Secret Loop Hike - March 2022

 The weather has been so good this week, I just had to start getting out and walking. Hockey season is winding down so it is time to think about getting ready for Scotland and getting outside. 

I have a very nice conservation/wildlife area within just a few miles of our house, that while it has become very popular and busy over the past few years, I have wondered around enough to find some very old and somewhat forget paths. This area of St Louis county has been populated for a very long time. The area was founded by European settlers in 1764 but has been occupied for hundreds of years before that by the original native people of this land. These trails are certainly not that old, but the area has some trails that served some very old settlements and the best part is it creates a very private walk where you are not going to see anyone throughout most of the walk.  

You start in a very popular and busy trail head at the Busch Greenway. Actually you could park and start at a number of places close by. 

Always check what season it is, as active hunting is allowed in the area and there was a tragic case of a hunter shooting a hiker last season. Perhaps the reason for the shotgun only regulation now? 

This is a very busy trailhead but if you know which fork to take the path gets quiet quickly 

Old farm fencing separating the fields. This area is still actively farmed 

Now we leave everyone behind as you won't see anymore bike tracks or footprints as you skirt around one of the fields on the farm track. There was lots of evidence of deer bedding down here 

Out the back of the field and you have found the "lost path"

You can notice that the path was once covered in brick work as you come across a Cemetery. It has been cataloged but all the stones have fallen and are not legible except for one

                                

A rather long life, given the time 1806-1878

Carrying on, you walk a lovely ridge line as you fall steadily toward the Missouri River. Before the leaves come back, you can see all the contours of the hills surrounding you 

The first indication you might be close to an old homestead. Historical trash

Buried in the trees is an old homestead foundation. You can miss this when the leaves return as it is buried in the thicket. 

I come down here because I found the spring house. This spring actually becomes a rather large creek on its way to the Missouri River. The cold fresh water still pours out of the ground here. I have found that it runs all year round, even in the heat of summer. 

You can see stone steps leading from the spring house up to the old foundations. Fresh water right at your door step. 

Another view of the spring house. This is only 100' from a very popular bike path. While I was taking this picture, several people walking their dogs and others riding their bikes past by without even knowing this is here. 

Backtracking a bit to get on another trail you come back through an old gate. 

Turkey tails 

If you know the connector you join a very popular hiking path, but on its most outside section, so this part does not get much traffic. It becomes very overgrown in the summer. It looks like there as been some recent sawyer work to clear some downed trees across the trail - Thank you 

It is the Lewis Trail 

More excellent sawyer work. You are only on this trail for a brief time as you are following the drainage up to the headwall and then switchback to the top. 

You get off the popular trail and head around on the field access tracks. If you saw anyone on the trail you are alone again now

Someone's idea of a bad joke. A deer carcass has been hung from the old fencing, skull and all. 

Lots of empty fields now, but Corn will be here soon. This is also a heavily hunted area, so make sure you are aware 

You end up back on some of the old roads that serviced the Weldon Spring military and nuclear waste site. You will start to see people again as you round the bend as you are just coming back to the parking lot. 

5.2 mile loop in a couple of hours. A really great way to spend a few hours feeling like an explorer in the woods.