-
27 Nov ' 19:33
Hike the Fitch Natural History Reservation December 5 - 1:30pm Dr. Henry Fitch was an ecology professor at KU who owned a large tract of property north of Lawrence where he encouraged students to conduct research. We'll be hiking a total of about four miles. The first trail is a nature trail with the opportunity to learn about fires and grassland, microclimates, geology, and wildlife. The second trail will climb up a ridge to an overlook of the Kansas River Valley. Since the Fitch property is an ecological research area, no pets are allowed. Map: www.ksr.ku.edu/assets/newtrailsmap.082510.pdf Directions from I-70 at the Lawrence East Exit: Go north about 0.5 mile and turn east on US 24/40. Go 1.5 miles east on US 24/40. Turn north (left) onto Douglas County 1660 E Road and travel for a mile, following the road over Mud Creek and turning left on 1600 E Road at the junction with 1900 N Road. Continue north on 1600 E Road past another road intersection, going around curves and across another bridge. After about 1.5 miles, you'll see a stone gate entrance on the right to the Fitch Natural History Reservation at 2060 1600 E Road. Park across the road. Bring water and snacks. For anyone interested in returning via Lawrence, an early dinner at La Parilla on Mass Street is an option. Contact Lynn to sign up. Contact: Lynne at lbeatty@jccc.edu Holiday Hike and Soup Dinner December 12 - Hike at 2pm, Dinner at 4pm Part 1 Join us for an invigorating hike to celebrate winter and the holiday season. We will start at I-Lan Park at 125th and Nall in Leawood, KS then proceed east along the Tomahawk Creek Greenway or Streamway Park. We will return the same way, so if you're late you can still meet up with us. It's an asphalt path. This is probably our easiest hike of the year. We will hike regardless of the weather, so come prepared. Contact Dave Brackey at dbrackey@att.net or 913.541.0581 if you have questions. Part 2 After the hike, come over to the Solenbergers for soup. Please bring soup or a side dish to share and your singing voice. Please RSVP and let us know what you will bring: 913.541.1889. Directions: The dinner will be held at 5702 W 128th St. Overland Park, KS 66209. From I-435 and Nall Street exit, proceed south to 128th St. Turn right (west) on 128th and we are the third house on the left side of the street. Annual Holiday Party December 18 - 5:30pm 'Tis the season of partying! Join your fellow hikers at the Annual Holiday party on Saturday December 18. Our social hour begins at 5:30 with appetizers and dinner at 6 PM. Again this year it will be at the Lakeview Townhomes Club House located at 13700 W. 58th Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66216. From Johnson Drive, turn north on Pflumm, west on 58th Terr. The club will provide two types of meat for our main course, along with coffee, iced and hot tea. Please bring ...
- A dish to share. In order to avoid too much of a good thing, please bring the type of dish listed according to the initial of your last name: A-C appetizer, D-K salad, L-P side dish, Q-W dessert..
- A beverage if you would like something other than coffee or tea.
- Wrapped white elephant gift if you want to take part in the gift exchange following dinner.
- Canned goods: With the financial crisis, food pantries are extremely low. Please bring canned goods to help those in need of a meal.
Before the gift exchange starts, we ask that everyone participate in the clean-up of the club house. Linda Pfingsten was gracious to reserve the club house in her name with the responsibility of ensuring the entire facility is cleaned. This will ensure KCOC receives the deposit made and allow us to come back next year. Let's all pitch in to help.
Contact: Susan at 816.756.3160 or Dorene at DoreneDisbrow@yahoo.com
Ice Skating at Crown Center
December 19 - 1pm
We will skate from 1 to 3 PM. Dinner afterwards ar Panera Bread. Regular admission is $6, or free for adults over age 60 and children under 5. Skate rental is $3 or skaters may bring their own. Crown Center is located at 2450 Grand Blvd in Kansas City, MO. Questions? Call Mike.
New Year's Day Hike: Loose Park/Trolley Trail & More
January 1 - 1pm
We'll continue the tradition started by Tim Gabisch, welcoming the New Year with a healthy, hardy start! Let's meet at the Loose Park pavilion on Wornall Road. We'll spend this first day of 2011 walking a large loop which will include circling Loose park, the Trolley Trail and surrounding neighborhoods. Plan on a 2-2.5 hour invigorating winter afternoon! Our reward afterwards will be Waldo Pizza at 75th & Wornall Road.
Contact: Joy at 913.488.7180 or joyous@kc.rr.com
Hike Monkey Mountain Nature Preserve
January 15 - 10am
We will hike the South trail, a 3.5 mile loop on unpaved trails. Take I-70 east to the Grain Valley exit. Turn south on Buckner-Tarsey Rd then turn south on old Hwy 40 to parking lot/picnic area. Questions? Contact Brett.
Contact: Brett at brettinop@gmail.com
-
25 Oct ' 11:26
Veteran's Day Hike at Bluff Woods Conservation Area November 11 - 11 AM (meet to carpool) Spend a crisp fall day on a 2 to 2.5 hour hike in the woods. This is a moderate dirt trail and boots are recommended. The conservation area is a half-hour north of Weston. We will carpool from Cabela's at 11 AM (South Parking Lot L). Contact: Mike at 816.942.0711
-
20 Oct ' 20:57
Hike Burr Oak Woods Nature CenterOctober 23 - 10am We'll begin by hiking the Wildlife Habitat Trail. Meet at the trailhead which is at the SE corner of a parking lot south of Park Road, about .2 mile after you enter the park. This is a 1.5 mile loop trail. We'll hike for 2-2.5 hours, then eat lunch on the east side of Kansas City. Burr Oak Woods, managed by the MO Dept. of Conservation, is mostly forested, but it also features established prairies, restored glades and savannas, numerous ponds and creeks, and scenic limestone exposures. Directions: Drive east on I-70 to Missouri Route 7. Go north on Route 7 about 1 mile. Turn left onto the Park Road. (Burr Oak Woods is 18 miles east of downtown KC in Blue Springs, MO.) Carpool: At 9:20 meet on the Target store in Mission, just east of Metcalf and north of Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Drive to the far west side of the parking lot. Contact: Joy at 913-488-7180 or joyous@kc.rr.com -
08 Oct ' 01:09
http://www.mostateparks.com/bothwell.htmWeekday Float Trips Beginning Oct 6 I am going to canoe the lower part of the river from Hermitage, Mo. 8.6 miles downstream to the second cross timbers boat ramp. This is a slow and easy river. The maps show some bluffs and steep hills on the route so should be scenic. I have another canoe available or you can bring a kayak or canoe. We will meet in Peculiar, Mo. at 7:15 a.m. to car pool and start day trip and returning to Peculiar about 6 p.m. I plan on paddling other rivers on Wednesdays during October and another weekend day trip. Call me for info or directions and to sign up. Oct 17 - 8:30am Kill Creek Trail Clearings Oct 16 & 24 Two dates have been chosen for the autumn trail work on the Kill Creek hiking trails. Saturday, October 16 at 8:45 AM - park in Lot 1 and we will cover the north trails. Sunday October 24 at 1:15 PM - park in the boat ramp lot and we will cover the south trails. Bring water and snacks if you wish. The work normally takes about three hours. I should have all the tools we will need - loppers and saw. Kill Creek Park can be reached from the Kill Creek exit on K-10 near Desoto. Contact: Dave at dbrackey@att.net or 913.541.0581 Perry Lake Trail Clearing November 6 - 8am Saturday November 6 is the day to return to Perry for what should be the traditional trail clearing of lopping, sawing, blazing, etc. We'll be with the Sierra Club that day. Not completely sure of our work area at this time, but I'm hoping for the area near the north end of our section 1 which was last cleared two years ago. Anticipate leaving KC about 8 AM and returning in late afternoon. Carpools can be arranged since Perry is about 15 miles northwest of Lawrence. I have most tools, but if you have a lopper you are attached to, you can bring it. Bring water and lunch. I expect to have the usual mega-calorie breakfast at the IHOP located at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch at about 7 AM.
Contact: Dave at dbrackey@att.net or 913.541.0581
Lights on the Plaza
Dec 4 - 3:15pm
The Clay-Platte Trackers Walking Club will be offering another wonderful opportunity to explore the Country Club Plaza and surrounding areas on Saturday, December 4 with our annual Lights on the Plaza walk. The walk will include the Westport area and will pass the Vietnam Memorial. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City Art Institute and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art will be among the notable sights. Dave and Laura Anderson, members of the KCOC Club and the Clay-Platte Trackers, will be leading a 10K (distance of 6.2 miles) at 3:30 p.m. from the All Souls Unitarian Church located at 4501 Walnut. This is an AVA (American Volkssporting Association) officially sanctioned walk. The walk will take approximately two hours at a brisk pace and should provide a perfect opportunity to see our world-famous County Club Plaza Lights.
Refreshments of hot drinks and cookies will be offered at the start point. Maps for the route will be provided at check-in. Parking will be as available on the street in the surrounding area of thestart point. The walk is offered to the community at large and is not limited to Clay-Platte Trackers or KCOC members. If you wish to walk with Laura And Dave please join us by 3:15 to allow proper time to get registered with both the Outdoor Club and Trackers before starting out. We will have an invigorating outing starting out promptly at 3:30. More information can also be obtained by going to the Clay-Platte Trackers web site: http://www.ava.org/clubs/clayplatte.
See you there!
Contact: Laura or Dave at 816.587.4491 -
01 Oct ' 16:48
Weekday Float Oct 6 - 7:30am I am going to canoe the lower part of the river from Hermitage, Mo. 8.6 miles downstream to the second cross timbers boat ramp. This is a slow and easy river. The maps show some bluffs and steep hills on the route so should be scenic. I have another canoe available or you can bring a kayak or canoe. We will meet in Peculiar, Mo. at 7:15 a.m. to car pool and start day trip and returning to Peculiar about 6 p.m. I plan on paddling other rivers on Wednesdays during October and another weekend day trip. Contact: Jim at 913.369.3861 to sign up.
-
20 Sep ' 16:40
AnnouncementDue to a scheduling conflict, the deadline for the October newsletter will be pushed back to Sept 27. Members may not see the October issue until the second weekend in October. Please use the weekly email to make announcements as necessary.
-
14 Sep ' 16:20
Hiking the Flint Hills: Part II Tuesday
(CANCEL) How about hiking Black Hoof Park at 11 AM instead?? -
09 Sep ' 03:19
Hiking the Flint Hills: Part II Tuesday (Date changed for weather) September 14 - 8am You will need a good pair of close-toed shoes or boots and a way to carry water and snacks. Bug spray and sunscreen highly recommended. I will provide lunch for the picnic. Participants will meet at Bass Pro Shop: 12051 Bass Pro Dr., Olathe, KS 66061. We'll meet to carpool at 8 AM, collect money and form carpools. The drive takes about 2 hours with a short restroom break. The cost is $20 per person and includes a guided bus tour, lunch, and gas money for volunteer drivers. We'll head for home by 4 PM to arrive back in Kansas City about 6 PM. Cancel in case of rain. Limit 16: RSVP by Sept 12 so I can line up carpools.
-
27 Aug ' 10:53
Hiking the Flint Hills: Part II Thursday September 9 - 8am National Park Service Rangers drive us into the back country of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and explain Flint Hills geology and wildlife. We will take the ranger-guided tour of the preserve, and then hike back about 4 miles along a ridge in the Flint Hills. We may be hiking alongside the park's new herd of bison! The hike will be followed by a picnic lunch and then a tour of the old historic homestead. There is an additional 2-mile, loop hike that leads to a one-room, limestone school house if you'd rather hike than tour the historic homestead. You will need a good pair of close-toed shoes or boots and a way to carry water and snacks. Bug spray and sunscreen highly recommended. I will provide lunch for the picnic. Participants will meet at Bass Pro Shop: 12051 Bass Pro Dr., Olathe, KS 66061. We'll meet to carpool at 8 AM, collect money and form carpools. The drive takes about 2 hours with a short restroom break. The cost is $20 per person and includes a guided tour and bus ride, lunch, and gas money for volunteer drivers. We'll head for home by 4 PM to arrive back in Kansas City about 6 PM. In case of excessive heat or rain, we'll reschedule for September 14. Limit 16: RSVP by Sept 7 so I can line up carpools. Contact: Julie at juliecirlin@kc.rr.com or 913.515.0327 Paddling the Kaw September 18 - 8:30am Join me for a 9 mile paddle down the Kansas River from the East Lawrence access ramp to the Eudora access ramp. We will meet at the Eudora city park at the Wakarusa river access. If you don't have your own boat I have a couple canoes available. Call me after 5:30 PM for info/directions and to sign up. Contact: Jim at 913.369.3861 Lake Perry Hiking Trail Vegetative Haircut September 18 - 8am The first signs of autumn are in the air, and that means hikers once again venture out along the Perry trails - only to be stopped by the summer's growth of weedy varmints. And yes, that means it's time again for The Great Perry Mowdown! Saturday September 18 will be a day for KCOC volunteers to use several mowers to clear a path through 3-4' high weeds in several open fields. I anticipate leaving KC about 8 AM and returning in late afternoon, or we can eat in Perry if we run late. Carpools can be arranged since Perry is about 15 miles northwest of Lawrence. I have the tools, but if you have a lopper you are attached to, you can bring it. Bring water and lunch. I expect to have the usual mega-calorie breakfast at the IHOP located at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch at about 7 AM. Contact: Dave at dbrackey@tb-engr.com or 913.541.0581 (H) to sign up Day Trip to Hike and Tour the Bothwell Lodge October 2 Bothwell Lodge is a castlelike building constructed atop caves between 1897 and 1928 for prominent Sedalia lawyer, John Home Bothwell. The castle is atop limestone bluffs on 247 acres overlooking the farmland and valleys below. We'll tour the lodge and hike the two trails available to us. One is only about a mile around the castle and the other is 3 miles. Some of the trail is steep while other parts are through rocky prairies, so boots would be a good idea due to the snakes and rocks. Bring lots of water and a sack lunch to eat on the trail, along with $2 to cover the cost of the guided tour and gas money to donate for your driver. The lodge is located about 7 miles north of Sedalia at 19349 Bothwell State Park Road, Sedalia, MO 65301. Meet us at 8 AM for breakfast at the Perkins located on the south outer road at 50 Hwy and 291 North in Lee's Summit. We'll car pool from there, leaving at 9 AM. Please RSVP.
http://www.www.mostateparks.com/bothwell.htm
Contact: Dorene at DoreneDisbrow@yahoo.com
Kansas River Paddling
Oct 17 - 8:30 AM
Bring your boat for a 10.7 mile float down the Kaw from Lecompton, KS access ramp to the North Lawrence River Front Park access ramp. We will meet next to the Teepee's one block east of the intersection of Hwy 59 and Hwy 24 in North Lawrence. I have two canoes available if you don't have a boat. Call me for info/directions and to sign up.
Contact: Jim at 913.369.3861 -
11 Aug ' 22:48
Search the Site
