DEER SEASON

Deer Hunting Season is in full swing and continues through 12/29/09, So please use caution and wear blaze orange out on the trail. The portion of the Ozark Trail (Current River Section) that goes through Peck Ranch will be closed to users December 11, 12, and 13th for managed deer hunts.

Thanksgiving

Become a follower of our blog and as a thank you we will send you a $5.00 off coupon good for a year on any purchase of $20.00 or more at our online store

Happy Thanksgiving

A Walk in Pink to Cure Breast Cancer

Well, this past weekends "hike" was a little bit different than most of my hikes. First off, it was on sidewalks and pavement through the streets of Atlanta and suburbia Atlanta. Secondly, I was joined by 2,400 other people. The 3 Day Walk that benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation and groups that are fighting to cure breast cancer and provide many other services is a 3 day walk of 60 miles. Each day we got up around 5:00 am, had breakfast and headed out to walk 20 miles. Quite a scene to see the line of thousands of walkers dressed in pink flowing through the streets. Thank you to all those readers who purchased books and made donations to this cause. (during the month of October we will send a free book to anyone making a donation of $25 or more to our 3 day efforts ) to make a donation click here

Happy first day of Fall

The sumacs and dogwoods are already giving us some color in the woods, and the crickets are singing. One of my favorite fall hikes is on the Courtois Creek Section along the bluffs at about the 4 mile point, just before the campground in the Huzzah Conservation area. (Pages 26-33 in The Ozark Trail Guidebook)
The photo above was taken at sunset and the scene only lasted about a minute, the maple trees were a blaze with color.

Monarch Migration

Monarch migrations are begining and can be seen along the Ozark Trail. The trail is rich with fall wildflowers a food source for the southern bound butterflies and the pine trees offer good overnight roosts for the journey south. The photo is of a newly emerged Monarch and chrysalis. http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/News.html

Current River Section-Rocky Falls

People are always asking me which section of the Ozark Trail they should go hike. The Current River Section is one of my favorites for both long hikes and shorter day hikes.

If your're up for an adventure and looking to see some of the best scenery anywhere, then get out to the Current River Section.

This past spring I was at Rocky Falls and met Justin, a painter from St Louis. Rocky Falls can be reached by car or a short hike on the connector trail from the Current River Section.

The Ozark Trail has lost a great friend

Last week John Roth, the leader of the Ozark Trail Association was killed in a tragic accident. John had been the spark in getting new trail built along the OT and was always hard at work on the trail and with the OTA. We will miss this guy. http://www.ozarktrail.com/

Johnsons Shut-Ins State Park Opens

Johnsons Shut-Ins State Park is now open during the day. The campground is still under construction but you can visit the shut-ins area, swim in the river, and the visitors center and store are open. Above is a photo of the visitors center while under construction. Still some work to be done, but its nice to be able to visit one of the prettiest places in the world. Go and enjoy.

Pretty place along the OT

This pretty little place is located on the newly built trail on the Taum Sauk Section in Johnsons Shut-Ins State Park, on the hillside opposite of the day use area. The OT is being re-routed in this area up higher on the hillside, and to a new Black River crossing further south than the original crossing. Hopefully the new trail will be open this summer.

Nature is amazing

At a recent work day on the Taum Sauk Section of the OT in Johnsons Shut-Ins State Park I noticed these tadpoles in a small puddle right in the scour path. Nature is coming back at a fast pace in this area that was scraped clean of trees, dirt, and life. Water runs down the scour and is slowly recreating the creek that once was here. Life is in the creek too, with small fish. At the top of the picture the new construction of the AmerenUE Reservoir can be seen.

raining, raining, raining

The Ozarks have been getting a soaking the last few days with several inches of rain falling. The rivers are high, the creeks are running high and water is flowing in places it doesn't normally. This brought back memories of a trip on the Blair Creek Section a few years ago. The night before our hike, over an inch of rain fell, it rained all night, and it was a hard, loud rain. It was a long night camping, we didn't get much sleep from the sound of the rain and the thunder. Morning finally came and it was still raining, but we were determined to go hiking. So we got our gear on and headed down the trail in the pouring rain. The trail was a small river, everything was very green and wet, this Birdsfoot Violet looked like it was growing in a shallow lake.

It didn't take long to get to the first small water crossing, but on this day the crossing wasn't small, it was about mid-thigh deep. While standing there contemplating if we should try to cross or head back to the trailhead, Mattie jumped in as any water-loving Golden Retriever would do. She quickly got swept down stream and Peggy went running, and jumped in after her. Both were fine, and very wet, and yes, we turned around and went back to the trailhead. We made the best out of our wet day and got a little hiking in then headed home thankful all turned out okay and that we got to see the Ozarks when the water was really running.

Klepzig Mill Rumors

A few weeks ago rumors were circulating that Klepzig Mill on the Current River Section of the OT had burned down during a controlled burn.

Well, great news, the mill did not burn--Klepzig Mill still stands! Klepzig Mill and Rocky Creek are at the top of the list of scenic places along the Ozark Trail.

The new second editon is now available at the Alpine Shop in Kirkwood, MO! Books arrived at the store this week, so if you want to see this new awesome guidebook --all 208 pages (including 8 full color pages) get on over to the Alpine Shop

www.alpineshop.com

And thank you to Lisa and Holly and all the staff at the Alpine Shop for supporting the Ozark Trail and last weekends Ozark Trail Associations Mega Event!!!

The New 2nd Edition of the Ozark Trail Guidebook is Here!

The brand new 2nd edition of The Ozark Trail Guidebook is now available! 208 pages with all the info for all sections of the OT. Including directions to trailheads, trail section descriptions and maps. Plus the all new 8 pages of full color photos.

Click here to get your copy

New Trail!

Taum Sauk Section:

Be a part of rebuilding the OT in Johnsons Shut-ins State Park on April 4th. This event is organized by the Ozark Trail Association and sponsored by the Alpine Shop in Kirkwood (http://www.alpineshop.com/ ), MO, and will be a wonderful event. Come out and build trail, camp, hike and meet lots of new friends! Sign up at www.ozarktrail.com/workparties Above is a photo of the "scour" from the 2005 reservoir failure where the OT will cross.

Courtois Creek Section:

This section is getting a new section of trail that takes travelers off of the gravel road and into the woods. So far the section from the narrows up to Bass' Resort is now off of the road. Hopefully sometime in 2009 the remaining few miles will be finished that are after Bass' Resort and to the crossing of FR 2265. Above is a photo from along the new trail in the narrows.

WitchHazel Time!

It's time to get out and hunt for WitchHazel. This beautiful and unique shrub blooms in the winter and can be found in creekbeds and along the shore of creeks all over the Missouri Ozarks. One of the largest patches along the Ozark Trail is where the trail crosses Tabor Creek on the Northfork Section.

Snow and Ice

Snow and ice give the OT an entirely new look. Back in 2004 we were out on the Between the Rivers section during an ice storm, it was beautiful. The day started drizzly, and foggy. Then the temperature began to fall

and the ice started, coating all the trees. When the sun would come out from the clouds the entire forest shimmered and sparkled like crystals-that was a wonderful trip out on the Ozark Trail.

Come volunteer to rebuild the Taum Sauk Section

Back in December 2005 the AmerenUE upper resoirvor that sits on top of Proffit Mtn. broke and the 1 billion gallons of water rushed down the side of the mountain whiping out forest, the OT, and Johnsons Shut In's State Park. In the photo you can make out the flattop of the giant earth and concrete swimming pool.

Several miles of the Ozark Trail were washed away, now a huge "scour" is visible-quite a site. And ------Now is the time to Be a part of the rebuilding of the Ozark Trail! Volunteer days are January 17th, 31st, February 21st,and 28th organized by the Ozark Trail Association, they will have the tools, and all the instructional help you need. The OTA events are always great and all are welcome. Follow this link to the sign up form.

http://www.ozarktrail.com/workparties.php

The seasonal changes to the OT are just amazing. The leaf off season can be full of wonderful surprises, like catching a glimps of the American Bittersweets colorful fruit. You can find these along the Middle Fork Section of the OT.

After cold nights watch for frost flowers.

Sometimes the views are more interesting than beautiful, but interesting none the less.

This swimming hole is not on the OT but just down the road from the Fen on the Middle Fork Section.

OZARK TRAIL COURTOIS SECTION

During our trip we also got out on the Courtois Section and did some hiking on the newly built sections and on the area that hasn't been built and is just flagged at this time. This is going to be some of the most beautiful trail that is part of the OT. If you'd like to help build this newest part of the Ozark Trail go to http://www.ozarktrail.com/ and sign up, these volunteer events are a lot of fun and a rewarding experience.

Here is a neat area where the trail curves down below the rock. From here the trail heads down to Bass' Resort. They have a store thats stocked with drinks and snacks, you can rent a cabin, or camp next to the creek like we did. Nice hot showers are also available, and canoe rentals! Stop in and say hi to Julie.

North Fork Section

Last week we got out on the OT for several days. We checked out the upper 11 miles or so of the North Fork Section that volunteers of the Ozark Trail Association have been busy clearing so that it can be hiked again. This is a great section of trail through cherty pine covered hills. The Blue Hole Trailhead located on Highway has also been cleaned up.

Some of the trail is marked with large rock carins.

The day got pretty warm, and this large mud puddle was the only water along the way. Mattie enjoyed a good "stinky" soak.

Ended the day with a pork chop dinner over at Noblett Lake.

Fall Colors along the Ozark Trail

These two photos are from a couple of years ago along the base of the bluffs along the Courtois Creek in the Huzzah Conservation area. This is one of the prettiest areas in the Fall. The red leaves of the numerous dogwood trees in this area just light up the scenery. Enjoy!

It's Fall and what a great time to hit the trail. These pictures are from along the Ozark Trail on the Courtois (pronounced code-a-way) Section. Scenic limestone bluffs run along the Courtois Creek and the OT runs along the base of the bluffs for a while. Beautiful area to hike and explore. Hunting is allowed in this area, so check with the Missouri Department of Conservation for a hunting seasons calendar schedule.

During the fall the first two weeks of November are usually my favorites to get out and see the Fall colors. Of course that all depends on the temperatures and amount of rainfall, but from what I've experienced in the past those weeks are almost always the best ones of the Fall peak colors.

Get out and enjoy..

OZARK TRAIL BACKPACKING TRIP IN OCTOBER

Heres the latest information on the backpacking trip on the OT that Hostelling International will be putting on this Fall


OZARK TRAIL
BACKPACKING TRIP By Hostelling International



Hostelling International is sponsoring a backpacking trip on the Ozark Trail. The dates are Saturday October 11, 2008 to Saturday October 18, 2008 (Half week trips are available). We will backpack 30 miles on the Current River section and 20 miles on the Between the Rivers section. Join us as we celebrate our 20th year of promoting the Ozark Trail through our backpacking adventure.

Explore the beauty of the Ozark Trail on this seven day walk through southern Missouri . Participants will encounter spectacular scenery, cool nights and warm days. We will travel through the diverse natural communities that make the central Ozarks a unique area. Beaver dams, deer, turkey, red-tailed hawks and wild flowers are frequently seen. Imagine cooling your feet in crystal clear waters or relaxing by a warm fire on a moonlit night. The first hint of fall colors will be appearing and sleep will be serenaded by Barred owls.

Cost for the trip is $125.00 for a full week and $65.00 for a half week ($135.00 and $70.00 for non-members). Included are transportation from St. Louis , trail shuttle, experienced leaders, Ozark Trail patch, maps, information packet, and the evening meal on Saturday, October11th. The motel is also included if you are backpacking the entire week. A $50.00 deposit is required and the balance is due by the deadline of October 1st. After October 1st, a late fee of $10.00 will be charged. Hostelling International is a non-profit organization.

The difficulty of this trip is variable as all types of terrain are covered. We will average 7-8 miles each day for a total of 50 miles. The number of participants is limited and we recommend that you register early. Participants can drive separately to the trailhead. We will have a midweek break on Wednesday evening and go to a motel after finishing the first section. We will start the second section on Thursday morning. Anyone going for a half week is responsible for their own transportation to and from their home. If possible, we will assist you in finding someone to carpool with.

Refund Policy:
Full refund if cancellation is made more than 3 weeks prior to the event.
Half refund if cancellation is between 1-3 weeks of the event.
No refund within one week of the event unless as a result of a documented medical emergency.


For more information contact:
HI-USA Gateway Council
P.O. Box 9 4 3 7
St. Louis , MO 63117
Phone (314) 644-4660
E-mail address… clerk@moonlightramble.comWebsite…www.moonlightramble.com

SUMMER & FALL ACTIVITIES ON THE TRAIL

The Ozark Trail Association is very busy along the OT and can use all the volunteers possible. For more info on being a volunteer, go to www.ozarktrail.com and join in on the FUN!

September
13 - Courtois Gap Clean Up
27 - Fall Mega Event

October
4 - Taum Sauk Maintenance
11 - AAT Orphan Maintenance
25 - October Mega Event

November
1 - Sawyer Day on the OT 8 - Courtois Construction & Cook Off

December
6 - Courtois Gap Construction13 Courtois Gap Construction

Winter along the OT

If I had to pick a favorite season to be out on the Ozark Trail, it would be winter. No bugs, no snakes, the wonderful crisp clear air, and great views through the leafless trees. I've experienced ice storms, and snow while out on the Ozark Trail, and both are great experiences, of course if you're prepared for them!
Be ready for water crossings, I prefer to use sandals with neoprene socks to cross and then put the boots back on. Take a towel to dry your feet off too. Another wonderful treat of hiking during the winter are frost flowers, keep your eyes open for them in the mornings.

Have a great winter hike, or ride out on the trail!

Want to see some wonderful things on the Ozark Trail this summer? Are you ready to brave the ticks, chiggers and maybe snakes to see things that very few people ever see?

photo: root celler on the Blair Creek section

How about hiking up to see ladies tresses orchids blooming on Bell Mountain, or how about seeing the yellow flash of a collared lizard in an Ozark glade?

There are wonderful things out there on the Ozark Trail in the summer, just be sure to pack up the bug spray, the sunscreen, and be ready for some overgrown trail and the summer heat. Several sections have some great swimming holes too!

A few places to check out:

Stegall Mountain: Several summertime flowers will be blooming in the scenic glade areas that offer great views. The main attractions are the collared lizards. Be patient, be quiet and move slowly, and by no means harass or harm these wonderful creatures. Stay on the trail at all times through glade areas. The soils in these areas are very fragile, one step off the trail can do great damage. Stay on the trail and enjoy!

Blackberry Picking: You’ll find blackberry patches on every section of the Ozark Trail, usually along old roads, thicket areas and the edges of fields.

Bell Mountain: Watch in the glade areas for ladies tresses orchids. This white flower prefers the acidic soil found in the glades.

Swimmin’ holes: Suttons Bluff along the Karkaghne Section. Current River at the Powder Mill Recreation Area on the southern end of the Blair Creek section and the northern end of the Current River section.

Enjoy Summer!!