The Ozark Trail - Taum Sauk Section

Taum Sauk Section

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.

Overview

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.

Current Trail Conditions

As of 11/07/2011, the condition is:
Open, except Russell Mtn Spur.

Russell Mtn Trailhead is temporarily closed until it can be rerouted in early 2012. Please use the trailhead at Hwy 21 or Taum Sauk Mtn until then.

There is some wind damage from recent storms between Mina Sauk Falls and Devil's Tollgate, but it is passable. Hwy A to Johnson's Shut-Ins Scour Area is reported as all clear. Otherwise expect seasonal growth in the storm damaged and bottomland areas of the trail, but the corridor should be generally free of downfall.

Trail Statistics

Hiking

Distance:	35 miles
Difficulty:	Moderate to Difficult
Camping:	Campgrounds: Johnson's Shut-Ins, Taum Sauk. Primitive Camping is allowed 100' from the trail, except within two miles of of Johnson Shut-In's main parking lot. Please don't camp on glades.
Total Ascent:	4250' N-to-S; 4150' S-to-N (refers to total gain of all climbs on trail)
Topo Quads:	Johnson Mountain, Edgehill, Johnson Shut-Ins, Ironton
Restrictions:	This trail is for foot-traffic only, with the exception of the northern-most two miles of trail in the Bell Mountain Wilderness Area. Fires are NOT allowed on DNR land.

Trailheads and Directions

Highway A Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head east on MO-32 for 5.4 mi.
Trun right at MO-49 and follow for 9.8 mi.
Turn left at MO-A follow for 3.0 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 5.4 mi.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head west on MO-21 for 3.7 mi.
Take a slight right at MO-49 and continue 9.5 mi.
Turn right at MO-A and continue for 3.0 mi.

From Ironton, MO...
Head northwest on MO-21 for 3.6 mi.
Turn left to stay on MO-21 and continue for 6.8 mi.
Turn left at MO-32 and follow for 7.2 mi.
Turn left at MO-A and continue for 5.4 mi.

Highway N Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head east on MO-32 5.5 mi.
Turn right at MO-49 and follow for 14.6 mi.
Turn left to stay on MO-49 and follow for 4.7 mi.
Turn left at MO-21 / MO-49 / MO-72 and follow for .3 mi.
Slight left at MO-N and follow for 6.7 mi.
Trailhead is on the right about .5 mi past Johnson's Shutins.

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21 for 10.4 mi.
Turn right at MO-N and follow for 12.2 mi.
Watch for the Scour Trail signage. Trailhead is on the left.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head west on MO-21 for 3.1 mi.
Take a right at MO-N and continue 6.8 mi.
Trailhead is on the right about .5 mi past Johnson's Shutins.

From Ironton, MO...
Head northwest on MO-21 for 4.3 mi.
Turn left to stay on MO-21 and continue for .5 mi.
Turn right at MO-N and follow for 12.2 mi.
Watch for the Scour Trail signage. Trailhead is on the left.

Taum Sauk Mtn Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head east on MO-32 for 5.4 mi.
Turn right at MO-49 and follow for 14.6 mi.
Turn left to stay on MO-49 and continue for 18.0 mi.
Turn left on to Veterans Memorial Hwy and follow for 5.1 mi.
Turn left at MO-CC and follow for 3.1 mi.
Park entrance on right
Follow the park road for 1.0 mi. to the trailhead.

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21 for 20.1 mi.
Turn right at MO-CC and follow for 3.1 mi.
Park entrance on right
Follow the park road for 1.0 mi. to the trailhead parking lot.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head east on MO-21 for 14.7 mi.
Turn left at MO-CC and follow for 3.1 mi.
Park entrance on right
Follow the park road for 1.0 mi. to the trailhead parking lot.

From Ironton, MO...
Head southeast on MO-21 for 5.6 mi.
Turn right at MO-CC and follow for 3.1 mi.
Park entrance on right
Follow the park road for 1.0 mi. to the trailhead parking lot.

Russell Mtn Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head east on MO-32/MO-49 for 5.4 mi.
Turn right at MO-49 and follow for 14.6 mi.
Turn left to stay on MO-49 for 18 mi.
Continue on MO-21/MO-72/Veterans Mem Hwy for 5.1 mi.
Turn left at MO-CC and follow for 1.6 mi.

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21 for 20.1 mi.
Turn right at MO-CC and follow for 1.6 mi.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head east on MO-21/MO-49/MO-72 for 14.7 mi.
Turn left at MO-CC for and follow 1.6 mi.

From Ironton, MO...
Head southeast on MO-21/Veterans Mem Hwy for 5.6 mi.
Turn left at MO-CC and follow for 1.6 mi.

Highway 21 Trailhead

From Bixby, MO...
Head east on MO-32/MO-49 for 5.4 mi.
Turn right at MO-49 and follow for 14.6 mi.
Turn left to stay on MO-49 and follow for 18.0 mi.
Turn left on to Veterans Memorial Hwy and follow for 4.0 mi

From Caledonia, MO...
Head south on MO-21/MO-32 for 21.2 mi.

From Lesterville, MO...
Head east on MO-21 for 13.5 mi.

From Ironton, MO...
Head southeast on MO-21 for 6.8 mi.

Maps

Taum Sauk
ST Miles 4 to 16