BALLWIN, MO. – The opening course for the 2015 Spring Trail Run Series Presented by Columbia Sportswear will cover about a normal 5k distance with first half of the course keeping to the classic Grotpeter Trail at Castlewood State Park. Featuring one main climb and one creek crossing right at the end, this course should provide a great opportunity for everyone to get their first course of the 2015 season under their legs with some longer light to play with later on during the month.
The course starts at our usual point near the pavilion next to the parking lot on the left-hand side just after the Kiefer Creek Road bridge inside the park. We will immediately cross the bridge and follow the Grotpeter Trail all the way to the western edge of the park where we’ll cross Kiefer Creek Road at about the three-quarter mile mark. Follow Justin’s Trail’s switchbacks up much of the climb and then flatten out across the ridge to Ries Road.
Instead of keeping to Grotpeter on the left, we’ll take the right fork that leads to the Mountain Ridge Connector where we’ll spend the next 1.18 miles, briefly heading up hill in a couple of spots before the long descent (interrupted by one more climb) back to the valley floor.
You’ll cross to the south side of Kiefer Creek Road for the final quarter of a mile back to the finish line, but you’ll have to cross Kiefer Creek to reach it. Refreshments provided by Schlafly Beer will be waiting there for you along with therapeutic services provided by Optimal Performance Center.
Approximate distance is 3.22 miles. (Please note that GPS units will vary widely at Castlewood State Park due to elevation changes and forested area.) Lowest elevation: 419 ft above sea level. Highest elevation: 637 ft.
