BALLWIN, MO. – The forecast is for a nice and cool 68 degrees for this Thursday’s third race in the 2015 Spring Trail Run Series Presented by Columbia Sportswear. With more daylight, we’ve bumped the mileage up to approximately 3.9 miles this week as we hit not only the north side of the park, like we’ve done for the first two weeks, but also part of the southern side, including the Lone Wolf Trail.
From our starting point at the pavilion, we’ll head up Grotpeter Trail to the east (the same we came down last week) all the way up the hill before we take a left at the Office Connector Trail back down to the valley where you’ll find this week’s aid station. Cross the road and from there, we’ll follow Kiefer Creek to the west before hopping across it and on to the Lone Wolf Trail up the back side of the Meramec River bluff. We’ll follow one of the most scenic trails in the park along that bluff, the aptly-named River Scene Trail all the way back down to the valley floor. Note: Please be careful descending the final section of the River Scene Trail. This is a steep descent on loose gravel. Play it safe.
On-site registration will be available from 5–6 pm on Thursday, May 21 at the Start/Finish line.
Approximate distance is 3.9 miles. (Please note that GPS units will vary widely at Castlewood State Park due to elevation changes and forested areas.) Lowest elevation: 410 ft above sea level. Highest elevation: 650 ft.
