Greenbriar Extension to the Columbia Trail Network

The trail system here in Columbia, for walking and bicycling,  is incredible and getting better.

The Katy Trail runs a little over 264 miles across Missouri from Clinton in the west to Machens Missouri in the East.  Columbia's own MKT trail connects to the Katy trail, and the MU Recreation Trail connects to that.  Various neighbourhood extensions, official and otherwise, are either a reality or in the planning stages.  The latest is the Greenbrier Extension which will connect the south west section section of Columbia to the MU Recreation trail.  More specifically, it will connect to the Hinkson Creek Trail section of the MU Recreation Trail.  Sounds confusing?  It is.  The trail system is complex until you get to know it which I am in the process of doing.  For me personally it is a great news since that the trailhead will now be extended to exactly 1.2 miles from my house. I have already measured it.

The pictures are basically in chronological order walking in from Epple Field onto the Hinkson Creek Trail.

Below you can see the entry of the new trail extension to the left of the already existing trail.  Just beyond the gravel pile.

The last hundred yards includes a pretty steep switchback.  This is where construction was underway when I visited.  

The rest of the pictures are walking out.

Back on the Hinkson Creek Trail heading pack toward Epple Field where I parked. 

I stumbled on the Greenbriar extension just a day or so after construction had started.  It was a mere trail maybe not even fifty yards, cleared in the woods.  The following pictures show what it looks like now.  After taking these pictures I drove to the end of Greenbriar and was able to find the entrance so essentially the trail has been cut, and is now in the final stages. 

Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival

I had been taking my kids to the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival for years starting out when it was a lot smaller.  After a bit of a hiatus I went back this year with the two youngest. They love it. The event lasts two days, and according to the web site is almost always the second full week in October.   

Less than 15 minutes away from Columbia (when the festival is not going on) is the little river town Hartsburg, Missouri.   To get there from Columbia you head north on 63 North and a bit past Ashland make a right onto State Highway A then descend down onto the Missouri River bottom.  As a historical note The Great Flood of 1993 flooded the river bottom area where Hartsburg is located.

 This event seems to get bigger every  year and as you can see from the pictures it takes awhile to make your way down to the town.

The view of the corn field as we stepped out of the van.

Taking the shuttle into town.

A good many people bicycle in since the Katy Trail runs right through Hartsburg.

The Katy Trail runs through Hartsburg.

Tractors pulled the tram and here we are about to get on again for the ride out to our van.

Coming full circle back to our van for the trip home.

Be patient.  Count on it taking you an hour on Missouri Highway A after you turn off of Highway 63 North.  At some point on Highway A the traffic will back up and be bumper-to-bumper.  Relax and enjoy the scenery.  Then I suggest that after you get off the tram you just stroll all the way back to the downtown area.  Get something to drink, and then plan what you want to see, buy, and where you want to eat.

This event really has grown to the point where it needs two things.  It needs a better way of getting traffic through town and more places for people to sit.