MoTrekkers

Lewis & Clark Trails - Weldon Spring Conservation Area - September 2009

2009-09-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

September 7, 2009
11:10 pm
Weather: Overcast, 79F
Lewis & Clark Trails - Weldon Spring Conservation Area

We hiked the full Lewis and Clark trail loop (8.2 miles) on Labor day (no pun intended). Temperatures were moderate, but the humidity was +90 percent. We finished in a little over 3 hours walking at a fairly brisk pace, but taking a few breaks at the several outlooks above the Missouri River.

The Clark Trail is the most popular trail of the two: 5.3 miles with two spurs that lead to great views of the river valley below. It also includes several climbs and descents as it meanders through the hilly landscape.

The Lewis Trail is a 2.9 loop off of the Clark Trail. It too has two overlooks above the Missouri River and plenty of climbs. The most westerly outlook is large enough to hold a picnic for several people. It's a long hike for a picnic, but offers a spectacular 180 degree view of the river valley below.

We saw a few small snakes and a couple deer along the way. If you decide to do the full loop, make sure you wear good footwear and use 20%+ Deet before you begin.

Klondike Parks Trail - July 2009 Hike

2009-09-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009
8:30 am
Weather: Clear, 68F
Klondike Parks Trail

I hiked the the Hogsback Trail at Klondike Park on a Friday morning. This trail is is extremely short - only 1.5 miles long.

The most popular direction is counter-clockwise that begins with a blacktop paved incline, taking you near the top of the bluff that overlooks the Missouri River. Unfortunately, the only real overlook of the river has been baracaded after a girl took a tragic fall a year or so ago. Also unfortunate, there are no places along the trail where you can get a good view of the river valley below.

The Hogsback trail begins in an east to west direction along the bluff ridge, and zig-zags it's way down a fairly steep hill. There are some interesting rock outcroppings along the way, but most of the trail is densely wooded. A heavy rain would make a hike here interesting - you'll see lots of temporary waterfalls along the way.

Hogsback trail is a nice little diversion before hitting the wineries, or as part of a road trip.

Klondike Park Trails

2009-09-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

4600 Highway 94 South
Augusta, MO 63332
636-949-7535
Trail Closure Hotline: 636-949-7475
Journal: July 3, 2009 Hike

Trail Distances and Difficulty:
Hogsback Trail - Easy to Moderate - 1.5 miles

Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: No Camping on Trail
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy

Useful Links:
St. Charles County Missouri Parks and Recreation Department - Klondike Park
Missouri Dept of Conservation - Brochure

Trail Reviews:
EveryTrail.com - Klondike Park
GorcTrails.com - Klondike Park
STLtoday.com - Klondike Park
YouTube.com - hogsback trail video

Maps:
Klondike Park Trails - St. Charles County Missouri Parks and Recreation Department

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Rockwoods Reservation - May 2009 Hike

2009-05-18T19:34:00.000-07:00

May 16, 2009
11:40 am
Weather: Clear, 62F
Rockwoods Reservation Trails

We hiked the Lime Kiln Loop Trail under clear skies and unusually cool temperatures for May. This trail runs through a heavily wooded area with only dapples of sunlight coming through the canopy.

The trailhead begins at the Lime Kiln, where we turned right and followed it in a counter-clockwise direction. The trail runs gradually uphill until reaching a ridgeline that runs in a SE to NW direction. From there, you move from peak to peak. Given the dense tree foliage, there isn't any place along the ridge where you can see further than a mile or so. If you expect to see long distances, you will be disappointed.

Although this trail is heavily wooded, there is a nice variety of scenery, particularly when you get past the first half. At one point, you decend into a dry creek bed with large rock outcroppings and a thick carpet of dead leaves. The trail also includes several rock steps and large, exposed stones.

The last 100 yards or so runs right next to small creek/stream, with the pleasant sounds of running water.

I was surprised by the peacefulness of this trail given the great weather. Although we saw 4 other vehicles at the trailhead, we didn't see anyone else on this trail. If you're after a quiet spot, this trail is for you.

Rockwoods Reservation, and the Lime Kiln Trail in particular, would be an idea summer hiking spot. The trees provide constant shade and the high ridge would probably offer the best opportunity for a summer breeze.

Castlewood State Park - April 2009 Hike

2009-04-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

April 11, 2009
11:00 am
Weather: Clear, 57F
Castlewood State Park Trails

We hiked both the River Scene and Lone Wolf Trails on a beautiful, sunny April morning. The trails were a bit muddy in several stretches due to several days of rain we saw through the week. This seemed to pose more of a problem for bikers than it did for us...until Laurie cajoled me into climbing down a bank next to the river to take a picture. The dialogue was something like this; "Oh, it doesn't look too bad...give me the camera, I'll go down there...". Well, I was stupid enough to climb...I mean slide down to a spot that was twice as much fun to climb up.

The River Scene trail parallels the north side of the Meramec River, running atop a ridgeline overlooking the river, and looping back between the river shoreline and Union Pacific railway. The view atop the ridgeline provides a very nice 180 degree panorama of the river at several points. This is definitely the most scenic trail in the park.

All trails were well maintained and clear of fallen trees and there is a good variety of scenery, from densely wooded areas to nice openings. On the lower portion of the River Scene trail we saw several large patches of blue bells and a few interestingly knarled trees. There is also quite a bit of Union Pacific traffic rambling through the park.

This park seems to get a lot of traffic, which could be annoying if you're seeking a peaceful getaway. That said, all the hikers and bicyclists we ran across where polite and courteous.

If you live in the St. Louis area, Castlewood State Park is great place to kill a morning, afternoon, or both.

Rockwoods Reservation Trail

2009-04-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

2751 Glenco Road
Wildwood, MO 63038
636-458-2236
Journal: May 16, 2009 Hike

Trail Distances and Difficulty:
Wildlife Habitat Discovery Trail - Disabled-Accessible Trail - .1 miles
Rock Quarry Trail Hiking - 2.2 miles
Prairie Trail Hiking - 0.1 miles
Trail Among The Trees - 1.5 miles
Lime Kiln Loop Trail - Moderate - 3.2 miles
Green Rock Trail - 3.6 miles
Turkey Ridge Trail - 2.0 miles

Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Unknown
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy
Journal: None

Useful Links:
Missouri Dept of Conservation - Brochere
Missouri Dept of Conservation - Area Summary

Trail Reviews:
Mohiking.com - 2005 by ladyalite
Beetles in the Bush - 2007 Lime Kiln Loop Trail review
Big Crazy John - 2009 Lime Kiln Loop Trail review
Photos by Ryan Calhoun
Photos by Greg Bizzle
Photos by Pamela
Ben's Hikes - Trail Reviews
Christine Around Town - 2009 review

Maps:
Rockwoods Reservation Map - Missouri Dept. of Conservation

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Mark Twain National Forest Winter Camping

2009-01-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

Ten of us camped on the west fork of the Black River at campsite B from January 9th through the 11th. Temperatures on the 9th were balmy, reaching into the mid-60's, which is unusually warm for January in Missouri. Skies were clear/sunny and nobody was complaining.

We had light but steady rain on Friday night and temperatures plunged to near freezing by early Saturday morning. The ground was a bit muddy but thankfully it didn't pour over night. Everyone avoided waking up in a puddle through the night.

Sam serenades his fire to life:

Saturday temps rose into the 40s but skies remained overcast throughout the day. Zach, Brandon, Paul and I took a hike to the ridge above Cook's creek and explored one of the highest elevations of the area - roughly 450 feet above our campsite. I enjoy these little hikes because I know these heavily wooded areas are nearly inaccessable anytime except during the depths of winter.

An easternly view from the stone strewn ridge top:

The afternoons consisted mostly of trap shooting and target practice with a wide range of firearms. By late afternoon we would spend a couple hours taking down a dead tree and gathering firewood for the night.

The firing line:

We bring a wide collection of camping gear on these trips. Several slept in a Cabela's custom wall tent equipped with a wood burning camping stove. Three of us slept in my Columbia Bugaboo tent, and Paul slept in a older model two person tent, which looked pretty cool.

Inside the suite:

Paul also set up an covered kitchen area equipped with a propane burning stove. Everyone pretty much does their own thing cooking-wise. Roper brought a small Weber, a few of us grilled on a pit next to our campfire, and Paul did a lot of cooking on the gas stove - including cooking us a full breakfast consisting of bacon, eggs and hashbrowns. I also tried a little shovel cooking with mixed results. In a subsequent post I'll list recipes and food to take camping, particularly in winter.

Despite the manly man moniker, we certainly aren't roughing it on these trips.

A southwest view of the campsite at sunset:

By Saturday night temperatures fell to the mid 20s. - a bit cold, but nothing severe. Our tents were covered in frost by morning and water bottles were close to solid ice. Campsite B is very well insulated from high winds, so the morning was more than tolerable.

This is a view from our campsite of the bluff where the west fork of the Black River turns south towards Sutton's Bluff. Ninja found several small openings to Cook's Cave at the top of the bluff just before we broke camp. That's something I'd like to explore next year.

Below is a google map showing campsites A and B. If you ever decide to camp here, please pick up after yourself, haul your trash out, and leave the area as you found it.

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Council Bluff Recreation Area Trail

2009-01-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

Trail Manager: Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District
Highway 8 West, PO Box 188, Potosi, MO 63664
Phone: (573) 438-5427 voice/tdd
Fax: (573) 438-2633
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm

Trail Distances and Difficulty: Lake Shore Trail - Moderate - 12.4 miles
Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Hiking and mountain bikes only - horses and motorized vehicles are prohibited. No camping within 500 feet of shoreline.
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy
Journal: None

Useful Links:
Mark Twain National Forest - Council Bluff Recreation Area
Mark Twain National Forest - Council Bluff Trail PDF Flyer
Missouri-Hiking.com - Hiking Trails In Mark Twain National Forest

Trail Reviews:
MoTrails.com - 2002 by Danny McMurphy
MTBR.com - several mountain biking reviews
DirtWorld.com - Council Bluff Lake Trail - several mountain biking reviews
GORCtrails.com - Council Bluff Trail mountain biking review
SingleTracks - Council Bluffs Trail Mountain Bike Trail

Maps:
GORCtrails.com - Council Bluff Trail Map

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Bell Mountain Wilderness Area Trail

2008-12-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

Trail Manager:
Mark Twain National Forest
US Forest Service - Potosi District
Highway 8 West
Potosi, MO 63664
(573)468-5427
Current Contact: Paul Nazarenko

Area Assistance:
Iron County Sheriff: (573) 546-7321
Washington Co. Ambulance: (573) 438-3211
Washington Co. Hospital: (573) 438-5451

Trail Distances and Difficulty:
Bell Mountain Trail (concurrent with The Ozark Trail) - Difficult - 12 miles
Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people, water sources not recommended for drinking, camping restricted to 100+ feet from trail, horses and hikers only
Cautions: Snakes, Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy
Journal: None

Useful Links:
U.S. Forest Service - Bell Mountain Wilderness - Overview
U.S. Forest Service - Bell Mountain Wilderness brochere
Bell Mountain Wilderness Recreation Guide
OzarkTrail.com - Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail - Overview
OzarkTrail.com - Trip planner for Bell Mountain
OzarkTrail.com - Shuttle service information

Trail Reviews:
MoTrails.com - 1998 & 2001 reviews by Danny McMurphy
MoHiking.com 2005 review

Bell Mountain Wilderness Trail Maps
Ozark Trail System - Council Bluff to Bell Mountain
Missouri Trailblazing - Bell Mountain Wilderness topo map
OzarkTrail.com - Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail - topo map

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Mark Twain National Forest - Black River Camping

2008-12-03T20:41:00.000-08:00

We're planning our "Manly Campout" weekend for January 10th 2009 in Mark Twain National Forest on the Black River. This will be my 4th year camping on the Black River in January with this group of..."manly" men. It hasn't been decided if we'll be at campsite A or B, but both are great locations. I like the scenery at campsite B, but there's a floorboard-deep dip in the roadway on the way to the campsite. Scary.

Don't attempt to get to either of these campsites in a car. The roads (driving paths) are rugged.

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Here is the hike I want to take this year; from campsite A north along a high ridge to Karkaghane Scenic Drive, than back down Cook Spring Road, approximately 3.7 miles. There is no trail here, just bushwhackin it...albeit in the winter. This would be pure misery in the summer.

Hiking, backpacking, and camping equipment

2008-11-25T15:43:00.000-08:00

Winter backpacking and camping gear list

Winter backpacking and camping gear checklist

2008-11-24T14:44:00.000-08:00

Here is my winter backpacking/camping list. I try to keep pack weight to a minimum without sacrificing safety or warmth. Many items on this list can be shared (tent, stove, etc.), so plan carefully with your hiking partner.

Keep in mind Winter in Missouri isn't as brutal as it can be in the northern U.S. or in high elevations. The average highs in February is 31 degrees F, but single digit days aren't all that uncommon - temperatures can dip below 0F overnight. Always watch the weather forecasts and prepare for the worst.

Clothing
My clothing system is based on the layering concept. You definitely want the option to shed outer layers when physically active, expecially if tempertures are moderately cold (over 20 degrees). Avoid cotton and stick to polypropylene or synthetics that don't absorb moisture. If you get cotton wet you're pretty much screwed. Although the retailers who specialize in outdoor activities will have higher quality, lighter weight clothing, you can usually find suitable substitutes at discounters like Walmart.

Heavy wool socks over poly inner socks (1 pair on - 1 pair in pack
Waterproof hiking boots - Hudson Wolverine® Mid-Cut Steel Toe EH SR Hiker
Uninsulated water-proof parka - Cabela's GORE-TEX® EXV™ Parka
Base Layer - Drawers - Cabela's ThermaStat™ Polar-Weight Drawers
Base Layer - Top - Cabela's ThermaStat™ Polar-Weight Zip-Top
Underwear (2 w/1 pair packed)
Winter gloves
Polyethylene disposable boot covers - Gemplers Polyethylene Disposable Boot Covers
Lightweight pullover - Spyder Ridgeline Dry W.E.B.™ T-neck
Mittens (to pull over gloves during extreme cold weather)
Poly/fleece jacket - Polartec® Classic 300 E.C.W.C.S. Specification Jacket
Stocking cap
Balaclava - Cabela's MTP Polar Weight Balaclava (for extremely cold, windy conditions)
Wind/waterproof/cold outer-layer pants - Cabela's Dry-Plus® Thinsulate™ Pants
Wind mid-layer cargo pants - Cabela's Outfitter's™ Microfleece WindShear™

General emergency gear
The items below weigh next to nothing but could be lifesavers.

Firestarter
Waterproof matches in waterproof container + small lighter
Small signal mirror
Whistle - Fox 40 Safety Whistle
Bear-pepper spray (depending on location of hike)
Cash

First Aid
This is a super compact first aid kit suitable for most backpacking adventures. Your best bet is to buy pre-packaged first aid kit and modify it for your own needs. Too many pre-packaged kits are loaded with too many bandages and items you'll never use, but are missing some of the basics.

Small zippered pouch
Minature first aid manual
1 ace bandage
1 triangular bandage
small roll 1" cloth tape
1 single edge razor blade
4 Antacid tabs
4 Antihistimine tabs
4 aspirin tabs
4 ibuprofen tabs
3 sterile pads - 4x4
1 moleskin
4 anticeptic wipes
bandages - assorted sizes
butterfly closers
small gauze roll 2" wide
3 small packets antibiotic cream
tweezers

Haulage
5000 cubic inches is the upper limit of what I want for any backpacking adventure. Pay close attention to both the weight and build quality of your pack. Also choose a good quality, easy-to-use water filtration/treatment system.

Backpack with padded hip belt - Kelty Durango 5100 Internal Frame Backpack
1 plastic bag for dirty clothes, pack cover,, etc.
1 gallon ziplock freezer bag - for trash
Water bottles (2 liter)
Water filter and iodine/chlorine tabs

Hygiene

Toilet paper in ziplock bag
Small travel toothbrush and toothpaste

Misc

Trail map - laminated or in ziplock bag

Shelter
I own/use the items below and have no regets. The Coleman bag is unbelievably cheap and lightweight, and I've used it in temperatures down to 0F with no complaints. Many high-end sleeping bags can cost hundreds of dollars. The XPG Ultralight tent is...well, ultralight (6 lbs, 3 oz,), and perfect for 2 campers + a small amount of equipment. It's rated as a 3 season tent but I wouldn't have a problem using it in the winter unless there was a possibility of heavy snows or winds.

Lightweight sleeping bag (15F or colder) - Coleman Max Traverse 0F Mummy
Sleeping pad - short, lightweight - Therm-a-Rest® RidgeRest Sleeping Pad
Ultralight Tent kit + footprint - Cabela's XPG™ Ultralight Tent - 3 person
Parachute cord (30 ft.)

Tools
Go light, go versatile. You don't need the most powerful flash light, a Rambo knife, or lots of unnessesary tools. Most multi-tools are heavy and include a lot of unnecessary tools.

Small repair kit - 4 safety pinsneedle, thread, duct tape, zip ties, superglue, tie wire, 20lb fishing line and small file
Small flashlight and extra batteries
Clip-on light - Cabela's ULH LED Clip Light
Compass - Silva Guide™ Type 426 Compass
Knife/Saw combo in sheath - SOG Seal Revolver or SOG Team Leader Survivor
Small Trowel (for catholes and small fire pits)

Food
Simple is better. Focus on high calories and easy/fast prep meals and bring plenty of food bars and/or gorp for a quick source of carbs.

Cheese sticks
Dried fruit
Gorp
Granola/energy/food bars
Instant mashed potatoes or stuffing
Instant Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat or Grits
Jerky
Meal-in-a-cup
MRE - (assurance of a hot meal in heavy rain or wind)
Pouched meats

Food Prep/Serve

Hobo kit - Ka-bar Hobo 3-in-1 Utensils
Cleaning/scrub pad
Backpacking stove & kettle - MSR Pocket Rocket/Titan Kettle Kit
Stove fuel - MSR IsoPro Canister - 8 Ounce
Sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil for a windscreen

Luxury items
Everclear can be used as topical antiseptic or an emergency firestarter. If you decide to drink it, make sure you cut it with water. Drinking everclear straight is dangerous, as well as drinking any quantity of alchohol in cold weather.

Flask of everclear or favorite spirit
Camera

Castlewood State Park - Hiking Trails

2008-11-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

1401 Kiefer Creek Road
Ballwin, MO 63021
636-227-4433
Journal: April 11, 2009 Hike

Trail Distances and Difficulty:
River Scene Trail - Moderate - 3 miles (hiking and biking)
Grotpeter Trail - Moderate - 3 miles (hiking, biking and equestrian)
Lone Wolf Trail - Moderate - 1.5 miles (hiking and biking)
Stinging Nettle Loop - Moderate - 3 miles (hiking and biking)
Cedar Bluff Loop - Moderate - 2 miles (hiking and biking)
Chubb Trail/Castlewood Loop - Moderate - 3 miles (hiking, biking and equestrian)
Al Foster Trail - unknown distance

Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Four trails are restricted to hiking and biking only.
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy
Useful Links:
Missouri State Parks - Park Summary
Trail descriptions
General Description of Park

Castlewood State Park Trail Reviews
Hikers' Comments on River Scene Trail
Mohiking - River Scene Trail review
Yelp - Castlewood State Park

Maps:
Castlewood State Park Map

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Pere Marquette State Park - November 2008 Hike

2008-11-14T14:02:00.000-08:00

November 1, 2008
12:15 pm
Weather: Clear, 75 F
Pere Marquette State Park

Peak fall colors came a bit later than expected this year, and the warm weather on this early November weekend generated huge crowds - on the roads and in the parks. The day was clear and the colors were beautiful, but the trails were a bit too crowded for my liking.

We hiked several trails: Dogwood, Ridge, Goat Cliff, Hickory, and Hickory South, but we didn't have time to explore the east end of the park. We hope to do that sometime in the near future.

The trails on west end of the park offers several scenic views, including a few that overlook the Illinois River just north of it's confluence with the Mississippi. I highly recommend bringing a camera to this park, particularly one were you can shoot panoramas.

Pere Marquette State Park offers a Park-like atmoshere: the trails are wide an well-maintained. There are also several lookout pavillions, "patios", and benches throughout. That said, a few of trails included climbs that might be a bit challenging for the elderly and physically challenged. We noticed families with very small childern on the trail - not something I would necessarily recommend.

Pere Marquette also includes a campground, catering mostly to the RV camping crowd. Not my cup of tea.

Illinois' Great River Road is a fantastic day trip. Missourians can fill the entire day by doing a full loop. My recommendation is:

Begin in St.Charles and head to the Golden Eagle Ferry and Brussels "island", then take the Illinois free ferry to the Illinois "mainland". Take Route 100 west a few miles to Pere Marquette State Park and hike for a couple hours. Then head east to Grafton, grab lunch, maybe a beer, and check out some of the shops. From Grafton you'll head southeast to Alton, but I highly recommend making a quick stop at the village of Elsah, especially if you enjoy historic residential architecture.

There's a lot to do once you reach Alton. You'll find numerous antique shops, or can tour the "most haunted town in America", or enjoy a nice steak at Tony's. Fast Eddie's in BonAire, just east of downtown Alton, is also a great way to finish the day. Have a Big Elwood or Chick on Stick and a handful of shrimp, then wash it down with a couple beers. Be forewarned, it might set you back a whole ten bucks. You can head home by crossing the beautifully lit Alton Bridge into Missouri.

Pere Marquette State Park - Hiking Trails

2008-11-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

Route 100, P.O. Box 158
Grafton, IL 62037
618.786.3323
E-mail: dnr.peremarquette@illinois.gov
Hiking Journal: 11/1/2008

Trail Distances and Difficulty:
Goat Cliff - Moderate - 1.5 miles
Dogwood - Moderate - .5 mile
Ridge - Difficult - .25 mile
Ravine - Easy - .5 mile
Hickory - Moderate 1/2 mile
Hickory North - Moderate - 1 mile
Hickory South - Moderate - 1.5 miles
Fern Hollow - Moderate - 2.5 miles
Rattlesnake - Moderate - .25 mile
Oak - Moderate - .25

Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Unknown
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy
Useful Links:

Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Park Summary
Great River Road Guide

Maps:
Pere Marquette State Park Hiking Trails Map

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Babler State Park - October 2008 Hike

2008-10-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

October 19, 2008
12:45 pm
Weather: Clear, 63F

We hiked the 1 3/4 Woodbine Trail and the 2 mile Dogwood Trail. Both are loops that can be accessed from the Guy Park trailhead at the northeast corner of the Nature Trail Parking Lot.

The Woodbine Trail is moderate to easy; there are no steep inclines but some parts of the trail are composed of loose rock and/or exposed roots. In other words, pick up your feet to avoid tripping.

The weather was perfect for T-Shirts/shorts and both trails were scenic as we head into peak fall colors. The Red Maples and Oaks have yet to turn, but I'm guessing they'll turn in earnest this week. The trails were already carpeted with leaves and more continued to fall at even the hint of a breeze.

The Dogwood Trail is only moderately challenging. There is only one incline of any consequence, but like the Woodbine, several areas were strewn with loose rocks and exposed roots that can lead to falls or a twisted ankle if you're careless. I found the Dogwood trail to be prettier, offering more varied scenery of the two. There are also many large/old growth trees in this park, quite unusual for eastern Missouri.

My only disappointment was the lack of scenic outlooks/vistas, particularly for a park that has plenty of hills. My next trip to Babler is going to include one or two off-trail hikes to these hilltops.

All in all, Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is a wonderfully maintained park and definitely a great place to enjoy a few scenic hours in the outdoors.

Daniel Boone Conservation Area - September 2008 Hike

2008-09-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

September 26, 2008
11:00 am
Weather: Clear, 73F
Daniel Boone Conservation Area

We attempted to hike the 5 mile multi-use trail in the Daniel Boone Conservation Area on Sept 20. This trail is only a 15 minute drive northeast from Hermann Missouri, so we decided to give it try on our way back to St.Louis after a 2-night stay at the Hermann Hill Cottages.

The first obstacle we ran into was finding a trailhead near the south-most parking lot. We walked the gravel road south approximately an eighth mile and never saw a trailhead or the crossover as indicated on the MDC map. We headed back to the car and decided to follow the road deeper into the park to see if we could find a suitable place to jump onto the trail. I didn't notice any signs of a trail to the west of the gravel road and can only surmise that the road and trail are one and the same when entering the conservation area.

We eventually entered the trail at marker 1221 the horse staging area/parking lot. There are still many areas of the trail competing with tall grass this time of year and still more areas with serious erosion issues. This leg of the trail slopes gently downward towards a dry creekbed before reversing back uphill towards the main road at #1218. Most of this leg is heavy wooded with occasional clearings that allowed ample sunlight. There are also several wildlife watering holes along the way.

The flying bugs were unbearable, so we decided to end our hike once we reached the rock road at #1218. I suppose we might have been the only creatures emitting CO2 within a 5 mile radius and were ripe targets for pestering. I also collected my share of chigger bites on my ankles despite a good spraying of OFF before the hike. I need to check percentage of Deet used in this particular product, but it certainly wasn't in the 20%+ range.

I would like to hike this trail again during the cold weather months. There seems to be several parts of the trail that traverse high ridgelines, potentially offering scenic views. Unfortunately the campsites we saw looked less than ideal. I enjoy primitive camping and privacy, and although each of the campsites are spaced far apart, they're all in very close proximity to the main road.

Dangers and Nuisences - Preparation, Avoidance and Treatment

2008-09-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

Mosquitoes
University of Missouri - Mosquitoes
Center for Disease Control - West Nile Virus

Ticks
Missouri Conservationist Online - Tiny, Tenacious, Terrible Ticks
Missouri Conservationist Online - Ticks!! How to avoid being a host for the
horrible, hungry summertime hordes
University of Missouri - Ticks

Chiggers
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Chiggers!
Missouri Conservationist Online - Got Chiggers? It Figures!
University of Missouri - Chiggers

Stinging Insects
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Common Missouri Wasps and Bees
University of Missouri - Bees and Wasps

Spiders
Common Missouri Spiders
Common Missouri Spiders-Spider Facts
University of Missouri - Spiders

Scorpions
Missouri Dept of Conservation - The Striped Scorpion

Snakes
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Snakes of Missouri Venomous Snakes
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Amphibians and reptiles
How to Treat a Rattlesnake Bite

Poison Plants
Missouri Conservationist Online - Missouri's Most Irritating Plant
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - POISON IVY - How to Identify and Control
University of Missouri - Poison Ivy: Identification and Control

Bear
Black Bears of Missouri - A Guide to Nuisance Prevention
Missouri Conservationist Online - The Bear Truth
Black Bear Safety Techniques

Daniel Boone Conservation Area - Hiking Trails and Camping

2008-09-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

6 miles south of Jonesburg on Hwy Y, and then 3 miles southwest on Tower Rd.
Warren County, Missouri
636-441-4554
Hiking Journal: September 26, 2008

Trail Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Distances: Multi-use trail - 5 miles
Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Horseback and bikes allowed except the end of spring turkey season to the beginning of fall turkey season. Camping available on seven primitive sites
Access to water: Carry in recommended
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy and venomous snakes
Useful Links:
Brochere
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Area Summary
Maps:
Daniel Boone Conservation Area - Map

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Lewis & Clark Trails - Weldon Spring Conservation Area - September 2008

2008-09-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

September 20, 2008
12:10 pm
Weather: Overcast, 76F
Lewis & Clark Trails - Weldon Spring Conservation Area

We hiked the 5.3 mile Clark trail during perfect T-shirt and shorts weather. Although humidity was fairly high, the overcast skies and cooler temperatures made for a delightful hike. We completed the hike in just under 2 hours, including a few brief breaks along the way.

The Missouri Conservation Department does a great job of maintaining this trail. We noticed several places where fallen trees had been cut and pushed aside since our previous hike in late August. We also noticed several newly fallen trees, apparently the result of the 4 to 5 inches of rain the St. Louis area received the previous week. In fact, a few larger trees had fallen across the creek bed just before the Clark/Lewis trail fork. I'm sure many newbies lost their barrings at this point and were forced to turned around to retrace their steps. This normally dry creek bed still had remnents of running water from the previous week's precipitation.

The Clark Trail features two scenic vistas of the Missouri River, begining just past the 2 mile marker. Both include tremendous views of the river, to the southwest (upsteam), and to the east, towards the Daniel Boone Bridge. Across the river lies Howell Island, a popular hiking, fishing and hunting area in St. Louis County.

This trail is heavily wooded and includes both wide and narrow paths. There are three moderate inclines when traveling in the normal/counterclockwise direction. Views throughout this trail are very nice, from ridgeline peaks to deep valley suppression - if you love eastern Missouri wildlife, you'll dig this trail.

Apparently there is good Chanterelle mushroom hunting grounds just past the 4 mile marker (on the right). We saw an explosion of mushrooms this weekend, but I'm not schooled enough to make a safe harvest.

I highly recommend the Clark Trail as daytrip activity. You can easily explore this trail in less than 2.5 hours before heading to the wineries...or to El Azteca (on Highway K) for a Monster Margerita.

More about the Lewis and Clark Trails

Location of El Azteca's below, or call 636-300-1123

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Babler State Park - Hiking Trails and Camping

2008-09-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

800 Guy Park Drive
Wildwood, MO 63005
636-458-3813
Hiking Journal: October 19, 2008

Trail Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Distances:
Hawthorn Trail - 1.25 miles
Dogwood Trail - 2 miles (most strenuous)
Woodbine Trail - 1.75 miles
Virginia Day Memorial Nature Trail - 2 miles

Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Open to horseback, camping available at campground but not along trails
Access to water: Carry in only
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy and venomous snakes inspring and summer
Useful Links:
Missouri State Parks - trail info
Missouri State Parks - camping info
Missouri State Parks - camp sites map
Hiker comments

Maps:
Missouri State Parks - Map

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Lewis & Clark Trails - Weldon Spring Conservation Area - Hiking

2008-09-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Highway 94, 3 miles south of Highway 40/61
St. Charles County, MO 63304
(636) 441-4554
Hiking Journal:
September 20, 2008
Sepember 7, 2009

Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Distances:
Clark Trail - 5.3 Miles
Lewis Trail - 2.9 Miles
Both loops - 8.2 Miles

Best Seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Restrictions: Foot only, no camping
Access to water: Carry in only
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy and venomous snakes in
spring and summer
Useful Links:
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Weldon Spring Conservation Area
LocalHikes.com
Waymarking.com

Maps:
Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Weldon Spring Conservation Area

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August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area - Hiking Trails

2008-09-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

2360 Highway D
St. Charles, MO 63304
(636) 441-4554

Trail Difficulty: Easy
Distances:

Pine Trail - .2 mile
Dardenne Creek Trail - .4 mile
Woodland Trail - .2 mile loop
Wildlife Management Trail - .4 mile loop
Prarie Trail .2 mile loop
Fallen Oak Nature Trail - .7 mile loop
Busch Hiking/Biking Trail - 3.2 mile loop

Best Seasons: Fall, winter, spring
Restrictions: No camping
Access to water: Carry in only
Cautions: Ticks, biting insects, poison ivy and poisonous snakes in spring and summer
Journal: None
Useful Links:
Missouri Department of Conservation - Busch Wildlife Area
Maps:
Missouri Department of Conservation - Trail and Tour Map

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Missouri Hiking Trails

2008-09-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is a comprehensive list of Missouri hiking and backpacking trails organized by region. If there is a hiking trail you think I missed, let me know by posting a comment.

As I create new summary pages of each Missouri hiking trail, I will link to them from this page. Each summary page provides basic information and links to the very best online resources I can find on any given park, wilderness area, or backpacking trail.

Greater St. Louis Area Hiking Trails
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
Babler State Park Trails
Castlewood State Park Trails
Cliff Cave County Park Trail
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area Trails
Engelmann Woods Natural Area Trails
Forest 44
- Conservation Area Trail
Green Rock Trail
Greensfelder County Park Trail
Hilda Young Conservation Area Trail
Howell Island Conservation Area Trail
Klondike Park Trails
Little Creek Nature Area Trail
Lone Elk County Park Trail
Lost Valley Trail
Matson Hill Park Trail
Meramec Conservation Area
Powder Valley Nature Center Trail
Quail Ridge County Park Trail
Queeny Park Trail
Rockwoods Range Trail
Rockwoods Reservation Trails
Route 66 State Park Trail
Russel E. Emmenegger Nature Park Trail
Saint Stanislaus Conservation Area
Shaw Nature Reserve Trail
Valley View Glades Trail
Lewis & Clark Trails - Weldon Spring Conservation Area
Wildwood Trails
- Green-Rock Trail

Southeast Missouri Hiking Trails
Amidon Memorial Conservation Area Trail
Bell Smith Springs
Bell Mountain Wilderness Area Trail
Berryman Trail
Buford Mountain State Forest Trail
Castor River Shut-Ins Natural Area
Cedar Creek Trail System
Council Bluff Lake Recreation Area
- Lake Shore Trail
Crane Lake Trail
Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve Trail
Goggins Mountain Trail
Green's Cave Bushwhack: Hamilton Hollow Route
TrailGreen's Cave Bushwhack: Sleepy Hollow Route Trail
Hawn State Park Trail
- Whispering Pine Trail
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft Trail
Hickory Canyons Natural Area Trail
Hughes Mountain Natural Area Trail
John J. Audubon Trail
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Trail
Lower Rock Creek Trail
Mark Twain National Forest
- Irish Wilderness
- Whites Creek Trail
Meramec Conservation Area Trail
Meramec State Park's Short Trails
- Green's Cave Bushwhack: Hamilton Hollow Route
Meramec State Park - The Wilderness Trail
Millstream Garden Conservation Area
- Tiemann Shut-Ins
Mudlick Trail
Onondaga Cave State Park
- Deer Run Trail
- Oak Ridge Trail
Ozark Trail: Courtois Section
- Between The Rivers Section
- Eleven Point River Section
Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail
Piney Creek Ravine Nature Reserve Trail
Rockywood Trail - Washington State Park
Rock Pile Mountain Wilderness Area
Saint Francois State Park Trails
-Mooner's Hollow Trail
-Swimming Deer Trail
- Pike Run Trail
Saint Joe State Park Trail
Sam A. Baker - Mudlick Trail
Silver Mines
- Millstream Gardens Trail
Taum Sauk Mountain
- Taum Sauk Trail
- Mina-Sauk Falls
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Trail
Trail of Tears State Park Trail
Valley View Glades Trail
Washington State Park Trail

Northeast Missouri Hiking Trails
Cuivre River State Park Trails
Daniel Boone Conservation Area
Graham Cave State Park Trail
Mark Twain Lake Trails
- Joanna Trail
Mark Twain State Park

Southwest Missouri Hiking Trails
Devil's Backbone Wilderness
Ridge Runner Trail
Hercules Glades Wilderness
Piney Creek Wilderness
Big Sugar Creek Trail

Illinois Hiking Trails
Pere Marquette State Park