Lost Valley Trail, Weldon Spring CA, St. Charles County, MO: New trail features- resembles Ozark Trail

Hiking Lost Valley Trail, St. Charles County, MO: New and Improved trail!

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The Lost Valley Trail located in St. Charles County, MO. (Weldon Spring CA) has gone through several changes for the better. This trail used to be just old roads from the ordanance factory days, however, the switchback area is new.
I have to say this...if you are going to hike this trail, know what you are getting into.  The sign at the trailhead still has the old trail system.  It was a much more ambitious hike than I thought I was getting into, especially since I have hiked this trail before, and was using past experience as a reference point.
The west side of the loop trail (I believe it is now up to 10 miles- the old style trail was 8 and less rugged) is what I focused on for this trip.
I really like the improvements to the trail system.....It really reminded me of the Ozark Trail in the southern part of Missouri.  The video below does not do the beauty justice....enjoy!

Hike ON!

Mike

Hiking Prairie State Park Missouri amongst the Buffalo, Elk, and Deer- Barton County, Missouri January 6th 2012

Prairie State Park located in Barton County, Missouri (Between Lamar, MO and Pittsburg, KS) provides a different type of hiking experience.  This is an interesting park due to the fact that the park contains a herd of bison, as well as Elk.  If you get out there on a week day (especially in the winter) you will have the entire park to your self, as I did.

I did a small loop hike off the campground.  There are electrical fences to negotiate throughout the park.  I had a small pack on, so I went right through (the crossing points have plastic over the wires).  If I was going for an overnight, I think I would take the pack off before negotiating.  After I crossed the fence, I did see what appeared to be an elk (I had a little distance on him).  The photos of the bison actually were taken on the other side of the fence.  I would never recommend getting that close to bison unless you had some form a barrier between them an yourself.
Tip especially for the winter:  Print out a trail map online before you go out.  Maps are not readily available, and the prairie blazes are harder to interpret in the winter when the tall grass is down

Hike ON

Mike

Bison viewing and prairie hiking at Prairie State Park, Missouri

EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking in Missouri

Lost Valley Trail, Weldon Spring CA, St. Charles County, MO December 28th, 2010: Video of a cool winter hike!

Lost Valley Trail, Weldon Spring CA, St. Charles County, MO December 28th, 2010: Great snow covered hike!

Lost Valley Trail, Weldon Spring CA, Missouri

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