Courtois Section
This 40-mile section has perhaps more trip options than any other part of the trail. You can enjoy a short walk along the Courtois Creek, a vigorous mountain bike challenge on the Berryman Loop or down to Hazel Creek, a sunset horseback ride to the Huzzah Creek bluffs, a long backpacking trip or even a hike-and-float
adventure that combines a 12 1/2 mile hike with a canoe trip back to your car!
For a larger image, click here (156KB file)
Overview
This trail uses the western half of the Berryman
loop trail, adds a 12-mile section to the south to reach the Trace
Creek Trail, and connects to the North into the trail at Huzzah Conservation Area. The trail
south of the Courtois to Butts road is rocky along the creek, then
follows a double-track road to the edge of Huzzah CA land.
The new trail between Huzzah and Bass Resort and on to Harmon Springs was just completed in Spring 2010 and open.
Updated maps can be found in the Planner and will soon be available here.
The trail from Harmon Springs to Hazel creek is in good shape and is very popular with mountain bikers and equestrians.
Current Trail Conditions
As of 04/14/2010, the condition is:
Open
Overall this section is in nice shape. There may be a couple of trees down here and there, but should be mostly tree-free.
The new trail east of Bass is now open. You still have a small portion of road to walk from the entrance to BASS, but after you cross the the low-water bridge stay to the right side of the road and look for the trail entrance also on the right.
The Berryman portion of the trail is showing its age (70+ years!) and is the subject of a future improvements and a renovation project.
Courtois Creek in the Huzzah Conservation Area can be subject to flooding. Consider calling Bass River Resort or Ozark Outdoors for a river update. Portions of the trail in bottomlands or open areas can be weedy in the summer, especially near Harmon Spring.
No Ozark Trail Council Brochure
As this section is incomplete, the OTC has not
published a brochure. You can get information on the Huzzah CA
from the Missouri Department of Conservation and info on Berryman
from the US Forest Service. Visit our Maps
page to download
accurate and detailed maps of this section. Maps with the new section coming soon!
Directions
There are a variety of access points on this
section.
- Huzzah CA- From the Leasburg exit at Highway 44, take
Highway H past Onondaga Cave and cross the bridge. The first
trailhead is a short way up the road on the right. The
second trailhead is at the campground-- take the road about 2 1/2
miles, then make a left by the shooting range and drive around to
a small parking area by the Courtois. Note: only foot traffic
is allowed on this section of trail.
- Berryman Trail- There is a trailhead on Highway 8 a
mile east of Berryman (between Potosi and Steelville). To
get to the Harmon Springs trailhead from this spot, take Highway 8
east for a mile, then left at the sign that says "Berryman
Campground." Go north four miles, then left at the "Y"
intersection for two miles until you hit Highway W. Make a
left, go 1.3 miles, then right on a little USFS road until you
reach the parking lot.
- Hazel Creek- From the intersection of Highways 8 & Y
(about 14-15 miles east of Steelville): go south on Y for 7-8
miles then make a left on CR 657. Go about five miles down this
gravel road and make a right into Hazel Creek Campground.
There is a parking area a few hundred yards on the right.
You have to walk a 100' back up the road to find the trail.
Further Information
Danny's
Missouri Backpacking & Hiking Trails Reviews (scroll down)
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