Frisco Highline Trail

June 28, 2015:

The Frisco Highline Trail;

It has been a while, too long, in fact since I have worked on a blog post, so, even though it is overdue, here is a new one. 

As far as bucket lists go, mine has never been overly full, but I have added to it as time went on as well as dipping in and checking items off. The Katy Trail and Prairie Spirit Trail were on my list for years, and I've done those each at least twice now, but this one has also been there for a number of years, and yet has remained elusive. I found out about it several years ago and decided that seeing as how it was fairly close to me, it was one I wanted to ride. This year has been a difficult and challenging year for me health wise, but it all seems to be behind me for now. I suspect as time goes on from here, these health issues will keep on popping up from time to time and probably a bit more frequently as time edges forward. I've vowed that I'll not let them keep me down, however, and they are going to have to drag me to the grave kicking and screaming! So, while I missed the Katy Trail this year, as well as missing all my friends that ride that trail ride every year, I thought it might be a good year to get to some of the rides I've had down in the ol' bucket for a long time. 
The Frisco Railroad had big plans and bigger goals, but in the end a number of factors drug them down and they finally ended up being bought out by the Burlington Northern. Many of the Frisco rights of way were duplicated by the Burlington, so they abandoned and railbanked those they had little use for. The Frisco, whose actual company name was "The St Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company", did make it to St Louis, but the closest it ever got to San Francisco was to Frisco, Texas ...... close enough for a name. The unusual shield for the Frisco emblem was inspired by a two dollar coon skin bought by the line's president, and turned horizontally. Whatever works. The Frisco spent huge amounts on crack passenger trains and fast and powerful locomotives, and that was probably one of the factors that lead to their eventual downfall, when passenger service declined in the 50's. 
So, this year, I drove up to Bolivar, Missouri, with Fatbike on the rack to have a go at the Frisco Highline Trail. The Highline name came from the Highline bridge, the longest on the trail at 317 feet. It is an impressive structure, an old fashioned wooden trestle stretching out for a long ways.

Trees and undergrowth prevented me from obtaining a good picture of the bridge from the nearby road, but it is a very attractive old wooden trestle.

Safety rails were added to the side when it was made into a bicycle trail for obvious safety reasons. 

Certainly an impressive span of bridge, all of it covered with an old-timey wooden floor. 

Before I get too far ahead, I had arrived in Bolivar, deciding to do the trail from the hotel there on the outskirts of town which was more convenient than the downtown trailhead. So, at a little after 8am, I left heading down the local roads to the trail start on the south side of busy Missouri highway 13. The trail crosses the highway, but the directions have you take a short detour around on paved roads to the re-start on the south side of highway 13. That short detour went right past my hotel. So, the first thing I saw, was a group of four local cyclists out on a morning ride. I fell in with them and we rode and chatted until the paved portion of the trail ended, at which point they turned around and went back. A very pleasant start to my ride. 

The trail is paved for about three miles south of town, and then becomes gravel and crushed limestone. 

 Unlike the superhighway of railtrails, this one is quite primitive most of the way, but it is maintained. Unlike the Prairie Spirit trail in Kansas, this one is very well used. I think I saw about 30 cyclists throughout the day. Right at the end of the pavement is La Petite Gemme Prairie, a 160 acre block of pristine untouched native prairie, much like the early settlers may have seen. 

La Petite Prairie

 The "petite" prairie is also overtaking "La Petite Benche" .....

 As I went on from there, the "adventure" theme of this ride became more and more apparent.

 At times becoming only a "singletrack".

Not to be neglected, some old barns as well. Love me some old barns, always! 

As is apparent, the trail is indeed a trail, in the strictest sense of the word. It would traverse from good to primitive and back to good as I traveled it. Some would be put off by the primitive nature of this trail, but to me, it epitomizes the uniqueness of the trail and made the ride much more exciting and adventurous. I did, from time to time take side gravel roads to get a better look at some of the sixteen bridges this trail goes over. 

Back on the trail again, time for a "selfie". While I didn't really need a Fatbike for this trail, I had it, I enjoy riding it, and there were a few times I was glad I had it along. Most of the other riders I saw had mountain bikes with a scattering of "cross bikes". Many of the other riders stopped me to ask about my bike. Fatbikes are conversation starters!

After I passed the small community of Wishart, MO, I traveled on to what I consider the most photogenic of all the bridges, the masonry bridge over the Little Sac River. 

I am still recovering from the many insect bites and stings I received from getting this particular photo. It was "harvest" time for the insect crowd, and I was the main crop. Still, all in all, it was such a pretty setting. The view of the river from the bridge was nice too. 

The sign over the bridge reminding me that it is still 22 miles to Springfield.

The trail runs between Bolivar, MO, and Springfield, MO for a total of 35 miles. There are paved sections at each end. Paved for three miles south of Bolivar, and 7 miles between Springfield and Willard. Pressing on, there were many distractions along the way, some of which were the many wildflowers along the trail. 

All of these flowers were in bloom along the entire length of the trail, making it a very colorful ride. 
Another side trip I made was into the small town of Walnut Grove, Missouri, along State route BB, which is also a section of Adventure Cycling's Trans-America Bicycle Route. Walnut Grove is a small community and while not prosperous, it is very unique in it's old-timey charm. People were friendly, and obviously used to seeing bicyclists. The ride from the trail to downtown was about one mile each way. They had informative signs all along the trail.

Most of the old business district was closed and in disrepair. 

 Probably more fleas than market

 The Taste Of Country Cafe, seems more of a taste of history instead.

The old mill was one of my favorite structures in town. Off the beaten path, I knew it was there and went looking for it. 

Leaving town, I discovered a bit of coincidence. For any who have read the "Little House" books or saw the T.V. series, you would remember the Olsen's and their store. If you look on the mailbox at the name, it may not be spelled quite the same, but is quite a surprise anyway.

So ...... ride back to the trail on BB, and head south again planning on eating in Willard. The trail followed along this stream for miles, the water was fairly fast and clear as glass. 

In this area had been recent new gravel laid down as well as some storm damage to traverse. The fat tires ate up this loose rock like it was pavement. From the looks of the skinny tire tracks that went all over, and the footprints, the riders of lesser bikes had a bit of difficulty with this section.

 The few washouts were not something you wanted to take lightly.

The rest of the time it was idyllic two track tree lined trail like this, however.

Finally making it down to Willard, I went a bit too far into downtown, and finding only fast food, I asked around and the locals sent me back a mile or so to a small cafe at a gas station. It was just to the west of the trail at the very beginning of the southern paved section. Probably had the best food in this part of Missouri. Cute waitresses and great food, and ice cold drinks ....... what more could a starving cyclist ask for? I decided at this point it was really time to turn around. I had been up since 3am, drove 4 1/2 hours to get here, ridden for 4 hours (sidetrips, picture taking, and touristing included) and was beginning to feel the effects. The big lunch made me sleepy. Turning around, and heading back over the same route, I only stopped at the inviting little clear stream for a second and happened upon Bigfoot, skinny-dipping ...... Of course, like all pictures of Bigfoot, this one is not the best quality ......

And then I ran across Young Parnelli Jones out practicing ... 

He was on a local farm road and not on the trail. 

I stopped at the Wishart trailhead for a much needed break. It was getting hot by now, and while I had both bottles filled at the cafe in Willard, they were getting down at this point. Water is not available everywhere along the trail, and I probably should have gone into Walnut Grove on the way back as well to refill. there is a small gas station and convenience store downtown. 

I finished up with empty bottles, emptied right at the end of the ride, hot, tired, hungry and thirsty. Went in to my room, (the air was on and cold) stripped down, took stock of my many insect bites, removed two ticks that luckily had not bitten yet, and took a long cool shower. Then, changed clothes had headed into town for a cold beer and a good Mexican dinner. The Mexican restaurant was not of the same caliber as the ones at Santa Fe, but Sunday evening, they roll up the streets, and beggar's can't be too choosy. The food was good, the beer cold, and all was well. End of the ride.......

60 Fatbike miles traveled, two good meals eaten, two beers consumed, 9 insect bites itching, and a relaxing evening in a cold room watching Jurassic Park 3 ...... Might as well call it a day.