My trio of Kansas City hikes concludes with a trip to Fleming Park beside Lake Jacomo to hike the Rock Ledges Loop Trails, two trails that form a 3.1 mile hike atop and below a ledge of lovely rock formations.

Wudchuck Run Trail is a 5 mile loop trail past limestone bluffs and through the gently rolling Missouri woods in Kansas City’s Swope Park, the crown jewel in KC’s park system.

Old Kate and White Tail Loop trail circle throughout Parkville Nature Sanctuary past a waterfall, across a boardwalk standing tall over Alloe Creek, and up to the highest point in the sanctuary. This short 2.6 mile combination loop trail takes hikers past all the nature, wildlife, and history Parkville Nature Sanctuary has to offer.

In April I finally got the chance to get outside to climb on real rock in 2024. It was a late start to the midwest climbing season for me, but I’m grateful the regular climbing crew made the trip down to Robinson Bluff on a perfect Spring Missouri day.

We head to Southern Illinois for the last outdoor rock climbing trip of the year. Ryan Wittich attempts climbing Jaybird a 5.11d, a sport climbing route on the Watchman's Wall at Ferne Clyffe State Park.

Trey Govero walks me through the art of route setting at Upper Limits indoor rock climbing gym in St. Louis. Route setting truly is an art form, one that climbers get to physically interact with, which is pretty amazing.