The Ozark Trail - Current River Section

Current River Section

Introduction

Although this section begins at the Current River, it quickly turns off toward Stegall Mountain. Some believe it is the most scenic trail in Missouri.

Downloads: For Your GPS (gpx) Google Earth (kml)

Overview

The trail begins by crossing to the west bank of the Current River on the Highway 106 bridge. It then heads south, generally paralleling the river for approximately two miles. From that point it proceeds up Indian Creek, crosses a saddle on the south end of Barnett Mountain, and descends to Rocky Creek. The trail passes a beautiful shut-ins area between Buzzard Mountain and Mill Mountain before heading for Stegall Mountain. Glades atop Stegall Mountain allow expansive and unrestricted views of the Ozark landscape. From Stegall Mountain the trail heads southeast through Peck Ranch Wildlife Area toward Highway 60.

Current Trail Conditions

As of 03/30/2016, the condition is:
Open. Seasonal Growth. Seasonal Closures. Use by-pass.

The refuge area (fenced area) at Peck Ranch will be closed 4/1 -7/1, 10/1-2, 10/22-24, 11/12-22, and 12/3-4 in 2016.

Expect season closures in the fenced area around deer season and elk calving season. This means that trail users will not be able to access the trail in fenced area. You CAN still access the The Peck Ranch Trailhead, down the service road to the OT going north. To the south, an alternative by-pass is now available using road P-159 south for 4.6 mi and then a 3 mi bushwack along the south fence. Our online maps have been updated and a new by-pass map added. We will be signing the alternate route the weekend of Apr 2-3. Our gps files will be updated within the next week or so.

There will be seasonal growth in the bottomland areas of the trail, but the corridor should be generally free of downfall. If you enjoy hiking/backpacking in the summer, this is a good destination. It has a lot of good swimming holes to cool down from the heat.

Trail is in good shape from Powder Mill to Stegall Mountain. The brush can be a little high in the open field along Indian Creek, but is easy to follow. The spur to Rocky Falls is in excellent condition. The glade on Stegall is overgrown and it is very difficult to find the trail or follow cairns/markers, so make sure you have a map and compass or gps.

Mile 14 - 20 through Peck Ranch can be difficult to follow at times because of limited access for maintenance. A good map and compass, or preferably a GPS is recommended. A road walk can be a good alternative.

Once through Midco Hollow, the trail is much kinder. The area around Pike Creek can also get weedy and hard to follow, so keep an eye out for signs and check your map.

In dry spells, water can be limited between Rocky Creek and Pritchard Hollow Pond and then again over to Mint Spring. Plan accordingly.

Trail Statistics

Hiking

Distance:	30 miles
Difficulty:	Moderate
Camping:	No camping in Peck Ranch. Primitive camping is allowed in the Mark Twain forest (100' from trail)
Total Ascent:	2460' N-to-S; 2470' S-to-N (refers to total gain of all climbs on trail)
Topo Quads:	Powder Mill Ferry, Stegal Mountain, Fremont, Van Buren South
Restrictions:	Foot traffic only; no camping in Peck Ranch boundries

Trailheads and Directions

Powder Mill Trailhead

From Ellingon, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-106, Head west on MO-106 for 13.6 mi. If you cross the Current River bridge, you went too far.
Turn left into Powder Mill Recreation Area and Campground, and then right to parking by the Research Center.

From Eminence, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-19, Head east on MO-106 for 13.4 mi.
Shortly after the Current River bridge, turn right into Powder Mill Recreation Area and Campground, and then right to parking by the Research Center.

Current River North Parking

From Ellingon, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-106, Head west on MO-106 for 15.7 mi, about 2 mi past the Current River bridge.
Turn right on to CR-533 towards Powder Mill Ferry, and follow for 1.6 mi.
As you get down towards Powder Mill, turn right and follow down to the trailhead and parking on the left.

From Eminence, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-19, Head east on MO-106 for 11.3 mi.
Turn right on to CR-533 towards Powder Mill Ferry, and follow for 1.6 mi.
As you get down towards Powder Mill, turn right and follow down to the trailhead and parking on the left.

Blue Spring Parking

From Ellingon, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-106, Head west on MO-106 for 15.7 mi, about 2 mi past the Current River bridge.
Turn right on to CR-533 towards Powder Mill Ferry, and follow for 1.6 mi.
As you get down towards Powder Mill, turn right and follow for 2 mi to the trailhead and parking on the left.

From Eminence, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-19, Head east on MO-106 for 11.3 mi.
Turn right on to CR-533 towards Powder Mill Ferry, and follow for 1.6 mi.
As you get down towards Powder Mill, turn right and follow for 2 mi to the trailhead and parking on the left.

Klepzig Mill Parking

From Ellingon, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-106, Head west on MO-106 for 19.4 mi.
Turn left on Hwy H and follow for 3.9 mi.
Turn left on Hwy NN and follow for 2 mi.
Continue on past Rock Falls for another 2 mi.
Turn left on CR-522 and follow for 1 mile. A small parking area is on the left.

From Eminence, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-19, Head east on MO-106 for 7.6 mi.
Turn right on Hwy H and follow for 3.9 mi.
Turn left on Hwy NN and follow for 2 mi.
Continue on past Rock Falls for another 2 mi.
Turn left on CR-522 and follow for 1 mile. A small parking area is on the left.

From Winona, MO...
From the intersection of US-60 and MO-19, Head north on MO-19 for .7 mi.
Turn right on Hwy H and follow for 8.6 mi.
Turn right on Hwy NN and follow for 2 mi.
Continue on past Rock Falls for another 2 mi.
Turn left on CR-522 and follow for 1 mile. A small parking area is on the left.

Rocky Falls Parking

From Ellingon, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-106, Head west on MO-106 for 19.4 mi.
Turn left on Hwy H and follow for 3.9 mi.
Turn left on Hwy NN and follow for 2 mi.
Turn right towards Rock Falls parking area.

From Eminence, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-19, Head east on MO-106 for 7.6 mi.
Turn right on Hwy H and follow for 3.9 mi.
Turn left on Hwy NN and follow for 2 mi.
Turn right towards Rock Falls parking area.

From Winona, MO...
From the intersection of US-60 and MO-19, Head north on MO-19 for .7 mi.
Turn right on Hwy H and follow for 8.6 mi.
Turn right on Hwy NN and follow for 2 mi.
Turn right towards Rock Falls parking area.

Peck Ranch Trailhead

From Ellingon, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-106, Head west on MO-106 for 19.4 mi.
Turn left on Hwy H and follow for 7.3 mi.
Turn left on Peck Ranch Rd. and follow for 3.6 mi.
Continue straight on CR-P-159 2 mi.
Trailhead and parking area is on the left.

From Eminence, MO...
From the intersection of MO-21 and MO-19, Head east on MO-106 for 7.6 mi.
Turn right on Hwy H and follow for 7.3 mi.
Turn left on Peck Ranch Rd. and follow for 3.6 mi.
Continue straight on CR-P-159 2 mi.
Trailhead and parking area is on the left.

From Winona, MO...
From the intersection of US-60 and MO-19, Head north on MO-19 for .7 mi.
Turn right on Hwy H and follow for 5.2 mi.
Turn right on Peck Ranch Rd. and follow for 3.6 mi.
Continue straight on CR-P-159 2 mi.
Trailhead and parking area is on the left.

Highway 60 Trailhead

From Van Buren, MO...
Head west on US-60.
The trailhead is 4.2 mi on the left, but you can't access it going west.
Continue another 1 mi to Hwy C and make a U-turn back toward the trailhead.
Go back 1 mi and the Trailhead and parking area is on the right.

From Winona, MO...
From the intersection of US-60 and MO-19, Head east on US-60 for 16.5 mi.
Look for the Trailhead sign. Trailhead and parking area is on the right.

Maps

Current River 1
Miles 0 to 8