chena
Trail Ready!
Posts: 13 
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Post by chena on Jan 8, 2019 17:49:42 GMT -8
I am thinking of doing a 30 mile or so in Mark Twain National Forest, the Ozark Trail, I think it is called, this winter. Maybe February? Can anyone suggest a 30-40 ish mile loop or a great out and back, about 3-4 nights maybe more or less. About an 8 hour drive for me here in Northeast Iowa. I should have about 5 days total available including driving. I have been watching the weather down there and looks like it could be nice perfect hiking weather, 50's day and 30's night, or it could rain, or it could snow and get cold. I would welcome some weather challenges either way. Figured I would just drive down to the area and stop at a ranger station nearby and get a map and some local input before I head out as I always do. Thanks for any recommendations and advice!!
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Post by bikehikefish on Jan 10, 2019 8:43:09 GMT -8
There are a couple good resources to help you. For trail maps and other resources go to the Ozark Trail Association web site: www.ozarktrail.com/The OTA web site has a forum where you can ask for advice, and it has a trip planner that can help you pick a route. Another good resource is the Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers Facebook group. It is only a year old but it already has over 1500 members and growing daily. Lots of knowledgeable people that are more than willing to help. There are a number of good hikes on the OT, the Current River Section is one of my favorites. Highlights are a side hike to Rocky Falls, and a chance to see a herd of wild horses, which we saw when we hiked it in November. It also goes through Peck Ranch where elk were introduced a few years ago. You can see my trip report about that section, and other sections, on the OTA forum trip reports page. (I would provide a link, but the OTA website is unreachable at the moment, which is unusual). Other scenic sections are Bell Mountain and Taum Sauk Mountain. The trail from Taum Sauk Mountain to Johnson Shut-Ins passes Mina Sauk Falls, the highest waterfall in Missouri, and Devil's Tollgate, which was on an old early 1800's military road. Since the trail is mostly linear, there are not many loops, but you can do an out an back, or hire a shuttle in some areas. Edit: Here is a link to the Current River Section trip report www.ozarktrail.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1315 |
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Jan 12, 2019 17:45:48 GMT -8
Hard to find a loop of that size, but the Ozark Trail Association can shuttle you.
I would suggest the 35 mile Taum Sauk Trail from the Bell Mountain trailhead through Johnson Shut Ins on to Taum Sauk State Park. It’s very scenic with ample water. Some very unique attractions include the Johnson Shut Ins on the Black River, the scour area from the reservoir collapse, Devils Tollgate, and Mina Sauk falls.
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chena
Trail Ready!
Posts: 13
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Post by chena on Jan 14, 2019 16:38:51 GMT -8
Wow, that OTA website is pretty cool. The more I am finding out about this area the neater it sounds, for the Midwest haha.
Thanks for the info hikers. Does anyone know if dispersed car camping is allowed in the Mark Twain National Forest? Their website is pretty vague on actual camping policy, just says 100 feet off trail and water. Wondering if there are any secluded drive in sites or you need to car camp at one of their developed campgrounds?
What about camp sites along sections of the Ozark trail, again, everything I can find just says you can disperse camp anywhere in the forest, 100 feet off trail. Are there any actual cleared areas for camping with fire rings or is more like find a flat spot in the woods for the night?
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Post by bikehikefish on Jan 15, 2019 18:12:04 GMT -8
The short answer is, yes, dispersed car camping is allowed in the National Forest. But the Ozark Trail is not entirely on National Forest land. Most places on the OT you can camp 100 ft from the trail, but in some areas camping is restricted. The section maps on the OTA website have notes on special camping regulations.
Although the rule is "camp 100 ft from the trail", there are numerous "social" camps next to the trail, which are unofficial campsites that are used frequently and are usually cleared and have rock fire rings. I don't like to camp right next to the trail, but I have to admit to using these social camps sometimes. Oddly, if you are within Ozark National Scenic Riverways, they ask backpackers to use these established campsites instead of camping in unused areas.
The Ozark trail is maintained by the Ozark Trail Association but it goes through different types of properties:
National Forests, administered by the United States Forest Service (USFS)
National Park (Ozark National Scenic Riverways), administered by the National Park Service (NPS)
State Parks, administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
State Conservation properties, administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
and lastly, some parts of the trail have easements on private property
National Parks and State Parks have their own rules, so it is best to check the regulations on their respective websites. And on some private properties and conservation properties, camping is not allowed. But, again, the OT section maps tell you about these places, so you are not too likely to camp somewhere illegal. After you decide where you are going to hike, you can ask questions about known campsites on this forum or on the Ozark Trail Section Hikers Facebook page, someone is sure to give you some good tips.
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Jan 20, 2019 9:33:37 GMT -8
Wow, that OTA website is pretty cool. The more I am finding out about this area the neater it sounds, for the Midwest haha. Thanks for the info hikers. Does anyone know if dispersed car camping is allowed in the Mark Twain National Forest? Their website is pretty vague on actual camping policy, just says 100 feet off trail and water. Wondering if there are any secluded drive in sites or you need to car camp at one of their developed campgrounds? What about camp sites along sections of the Ozark trail, again, everything I can find just says you can disperse camp anywhere in the forest, 100 feet off trail. Are there any actual cleared areas for camping with fire rings or is more like find a flat spot in the woods for the night? the Ozarks are pretty thick during the growing season, but a winter hike will present a different view. I have a camped a few times off trail on old forest road/two-track that offered space. I think you will find plenty of open space higher up on hilltops that are drier with pine or oak forest. The bottoms get pretty bushy (and cold overnight, compared to higher elevations if you can avoid the wind). You probably will not find established sites outside of what you find at the state park campgrounds. If you do the Taum Sauk trail from the Trace Creek/Bell Mtn (northwest) trailhead, your travels will quickly put you atop the rocky ridge of Bell Mtn, where there will be plenty of glades but no water (you might find a pothole or two). At 9 miles in, you can connect to Googins Mtn trail and reach the campground at Johnson Shut-in SP in 3 miles. The old Johnson Shut-in campground on the Black River has been moved since the great flood, but it looks like there are tent sites there. This area is about 16 miles from the northwest TH. |
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