After several solo hikes recently, I was able to meet up with some fellow rim to rim hikers and tackle a training hike along the Chubb Trail in western St. Louis county. Â On a beautiful and warm Sunday, I was joined by Eric, AJ, and Pete for a 14 mile endurance-building hike beginning at the…
The 9 mile loop at the Wilderness Trail at Meramec State Park was completely bi-polar today. Â I arrived at the trailhead around 10:00 to find no other cars there at all, totally shocking for April 15th at this popular park. Â Of course it was 35 degrees with a gusty wind, and it had rained each…
When we got to Elephant Rocks I was very tired but ready for the trail at the same time.  I typically don’t like hiking, but thought it would be fun.  We started with a little low rocks, compared to what was coming later. After that we went to the 120 year old ruins of an…
I found myself worn out after a more difficult day than usual at work and having just finished a late appointment in St. Charles. I didn’t feel like sitting in rush hour traffic, and even though I was physically spent and only had my work boots and work clothes with me, I decided to take…
Feeling restless and anxious to log some more miles in preparation for my next Grand Canyon hike, I sought out a new, rugged trail at Don Robinson State Park. Â My plan was to go hike the 4 mile Sandstone Canyon Trail, then the 2.5 mile LaBarque Hills Trail and make it home in time to…
Valley View Glades Natural Area is one of my favorite St. Louis area hikes. Â The 225 acre natural area is home to some very large dolomite glades as well as a neat mix of oak, hickory, and cedar woodland areas with a series of wet-weather creeks running along side the trail. Â For just a short…
I found myself wrapping up my last appointment for the day in Ballwin right across the road from Edgar M. Queeny Park, a suburban park in the St. Louis County Parks system. Â I had heard about a 4.1 mile loop trail around the perimeter of the park, and figured I would try it today and…
A dry forecast and a rare weekend day with no games on the calendar is reason to celebrate. In our house, it’s also an excuse to head out for a hike! We have had a few days of rain in the area so I thought that it might be a good time to hit up…
After a morning of soccer games, I was looking for a 8+ mile hike to fit in before the 6:00 basketball game. Â Since I was already in St. Charles County, I figured I would finally go hike the Lewis and Clark Trail at Weldon Springs Conservation Area. Â I had hiked portions of the trail several…
I woke up this Saturday morning to an inch of wet snow on the ground and more falling down. Â Temperatures were hovering right at 32 degrees and the forecast was for warmer temperatures and sunny skies for the afternoon. Â I really needed to get out and hike, but knew I would have to pick a…
