Showing posts with label conservation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conservation. Show all posts

Friday, May 30, 2014

Too Hot? Take In Some Nature Art This June.

Sorry, not by Marcus Janzow. But I wanted to have some type of picture here.
I'll admit, Midwestern Missouri summer days can be absolutely brutal and if it's too hot outside for you perhaps you may want to take in some local art at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center. Beginning in June you can see photographer and wildlife biologist, Marcus Janzow's photography exhibit, titled "Diverse Landscapes of Southeast Missouri".

Janzow concentrated on areas in Southeast Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Conservation hopes that after seeing the beautiful exhibit that you will want to get out and visit the areas photographed. And to be inspired by his photos simply stop by the (fully air conditioned) Cape Girardeau Nature Center during regular business hours in June, Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you find it  cool enough you may even want to take to one of the trails located right outside of the Nature Center's doors as well, like the White Oak Trace trail.

Of course, I certainly hope you get out there and take to a trail to experience the great Missouri trail system as well, and I'd always love to see your pictures!

For more information on the June exhibit visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's release page here: http://mdc.mo.gov/node/28356.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Big Oak Tree State Park: Take A Stroll With Giants.

 
Real-life giants reside in a small conservation area near East Prairie, Missouri. These behemoths tower silently over the swampy land. As we strolled among these quiet colossi we gained a unique, native view of Southeast Missouri and were afforded a free trip back in time; as Big Oak Tree State Park is one of few areas that reflects the original swampy land that the early Native Americans and settlers explored and lived in centuries before us, earning it a Missouri tag as a Natural Area. As we journeyed over the Boardwalk Trail it was amazing to see traditional Missouri hardwood forest with exquisite oak, hickory, sweet gum and sugarberry transform into an environment that would seem to be more at home in Louisiana; a soupy swamp featuring a champion pumpkin ash, bald cypress, swamp privet, button bush, swamp locust, and large black willows, all within a just few yards. After a tour of Big Oak Tree State Park visitors can certainly see why we locals call the bootheel "Swampeast" Missouri.

The Park of Champions! 
Many current and past champion trees call Big Oak Tree State Park home. In fact, this Missouri state park boasts more champion trees than any other location in Missouri, earning it the nickname "The Park of Champions". According to what I have read the park's two National Champion trees are a Pumpkin Ash with a 118 foot circumference that stands over 150 foot tall and a Persimmon that is 97 foot in circumference and reaches 133 foot in height. Just to provide a quick comparison of just how mighty these mammoths are, an average Persimmon tree stands about 60 foot tall, the noble Persimmon Champion in Big Oak Tree State Park more than doubles that figure! If you want to see the champion Persimmon you will need to take the1.5 mile Bottomland Trail. I'll be honest, even the VINES here are MASSIVE! You can find vines growing up these majestic giants that are reminiscent of creeping vegetation I've only seen in Indiana Jones movies. Be careful though, some of those vines are poison ivy; others include wild grape, peppervine and Virginia creeper.

A unique native habitat provides for diverse life.
As you hike through Big Oak Tree State Park you may spot wildlife and plantlife that you may not see again or at any other park in Missouri. As you journey through this unique environment, be sure to keep an eye out for the swamp rabbit, who has been placed on the conservation concern list due to its habitat continuing to be drained in Missouri. This unique and sometimes large rabbit loves to swim in the soupy Southeast Missouri swamplands, if pursued they will take to the water to avoid their pursuer and can frequently be seen resting on logs and sticks in the middle of swampland. Birdwatchers from near and far can also be found as over 150 species of birds may be seen here; including the brightly colored prothonotary warbler and my personal favorite, the pileated woodpecker, which can be heard tapping upon the Big Oak Tree giants in search of  a meal. There are snakes in the swamp as well, although there have NOT been any documented sightings of any venomous water snakes such as the water moccasin (cottonmouth) according to the Missouri State Park's Plants and Animals page. You may also keep an ear out for the chorus of croaks, as the frogs serenade for mates in the spring and summer. If you would like to know how to identify the type of frog by it's song, here is a great video for you:


Be sure to bring the kids...
Big Oak Tree State Park is a perfect place to take the kids and have a great day out. The park itself boasts a large picnic area that is near both of the trails and feature barbeque grills, picnic tables, playground, and a large shelter (just in case the weather changes). The Boardwalk Trail is a beautiful and easy walk, the suspended metal trail keeps you dry and your shoes dry as you make your way through the bottomland forest and into a real Southeast Missouri swamp. However, if you are looking for the Interpretive Center which is located at the trailhead for the Boardwalk Trail, it is closed, with a No Trespassing sign blocking the stairs.

But keep in mind...
There are plenty of birds singing, frogs leaping, and even a few snakes slithering in the swamp, but the trail should keep you above any danger. Remember though, you're in a real patch of the "Swampeast" here, and mosquitoes just LOVE all that muddy stagnant water, so don't forget the bug repellent you may want to read my critically acclaimed "Better Safe Than Swarmed - Homemade Bug Spray"  and make your very own (ok, so just my mother acclaimed it, but she's a critic, right?). And my "Tiny. Tenacious. Terrible. Ticks." post will help you properly remove any unwanted bloodsucking hitchhikers that may feel the need to tag along. You may also want to tack a glance at How to Take a Great Dayhike as well, to help you prepare for a great family or solo hike. If you're looking for a trail longer and more "natural" than the Boardwalk Trail, you'll want to hit the Bottomland Trail, which is accessible via a spur that leads to the picnic area and the official trailhead which is near the park's lake. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has also produced a nice YouTube video that features Big Oak Tree Park, watch it below:



Thank you for reading, I hope to see you out on the trail!



More Information:
Big Oak Tree State Park - MDC page
Big Oak Tree State Park Topographic Map  
Visit Local Treks on facebook!
Go See A Champion - A site listing Champion trees throughout the US
Better Safe Than Swarmed! - A How-To for homemade bug repellen
Tips: How To Take A Great Dayhike
Tiny. Tenacious. Terrible. Ticks.
National Geographic "Backyard Bird Identifier" 
MDC Field Guide - An EXCELLENT resource to local wildlife


Wednesday, April 30, 2014

American Hiking Society's National Trails Day June 7th



American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® 2014
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® will bring together outdoor enthusiasts across the country on Saturday, June 7, 2014, for the 22nd annual celebration of America's magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers. More than 2,000 nationwide events will take place including trail maintenance, hiking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, running, trail celebrations and more!   To find an event near you, visit http://www.americanhiking.org/ntd-events/

National Trails Day® encourages all Americans to connect with local outdoor clubs, businesses, community groups, and parks and recreation departments as well as federal land managing agencies to experience, appreciate, and share the natural places we cherish. "Twenty years ago, American Hiking built National Trails Day® around the idea that for one day each year we should come together outdoors and give back to our favorite trails.  Since then, people from all walks of life have been coming out in increasing numbers on NTD to celebrate our trails and the great outdoors,” said Gregory Miller, American Hiking Society president.

Since 1993, National Trails Day® has inspired millions of individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well-being, protect green space, educate youth and adults on the importance of trails, and instill excitement for the outdoors. Plan now to host or attend an event in your area, visit http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/ for more information or to host your own event! 

Looking to get outside and on the trail right now? Currently the American Hiking Society 2014 Trails Day Challenge is in full swing and is a GREAT lead up to National Trails Day! Visit http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/2014-challenge/ to see if there is a hike location near you! Then just "take a hike", snap a photo of yourself on the trail, tweet the pic to @Americanhiking and tag either @Americanhiking or @MenashaRidge with the hashtag #NationalTrailsDay. How easy is that?

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is a nationally recognized trail awareness program that occurs annually on the first Saturday of June and inspires the public to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in outdoor activities, clinics, and trail stewardship projects.  National Trails Day® is a registered trademark of American Hiking Society.

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience.   

To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Millstream Gardens: Well Shut Me In!

Local Treks: Millstream Gardens Sign
More of my pictures from Millstream Gardens Atta'Way---->
Millstream Gardens is 916 acres of pure magic. The area holds wonders for nearly every outdoor enthusiast and boasts an appearance more reminiscent of the rushing rivers of Colorado than the rolling hills of Missouri. The wonder and natural beauty of Millstream Gardens and the Tiemann Shut-ins contained therein, beg you to take it slow, absorb in the natural majesty and savor every sound, especially the steady sound of rare Missouri whitewater, rushing through the smooth carved granite.

Local Treks: Millstream Gardens Blackberries
As you enter the Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, located just off of hwy 72 between Arcadia and Fredricktown, MO, you will come to a fork in the road. Turning left at the fork takes you to the "official" trail head for the Millstream Gardens trail. From the official trail head the hike runs for about one and a half miles through the woodlands and along the St. Francois River, connecting Millstream Gardens to the Silver Mines Recreation Area. This trail is not a loop trail, so once you've made the journey to the Silver Mines, you'll be heading on back on the same trail, making the trip a three mile trek.

Local Treks: Tiemann Shut Ins at Millstream Gardens
Local Treks: Tiemann Shut-Ins
For hikers with small children and disabilities you will LOVE the beginning of this trail, which hosts a half to three quarters of a mile of paved trail, featuring benches nearly every 100-200 feet. The paved trail also features a very unique low wooden bridge, which crosses a shallow creek, zigging and zagging back and forth creating an interesting crossing. While walking along this portion of the trail, keep a keen eye out for wild blackberries, I spotted them nearly everywhere on a summer trip to the area. At the end of the pavement you will come to a large wooden patio, which provides a perfect vantage point to take in a particularly beautiful section of Tiemann Shut-Ins (pronounced Tee-Man, according to the locals we spoke with). Why is it called a shut-in? Well here's a real "Ozark" answer: The term shut in comes from the stream or river being "shut in" or confined within a deep channel. Forcing the St. Francois River into this channel creates some decent rapids, and that's why the kayaking crews LOVE this portion of the river.

Local Treks: My border collie at Millstream Gardens
Who's a happy boy?
You'll want to spend some time here for sure. The scenery is absolutely astounding and you may find yourself snapping far more pictures than you ever imagined right here at this spot. It is also a perfect spot to dip your toes into the St. Francis River, let the kids (or yourself) splash around in the chilly water, leap from boulder to boulder, take in a quick snack or just sit, and let the sounds of the rushing water simply sooth you. On my first visit to this area, I can assure you that if my border collie, Hyatt, could speak he would have asked to never leave this spot. He splashed from rock to rock and along the sandy shores with the largest smile to ever grace a canine's face. Those of you with dogs will need to take care however, your shoes may give you ample grip on the smooth igneous rocks that form the shut-ins, but your pooch's pads and nails will not, Hyatt slipped into the water frequently as he attempted to follow the same route as myself.

Local Treks: Shark's Fin at Millstream Gardens
Heading East from the overlook you will find the beginning of the Millstream Gardens hiking trail, which is unpaved. As you make your way down the dirt path the trail you will find signs calling attention to landmarks such as Shark's Fin rock, a large angular rock, jutting up from St. Francis River, perhaps to take a bite or two out of some of the kayakers as they shoot the rapids. Other labeled points of interest you will find in this beginning section of the trail are Pine Rock Overlook and Double Drop Rapids. Pine Rock Overlooks provides a perfect perch to steal a few photos of the shut-ins as well. As you continue, ever eastward, you will begin to leave the Tiemann Shut-Ins area and enter the more heavily wooded portion of the trail.

Local Treks: Beautiful Dinner
I caught this bug nabbing a snack!
After the beauty of Tiemann Shut-Ins, don't fret! There is much to be found in the forested area of the trail as well, Millstream Gardens isn't all just pink igneous rock, river and shut-ins. As you continue your hike along the trail you will find majestic oak, hickory and shortleaf pine in the upland woods, complimented by ash, elm and maple trees near the banks of the St. Francois River. The steady sounds of the river can nearly always be heard through the hike; providing a perfect background accompaniment to the bird solos and chorus provided by the wind blowing through the canopy. I spotted beautiful wildflowers nearly everywhere and took a great deal of photos of each, then upon looking at them closer at home, noticed that nearly every single flower hosted some type of stinging or biting insect. I'm certainly glad I didn't go sticking my nose straight in them! Other wildlife to keep an eye out for is white-tailed deer, turkey and... snakes during the warm months.

Local Treks: Mystery foundation at Millstream Gardens
The trail through the wooded area is relatively flat, with only a few hills that reside near the midway point of the hike. In the "hilly" areas, be careful of your footing as there is loose rock and occasional water trickling through or over the trail. When you find yourself approximately three quarters of a mile east from the Tiemann Shut-In patio, you may notice a lonely concrete foundation, just before the trail begins to follow the St. Francis once again. I scoured the area for any indication as to what the foundation may have been, but only confounded myself more, spotting three cylindrical concrete forms 15-20 yards to the east of the foundation on the north side of the trail. I've continued to look online and even ask locals around the area, but have yet to discover what the foundation may have been prior. The trail may seem to "split" here at the foundation, but the path that leads west is just a slight spur that will take you to a scenic little area of the river, that features a splendid view of a tall bluff that forces the St. Francis River to flow on its northern side.

Local Treks: Scenic Tree and St. Francis River Millstream Gardens
From here the trail continues eastward to the Silver Mines and Mark Twain National Forest. As the trail nears the banks of the St. Francis be aware that you may have to make slight deviations from the path, as rising water sometimes pools in these areas or deposits branches, twigs, trees and other objects that may block your path. Don't be too wary though, you will not have to step more than a few yards from the clear trail in order to get around these small "trail-blockers". If you've brought a picnic lunch the large open field at the Silver Mines provides not only a wonderful place to take in the scenery and spot TONS of wildflowers, but also many picnic tables as well so that you may sit alongside the St. Francis River, take a reprieve and prepare for the wonderful return trip to Millstream.

In fact, upon your return to Millstream you may want to take the path that leads west from the Tiemann Shut-Ins overlook. This trail will lead you to another perfect picnic spot, this one featuring a vista over looking the St. Francis River, a picnic pavilion, and one of the most twisted pine trees I've ever seen, just check it out below!
Local Treks: Millstreams Garden picnic pavillion and twisted pine
Enjoy a picnic with a view of the river and one TWISTED pine!

As with any trip into the woods there are ticks in this area, so you may want to brush up on what keeps them at bay and how to remove one should it embed. And of course if you're taking children along, you may want  to check out some tips on how to take a GREAT Day Hike. Thanks for reading, be sure to leave a comment down below or check us out on facebook!

 
More Information:
Mill Streams Garden Conservation Area on mdconline
Millstream Gardens Area Map
My Flickr Gallery of Images
Local Treks on facebook
White Water and Rock Hounding: Silver Mines Recreational Area
Tiny. Tenacious. Terrible. Ticks. - How to keep those bloodsuckers at bay!
How To Take A GREAT Day Hike


Friday, August 16, 2013

For the Birds: Juden Creek Conservation Area & More!

We had passed the bird house topped ancient gate and the small sign, pointing the way to Juden Creek hundreds of times. It seemed each time we took a jaunt to Trail of Tears State Park we would say, "We really should drop by there" and then pass on by... But, something was different on a particular Sunday, something made us turn in to Juden Creek Conservation Area, and I'm glad that whatever unforeseen force pushed us to visit the small park did, because the questions raised on our hike provided me a better vision and understanding of the area and even a bit of its history.

First, here's the HIKE!
In order to get to the trail head, you will take Hwy 177 (Big Bend Road) north through Cape Girardeau, MO. You'll then turn right (East) on old Missouri Route V, then turn right on Cape Rock road. You'll discover the parking lot for the trail on your right. This fairly worn trail will take you through Twin Trees Park, across a narrow band of Juden Creek Conservation Area, and then ending (somewhat abruptly) in the Kelso Sanctuary Natural Area. This trail does have inclines/declines to it and is not surfaced, so I would consider it to be a "moderate" hike.

As we approached the trail head we were instantly aware of the wildlife, particularly the numerous songbirds, who chirped and sang as we began our journey. It wasn't far up the short ascent that the canopy of the hardwood forest quickly enveloped us as we made our way through the Twin Trees Park portion of the trail. A quick survey of the American Beech that are scattered throughout the woods provided me an explanation of why so many songbirds were to be heard here, as they love to devour the fruit of this tree. Interesting note on these Beech trees is that this is about as far West as you will find them, and one of the few places that they grow naturally in Missouri.

As we continued we noticed TONS of wildflowers just beginning to emerge along the trail, with nearly every color of nature's vivid palette brilliantly brushed on to their petals. I would find out only later, that this area is known for the migratory birdwatching and the wildflowers. In fact, Wildflower Walks are sometimes provided during spring by the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center so be sure to check their page if you're heading out there!

In the trees we would occasionally spot odd, dark, egg-shaped canisters that we assumed were installed to serve as bird houses, in order to attract even more birds to the area, so that they may sing even more songs for trail goers. Many of these bird house seemed to have their entrances widened via the teeth of some squirrels or perhaps they were there to attract a different type of wildlife and had the entrances widened by man. If you may know what these canisters are there for, or what particular birds they may be attracting, please let me know. Despite my lack of knowledge as to whether or not man had widened these holes there was a distinct sign of man's impact on the landscape, the ravages of a suspicious 2009 brush fire, can still be seen on many of the trees and shrubs that line a good portion of the trail as it passes through the Juden Creek area.

Springdale Bird Sanctuary? Hmm.....
As we continued something else caught my eye. We began to see a scattering of signs for the "Springdale Bird Sanctuary", firmly attached to trees, yet I had never heard of such a place. Many of the signs were weathered and bent, some with the paint peeling, and others peppered with pellet holes. I began to wonder if we had somehow ventured into another park or conservation area, or worse, if I had begun to tread (unknowingly) onto private property. After doing a quick search of the area, and finding no evidence of us being on private property, we continued on the trail, noticing a small pond, just barely noticeable through the trees that the trail seemed to be winding around. This particular area seemed absolutely THICK with pileated woodpeckers, who seemed to stay close enough for us to catch quick, brilliant glimpses of their beauty, but quickly flying away milliseconds before my camera could fully focus on them. We would discover yet another type of sign, one indicating a nearby survey marker, but we could not find the marker the sign was designed to protect (or perhaps it protected the marker too well). Our journey on the trail ended at an old building foundation, with a man gazing at us from his backyard... We decided then it was time to head back.

Note that this is NOT a loop trail, or at least, it was not a loop trail on our experience. We did not go off trail and stuck only to the most worn portion, upon finishing our exploration of the old building foundation and waving to the staring man in his backyard, we simply doubled back and made our way back through the woods to the parking lot. But as we headed back, my mind was awash in questions on exactly what Springdale Bird Sanctuary was and why there was a gate topped with a single bird house, so...

Warning... History stuff below:
Kelso Sanctuary Natural Area began its life in 1937 as the Springdale Bird Sanctuary, when Judge and Mrs. I.R. Kelso donated 20 acres of land to the Audubon Society of Missouri in June of 1937, an additional 7 acres was added soon after. At some time during the 1960's or 1970's the area changed names to the I.R. Kelso Wildlife Sanctuary and I assume later changed to its current designation. As of today, the area consists of 23 acres of wooded area (according to the Missouri Department of Conservation), which is owned by the Audubon Society of Missouri and managed by the Biology department of Southeast Missouri State University. I have also read that the University has leased the land from the Audubon Society of Missouri for a dollar per year since 1962, that sounds like a pretty good deal to me! The Kelso Sanctuary has had multiple bridges, all of which crossed Juden Creek, and all of which no longer exist due to flooding. However, only one (of two originally) of the small birdhouses still tops the gate that led to the entrance and can easily be spotted from Hwy 177 (Big Bend Road) as you approach the Juden Creek Conservation Area turn. Rumor has it that there is a geocache located nearby as well...

More Information:
Juden Creek Hiking Map
Juden Creek Conservation Area
Kelso Sanctuary Natural Area
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
Audubon Society of Missouri Checklist for Juden Creek
Juden Creek Hike Set on Flickr

f/8 and Be There (blog on Springdale Bird Sanctuary history by Fred Lynch of the Southeast Missourian Newspaper)
Southeast Missourian Photo Gallery of Juden Creek Fire (Photos by Kit Doyle)
This is NOT the Home of the Birds (blog entry by Ken Steinhoff)


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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Trail of Tears State Park II: Peewah Trail


After experiencing the beauty of Trail of Tears State Park while exploring the three mile Sheppard's Point Trail, we knew that our family would be heading back soon, this time to tackle a more "formidable" foe... The nine mile long Peewah Trail. Now, I say that the Peewah Trail is ten miles, and it is, but the beauty of this trail is that it is split into two completely different trails with two seperate trail heads, that forms a full on (if a bit askew) figure eight. These two sections of the Peewah Trail are simply referred to as the East Loop and the West Loop.

The "boys", Hudson (brown & white) and Hyatt, taking in a quick refresher
from one of the numerous creek crossings on
the East Loop of the Peewah Trail
The East Loop: The East Loop is approximately 3.25 miles long and is easily identified by its yellow blazes. This loop climbs the ridges and bluffs that overlook the Mississippi to the East and even features a small spur that will take you out to a scenic overlook (located 1.5 miles East of the trail head for the East Loop) so that you can get a beautifully clear picture of the Mighty Mississippi, in fact, if you find that the scenic overlooks just off the roadside are full, this viewpoint and the vantage at Sheppard's Point are excellent alternatives, and all but guaranteed to be less crowded during Bald Eagle season. This trail is a perfect example of what goes up, must come down. As you follow the bluffs and ridges along the Mississippi eventually you'll come to the descent into the bottom-land, filled with wildflowers (in the spring/summer), giant cane and even a few creek crossings. Of course, with the creek crossings the possibility of washouts and flooding are a possibility depending upon the level of the Mississippi, so pay attention and use caution during any creek crossing. As you are on the Western side of the loop, keep an eye out for the black and white blaze, indicating the connector between the East Loop and the West Loop.

Twisted and snapped trees can be found
from the 2003 tornado damage.

The West Loop: To access the 5.75 mile long West Loop, you may hit the trail head, located along the Overlook Road, just north of Hill Road or you can hit the connector from the East Loop, mentioned above. As you hike through the region, marked clearly with red blazes, you will notice areas with beautiful oaks and hickories lining the ridgetops, while sweet gum and sycamore dominate the bottom-lands, with a health amount of native ferns thrown in just for measure. While taking in the beauty of these trees you may encounter areas that appear to be "stunted", but they are not, we had a tornado ravage the area in 2003 and this trail shows the clear evidence of the tornado's path. This is a perfect way to teach the destructive powers of a tornado, as the downed and twisted trees are still easily seen from the trail. Of course for a child, these downed trees provide a perfect and fun opportunity to increase their climbing skills too! This damage is a great example of the resiliency of the forest when taken care of.

Searching for
Now, for our family this was a pretty long hike and in order to spice up the nature for my then ten-year-old, we decided to search for a few geocaches while out on the trail. If you are unfamiliar with geocaching, or think I just made it up, head over to Geocaching-The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site for all the information you could ever want, and a quick and easy look up for geocaches near you or your prospective hikes. For our hunt, we simply took our car GPS unit into the field with us and used the coordinate look-up function to place the marker on our screen, of course your unit may be entirely different, but the fact is, we didn't need a fancy pants hand held unit and nearly all smart phones have a GPS function built in and numerous apps are available for you to use, such as the Geocaching Toolkit, I have used this one myself so I can vouch for it. Keep in mind, there is a Geocacher's Code of Ethics and be sure to bring along something to trade for an item that you may find interesting, be sure to read where others who have come before you are from, it is interesting to find so many others who found your little "secret" stash! Another quick note as you look over the geocache entries, a "Muggle" is someone that isn't out to find a geocache or someone unaware of geocaching even exists, I'm not a big fan of the Harry Potter series and it took me a bit to figure out what the heck a muggle was.

The West Loop has a few creek crossings as well, Indian Creek is prone to flooding its banks and flash flooding is always a possibility during rain storms, so please be careful as you cross these areas. As with any area rich in water and cover, there is a great chance to spot wildlife on both trails, keep an eye out for turkey, whitetail deer, foxes, fat little squirrels and more. Concerning the squirrels, keep an eye on the sky, as we were convinced that one particularly fat little bugger was chucking branches and nuts at us, funny till you catch one on the noggin.

You may notice on the Peewah Trail Map that the West Loop is nearly bisected by trail that leads to a backpack camp located dead center of the loop. We did not explore this camp, but I can assure you, we fully plan to! In fact, we hope to use this as a refresher before taking on some longer backpacking trips this fall and next spring, so stay tuned for more information as we experience it.

Overall both trails offer fantastic hiking, well maintained and clearly marked trails (provided you know what you are looking for, so please print out a map), some breathtaking views and scenic spaces. We only encountered one other group of people out on the trail, another family, and immediately after they were out of earshot we were instantly transferred back into the solitude and serenity of the wild acres. The boys enjoyed all the smells and nature along the trail, while we enjoyed the family togetherness you can only experience on a hike. Even though we went during the late fall/early winter period there was still PLENTY to see and take note of, however, this trail would be truly breathtaking in early fall as the leaves change and the bottom-lands truly come alive in the early spring with a plethora of local wildflowers in full bloom at that time. I certainly hope you'll make time to explore at least one of the two loops available on the Peewah Trail, I'm sure you'll find it just as enjoyable as we did.

As always thank you for reading and let me know if you have any questions on the trail. If you dig the blog be sure to give it a +1 up there or subscribe with your email address up top, it won't bug you until the next update then. Happy trails till next!

More Information:
Flickr Gallery of Shots
Click here for Peewah Trail Map
Click here for Trail Listing in Trail of Tears State Park
Trail of Tears State Park
429 Moccasin Springs
Jackson, MO 63755-8295
(573)290-5268(573)290-5268


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Sunday, June 30, 2013

Hike Through History: Trail of Tears State Park and Sheppard's Point Trail

Trail of Tears State Park, to me, is that "homely" girl in the sappy love movie. You know the one that no one pays any attention to and calls a geek, then, suddenly, she lets down her hair and takes off her glasses to reveal she's smokin' hot! For me, that is the tale of Trail of Tears State Park and this gal seems to have something for everyone: fishing, swimming, horse trails, picnicking, camping, backpacking, beautiful scenic overlooks, bird watching (people "flock" from all over to watch the Bald Eagle migration), Mississippi River access, hiking and so much more!

 

Now, I am no stranger to Trail of Tears, in college, friends and I would escape our campus confines and seek out the coolness of Lake Boutin for a dip or cast of the line, while partaking a few tasty cold beverages and observing the local bikini-clad "wildlife". Here's a quick note to those that may wish to also take a dip in Lake Boutin, wear shoes or water socks. There are still some old school pop tops (I put in this picture link because I realized a lot of folks may have no idea what that is) buried in some of the sand here so protect those tootsies! However, I was a trail virgin to over thirteen miles of pristine and well maintained trails the park harbored and after a quick internet search found that the three mile Sheppard's Point Trail could be a great "go to" hike for me and the family!
The parasitic beech drop.
Photo found on Wikipedia

Trail  of Tears State Park is very, very well marked and navigating from place to place within the park is very easy and directions are clear and evident. Upon arriving at the Sheppard's Point Trail Head, we noticed a few other cars, but we would never spot our fellow trail hikers (or hear them for that matter). We unloaded and leashed our "boys" Hudson and Hyatt, snatched our water bottles from the cooler, tightened up our laces and hit the dirt trail that headed straight into the hardwood forest. As we hiked, white oak, American beech, cucumber magnolia and beautiful tulip poplars lined the trail, as the dirt path took us to the tops of ridges and into deep valleys. Beneath the trees we saw brilliant green ferns and I took special note to look out for a rare plant, the parasitic beech drop, siphoning nutrients from the roots of the American beech.

The trail itself has some condition issues in spots (holes and root growth) and can be steep in places, but each incline of the trail is slowly adding up to one heck of a view! Nearly halfway through the hike is an awe inspiring vantage of the Mississippi River and a perfect place to take a quick rest and recharge while watching barges and tugboats navigate the mighty (and muddy) river. This point is also a prime observation point for bald eagles, particularly during the winter months. Also watch out below, there are some great drop offs that you can perch on to garner an even better view of the river, or peer directly over the edge to watch trains travel with their goods along the rails below.

After taking our break and watering both ourselves and the boys, we began to complete the Sheppard's Point loop and once back at the car, we all found that the trip was beyond enjoyable, if not a bit rough traveling up and down though. It seems as though we would be back, and soon to take a trip on another Trail of Tears hiking route... The Peewah Trail.

More Information:

Sheppard's Point Trail Map

Trail of Tears State Park
429 Moccasin Springs
Jackson, MO 63755-8295
(573) 290-5268(573) 290-5268





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Thursday, June 27, 2013

A BIG Little Hike: Little Grand Canyon, Illinois


Little Grand Canyon, tucked away in the Shawnee National Forest, was one of my very favorite hiking spots back in college. I discovered it on a field trip in my botany class back in 1998, I was impressed with the lush green beauty of the area, the "ruggedness" of the 3.6 mile hike and the relative feeling of remoteness as our instructor led class traversed the sandstone walled canyon trail in search of endangered local plant species. Would I feel the same sense of remoteness, would I encounter the same beauty, would the trail seem as "rugged" in a 2011 revisit with my family?

Before I get too far in, allow me add a little bit more to our 2011 revisit of the Little Grand Canyon, as many in the Midwest (particularly those who live in areas that are near the Mississippi River) will know, this area is near the historic flood levels that occurred in 2011 and that did cause a bit of issue with our hike. The issue was, we couldn't make the full loop. Upon traveling to the bottom of the canyon, we hiked as far as we could, swarmed by mosquitoes, up to our thighs in mud, hoping constantly that we "were through the worst of it"... We finally were forced to backtrack when our hairy little buddy couldn't go any further due to the depth and consistency of the mud. However, given all of this, we still LOVED this area and I can't wait to return!

As we pulled into the parking lot we were greeted with what is becoming a rare sight at state and national parks, a bathroom and a well marked map of the area. However, we should have paid a bit more attention to the sign posted right next to the map exclaiming: "Trail Impassible Due To High Water!". But come on, that's for chumps, right? So we grabbed our walking sticks and prepared for our first foray as a family out into a small portion of the Shawnee National Forest.

The initial trail from the parking lot is fairly easy going, consisting of a nice, wide, gravel trail that will lead the wanderer to the beginning of a 365 foot descent into the Little Grand Canyon. This portion of the trail is well maintained and well traversed and offers much to see in the way of trees and undergrowth. Oak and Hickory trees line the trail and, during our visit, they even lay across the trail which may inhibit some with disabilities from traveling further. We took our time walking this portion, pausing to identify some plants such as poison ivy (which my daughter was unfamiliar with), broad leafed ferns and the Celandine Poppy (Wicked Witch of the West: Poppies... Poppies. Poppies will put them to sleep. Sleeeeep. Now they'll sleeeeep!).

As the gravel ends your descent will begin and I'll provide you a warning, it can be slick, and I'm not being an overcautious old man here, it is slicker than snot in some spots especially following any rain. So, be sure to watch your footing, even on the steps that are carved into the sandstone, because if you slip in some areas you're in for a pretty rapid fall and possibly a not-so-fun slide ride to the bottom. But this also adds to the "ruggedness" of the trail, the little bit of slip fear that may enter your brain make this portion of the trail seem adventurous to some, perhaps even providing a bit of a story for those who haven't yet been out to the area.

As we traveled down to the canyon floor, we passed mini waterfalls, grottoes, scurried across worn ledges and even did a few impressions of Sylvester Stallone from Cliffhanger, acting like we could fall at any minute. The steady sound of the water running through the area and birds calling were all that we could hear, and my mind went back to my class hike and the feeling as though we were the only ones out there. We paid special attention to the hand and foot holds carved into the sandstone by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the the Great Depression. I searched for more broad leafed ferns on the way down and added to the list a few liverworts and hairy cap moss. We kept an eye out for local wildlife too, and encountered a little guy we nicknamed the "Hypno-Toad" and we were treated to a unique gathering of butterflies just as we reached the canyon floor.

Upon reaching the canyon floor, the now dirt trail, leveled out and we instantly noticed the canyon walls, towering over 100 foot overhead. This is also where the mosquitoes began their relentless assault, dive-bombing and attacking in mass. They were of the large, black variety and you could actually feel each bite. I don't believe they are permanent residents to the area, at least not in the numbers we encountered, but I highly recommend a few sprays of a reliable mosquito repellent prior to taking this hike, better safe than swarmed... We followed the White Diamond marked trail for as long as were able, finally having to backtrack due to mud that was just too deep for our sheltie, Hudson, to continue on. As we backtracked, I made sure that we poked into a few of the overhangs and crags to see if we could discover any other little hidden gems such as this Blue Diamond marked tree, a fallen tree missing its center and a few autographs we found in a shallow cave carved into the canyon stone.

We took a second to wash up and then began our journey back up the Little Grand Canyon, disappointed that we couldn't make the loop this time, but excited for the chance to return and complete it then.

Since we visited in 2011, there was a forest fire that burned around 18 acres of the area located one quarter of a mile from the trail head in April of 2013. There is more information at the Southern Illinoisan, The Southeast Missourian and WPSD (NBC).

More of our pictures from the area are available on my Flickr Page


Find More Information (click to visit):
Shawnee National Forest (Little Grand Canyon)
Botany in Natural Areas of Southern Illinois


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Latitude: 37.68028
Longitude: -89.39472