Two people came out to walk the proposed trail expansion at Plainville Township Lake with the director in the snow and bitter wind!

Inspired by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks “First Day Hike” opportunities at various lake trails, Prairie Frontier Trails followed suit last year with its first ever First Day Trail Hike at Plainville Township Lake. The weather was cool, and hikes were scheduled every 90 minutes for a total of five. The hike showcased the entire mile-and-a-half proposed trail improvement, with riders receiving a lift back to the starting point via Rooks County Transportation. Plainville Short Stop and Mr. K’s Food Town provided snacks and warm beverages.

This year was quite different. Saturday morning, January 1, began with a wind chill in the negative 20s, and driven snowfall at times quite heavy. Due to the forecast temperatures, only one hike was scheduled for 2pm, the warmest part of the day. No drinks or snacks were offered on the assumption that no one would want to linger and consume them.

As the time drew near, participants were encouraged via Facebook to use Highway 18 to get as close to the Scout camp as possible before diving onto county roads. At 2:00, Executive Director Greenwood began to lead two hikers around the proposed trail.

As timber clearing has been in progress, Greenwood led carefully, testing the footing and pointing out fallen branches buried under a blanket of snow. Most of the trail is protected by timber, and the hike proceeded at a comfortable pace. The few open sections were crossed quickly, propelled by a frigid wind.

The hikers thought the falling snow and undisturbed trail had an almost holiday-card quality – or horror movie. It became a running joke that perhaps a gingerbread cottage would be discovered in the woods, with a blazing hearth tended by a twisted crone in a pointy black hat!

No such apparition befell the hike. It was pleasant enough that the hikers asked for an extended tour; the original length being only the section expected to fully open in the spring, one of the hikers remembered the complete tour from last year. More than half of the total proposed trail was assayed before the hikers decided they had seen enough.

For those interested in the hike but unwilling to brave the cold, Prairie Frontier Trails is offering First Saturday Hikes each month. Check here or on Facebook for the tour times and to sign up.