Cedar Creek Trail- Southern Loop, Nov 23-24 2024

It has been a shockingly long time since I have posted, mainly because it has been a shockingly long time since I have done anything but go to work or work on the house.  Life has been busy. That is not a complaint as we are really enjoying living in Hermann, the drive to and from St Louis everyday, not so much. It was time however to get some trail time. Cedar Creek Trail, specifically the southern loop, popped into my head. I have long considered it to be the toughest day hike in Missouri (22 miles). It covers a buffet of surfaces; woods, pasture and some gravel roads. I am much closer to this trail now and while I was not going to try it all in one day, it seemed like the perfect overnight hike. 

My normal go to, Jeremy, was tied up with his family every weekend this month, but during the OTSHAB events I have always had a good time with Jenny and Gwenda. I know they hike together often, so I sent a note to see if they had plans for this weekend. It was a serendipitous as their plans had fallen through and would be happy to come hike this. It also helped them as this trail is much closer to their homes than their normal drive to the OT and OHT. So a date was picked and some GPX files shared and a planned meetup on Saturday morning. Oh, I guess I should mention that only later did I realize that it was a hunting weekend but the forecast was for perfect weather, so just take the blaze orange and hope for the best!  

Leaving my house was another stunning site down my street at sunrise. I have had many more beautiful sunrises here than I ever noticed back in Wentzville. 

The fog, this morning, going along Hwy 94 beside the Missouri river was dense. On the road was what everyone was out for today, a group of 4 antlerless deer, scoot little ones or you will be goners at sunrise. 

A Blue Heron was in the road, but as my truck approached flew to a nearby tree. 

Got to the Pine Ridge Recreation Area and Jenny and Gwenda had driven in last night and slept in their cars. They were up and moving when I arrived around 8:30. 

We were ready to go by 9

An old homestead is the first historic artifact of the area inside the first couple miles. 

The first section was all forested. We did see one lone hunter sitting watching the very trail we were walking. I am sure he was hoping the deer would use the same trail 

First easy creek crossing

Then just a mile or so on the first road walk. 

The road takes you to access back into the woods by a very tiny neighborhood chapel. Paris Fork Chapel and Cemetery. A good spot for an early lunch. 

Afterword it was back into the woods and the decent to Cedar Creek

The name sake of the trail is wide, so no rock hopping here. You will get wet. 

After the creek you walk in the riparian area and flood plain. You finally climb up and onto farm and pasture land. 

coming off the pasture land we encounter a truck full of hunters coming to set up for the late afternoon/evening vigil. I am glad we were out of the line of fire for the day.

The last bit is just a 3 or so miles on gravel road, but the farms are nice with horses and cattle. 

The quiet road. Fortunately for us, there was a nice pond just along side the road where I could fill up our water bladders for the night. Unfortunately it meant carrying 2 liters of water 2-3 miles. 

Turkey tail growing on a fallen log in the late afternoon light. 

Once back in the woods, it was time to find a camp spot. away from the woods, preferable on a ridge but flat enough for 3 tents. After about a mile we found what we needed. Not totally ideal but it would do for a 12 miles day coming out of the gate. 

Not that flat, but I will make do. 

A wonderful evening to sit and relax, made a hot meal with great company. I tried a bit of salted carmel whiskey 😬

This day could not have been more perfect. 62F for a high, predicted only 45F tonight. Perfect weather for both walking and sleeping outside. 

Good Morning, Day 2. I would like to say last night was peaceful. There were some wonderful animal noises. Three sets of coyotes in large pack, a screech owl, cows making noise in the field, all were welcome. What wasn't was being in the pattern of the Columbia Missouri airport and the big jets that were coming in up till 11 pm. Some sounded like they were only feet above the trees. There was also the faint hum of highway noise from Hwy 63 or 54, but you could hear it all night. 

I slept very warm and for the most part comfortable, not waking but a few times. By 6:30 it was time to get up, have some breakfast and pack up to go. Everything put away below so we left no trace. 

In less than a mile we entered the Mizzou Research Center, which is closed to hunting. A relief to not hear gun shots every few minutes as we did earlier this morning.

Down to another creek for topping off our water for the day

and then more woods. This section had a variety of "Historical Trash" in the form of old cars. Probably from the 30's and 40's, it always astounds me how people drove them all the way back here in the woods. 

The front with windshield frame 

The back

This section has about 3-4 miles of road walking, but the road is easy, deserted for the most part and the surroundings are lovely. Today is just as nice as yesterday, with the highs going to be around 75-80F ! 

Below is the Burnett School, one room school house. I could not find an age of the school, but Ashland was founded in 1853

At the end of the road walk is the Burnett School bridge over Cedar Creek and I had mentioned to Jenny and Gwenda it was a real treat to walk over the bridge previously as it had metal supports and a wooden roadway, however when we got to it, it has been replaced with a non descript concrete affair. I then realized it had been 10 years (2014) the last time I had done this trail. 

The Old Bridge 2014

I liked it better, it matched the schoolhouse  

The view today from the new bridge. 

Once you leave the road after the bridge you climb up to pasture land again. This is where you stay for the remainder of our trip, about 4.5 miles. 

It is a beautiful walk over rolling hills. No cows at all in the fields today. 

Something that wasn't here last time, the Cain Family memorial. It sits in a small grove of large trees. The Cain family worked this land in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The Cain family made this memorial in 2023 to their early relatives including some children who died very young. 

one more ravine to descend, creek to cross and then ascend and we are back where we started. 

A very successful 22 miles. Some celebration beers at the end. 

However the fun was not over. One beer made us all insanely hungry. It was off the 7 miles to Ashland and Woody's Pub and Grub and I can tell you it is highly recommended for post hike food. I had the Woody Dawg. Double cheeseburger with the works and tater tots and they were spot on. 

Also a very funny admonishment in men's bathroom. 

Thank you Jenny and Gwenda for coming along and making this a fantastic weekend in the woods.