Thursday, June 20, 2019

Pickle Springs Natural Area, MO


ABOUT THE PARK:
Pickle Springs - Missouri Conservation Department

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.80154, -90.30164

TRAIL MAP:
Pickle Springs Natural Area Trail Map - Missouri Department of Conservation
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HIKE DISTANCE:
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - 5.6 miles
Elephant Rocks State Park - 1.9 miles (14 miles from Taum Sauk)
Pickle Springs Natural Area - 2.1 miles (27 miles from Elephant Rocks)

THE HIKE:
Trail entrance from the parking lot.
Uh oh.  Note #4.  I always research whether or not dogs are allowed beforehand and I had sworn I read dogs are allowed.  Having driven all this way with my car bungee corded together, I made the decision to proceed with the hike.
Afterwards I checked and indeed, this is what the web site says.
So off we went.
Couldn't get this little guy into focus no matter how hard I tried - this was down in a canyon and it was just too dark.
We had done this hike counter clockwise and were coming up behind the signs.  Seems it should be done clockwise instead.
As penance for taking Brodie where it seemed he should not have been, I picked up trash in the parking lot.
On the way out, I stopped to assist this guy across the road.  He was the second one I saved this day.  The one earlier I had to stop traffic for, LOL. 

Elephant Rocks State Park, MO


ABOUT THE PARK:
Elephant Rocks State Park - Missouri Department of Natural Resources

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.65312, -90.68893

TRAIL MAP:
Elephant Rocks State Park Trail Map - Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Powered by Wikiloc

HIKE DISTANCE:
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - 5.6 miles
Elephant Rocks State Park - 1.9 miles (14 miles from Taum Sauk)
Pickle Springs Natural Area - 2.1 miles (27 miles from Elephant Rocks)

THE HIKE:
The trail entrance.
The Braille Trail is paved but there are multiple dirt paths throughout.
Engine House