Wilderness Trail

Hike Name: Wilderness Trail Location: southeast MO Length: 10 Submitted by: Danny McMurphy Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Missouri trail reviews Missouri national parks Missouri state parks
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Description
This trail was recently opened in late '95 or early '96. The trail has a north and a south loop but the 10 miles is achieved by hiking the outside of loop. The north loop goes through a designated wilderness area within Meramec State Park. The entire trail is very wooded but there are some glades on the east side of the north loop. The hiking is moderate throughout. Backcountry campsites are available within the wilderness area near the mid-point of the trail close to Copper Hollow Spring which is the main water source if camping. Be sure and treat the water. Other backcountry campsites are also available for shorter duration backpacking. The trail can easily be traversed in 3-4 hours for a day hike. Deer, turkey and other wildlife are common sites along the trail. Two large sinkholes are also near the trail showing the local 'karst' topography of the region. Several caves also also along the route but Park permission is needed to enter and explor the caverns. The center of the figure 8 trail is about a 2-mile cutoff so the trail can be hiked in a variety of ways to see the entire trail or to shorten or lengthen your trip. Some trail areas could be impassable in very rainy weather but it is a great hike.

Directions to Hike
From St. Louis go west on I-44 to exit 226. Take Hwy 185 south 5-miles to the Meramec State Park entrance (on the right). Maps can be picked up at the park visitor center at the park entrance. The trail parking area is at the east end of the picnic area just off the main road on the left (north side of the road). Maps are also available at the sign-in box 200 yards down the trail.

Contact Information
Meramec State Park, Hwy 185 South, Sullivan, Missouri
573-468-6072

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