Babler State Park

After several weeks of cold temperatures, a gusty south wind ushered in some welcome warmth today even if we never did see the sun.  I couldn’t waste the opportunity to get outside in 55 degree temperatures and knock a short trail off my list of 60 hikes, so I made it to Babler State Park in west St. Louis County late afternoon after work.  There are 4-5 short hiking trails in the park, each less than 2 miles in length.  I selected the Hawthorn Trail on the recommendation of a friend.

The trailhead is located on the western edge of the park, and there is ample parking in the lot across the road at the Alta Shelter and Picnic Area.  The Hawthorn Trail is a 1.3 mile loop trail on top of a ridge overlooking a large valley within the park to one side, and an even larger vista over Wild Horse Creek Rd. To the other.  

The trail is only open to hikers, and the surface is almost completely packed dirt.  The grade is easy, with really very little in the way of hills considering the rolling terrain of the area.  On this particular day the trail was a bit muddy and slick, but not too crazy.  The route is almost completely through a mixture of Oak, Hickory, and Maple woods, with a few tall Ash trees.  There is an open glade about 1 mile in on the loop that makes for an interesting change of pace.  The best thing about the woods is the lack on any invasive bush Honeysuckle, so the woods are pretty open with long range viewing possible.

All in all, it’s a nice easy hike suitable for most hikers as long as conditions are dry. Would love to take this hike again in the Spring.  Might also consider using it for a short trail run sometime.

Even though I spend a lot of time in the general vicinity, I have not spent much time in Babler State Park.  It appears to be a great day use area, with numerous picnic areas, shelters, restrooms, and open fields to play in.  While very busy during the warmer months, I practically had the whole park to myself today.  There are also biking and equestrian trails in the park, as well as a campground that fills quickly due to its location in St. Louis County.  I am sure that I will check it out again, probably during the warbler migration in the spring or possibly to search for some morels. For more information, check out www.mostateparks.com.

As always, I welcome any comments or further suggestions for Babler State Park based on your experiences there.

For you birders out there, the gusty winds and short hike made for very few birds at all.  List includes Sharp-shinned Hawk, Carolina Wren, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Cardinal, and American Crow.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By PJ McCaslin