Taum Sauk Section
This is one of the finest trails in Missouri.
It's rugged, scenic, and passes by one of the best swimming areas
you'll find.
NOTICE: Johnson Shut-Ins State Park is
closed due to a reservoir breach. A portion of the Taum Sauk section of
the Ozark Trail is temporarily closed as a result. [more]
For a larger image, click here (151KB file)
Overview
NOTICE: Johnson Shut-Ins State Park is
closed due to a reservoir breach. The Taum Sauk section of
the Ozark Trail is temporarily closed as a result. [more]
It's hard to understate how great this section
is. You have 1.5 billion-year-old mountains, igneous glades,
springs, grand vistas, odd rock formations, and a swimming hole
complete with natural flumes. If this author could only hike
one trail in Missouri, this would be his choice.
The section is 33 miles in length, but lends itself to two different
hikes: one from Highway A to Shut-Ins (15 miles), and the other to
Shut-Ins to Taum Sauk (12.5 miles ( although you can continue to
Highway 21 for a total of 18 miles). This trail will slow you
down-- you'll find your average speed drop a mile-an-hour for your
normal pace as you negotiate the rough terrain. One person
described the tread as "a natural stair-stepping machine."
Look for the cairns in the igneous glades, as it's easy to get lost. Description from the Ozark Trail Council Brochure
The Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail is one
of the most scenic and rugged sections along the entire Ozark Trail.
It passes through the U.S. Forest Service's Bell Mountain Wilderness
Area, the Missouri Department of of Natural Resources' Johnson's
Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk Mountain state parks and the Missouri
Department of Conservation's Proffit Mountain and Ketcherside
Mountain state conservation areas.
The Taum Sauk Section crosses numerous mountains, including Bell
Mountain, Goggins Mountain, Proffit Mountain and Taum Sauk Mountain,
the highest point in the state. These mountain tops, and
associated valleys, contain outstanding scenic attributes ranging
from panoramic glade vistas to rock strewn streams to a cascading
waterfall, the state's highest, at Mina Sauk Falls. The trail
crosses several significant drainages, including Padfield Branch,
the East Fork of the Black River, which has a footbridge, and Taum
Sauk Creek. Directions
There are four trailheads on this section. -
Highway A Trailhead- From the intersection of Highways 21 &
32 (south of Potosi, between Caledonia & Belleview): go west on 32
about 7 miles to Highway A. Go south on A about 5 miles to
parking lot on right.
-
Johnson Shut-Ins- From just north of Arcadia Valley
at the intersection of Highways 21 & W, take 21 west for a short
while and go south on Highway N 13 miles to the park entrance.
Park in the far lot by the office and fill out a registration
card.
-
Taum Sauk Mountain-- Go south on Highway 21 from Arcadia
Valley to HIghway CC to the parking lot atop Taum Sauk.
-
Highway 21 Trailhead- This is south of Arcadia Valley near
Royal Gorge. The lot is on the west side of the road.
Further Information
Danny's Backpacking Review of the Taum Sauk
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