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Introduction
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. |
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Google Earth (kml)
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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 35 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.
As of 07/14/2012, the condition is:
Open. Burn Area. Seasonal Growth.
The Russell Mtn Trailhead has moved a little farther up the road to the High Pointer Trailhead. The reroute has been completed.
Hwy 21 to Taum Sauk to JSI should be mostly clear, with a tree down hear and there. There is a recent burn area near Devil's Tollgate, but seasonal growth will likely hide this very quickly. Hwy A to Johnson's Shut-Ins Scour Area is reported as all clear. Otherwise expect early seasonal growth in the storm damaged and bottomland areas of the trail, but the corridor should be generally free of downfall.
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Trail Statistics
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Trailheads and Directions
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Maps
Taum Sauk
ST Miles 5 to 16
Taum Sauk
ST Miles 16 to 32
Taum Sauk
ST Miles 32 to 44
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Photos
Glade hopper on Bell Mountain
Top of Mina Sauk falls
Bottom of Mina Sauk falls
Ottery Creek
Misty day on Taum Sauk
Cairns along the Taum Sauk section
View from Taum Sauk Mountain
Padfield Branch crossing
Taum Sauk in the Fall
Taum Sauk Forest
Taum Sauk Glade
Taum Sauk Glade
Grasshopper
Peace and Tranquility
Hiking along the Taum Sauk Section
Hornet's Nest
Johnson's Shut-ins
Beautiful Rocks
Lizard
Looking Up the Scour - Taum Sauk Section
Mina Sauk Falls - Taum Sauk Section
Mina Sauk Falls - Taum Sauk Section
Mina Sauk Falls - Taum Sauk Section
Mina Sauk Falls - Taum Sauk Section
Oak Leaves
Oxalis
Lots of Beautiful Rock Outcroppings along the Taum Sauk
Scour at Johnson's Shut-ins
Scour at Johnson's Shut-ins
Scour at Johnson's Shut-ins
Spider Worth
Highway 21 Trailhead - Taum Sauk Section
Devil's Tollgate - Taum Sauk Section
Devil's Tollgate - Taum Sauk Section
Devil's Tollgate - Taum Sauk Section
Devil's Tollgate - Taum Sauk Section
Devil's Tollgate - Taum Sauk Section
Yellow Leaves
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Contacts
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