Trails - George O. Latham Trail and Woodridge Primitive Area

George Otis Latham, Jr. (1922-1988), a lifelong outdoorsman, was especially interested in wilderness. For 25 years Gran Sport, his shop in Lawrence, was a gathering place for hikers, bicyclists and canoeists. His motto, "Outfitter to the Self-propelled" set the mood there. Woodridge, approximately 500 acres nestled in the arms of Clinton Lake, was one of his favorite places to propel himself. This trail, a Kansas Trails Council project, was scouted, cleared and marked by George and his friends in 1983-84. George, a founding member of KTC, served as secretary for many years. Upon his death in 1988, the Kansas Trails Council named the trail at Woodridge in his honor.

Remember, please, as you use this trail and other facilities at Woodridge that this is a primitive area. That means that it is reserved for low-impact activities and the trail itself is for the self-propelled. Although camping is allowed anywhere in the Woodridge Area, campsites should be at least 100 feet away from the trail and any water source.

General Information

The George Latham Hiking Trail meanders for nearly four and a half miles through woods and open fields of the Woodridge Primitive Area on the west edge of Clinton Lake. The trees – chinquapin oak, black walnut, eastern red cedar, hackberry and sumac – are representative of the oak/hickory forest which grew here in pre-Columbian times. The fields are a reminder of the communities of settlers who lived here for more than a century until Clinton Lake was built during the 1970’s.

As you follow the blue blazes which mark the trail you may meet coyote, white-tailed deer, red fox or other wild creatures who are the year round residents of this primitive area. In the spring and fall the trail section along the shores of Clinton Lake is a fine place to watch migratory waterfowl. From late spring until frost, other residents – ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, and poison ivy – make it wise to wear suitable clothing and to protect yourself with insect repellent.

Points of Interest

This loop trail can be hiked in as little as 2 and one-half hours. Within 100 yards of the trailhead you will encounter a mature stand of oaks, hickories and paw paw trees. Once you are in the woods, you will see remnants of old stone fences left from the days when this was a farmstead. On a sunny day, you may encounter snakes sunning themselves on the wall and in rocky areas. Treat them with respect, for this is prime timber rattlesnake and copperhead habitat.

As you walk, you will also notice another trail that joins this one. Stay with the blue blazes and you will intersect the Old Road just past mile marker 1.

At this point, you can return to the parking lot on the Old Road if you do not have time for the full four and one-half miles. A walk along the Old Road includes a panoramic view of Woodridge and Clinton Lake and a berry patch lies adjacent to the road near the parking lot.

If you continue on the trail, you will soon encounter several scenic overlooks, which provide excellent views of Clinton Lake. Just past mile marker 2, a rusty, antique farm implement reminds us of earlier residents. Between mile markers 2 and 3 the trail becomes rough due to the terrain. On top of the hill is a field of native grasses. Just before mile marker 3, you can rest in the shade of an old oak tree on a bench dedicated to the trail’s designer, George Latham. Finally, midway between mile markers 3 and 4 there is a lovely grove of large oak trees.

The Kansas Trails Council

The Kansas Trails Council, Inc., maintains more than 60 miles of recreational trails built by volunteers on Corps of Engineers project lands. Since its founding in 1975, the KTC has become a unique voice for hikers, bicyclists, canoeists and equestrians in Kansas seeking to expand the network of recreational trails. For membership information, please contact Kansas Trails Council, c/o Jim Copeland, 1415 Chelle Ct., El Dorado, KS 66407.

If you would like to help with maintenance of the Latham Trail, contact Mike Hough, KTC’s Coordinator at Clinton Lake.

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