Take cover on these made-in-the-shade hikes in KC
When temperatures heat up, outdoors enthusiasts must adapt and improvise.
By Roy Harryman
Publisher
Summer in Kansas City is glorious, with clouds marching across clear blue skies and green hues in all directions. But summer can also be miserable, with the sun’s rays and humidity frying us every time we step outside.
The extreme heat of the season puts nature enthusiasts in a bind. We want to enjoy the outdoors, but there’s a price to pay (though I think it’s usually worth it). I’ve written about ways to make the most of hiking in heat in this post. However, that article doesn’t give any tips on where to hike during the dog days of summer. So let me share a few of my favorite shady trails. These generally keep you clear of the sun while also avoiding tick-infested, swampy environments.
Northland
Clay County: Briarcliff Greenway, Kansas City
This paved trail is about one mile each way and is almost fully shaded. Several elevated boardwalks and wildflowers are highlights.
Platte County: Line Creek Streamway Trail, Kansas City and Riverside
Large portions (but not all) of this lengthy trail are shaded and follow a clear stream, which is home to several waterfalls.
Central
Jackson County: Lake Vista Trail, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit
This mostly gravel trail is wide and winds around an eastern bay of Blue Springs Lake. There are a few exposed areas, but these can be avoided by choosing a different trailhead. If you want to complete the 5-mile loop, it will require walking across the completely exposed bridge on Woods Chapel Road (but this is optional).
Kansas
Johnson County: Indian and Tomahawk Creek Trails
Combined, these paved and popular trails are almost 30 miles in length. The environment varies from wooded to open fields to backyards. There are many shaded sections of both trails. For simplicity, I recommend:
The Forest Creek Park Section of the Indian Creek Trail.
The Leawood City Park section of the Tomahawk Creek Trail.
Forest Park on the Indian Creek Trail
Leawood City Park on the Tomahawk Creek Trail
The Flint Hills Trail
If you’re willing to head a little further west, the Flint Hills Trail offers a scenic and shaded section along the Marais Des Cygnes River under towering, wooded bluffs. This begins at the trailhead at at 339th St. and Pressonville Road in Osawatomie.
I hope you find some of these options helpful. If you can recommend others, please let me know at hike@kchiker.com. Wherever you travel, stay hydrated and take care of yourself so you can live to hike another day.