The twice-annual debate about which is better, spring or autumn, has no need for anyone to be right or wrong. It is hard to argue against the end of winter and the eruption of new life on the landscape in March and April. It is similarly difficult to find any fault in October’s blanket of beautiful fall colors that signal the passing of summer heat and humidity.
Both seasons are also fantastic times to find a nearby hiking trail and immerse yourself in the wonders of a woodland. Brisk mornings on a shaded path can be a great way to start any day, but even the afternoon “heat” is not unbearable this time of the year. An evening escape into the forest can de-stress even the busiest of days.
Jefferson County is blessed with abundant opportunities to explore public properties that are well marked and unique in their offerings. Putting my five favorites in order, I would not question anyone who picked a place that didn’t make my list.
I remain convinced that Don Robinson State Park near Cedar Hill is the best place in the county to discover nature in a pair of hiking shoes. The only trouble at the county’s newest state park is selecting which of the two trails is better. If you have the time and a packed picnic basket, walking both is the correct answer.
The LaBarque Hills Trail is 2.4 miles long, traveling up and down woodland ridges. It is rated moderate with an expected completion time of about 90 minutes. The Sandstone Canyon hike is almost four miles in length, including a paved section for the first half mile. A short connector trail can cut the full loop in about half. The total trek is estimated to take up to three hours.
Mastodon State Historic Site has three terrific trails to accommodate walkers of all abilities and interests. The Spring Branch Trail is less than a mile of packed, crushed gravel that welcomes wheelchairs or strollers. It follows a segment of Rock Creek with stream access for water exploration, if you’re OK with wet shoes.
The Wildflower Trail is just a half mile long starting at the museum. Its boardwalks and wooden stairs go down to the bone beds where remnants were found of the ancient mammals that give the park its name. The Limestone Hill Trail is for true hikers and rewards walkers with big views of the expansive Rock Creek valley. Also departing from the museum, its two miles are rated as rugged with an estimated travel time of two hours.
Maybe I give it too much credit because it is so close to home for me, but I really enjoy the Joachim Loop Trail at William C. Haggard City Park in Herculaneum. Consisting of mostly crushed gravel paths, the main outer loop is 10 feet wide and nearly 1.2 miles long. Two six-foot wide interior cutoffs allow your walk in the woods to be shortened to just more than a half mile, or the park can be a place you can wander for hours in peace among the falling leaves of fall.
The 2.5-mile trail at Valley View Glades west of Hillsboro on Highway B earns accolades for its unique topography. While many private properties in southern Jefferson County have similar isolated features of the rock-pocked landscape, the public access at Valley View, and its nearby neighbor Victoria Glades east of Hillsboro, invites everyone who is willing to walk uphill.
The properties are characterized by thin soil with bedrock near the surface. In the case of these glades, the smooth stones you see are called Jefferson City-Cotter dolomite and are estimated to be more than 400 million years old. Glades are also found in the Branson area of Missouri where they are often called bald knobs.
Last, but not least, the Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Memorial Conservation Area in the northwest corner of the county makes my list for its panoramic view of the Meramec River. Of course, the park has many other features that earn high marks as a place to allow the outdoors to restore your spirit.
The trail explores about half of the 634-acre recreation area. There are enough climbs to remind you that it is hiking and not just a walk in the park. About 500 feet from the parking lot on Highway FF, the three-mile loop branches. If you choose to stay to the right, you reach the scenic overlook above the Meramec in just over a mile.
I apologize if your favorite county hike did not make my list, but just like the debate over whether spring or fall is better, there are no wrong answers in picking a place to get outside and enjoy the wonders of nature.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 35 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.
