I rode my normal route this morning, and then having extra time since it was the weekend, I rode on down the Meadowlark Trail.
It’s been recently “surfaced” and by that I mean the previously rocky and somewhat difficult to ride trail has been covered with a layer of very hard packed dirt. It’s very similar to the dirt roads around here. Maybe a bit smoother, and certainly with less gravel. Good riding condition, even on my road bike!
I rode the full mile down to Smoky Valley Road before returning. The trail is open through to Shawnee, but reverts to a less finished surface the last two miles. Rough enough I use a dirt bike when riding the full length of the trail!
Below are a few photos from the ride, highlighting the trail as well as the new rest and view area that was constructed where the trail meets the Smoky Hill River.
There’s a great view there, but the edge was somewhat dangerous; I know I was always very careful when I would stop to take photos.
The facility is well built, includes a bench for resting, and really doesn’t block the view of the river. There are gaps in the slats so you can see through them as you ride by,and if you stop and walk up to the viewing area, the river looks great as shown in one of the photos below.
