Last weekend, I hiked in Hawn State Park and took a 20ish-mile bike ride in St. Joe State Park. This weekend, I hit the trails at the 256-acre Pickle Springs State Natural Area in Ste. Genvieve, Missouri.
Waterfall at Pickle Springs, photo by smalltowngirl
Pickle Springs is a truly beautiful area. As a hiker, you lose the sounds and thoughts of the rest of the world once you’ve taken a few feet down the trail, which makes a two-mile loop. The forest is dense with plant life, and my walk on Saturday was a fungus-hunter’s delight. For more fungus photos, check out my flickr photostream. Here’s one example of the almost beautiful texture, color, and pattern of the fungi I saw.
Jelly-like Fungus on Tree, photo by smalltowngirl
The trails at Pickle Springs are rocky and have roots growing through them. This isn’t a trail to walk with weak ankles or knees, and be forewarned as we face this spring’s rains; the trails become conduits for rainwater. I was very thankful for my Goretex boots on this particular hike. Don’t be fooled by this photo. It looks like a creek, but it’s actually the flooded trail.
Flooded Trail, photo by smalltowngirl
Pickle Springs has a lot of sandstone formations, most of which I’m sure have proper geological names, none of which I know. What I do know is that there are huge sandstone boulders like the ones in the flooded trail picture that you hiked between; there are even bigger ones that have holes in them the size of small cars that you can climb through; and there are sandstone bluffs that drop down 100 or so feet to the earth below.
Sandstone Boulders, photo by smalltowngirl
The views from the highest bluffs are really nice. Near the end of the loop, there’s a high bluff looking out over the forest, and it’s truly a beautiful Missouri view.
View from high bluff, photo by smalltowngirl
A blog about Pickle Springs wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the waterfalls. We aren’t talking Niagra Falls here, but this two-mile trail boasts countless small waterfalls, ranging from short ones in full blown creeks to 30-foot tall onces with a steady but small stream of water falling down. This weekend was a great time to hike the trail (with waterproof boots) since the surplus of rainwater meant that our hike was constantly made more peaceful by the sounds of dripping or streaming water.
Smaller Waterfall at Pickle Springs, photo by smalltowngirl
Pickle Springs State Natural Area is owned and maintained by the Missouri Department of Conservation, and is located in St. Genevieve County, Missouri off of Ste. Genevieve County Highway AA. To reach the park from Farmington or Ste. Gen, take State Hwy 32 to AA and continue two miles or so down AA, where you’ll see a brown Conservation Department Sign for Pickle Springs. Turn onto the gravel road across from the sign and continue 1-2 minutes to the Pickle Springs parking area.
I’d recommend this nature trail for a short day hike, and not for hikers who have problems with uneven or rocky trails.
To see more pictures of fungi, waterfalls, and sandstone boulders at Pickle Springs, check out my flickr photostream.
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Beautiful photo’s! One more place I’ve never been, but thanks to you, I’ve seen a bit of it. Great job!
Pickle Springs is one of the things I miss most about the Farmington area! I used to go hiking there every couple of months with friends in high school. Once we went on a warm-ish New Year’s Day and saw the waterfalls while they were still frozen.
Your pictures are beautiful! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I think I’ll make a point of visiting Pickle Springs next time I visit my parents.
Very cool! A few summers ago I hiked every Mo state park.
Pickle Springs is absolutely one of my favorite places!
We have the huge Missouri hiking trails guide, and it has been well-used.
Thanks for the link! Your blog has made me remember the parts I do love about living here, like being able to live in the city but take a short drive to visit small towns and natural areas. Also…wineries in the fall.
Also loving the “Funniest Searches” link. I should probably post some of mine.
[...] Pickle Springs State Natural Area [...]
[...] Pickle Springs State Natural Area [...]