Thursday, November 9, 2017

St. Louis County Parks, MO - Bluff View Trail


ABOUT THE PARK:
Al Foster Trails - St. Louis County Parks
Bluff View Trail - Wildwood Parks and Recreation
Bluff View - Gateway Off-Road Cyclists

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 38.54229, -90.62430
Meramec Greenway parking at the end of Grand Avenue.

TRAIL MAP:
Packwood Area Trail System - St. Louis County Parks
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HIKE DISTANCE:  4.6 miles (2.3 miles each way)

THE HIKE:
From parking at the end of Grand Avenue, left on the Al Foster Trail.
A short distance in, another left.
The Al Foster Trail follows along the Meramec River.
Passing the bluffs - we'll be on top of those bluffs via the Bluff View Trail.
The Bluff View Trail on the left.
My 82-year-old mother came along on this hike!
Coming up on ...
... the overlook at the top of the bluffs.
The Meramec River down below.
I didn't realize weeds were in the way when I set the camera down.
Heading back down.
Downy Woodpecker
With all of the foliage colors, there were still some random green spots.
Back to the Al Foster Trail.
Back to the parking lot on the right.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

St. Francois State Park, MO - Mooner's Hollow Trail


ABOUT THE PARK:
St. Francois State Park - Missouri Department of Natural Resources

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.97022, -90.53324
Mooner's Hollow Trailhead Parking

TRAIL MAP:
Mooner's Hollow Trail Map - Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Park Map - Missouri Department of Natural Resources
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HIKE DISTANCE:  3.2 miles

THE HIKE:
The trail starts with a rock hop over Coonville Creek.
The first mile of the trail follows along Coonville Creek.
The trail turns left ...
... the left again ...
... and crosses the creek on a rock hop.
Looking up Coonville Creek.
A little waterfall in Coonville Creek.
After crossing Coonville Creek the trail turns left but an unmarked trail to the right leads to the top of the falls.
Heading back on the trail.
Lots of small creek crossings.
Following back along Coonville Creek opposite from where the hike started ...
... back to the beginning.