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Post by hangingtrekker on Mar 5, 2016 9:16:55 GMT -8
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good area to go backpacking in Missouri - that is more remote and less crowded? My frame of reference is the Monogahela National Forest/Dolly Sods Wilderness area in WV. It looks like in the Mark Twain their camping regulations are not within 100ft of a trail or water source, but nothing specifically noting staying in designated camp sites. I don't have any experience in that area but from what I see on some topo maps I have been browsing there is a lot of "short" up/down in and out of hollows. I'd like to find a loop around 7-8 miles, or a 3-4 hike in/out, that has a small taste of the elevation, like a climb up and stays level the rest, and some not-so-difficult, but bigger, water crossings (IE - not a stream that takes one rock hop to cross, more like cross a span over felled trees, or wade thru knee deep water, or rock hop a ways, but not around rapids) to take a couple people to for an entry level 2 day overnight trip (they have never been on a real backpacking trip yet so I don't want to over-do it in distance or up/down). As for timing - end of May/early June?
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Post by Kevin Palmer on Mar 5, 2016 12:07:25 GMT -8
There's a lot of information on this website: Ozark TrailI'm planning to go backpacking at Bell Mountain in the next month or two. It has a lot of what you describe, but I'm not sure how big "Joe's Creek" is since I haven't been there yet. A couple years ago in early May I visited Buford Mountain which is a few miles away from Bell Mountain (it doesn't have water). It was beautiful but there was a heat wave at the time and it was miserable hiking in 90 degrees and humid conditions. So I think earlier in the spring may be better for cooler temperatures. Also look into the area around Taum Sauk State Park, which has Missouri's highest mountain, and highest waterfall. Crowds weren't bad in the area during the week. But it may be worse on weekends especially around Memorial Day. |
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Mar 5, 2016 13:32:08 GMT -8
Ditto the rec on the OTA website. This is a very well run organization.
Missouri cannot offer vast areas of wilderness, but the Ozarks are quite scenic. One of the best routes is the Taum Sauk trail between Taum Sauk (or the OTA trailhead oh hi way 21 and Bell Mountain to thw west. This 33 mile trip crosses one paved road, and passes scenic areas including Taum Sauk Falls, Devil's Tollgate, the "scour" above the Black Tiver ( a reservoir breach wiped off a side valley down to bedrock), Jinhson Shutins (swimming channels in rocks), Goggins Mtn (views) and Bell Mtn.
Sections of the OT farther south are quite scenic too. The OTA can arrange a shuttle.
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Post by hangingtrekker on Mar 6, 2016 8:57:49 GMT -8
Thanks for the info. 33 miles is way to long. I'm looking at around 10 max. The people I am trying to get out on the trail have never been backpacking before so I don't want to push them too hard. If I was doing 3 full days of hiking I might be able to get 33, but that is a stretch for me.
I was looking at Bell Mountain but I don't like the elevation associated with those trails. I'd like to stay lower and around streams. It doesn't look like there are many "loops" on the OT page trip calculator... The good thing is, though, they have google earth trail maps to download. If they had a download that had all of the trails that would be awesome. Then I could get it all at once and look at the intersections and trails and figure out something that may suit better.
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Post by Hungry Jack on Mar 6, 2016 16:44:02 GMT -8
If all you want is a 10 mile loop, check out the Whispering Pine trail at Hawn State Park in MO. It is a beautiful example of Ozark terrain with a 10 mile loop that includes a backpack site about 6 miles in. Pickle Creek is stunning. There is a rocky knob with great views and lots of variety of terrain.
There is a great little place very nearby called Hickory Canyonsor. It's a short hiking loop in a deep hollow that is very scenic with a seasonal waterfall.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 17:04:38 GMT -8
I've been planning a trip to Bell Mountain for a couple years now. It's a lengthy drive (about three hours for me) which has been difficult to work out how I'm going to make it work. I had it worked out to go with friends last summer, but my son was born, which kinda took a lot of stuff off the table :D I'll hit up Bell Mountain this year though. Hoping to find a couple people to go with around here.
Several 'packers have been kind enough to film their trips on Bell Mountain and put them on YouTube so you can get an idea of what you might be up against. If you find a trail that might be your cup of tea, hop on YouTube and browse through a video to see if it's what you are looking for.
Thanks for the tips on when to go/not to go to Bell Mountain Kevin Palmer!
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Post by hangingtrekker on Mar 6, 2016 19:14:16 GMT -8
It's a lengthy drive (about three hours for me) which has been difficult to work out how I'm going to make it work. That would be nice to have a 3 hour drive to go backpacking. About the closest I can get to anywhere decent is at least twice that. To get to where I like to go in WV from where I am is about 13-14 hours. Congrats on the newborn. OK on Whispering Pine. That may be another option. How busy are the trails on the weekends? Aside from holiday weekends (I assume holiday weekends are crazy)... Also, how are the bugs there in early summer? |
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Post by Hungry Jack on Mar 6, 2016 19:43:11 GMT -8
Bugs will be bad pretty much anywhere east of the western deserts in June. Missouri has a lot of ticks too. Most of my Missouri trips were in the fall, so I cannot say how busy the spring would be.
Another Missouri option might be the Big Piney Trail near Ft. Leonard Wood. It has an 18 mile loop with a waterfall in a deep hollow.
Are you from the Midwest? It sounds like you are a long drive (13 hrs) from Dolly Sods, which might suggest you are from Missouri or even Kansas.
Assuming you are from the Midwest, you might consider Big South Fork as a closer alternative to Dolly Sods. It has a ton of trail, with rugged plateau terrain, deep canyons, rock formations, and very little visitation.
Or perhaps even the Ouachita Trail or the Buffalo River Trail in Arkansas.
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Post by hangingtrekker on Mar 6, 2016 21:54:28 GMT -8
Used to be in central Ohio. I got my start backpacking with a club at OSU while in college. I'm in northern Illinois now. I need to get out backpacking more often. That is something I have missed the past few years but every chance I get to go on a trip is very special. I did 4 days in the Monongahela National Forest over New Years (where my avatar picture is from). I am not sure if anywhere will ever replace the Monongahela National Forest in my realm of backpacking - that is where I got my feet wet on the trails. I've been in the Smokies NC/TN, Red River Gorge KY, and several places in OH. Nothing compares to the Monongahela National Forest in my book. It is very peaceful out there. The times I have been have never been very crowded. Camping is pretty open. Terrain can be challenging, but not too intense. Mileage is pretty open. There are hundreds of miles of trails and dozens of loops. Cool place if you have never been. Red Creek and Breathed Mountain were the two areas I hiked through on my first trip - mid 20's on mileage/3 days/2 nights. I like the Roaring Plains most these days. The plateau rim is really cool to hike along, if you ever get a chance to get out there. The trail is a "bushwhack" trail along the rim - marked with rock piles mostly. There are some awesome boulder fields. If you hike it I wouldn't suggest much pack weight. There are other trail options, just off away from the rim up top. My avatar pic is from the north west edge of the south rim where the bushwhack trail meets the marked trail, almost directly behind and to the left of the hammock is the entrance/exit to the bushwhack trail.
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Post by Hungry Jack on Mar 7, 2016 10:47:50 GMT -8
I live in Chicago, and am pretty acquainted with several areas within 6 hours drive. Have you tried Pictured Rocks in the UP? Or the Trap Hills area further west near Houghton? There is also great exploring available in the Shawnee region in southern Illinois. This area is marked by high sandstone bluffs and escarpments with numerous hollows, pour-off seasonal falls, and bouldering opportunities.
BTW, Hawn State Park is easier to get to than the main Ozark destinations. It is very close to I-55 in Missouri, so you could probably get to it in about 6 hours if you are coming from somewhere along I-39.
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Post by hangingtrekker on Mar 8, 2016 20:45:17 GMT -8
Thanks for the Hawn suggestion. Am I reading the information right - no campfires? That is half of the trip - time in camp around a campfire.
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Post by Hungry Jack on Mar 10, 2016 7:38:47 GMT -8
It's not unusual in park lands, be them national parks or state parks. They get so much use that 1) camping is restricted to prescribed sites (often with permits) to minimize the impact; 2) fires are prohibited or very limited (e.g. one communal fire ring) so that the forest is not scoured clean of downfall.
This is why I spend more time in national forest lands or wilderness areas run by the BLM. Less traffic means less restrictions. Still, I always practice LNT, pack out more than I pack in (garbage), and never construct new fire rings. I don't miss camp fires that much when I do go to national parks. Sometimes it's better to enjoy the darkness, the silence, and the uncluttered night sky.
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Post by indianabob on Mar 10, 2016 21:56:20 GMT -8
We did an overnight on Bell Mountain in October '14 on the way home from a late season trip to Colorado. It is a great little pocket wilderness.
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Post by Hungry Jack on Mar 11, 2016 7:35:56 GMT -8
If Bell Mtn is too steep, Taum Sauk is too long, and Hawn too fire-restricted, you might want to consider the Shawnee region in southern Illinois. It is probably a bit closer to home. It almost certainly less crowded (backpackers are very rare). And the inclines are not as dramatic. But it is surprisingly scenic and "remote feeling:--if you know where to go. I know this area quite well, and could recommend some places. This web site gives an overview of some wildnerness areas: illinois2.sierraclub.org/priorities/wild-illinois/illinois-wilderness/wilderness-areas-illinoisI would recommend places on the east side, most of which are in close proximity of each other: My favorites include Garden of the Gods, Lusk Creek, Jackson Hole (not the one in WY), and Bell Smith Springs. These areas offer waterfalls (seasonal) into deep hollows, large bluffs and rock formations, meandering creeks, and plenty of solitude. The only thing this terrain might like is a true river crossing, though Lusk Creek and Bay Creek (Bell Smith area) can be pretty substantial. If you are good at reading a map and somewhat adventurous, you can network the local trails with NF trails and connect, for example Bell Smith Springs, Jackson Hollow falls (not to be confused with Jackson Falls a bit to the west, spectacular when flowing). Or you could pack the 20 scenic miles between Garden of the Gods, One-Horse Gap, and Lusk Creek, using a shuttle arranged through the River to River Trail Society. |
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Post by null on Mar 18, 2016 8:39:03 GMT -8
Here's a 3 day, 13 mile trip on the Ozark Trail: Day 1: Start at Ozark Outdoors. Hike 3+ miles and take a left on the forest road (trail goes right). Camp at the end of spur trail off Scotia Ranch Road. Day 2: Hike 9.5 miles to a car campground (I forget the name). Front country camp Day 3: Rent canoes/kayaks. Put in at Butts Bridge. Take out at Ozark Outdoors. www.ozarktrail.com/maps/detailed/Courtois1.jpgSteve |
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