»The Basics

Located in southwestern St. Charles County, Klondike Park is a 250-acre park, acquired by the County in 1999. This park lies adjacent to Highway 94, the Katy Trail and the Missouri River. In the past, the Klondike Park site has been heavily disturbed by quarry operations and is a study of nature's resiliency.

The park includes: camper cabins, the Curt Loupe Conference Center, a fishing lake, boat ramp to the Missouri River, natural areas, basic and primitive campsites, biking and hiking trails, access to the Katy Trail, picnic areas, a playground area, and observation areas with tremendous views of the Missouri River, surrounding forests and farmland in St. Louis and Franklin counties.
 

The entrance to the park is on the left. You can't miss the sign. As you drive in the first thing you notice is that even though it's a new park it has that solid "been there" feel to the park. Be sure to print out a map of the park because it'll help you navigate around the property. You can also pick up a map outside the conference center if you don't have one. But this one is larger.
Link To the map
It'll print to nearly perfect letter size if you select landscape on your printer.

You drive to the top of the hill and park in front of the he Klondike Conference Center. Right away you get "this is Cool" feeling. Just behind the center are the white bluffs that made me wonder where this stuff has been all this time.
Click to view larger image

This photo from the white bluffs behind the conference doesn't do the view justice. You can see nearly a mile when looking to the west away from the Missouri River. From the lofty bluffs looking east to the east the view goes for miles. At the bottom of the bluffs is the Katie Trail.
Click to view larger image

You can spend the night either by renting one of these pretty slick looking cabins or camping in their primitive campground. When you consider the park features bathrooms with hot and cold showers even if you're camping it's all pretty sweet. You get the feeling this is a major state park rather than a county park just on the outskirts of St. Louis. Be sure to visit the local wineries just a mile down the road. Most have live music on the weekends. The Little city of Defiance sports a few lively bars. They're easy to spot. Look for the motor cycles parked out front.

It's time to shove off on a real adventure when you've never ridden a new trail before and not knowing what to expect. Just to the left of the conference center you've got to climb this slightly massive hill. I'm was out of shape but still climbed it to the top without too much difficulty. This is the only major extended climb of the park. This climb is much easier than the big ones at Castlewood because it's paved. So no whinning out there.

Once to the top you turn left and follow the Hogsback Trail along a ridge top with scenic views to the right. Just to the right of the fence in the photo is a huge drop off that'll make your head spin. The trail starts off as a double track but becomes a single track pretty quickly. Get your passing done here because you'll be squeezed for room later on.
Click to view larger image

The trail descends slowly along the ridge top. I was surprised to find the trail hard packed as though it's been here for years. This section is one of the fastest sections so unwind it now. Speed will be exchanged for riding skills very quickly. This section also has hikers because it's close to the conference center so be aware of this when you ride. 
Click to view larger image

Another view from the Hogsback trail as it begs you to ride faster down the slight slopes. It's not tricky but it is deceptive. The trees begin to close in and the double track is replaced with fairly tight single track just down the trail. 
Click to view larger image

As you ride away from the ridge top the trail gets more serious. The sun has trouble cutting through the heavy forest and roots crosses the trail sometimes. All I can think is "don't whack the trees with my handlebars" because they're getting pretty close. But the trail is hard packed and getting faster but narrower still.
Click to view larger image

During your decent very tight switchbacks get the hair on your back to stand up. This particular switchback is at the end of a fair long long sustained straight downhill section. Squeeze those brakes early. You'll never make the tight turn unless you're nearly at a stop.
Click to view larger image

Those GORC Trail builders are engineering geniuses. This section of trail actually utilizes sheets of rock that juts out of the hill as the trail bed. This is just too sweet. I'd expect this will become a Kodak moment spot. You can't tell from the photo but it's a pretty nice drop off to the one side. I wonder how it'll do in the rain?
Click to view larger image

Forget passing anyone unless you can fly on this section of the trail. The feeling you get as you zing down the tight sloped singletrack can give you that spinning head feeling if you're not careful. Is this really Missouri? Isn't anything flat around here? Just be glad it's all downhill. After the more skillful riders learn where all the dips, turns, roots and rock are it'll be an explosive experience.
Click to view larger image
 

From a view up above you can look down a see a double switchback that you can see before you get there. But now even think about getting course. The fall will really hurt.
Click to view larger image

You are nearly at the bottom of the hill when make a turn around this amazing rock which looks more like a mini-bluff. Again, this photo doesn't really work. You need it to see it in person. It's all very cool.
Click to view larger image

The rest of the Hogsback trail is made of rolling hills - all non-technical. Need to pass? You've got space to do it now. Along the way you'll cross several wooden foot bridges that cross over rocky wash out areas.

You will exit the trail and cross the road you used to enter the park. Follow a gravel service road until you ride through a little zig zag near a parking area. It's important to hydrate as much while on the gravel road. You couldn't before and the next trail section requires both arms.

Entering the Powerline Trail and you'll swear you are in a back lot in Hollywood where they are filming a jungle movie. It's tight and about to get much more technical. The hard packed trail surface is gone and this surface is sandier but still fairly well packed.

Breaking out along another ridge you catch a break and gain some true speed for a change. This section reminds me of the lower portion of Greensfelder. But it's short lived because your technical riding skills is about to be challenged before this day is over.
Click to view larger image

This may be the only switchback you've got to climb through.
Click to view larger image

Where's the trail go? The GORC engineers have carefully placed large flat rocks together to form a ramp up over a rocky ledge that most riders would have had to dismount and climb over. But the stone ramp is actually very clever and rides smoothly. Look for this feature. It works.
Click to view larger image

The trail blends some truly scenic views as you twist and turn through the tight rocky singletrack. Technical riders will have a field day. The photo on the right shows how you break out of the forest toward the edge to reveal the Missouri River to the left. 
Click to view larger image

After exiting the the Powerline Trail you will turn left on a rocky service road and climb slightly toward the entrance of the  Strip Mine Loop. It is rather short and again return to the service road to climb toward the last and most technically challenging portion of the course.
Click to view larger image

Turning left into the Donkey Kong Loop you will climb through an hard packed less rocky section that twists it's way toward the highest portion of the left side side of the course.
Click to view larger image

The first of two rocky drop offs is going to help measure your riding skills. The photo to the right looks sandy but it's hard roc. The best line to take is to the riders left (Right side in this photo). Beginners may want to dismount but it isn't ass difficult as it may look when you first see it. Pre riding the course will serve you well.
Click to view larger image

This photo shows the view from the top of the big rocky downhill section. I laid my bike down to take picture - It's not a crash site. When pre-riding the course you may want to stop and walk to the bottom and check out the best line before tackling this bad boy. It's kind of like riding some white water rapids. Check it out completely the first time then it'll seem much easier.
Click to view larger image

From the bottom view you can the best line again is to the left (right side when viewed from the bottom). I'm sure this will be the very best Kodak Moment on the entire course layout. It isn't easy but well worth the effort. Look for some more experienced riders to fly down this rocky slope. The Donkey Kong Trail will flow out onto the service road to lead you back into the service road to complete the loop toward the parking area and conference center.
Click to view larger image

Just as you begin to complete the loop you'll be treated to another view of the white bluffs that is the signature highlight of Klondike Park. Since you've been in the deep woods most off the day the brightest of the rocks are aspiring.
Click to view larger image
You Done!

This isn't on the course but you've got to ride down to the lake with the floating bridge. It's beautiful view will complete your experience of Klondike County Park. It's a fantastic place to spend the day riding and no doubt you'll be wondering where has this place been all along. It's St. Charles County best hidden secret!
Click to view larger image