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Knob Noster State Park
8 reviews
2.88 of 5
The 5 mile McAdoo Trail loop - excluding the out-and-back portion - is fun singletrack through oak forest which dips into and climbs out of numerous creek beds. It can really be fun if it hasn't rained for a while or if a big trail ride hasn't been through recently. Expect to see lots of turkey, hawks, and deer. Unfortunately, the McAdoo is another prime example of the Missouri Department of Natural Resource's hands-off approach to "managing" the politically well connected equestrians. At times, I've found sections over 100' wide on the out-and-back portion which were nearly impassable because of the churned-up mud and deep hoof prints.
It seems like the system of "hiking" trails in the main part of the park (north of DD) would be a much better ride. Starting on the 1.6 mile Hawk Nest (plus the 0.5 mile Clearfork Savanna spur), then crossing the park road to the 2 mile North Loop, to the 0.6 mile Discovery Trail, then back across the park road to the 1 mile Lake Buteo Trail, looks like it would be a very cool ride with lots of fast singletrack punctuated by some very challenging (but short) rocky sections.
A detailed trail map can be obtained at the park office or at a kiosk at the Hawk's Nest trailhead - about 100' north of where the park road intersects DD - about 0.5 miles west of the Hwy 23 and DD intersection.
(In my opinion, the MDNR needs to acknowledge that mountain biking is an environmentally-sound and hugely popular activity, open up all of its trails to bikes, and quit acting like they're doing us a favor by letting us ride "sloppy seconds" behind horses.)
From K.C., go east about 70 miles on Hwy 50 to the town of Knob Noster and take the Hwy 23 (Whiteman Airforce Base) exit. Go south about 2 miles - past the park's main entrance - to a 3-way intersection with Hwy DD. Turn right and go about 3 miles west on DD and look for a parking area on the left (south) side where the hwy runs for about a mile in a low area between two big hills.
From St. Louis, go west on I-70 to the Hwy 65 junction, go south to Sedalia, then west on Hwy 50 ~ 20 mi. to Knob Noster. Take the Hwy 23 exit, as above.
The McAdoo Trail is a 5-mile loop just south of the parking lot on DD. (There is a trailhead at an equestrian camp about 2/3 mile east of the parking area which accesses the loop with a 1.7 mile out-and-back trail - of which 1 mile is chewed up doubletrack and 0.7 miles is rutted singletrack. Not recommended.)
Summary: In the spring, when it is very wet, the horses do tear it up. In the Summer and Fall (and right now) this trail is a great ride. About 10.5 miles of loop single track, with a good 2 mile out and back. The trail wanders up and down through the forest with some good climbs and a few good descents. A new "inner" loop built in 06 has cut in wonderfully (maybe with horse traffic help). The trail, for some reason doesn't get a lot of traffic. As a result there is a few fallen trees that need to be cut out. With a new, "horses not allowed" trail being cut north of DD highway, Knob Park will have some great mountian bike riding (over 20 miles). Go ride this trial, poor older reviews are not valid any more.
Recommended Route: Clockwise is best. Run both loops for 10.5 miles, add the spur for about 2 more
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Summary: This trail is solid. I'm new to the area and have ridden it 6 times in the last two weeks. There is some horse evidence, but it's not that big a deal (constitutes less than 1% of the trail). The trail has a wide variety of riding. It begins with wide open pedaling and gets into winding single track with some climbs. It gets technical in some areas due to loose rocks on some of the climbs, one in particular. Still haven't made it up that one. There are also some very fast, long downhills on the backside of the trail. An excellent workout with some sustained climbs scattered throughout.
Recommended Route: Start at the Macadoo trailhead. There will be arrows to follow. At the first arrow, you can elect to veer to the left instead of follow the arrow. This will add about 2 miles to the trail, but is really a glorified out and back. Back at the first arrow, follow them on the main loop which wll be about 6 miles. There will be two turn offs "without arrows" that turn to the right. The first turn will lead you around the second loop. The second turn cuts off the first loop and isn't maintained to well. So stay to the left. The second loop is about 5 miles and I hit that the second time around. Almost 11 miles without the out and back portion.
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Review Date October 20, 2002
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Jeff
, from KC, Missouri
Summary: This trail also doubles as a horsetrail. What does that mean? Mucky for a while after it rains and close-to-impossible mudholes. I would not recommend this trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Instead, go to Landahl park near Independence, Smithville Lake near Smithville, or Minor Park in KC.
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Review Date October 10, 2002
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Josh
, from warrensburg
Summary: I admit that this trail can be pretty mucky at times in the year. Some decent hills and stream crossing. I've only ridden it once, but have hiked it numerous times. Don't go after a hard rain, its damn near impossible to get through some sections.
Recommended Route: McAdoo Horse trail. About 5-7 miles.
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Review Date September 24, 2002
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: BOB
, from Columbia
Summary: This trail has some really cool parts, but most of it is tore up from the horses. If the horses kept off this would be a kick ass trail! There are some very techinical parts with roots and rocks galore, and there are some very nice smooth fast parts. The creek is an added bonus to this trail and be sure to peddle hard through it. Again, all is great but the horses!
Other recommended trails in the same area: Cave Hollow, Pertle Springs
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