Two Trails and a High Point

First hikes of 2015!  A few weeks ago, on a nice Saturday in January, we ventured out to southern MO to explore a new area and bag a high point as a family.  No bugs, less people, better views, I have really grown to LOVE winter hiking.  I have been wanting to explore the Castor River Shut Ins since I read about the area last summer.  The Shut Ins are located in the Amidon Memorial Conservation Area near Fredericktown, MO. There is a 1 mile loop trail that takes you by the Castor River and along some breathtaking views of the bluffs.  It was a unique experience due to the trail being completely iced over in many spots.  We had fun bypassing the ice and making our own trail to get around.  (Which I don't recommend when things are trying to grow)  We were so close to Taum Sauk Mountain, it would have been silly not to take the kids to the highest point in Missouri while we were in the area.  The high point was a bit of a let down for the kids, just a rock and a marker, but Colby and I have a thing for high points and really wanted to do that with the kids.  (This summer we are planning on doing the Nebraska and South Dakota high points.)  The high point is handicap accessible and easy to get to and right past it is the Mina Sauk Falls trail, a 3 mile loop that gives access to the tallest waterfall in Missouri.  Colby and I had done the trail YEARS ago before we were married and I didn't remember it very well.  We all loved the hike, it had awesome views of the surrounding mountains and, a surprise to us, was a view of the Taum Sauk Reservoir.  And, of course the falls, which were gorgeously frozen over for the winter.  It was a tough 3 miles, especially after the mile we had already done at the Shut Ins, but the kids did great and made it the whole way.  I think 4 miles was a bit much for the kids, they would have more fun at a slower pace where they could explore more.  There are some nice cliffs to be aware of, especially with the kids and dogs along, and the ice, we had to be really cautious.  Here are the details from the day.

Amidon Conservation hike
Total length = 1 mile
Total time = 1 hour (leave more time for exploring the river in the summer)
Blake - amazing
Leah - awesome
Easy trail without the ice

Mina Sauk Falls Trail
Total length = 3 miles
Total time = 2 hrs. 40 min.
Blake - favorite
Leah - I loved it!
Tough trail, rugged with drop offs

Total miles today = 4 miles
Total miles so far = 14.55 miles

The start of the Amidon Hike.

At the Castor River Shut Ins.  The Shut Ins are a very short distance from the parking lot.  We will definitely go back in the summer to swim!

Mollie and the iced over trail.

More of the trail that we had to around.

Our makeshift trail.

There is an awesome view of the river below.

Back to the parking lot.

The start of the Mina Sauk Falls trail, which also connects with the Ozark Trail.  The kids were very interested in the bear warning sign.  But, no bears sightings today!

Taum Sauk Reservoir, the opposite view from the Scour Trail near Johnson's Shut Ins that we had done a couple of years ago.

The lower Mina Sauk falls frozen over.  The photo doesn't do it justice.

Colby checking out the falls as I mind the dogs.

An open icy pool.

Drink time for the dogs.

X marks the spot, what I don't know.

The highest kid in Missouri!

Clifty Creek Natural Area

So, it's been awhile, too long.  What happened you may ask?  Soccer season has begun!  Our weekends have been busy with carnivals, soccer and college football.  Although the weather has been gorgeous, we have struggled to find time for a family hike.  I have a list of Missouri Natural Areas that I've been dying to explore and the one at Clifty Creek was on the top of my list.  We finally got a chance to check it out this past weekend.  It's located 6 miles northeast of Dixon, MO, which is a little over a 2 hour drive for us.  Well worth it!  There is a 2.5 mile loop trail that takes you through the forest most of which is along and above the creek.  Some of the trail gets a little near the edge of high cliffs, but not too scary, even with the kids.  We did keep Leah a little closer on those portions though.  It is a rugged hike, but I would say easier than many that we have done because of the elevation change.  The inclines were not too difficult for the kids, but I would recommend taking a left at the start to avoid dealing with the steeper inclines at the end of the hike.  (We went right)  O, and what makes the whole trip worth it and my reason for wanting to hike there, the massive natural bridge that the hike takes you to.  It is incredible!  Like something you would see at Arches National Park in Utah, right here in central MO.  The river was basically dry because we have had so little rain lately, but I would like to go back again maybe in the spring to see the area with some water in the creek.  As a family, we HIGHLY recommend checking out the area.  The trail was not busy, in fact we didn't see another sole on the trail, even on a sunny Saturday afternoon.  I didn't get quotes from the kids this time, but they both did the entire hike without help.  Leah got a little tired towards the home stretch, but she made it!  Without further ado, here are some photos from the hike. 

Clifty Creek Natural Area
Miles logged - 2.5
Total miles for 2014 - 10.55 (Yeah, double digits!)
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places-go/natural-areas/clifty-creek

The decision.  Left or right?  We went right. 

It's a little hard to see, but there is a dramatic drop off to the left with the river bed down below.

Beautiful trail through the woods.

A little water in the river.

Blake standing near a cliff.

Some signs of fall!

The natural bridge!

Checking out a rock that was engraved from when there is water in the river.

A view from the other side of the bridge.

Steps leading either to or from the natural bridge depending on which way you began the hike.

The trail continues.

Very well marked.

A box turtle we found on the trail.  He was very cute and not too scared of us.

Some boulders along the trail.

He's not mad, he is just trying to look tough.

Nice view.

A cute lizard sunning itself.

Lunch back at the car.  I think the hike was a success!