Rockwood Reservation

Southern winds and full sun brought Spring-like temperatures to Missouri today, so I had to make time to squeeze in at least a short hike on my busy Sunday.  I had bigger ambitions for one of the longer hikes on my list, but time wouldn’t allow for it.  So I picked the next best thing, a shorter but still challenging hike on the Lime Kiln trail in Rockwoods Reservation.  

 

The trailhead is on the right shortly after entering the park off Highway 109, and as expected, was overflowing with vehicles today.  I was immediately greeted by the trails namesake, a large limestone kiln, which is a unique stone structure dating back to 1856 that was used to burn limestone for use in mortar.

I then took the loop trail to the right, first walking alongside a small prairie before beginning a fairly long uphill trek through a grove of cedars.  The hill wrecked any crazy notion that I might of had to use this trail for a run once it dried out a bit.  The trail then basically flattens out for approximately one mile as it undulates along the top of a ridge through the forest.  This stretch is pretty easy walking and allows for an unusual view of the manufactured snow-covered hillside that is Hidden Valley Ski Resort located in the area.

Of course I know that I am not the first to tell you, but everything that goes up, must come down.  And this is where I really enjoy this trail.  The descent takes its time meandering down the slope before coming to a scenic wet weather creek at the base of one of the slopes.

Then the journey continues through a rocky stretch that requires some agility and some concentration to keep from getting tripped up.  Massive boulders line one side of the trail and the other side still offers views of the valley below.  

Eventually the trail leads to the bottom of the valley where you walk through a nice day use picnic area filled with picnic tables and grills.  It continues through a wet, grassy area for a short while before leveling out beside a quaint spring-fed creek for the last ½ mile or so.  The creek is actually beautiful, and the giant Sycamores that grow beside it are worth stopping to study for a minute or two.  On this warm day, this stretch of trail was popular with families and a few people were sitting on the creek bank reading books and soaking up the day.

Even more cars had arrived by the time I made it back to the trailhead, as now they lined the road for several hundred feet. Total length is listed as 3.2 miles, and while challenging is suitable for most looking for a good workout.  I did see several families with young children navigating the trail, with some stopping about halfway for a snack.

I drove up to the headquarters area and surveyed the birds near the feeders for a bit, then decided to take on the hill on the short loop of the Rock Quarry trail directly behind the office.  This trail goes straight up hill for a bit, aided by several wooden stairways built into the hillside.  The surface is mainly packed limestone, making it an easy walk on the day when the earthen trails were a bit muddy.  

There were several large boulders offering interest along side the trail, and the woods full of mixed-hardwoods are wonderful.  I came upon an ash tree that had been worked over hard by Pileated Woodpeckers leaving several large pits – impressive testament to the strength of these large birds.

The short loop is only one mile long.  The longer 2.25 loop will have to wait until next time.  As I slowly made my exit from the park, I again was grateful for the beautiful forests and great public areas Missouri has to offer.  The Missouri Department of Conservation purchased this land it 1938 and has done a fantastic job managing the area, allowing access while preserving its merits.  For more information on Rockwoods Reservation, check it out here:

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/rockwoods-reservation

 

As always, I welcome comments below either on these trails or the other trails in Rockwoods Reservation.

 

For the birders out there, nothing much to report.  Saw most of the expected winter birds, including American Crow, Robins, Blue Jays, Bluebirds, Chickadees, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Canada Goose, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, American Goldfinch, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Dark-eyed Junco.  Missed some easy birds like Cardinals and Carolina Wren, as well as the Spotted Towhee that had been seen earlier in the month around the feeders.