Thursday, February 18, 2010






The Eddy-Ballentine Trail
Date: 1/1/09 - 12/31/09

Here is another trail I did a few times, its one of my favorite in kcmo. Its called Eddy-Ballentine Trail.

The trail is only 2.5 miles long but view and trail it self (for being in KCMO) is quite buetiful. Once you get on the main trial you feel like your in the middle of no woods. You can't even hear the cars or big trucks around Hwy 435. Below is some info on the trail and how to get there.

To get the to trail from Lenexa KS, you would need to take Hwy 435 east to Hwy 71 North, then take exit Blue River Road. Turn Right on Blue River Road and head about .5 miles. On your right (which you can miss if your not looking close) you will see the only spot to park off the road. its small and only about 3-4 cars can park here. Not the best spot to park and get out, with cars flying by, but its the only spot. If you go past the golf course you have gone to far.


The Eddy-Ballentine Trail

I've been on this trail a lot, I try to go at least 1-2 times a season, which would be about 6-8 times a year, taking my kid and dogs with me every time and try to take someone new each time. The last few time I went I have taken my wife, a two friends. Each of them I think loved the feeling of going in the woods and hearing nothing, and when I mean nothing, That mean no trucks sounds or horns blasting, anything that reminds you of the city life.

My wife and I went once and we hiked it in the summer afternoon. It was hot but the trail had lots trees so the shade cool us off and made for a relaxing fun hike. When you start off there are three ways to go. The first trail you have to walk down the road about 30 feet south to the trail head, then start heading south east up a hill, nice relaxing walk. coming to a bend in the trail and making your way down to the creek bed (that so far I haven't seen any water in) then head there some winding rocks down a little further and go under/between some bushes. start walking a little down the creek to the next hill, but instead of climbing it you sort of walk along the rocks.

The second and third way to start the trail head is next to your car/truck. the trail heads into woods for about 50 feet then splits off. One of the trails keeps going straight meeting up with first trail walking along the hill and rocks. The third trail heads up on the top of the hill, where you can stand on top of the rocks and take some really cool photos of open fields. When you get up top you have two choice, where you can go along the rocks and head in to the open feel and meet up with trail head one. Or you can keep walking up the hill and head into the woods toward the golf course. NOT SURE where that trail leads. Going to be heading out there soon and checking out that trail. (I'll post info when I hike it)

I've been on this trail with a friend brad and another Hossman. I'll be adding photos for these hikes in a bit.



Below is some info I found on the website.

Address -
Meyer Blvd. and Swope Pkwy.
Kansas City, MO

From the http://www.pitch.com/bestof/2008/award/best-hike-732913/

Most followers of civic affairs know Bill Eddy as the retired business professor and former school board member who has become a citizen activist, lobbying for better education in the city's dysfunctional schools. But Eddy is also half of the writing duo who has compiled the definitive guide to hiking in Kansas City. So it's only elementary that the best path in town is named after Eddy and his co-author, Richard Ballentine. This 2.5-mile trail, which starts just south of the Swope Park Blue River Golf Course, isn't for the mall-walking set, though. It's a rugged traverse that snakes up steep hillsides and through rock outcroppings and splashes through several streams. But the effort is well worth it. Watch for bluebirds in the grassy meadows, marvel at the limestone bluffs that border the cool ravines, and drink in the deep-forest air that feels a million miles away from the smog-clogged city. Even with his high educational standards, we'd wager Eddy would give this trail an A+.

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