Headwaters of the Kansas River
Chris and I have been to the headwaters of the Mississippi River. We've been to the headwaters of the Missouri River. We've been to the area of the headwaters of the Arkansas River. The Kansas River runs near our home and we see it often but I had no idea where it started. Back in 2016 we went to Kaw Point Park, where the Kansas River runs into the Missouri River, so we know where the Kansas River ends.
The other day I finally researched it and found that the Kansas River starts on the east side of Junction City where the Republican River and the Smoky Hill River meet. Time for a road trip!
Chris and I left home today at 9:40. It was a very cool day for mid-May, 45 degrees and cloudy. Our route to Junction City was back roads all the way - almost. From Bonner Springs we drove 32 and 40 west, to near Lawrence and then 24 west to Manhattan. Then it was 18 west and and I-70 west (briefly) to Junction City.
In Manhattan we drove by the campus of Kansas State University and took a few photos.
We enjoyed a lunch of fine cuisine at a Sonic in Manhattan before motoring on to Junction City.
In Junction City we accessed the Republican River via Grant Park, which was a narrow chunk of land between the northbound and southbound lanes of Grant Ave, which turns into Custer Rd before it enters Ft. Riley. There is a boat ramp entering the river. A soldier was fishing from the boat ramp and as we approached he reeled in a nice sized carp, which he returned to the river.
From the boat ramp we accessed a rough foot path along the bank of the Republican River that went under the northbound lanes of Custer Rd and under the railroad bridge out to the point were the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers met. I took some photos out there and then a couple more from the railroad bridge.
On the way home we drove through Junction City:
The other day I finally researched it and found that the Kansas River starts on the east side of Junction City where the Republican River and the Smoky Hill River meet. Time for a road trip!
Chris and I left home today at 9:40. It was a very cool day for mid-May, 45 degrees and cloudy. Our route to Junction City was back roads all the way - almost. From Bonner Springs we drove 32 and 40 west, to near Lawrence and then 24 west to Manhattan. Then it was 18 west and and I-70 west (briefly) to Junction City.
In Manhattan we drove by the campus of Kansas State University and took a few photos.
We enjoyed a lunch of fine cuisine at a Sonic in Manhattan before motoring on to Junction City.
In Junction City we accessed the Republican River via Grant Park, which was a narrow chunk of land between the northbound and southbound lanes of Grant Ave, which turns into Custer Rd before it enters Ft. Riley. There is a boat ramp entering the river. A soldier was fishing from the boat ramp and as we approached he reeled in a nice sized carp, which he returned to the river.
From the boat ramp we accessed a rough foot path along the bank of the Republican River that went under the northbound lanes of Custer Rd and under the railroad bridge out to the point were the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers met. I took some photos out there and then a couple more from the railroad bridge.
On the way home we drove through Junction City:
Our route home was 57 south, 4 east, I-70 east and I-435 south to Shawnee. It was an enjoyable drive through the Flint Hills.
Along Hwy 57 we saw two deer at the side of the road but, fortunately, they ran away from the road. We don't need any more close encounters with deer!
It was cloudy all day. We experienced some light mist just west of Wamego on 24 and some fog on the way home along Hwy 4. The high temperature was 57. We arrived home at 4:35 having driven 293 miles.
A very enjoyable day trip.
To see all the photos taken today click on this link: Photos
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