Welch Spring

This is definitely an under advertised spring that is well worth a trip to see! It is hidden in the middle of nowhere down a gravel road that is more pot holes than road. I have a small four door sports car and was definitely wishing for a truck! By the time I pulled in to the "parking lot" I was convinced that I had just made a very bad decision. But, since I was not ready to tackle driving back UP the road, I got out and started hiking the half mile trail (I think parks, when they don't know the distance of a short trail, just label it a half mile. Lol. Just a theory) to the spring. What I found stopped me dead in my tracks...

The spring in winter

The spring feeds into the current river which will be running to your left as you walk out to the spring. Looking across the water, you'll see an old building. It used to be a tuberculosis hospital. Patients would come there hoping the spring water would heal them. Believe it or not, this was a common belief at the time. Needless to say, the building has long since been decommissioned.

A shot from above the spring cave

This will be your first view of the spring

I was not content to sit back and look at this mysterious building from the other side of the spring, so I back tracked to the cliff wall that you can see the spring flowing out of. If you walk back maybe 200 meters from the edge of the spring along the cliff wall you will see a very thin trail that leads up over the cliff and to the other side of the spring. Once there, it is possible to climb in to the building and explore a little bit: 

Interior of the old hospital

Cave entrance

As you can see by the picture on the right, if you make it to the base of the building, there is an old cave opening. The cave does not go very far back (maybe 20 feet?) before it hits spring water and becomes impassable without swimming - which I would not advise. 

Looking back on the entrance of the cave

Couldn't tell how far back the spring water stretched...

Below is a link to the website covering a history of the spring and the hospital. It also includes brief directions to the spring:

http://www.nps.gov/ozar/historyculture/welch-hospital.htm

Four Winds Trail

This trail is located in the Lake Ozark SP off of hwy 42. Admittedly, I don't particularly like this park too much and I think a big reason for that is how commercialized it is. It feels like most of the park was built for the tourists that frequent the area. However, I must now publicly admit that I judged a bit too quickly. If you turn into the park off of hwy 42 in Osage Beach, mo and continue down the main park road towards the stables, you will pass the trail head for Four Winds Trail. Keep going until you see the gravel turn off directly in front of the park's stables (that are currently empty). The best trail head is on the right side of this gravel road as you turn onto it. You can park behind the stables and walk up to the TH from that point.

Approximately 1.5 miles into the trail from this point you will see a small branch off to the left that is no longer technically part of the trail. Take this branch off. You will shortly come to a service road and see an old sign that says "Overlook .5 miles". That's how you know you're on the right track. Continue following the trail and you will find a Japanese Garden (ok, maybe not exactly. But I think it's rather similar in a wilder sort of way) back in the middle of nowhere.

 If you walk up the ramp, you'll find two trees planted in the middle of a moss heart. I have no idea if nature determined it would be this way, or if man did, and to me it really doesn't matter.

I couldn't help myself, once I was up there I just had to climb the rock ledge it rests on. It's a lot of fun and has some pretty amazing little nooks and crevices. 

I'm still amazed that this is in the middle of the Lake Ozark SP! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I probably wouldn't have believed it. If you climb down the rocks and head North into the woods, you'll come across a small stream. Follow it up stream and it opens out into a beautiful cove. The lake stretches out before you and there are nothing but trees lining the water. It's so peaceful, and with the sun glancing off of the water, it's almost magical. There aren't many places left like this at the Lake....

Below is a link for the state park: 

http://mostateparks.com/park/lake-ozarks-state-park 

And a link for a map to the park: 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lake+of+the+Ozarks+State+Park/@38.1398468,-92.5868737,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x87c4d03f8bcf7a9b:0xce411f3eb66467f9

Toronto Springs CA

This is an excellent place to explore. There is a trail to the right of the first parking lot off of highway A as you pull in that lasts about .5 miles and runs along the river/stream. If, however, you go straight into the woods from the parking lot, you'll be free to explore as you wish. This area is fed, as the name leads you to believe, by a number of springs. Four to be exact. So you never have to worry about coming in low water. I discovered the area this past winter, so I haven't seen it after a heavy rain yet, but judging by the debris I would speculate that the river gets up pretty high.

I will usually hike up river until I come to a fallen tree that spans the river and cross that way. There are no trails this direction and certainly no bridges! But for the adventurous spirit, this is a dream come true. 

Be careful when crossing over to the opposite side of the river, however. Last time I was out there I got hung up in some old barbed wire that's been left over from the owners of the land before the state bought it. In my opinion, it is certainly worth the risk! And knowing that it's there makes it that much easier to avoid. Otherwise, you'll end up with bruises like mine: 

Below is a topo map of the area: 

And below is a link to the conservation's website that will tell you a little bit more about the park and what it has to offer (it will also have directions):

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=8616

Turkey Pen Hollow Trail

This trail is located in the Ha Ha Tonka SP and is the longest trail they offer clicking in at just over 7.2 miles. They do have a very primitive camp clearing approximately halfway through the trail for backpackers. While I would normally not consider this a long enough trail to camp on, it does provide a nice opportunity for those just getting started to get their feet wet without being stranded 20 miles from their car if something goes wrong. If you plan on staying overnight on the trail, the park asks that you stop by the visitor center on your way into the park and sign in - just so they know you are out there and know to come looking for you if your car is in the parking lot for three days without moving. ;)

As I said, the camping is very primitive. There is a rain fed stream that crosses the trail at several points and in high rains runs along beside the campsite. It is a good source of water if you have a purifier and runs (at least a little bit) throughout the year. This way you don't have to pack a lot of water out there with you; you can simply restock as you go. 

This is one of the most diverse hiking trails in the park, ranging from large karst formations to wide open prairie-like plains. During the summer there are several points in the trail that you will pass through fields of wild flowers, while in the winter it turns into an ice wonderland. 

There were several points in the trail that I just have to get off trail and explore some of the rocks that line its path. Missouri has so much sandstone, it is perfect for the formation of some truly impressive structures. I would not suggest climbing them, however! Take note from their name - sandstone. It's a true representation and crumbles like sand under you. 

I would definitely suggest giving this trail a trial run (no pun intended)! Be careful though - there are several trail that connect with Turkey Pen, so be sure to get a map before you head out. I hear this a lot and usually ignore it, but on this trail, I get a map every time I go! I mean it - take the time to get the "lay of the land" before you head out. And while you are at the park, be sure to check out the spring and the castle. The visitor's center can tell you all about them, or you can just follow the road signs. 

If you go to the spring, take the time to go out the island that you will pass on your left on your way in from the spring parking lot. On the opposite side of the island are rapids that will take your breath away. you'll love them, promise!

Below is a link for the commercialized part of the park: 

http://www.mostateparks.com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park

And below is a link for the google map to help you find the park. If you have any problems just let me know and I'll add step by step directions: 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ha+Ha+Tonka+State+Park/@37.977765,-92.764657,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x87c4dfc2104cebcd:0xcadd16d2242213e8

Clifty Creek CA

This area has a single trail that runs through it into some truly amazing karst formations. Clifty Creek runs through the middle of the area and has hollowed out several cliff walls along the edge of the trail. As you can see below, there are several large boulders running through the creek that offer some fun in the climbing department:

The creek runs several miles outside any homes or buildings, so it is relatively untainted. The picture below gives you an idea of how clear the water is running through the area. 

The trail is a 2.5 mile loop from the parking lot and back and is relatively rocky, so be prepared! I would not hike it after a heavy rain or during the snow, since it often runs along steep drop offs where good footing is absolutely essential. I have been here a few times and have never run across any other hikers due to its secluded nature. It's an excellent location to find some peace and quiet when you don't want to be out for a long time. 

Clifty Creek CA

Natural Bridge

And of course, the main event! About 1.4 miles into the trail you will meet the natural bridge. It spans about 40 feet from one side to the other. I climbed up the edge of the bridge to get to the top, only to discover that the trail leads to the top of the bridge as well - so if you don't want to risk life and limb to see the view, just be patient and the trail will take you to it. I would make this trip during low water seasons in order to stay dry when exploring around the bridge, since it stretches over Clifty Creek.

If you want to know some history for the park, below is a link to the conservation site: 

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=7309 

And if you would like a map/directions, below is a topo map of the area:

Don't worry if you feel like you are driving through the middle of nowhere - you are. And you are supposed to be. You will feel like you've left civilization behind before you find the park.