trail was great fun, and I look forward to doing it again, perhaps this fall when the leaves start to turn. Highly recommended.