Middle Fork Section
The newest section of the Ozark Trail was
completed in November of 2005. It connects with the Trace
Creek section just northeast of Highway 32 and runs about 24 miles
to the Karkaghne section at Highway J.
Overview
This trail crosses many brooks and streams in the upper basin of the
Middle Fork of the Black River: Neals Creek, Strother Creek,
Henderson Creek, Little Creek, Brooks Creek, as well as the
headwaters of the Middle Fork. The trail passes near fens,
seeps, and small springs-- you won't run out of water here!
In between the many water crossings the trail travels over and
around the many fingered ridges found in this area of the Ozarks.
You'll pass through oak and hickory hardwoods, short-leaf pine
stands, and small savannahs.
The northern trailhead is at Highway DD. A 200' gravel path
connects to the main trail. The Middle Fork section continues
1.5 miles north before connecting with the Trace Creek section.
If you're just planning a trip on the Middle Fork, you'll go south
from the DD trailhead to the Highway J trailhead, a distance of
about 23 miles.
Bike/Horse Bypass Around Barton Fen
Southeast of Bixby, Missouri on County Road 79
is a sensitive wetland known as Barton Fen. The endangered
Hines Emerald dragonfly breeds and lives in Barton Fen, and special
care was taken when building the trail through this area to insure
our trail users don't pose any habitat threats.
A foot-only trail has been built on the
southwest side of the fen. Bicycle and equestrian traffic
bypass the fen area by taking County Road 79 for about a mile.
Be sure to follow the marked signs to insure you're taking the
correct route through this area.
Current Trail Conditions
As of 02/28/2010, the condition is:
Open for Hiking. Caution for Bikes and Horses.
This section is in pretty good shape. This should be an excellent destination and you can extend your trip up through the Trace Creek section or over to Council Bluff Lake.
South of Barton Fen to J -
Due to major wind damage resulting in hundreds of downed trees, this section of trail still has many deep holes in the tread left from tree root balls that blew over, and Ozark Trail markers have not been repaired yet. Mountain biking and horse riding on these sections of trail is not recommended due to the large holes in the tread. The Forest Service will be making repairs on the tread on this section over the next year. It will take some time.
Use caution after periods of rain as the creek crossings can be hazardous. South of Strother's Creek there is a short section that can get very muddy.
Directions
There are two official trailheads on the Middle
Fork section:
- Highway DD Trailhead- This is just
south of the Council Bluff Recreational Area, on the east side of
Highway DD just north of Highway 32. From Highway 32 & 21,
take Highway 32 west for about 15-18 miles, then go north on
Highway DD for 100-200 yards to the trailhead.
- Highway
J Trailhead-
From the town of Bixby (which is about 10 miles west of the
Highway DD trailhead), take Highway 32 west for 2.25 miles, then
south on Highway KK for 7-8 miles to Highway J. Take Highway
J east for about 3 3/4 miles to the trailhead access (about 3/4 of
a mile past County Road 836 at Oates). Turn south on the
gravel road at the "Ozark Trail Parking" sign and continue to a small bend in the gravel road, then pull straight ahead next to the red gate. This is a small 2-3 vehicle parking area on a private-property easement. The gate is used very often, so please don't block access.
-
Barton Fen (unofficial)- From Highway 32
at Bixby, take County Road 79 (across from Bixby store) south to
CR-78 and make a right. There is parking on the right side of the road just before the low-water bridge. The trail can be found about 100' on the other side of the low-water bridge.
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