The Ozark Trail - Karkaghne Section

Karkaghne Section

Introduction

This section is 29 miles long. There is a pretty good gap without water sources between Bee Fork and Grasshopper Hollow, so water planning is important.

Overview

The lower 18 miles of this section were constructed in the 80's, running from Sutton Bluff to Highway 72. In 2000, a 10-mile extension to Oates was added. This is mainly a side-slope trail, running just below the ridge-tops as it snakes its way from Oates to Highway 72, occasionally dipping into the valleys as it crosses the West Fork of the Black River, Bee Fork and a few hollows along the way. Near the southern end of the trail is a side-trip to Grasshopper Hollow, the largest fen complex in non-glaciated North America.

Current Trail Conditions

As of 11/07/2011, the condition is:
Caution for Hiking. Caution for Bikes and Horses.

Expect a tree down here and there. Storm damage repairs have been completed from the Sutton Bluff area through Hwy TT. There are still some large holes and erosion issues in a few places, especially south of Bee Fork. Hikers will be able to get through, but mountain bikes and horses on this section should use caution. You can by-pass this area using a road route: 1)CR-849 to CR-854 to CR-853 (left at the bottom of the hill), which puts you back on the trail right before Bee Fork (MILE 99) or 2)CR-849 to CR-854 to CR-862,which puts you back on the trail near MILE 105.5.

Trail Statistics

Hiking

Biking

Equestrian

Distance:	29 miles
Difficulty:	Moderate
Camping:	Campgrounds: Sutton Bluff. Primitive camping is allowed in the Mark Twain forest (100' from trail)
Total Ascent:	2700' N-to-S; 2400' S-to-N (refers to total gain of all climbs on trail)
Topo Quads:	Oates, Corridon, Bunker
Restrictions:	none

Trailheads and Directions

Highway J Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head west on MO-32 2.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-KK follow for 7.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-J continue for 3.0 mi.
Turn right at CR-838 follow for 0.5 mi

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21 for 4.1 mi.
Turn right at MO-32 and continue for 7.2 mi.
Turn left at MO-A and follow for 8.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-49 and follow for 4.8 mi.
Turn right at MO-J and continue for 8.6 mi.
Turn left at CR-838 and continue for 0.5 mi.
Turn at the next left, parking lot 0.5 mi down road.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head west on MO-21 for 3.7 mi.
Take a slight right at MO-49 and continue 4.7 mi.
Continue onto MO-J for 8.6 mi.
Turn left at CR-838 and continue for 0.5 mi.
Turn left and follow for 0.5 mi.

From Ironton, MO...
Head southeast on MO-21 for 10.8 mi.
Slight right at MO-21 Veterans Memorial Hwy and follow for 13.3 mi.
Slight right at MO-49 and follow for 4.7 mi.
Continue on MO-J for 8.6 mi.
Turn left at CR-838 and follow for 0.5 mi.
Turn left 0.5 mi.

Brushy Creek Lodge

From Bixby, MO...
Head west on MO-32 2.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-KK follow for 7.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-J continue for 6.3 mi.
Turn right at CR-831 and continue for .4 mi.

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21 for 4.1 mi.
Turn right at MO-32 and continue for 7.2 mi.
Turn left at MO-A and follow for 8.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-49 and follow for 4.8 mi.
Turn right at MO-J and continue for 5.3 mi.
Turn left at CR-831 and continue for .4 mi.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head west on MO-21 for 3.7 mi.
Take a slight right at MO-49 and continue 4.8 mi.
Continue onto MO-J for 5.3 mi.
Turn left at CR-831 and continue for .4 mi.

From Ironton, MO...
Head southeast on MO-21 for 10.8 mi.
Slight right at MO-21 Veterans Memorial Hwy and follow for 13.3 mi.
Slight right at MO-49 and follow for 4.8 mi.
Continue on MO-J for 5.3 mi.
Turn left at CR-831 and continue for .4 mi.

Sutton Bluff Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head west on MO-32/MO-49 toward County Rd 79A for 2.4 mi. Continue to follow MO-32.
Turn left at MO-KK and follow for 15 mi.
Continue on MO-TT and follow for .6 mi.
Turn left at NF-2236 and follow for 7 mi.
Trailhead is on the right. Look for the Ozark Trail Trailhead sign.

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21 for 10.5 mi.
Turn right on MO-N toward Johnson's Shut-ins for 18.9 mi.
Slight right at MO-21/MO-49/MO-72 and continue to follow MO-21/MO-72 for 3.2 mi. Look for the Sutton Bluff sign.
Turn right at NF-2233/Karkaghne Scenic Dr and follow for about 7 mi. When the pavement ends, keep to the left.
Turn left at NF-2236 and follow for about 3 mi. down past Sutton Bluff campground, cross the low water bridge, and continue up and around the hill.
Look for the Ozark Trail Trailhead sign on the left.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head west on MO-21/MO-49/MO-72 and continue to follow MO-21/MO-72 for 6.7 mi. Look for the Sutton Bluff sign.
Turn right at NF-2233/Karkaghne Scenic Dr and follow for about 7 mi. When the pavement ends, keep to the left.
Turn left at NF-2236 and follow for about 3 mi. down past Sutton Bluff campground, cross the low water bridge, and continue up and around the hill.
Look for the Ozark Trail Trailhead sign on the left.

From Ironton, MO...
Head southeast on MO-21 for 10.8 mi.
Slight right at MO-21 Veterans Memorial Hwy and follow for 16.2 mi.
Turn right at NF-2233/Karkaghne Scenic Dr and follow for about 7 mi. When the pavement ends, keep to the left.
Turn left at NF-2236 and follow for about 3 mi. down past Sutton Bluff campground, cross the low water bridge, and continue up and around the hill.
Look for the Ozark Trail Trailhead sign on the left.

Highway 72 / P Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head west on MO-32 for 2.4 mi.
Turn lest at MO-KK and follow for 15.0 mi.
Continue on MO-TT when road forks and follow for 3.7 mi.
Turn right at MO-72 and follow for 2.9 mi.
Turn left at MO-P the trailhead is 160 feet from MO-72 and MO-P intersection

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21 for 4.1 mi.
Turn right at MO-32 and follow for 27.3 mi.
Turn left at MO-KK and follow for 15.0 mi.
Continue onto MO-TT and follow for 3.7 mi.
Turn right at MO-72 and follow for 2.9 mi
Turn left at MO-P, trailhead is 160 ft from MO-72 and MO-P intersection.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head west on MO-21 for 11.7 miles
Turn right at MO-72 and continue for 13.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-P the trailhead is 160 feet from MO-72 and MO-P intersection.

From Ironton, MO...
Head southeast on MO-21 for 10.8 mi.
Slight right at MO-21, continue to follow MO-21 for 21.2 mi
Turn right at MO-72 and follow for 13.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-P the trailhead is 160 feet from MO-72 and MO-P intersection.

Maps

Karkaghne
TT Miles 85 to 96