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
Powered by Wikiloc

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.

St. Francois State Park, MO - Swimming Deer Trail


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

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.95570, -90.53318
Parking at the campground restroom building.

TRAIL MAP:
Swimming Deer Trail Map - Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Park Map - Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Powered by Wikiloc

HIKE DISTANCE:  3.6 miles

THE HIKE:
The Swimming Deer Trail starts to the right of the campground restroom building.
The trail splits to form a loop - Brodie decided we should go right so we returned from the left.
A side trail down to Big River.
Brodie kept taking all of the side trails to the river overlooks.  The sun was in my eyes and I might have otherwise missed them.
An old mine.
Two deer that ...
... did not go unnoticed.  Brodie was looking everywhere for them.
Back at the campground restroom building.
Resting his head for the next trail, a short drive away.