Hiking Trail Through Time in Pickle Springs Natural Area Missouri

#hikingmissouri #trailthroughtime #picklespringsnaturalarea
Today I’m hiking Trail Through Time in Pickle Springs Natural Area, a National Natural Landscape in southeast Missouri.
Blog Post: www.MichaelShepherdJordan.com/hiking-missouri
I’ll admit I had avoided hiking Trail Through Time in Pickle Springs Natural Area for the simply ignorant reason that it was short; and Hawn State Park is right next door. Oh how I was wrong. The hike is only 2 miles, but it might be the most scenic hike in Missouri.
Designated a National Natural Landscape by the National Parks Service in 1974, I have yet to hike a trail in Missouri more deserving of the honor. Every quarter mile there is a new enchantingly beautiful aspect to explore of the Missouri outdoors.
The main attraction are the Lamotta Sandstone “hoodoos,” which are giant boulders featuring 6 foot keyholes in the stone and one particularly beautiful double arch that the trail passes through. These Cauliflower Rocks as they’re referred to are only a half mile into the hike, but the adventure starts along the way as the trail first passes through The Slot, a small canyon foretelling the geological wonders to come.
Trail Through Time also features three sandstone bluffs. The first is Owl’s Den Bluff located in an area called Spirit Canyon. The trail leads hikers along the base of roughly 50 foot bluff with its wet rock overhangs covered in ferns. The second is Dome Rock, which is an overlook above the tree line offering a panoramic view of the surrounding hills. Finally one the trail winds through Rockpile Canyon with its striking red walls.
One could hike Trail Through Time in as little as an hour or less, but I would strongly encourage giving yourself at least a half a day to wander the trail. It will not be a waste of time.
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00:00 Introduction
01:03 Trail Information
01:22 The Slot
02:09 Double Arch & Hoodoos
04:30 Owl's Den Bluff in Spirit Canyon
06:02 Dome Rock Overlook
07:18 Rockpile Canyon
07:59 Trail Review

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

What's your favorite section of Trail Through Time in Pickle Springs? I think mine was Owl's Den Bluff

[@t20sgrunt36]

Always enjoy your videos. Your shooting, commentary, and editing continually get better. Keep up the great work!

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

Thank you. Truly appreciate the support. I’m doing my best to get better with every video!

[@ksrengaram]

Thank you for introducing a good place to hike in MO, Keep Hiking, your videos are treasure to anyone who wants to explore Missouri!

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

Really appreciate your words. Thank you. I’m doing my best to keep exploring!

[@timrhoadsoutdoors]

It's about time, lol. A fun day is this trail, the Pickle Creek loop at Hawn, then Hickory Canyons. Return home that same day.

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

I know! Haha. That’s a nice trifecta

[@eriktaylor5704]

Didn't see this until I wrote my comment. In total agreement.

[@eriktaylor5704]

I love Pickle Springs. My favorite part is the little box canyon towards the start of the trail. I've taken my family, my students, and my scout troop and they have all loved it. It is short, which is why we make a day of it by hiking the Pickle Creek trail at Hawn, the 2 trails at Hickory Canyon Conservation Area, and Pickle Springs all in the same day. All three are close to one another and offer different experiences.

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

Walking through the canyon at the beginning was a great prelude to everything else to come. I totally agree!

[@eriktaylor5704]

There is a small cave under the Dome Rock Overlook that is nice place to check out.

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

Oh cool! I’ll remember that the next time I’m there. Thank you

[@alanpeterson4939]

You might also try the hike from the Hwy E waterfall to the top of Black Mountain. It is the tallest climb in Missouri. From the St Francis River, to the top of the mountain, it is just under 1,000 feet in elevation. Watch a KZbin video or two to see what you’re in for. Pick a day after some decent rains.

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

Interesting! Does the hike have a name? Is it on AllTrails? I’ll look into this too

[@danbollinger9190]

Here's a short clip of the Black Mtn waterfall kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmaviZ-jl72UgrMfeature=shared

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

That looks amazing! Thank you for sharing it

[@joependergrass4716]

Got a chance to hike Pickle Springs for the day on our way to hike GSMNP and the AP last July. Wanting to go back this fall/winter with less leaf cover so we can see more of the topography.

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

Pickle Springs is a pretty beautiful spot. I feel like it got there just before the foliage fully took over. I’m with you in that I feel winter is the best time to hike in Missouri because you can see more!

[@alanpeterson4939]

I might suggest Lower Rock Creek trail. And the best bluff view in Missouri, in my opinion, is Lee Bluff.

[@MichaelShepherdJordan]

Thank you for these recommendations 🤙 I’ll definitely add them to my to do list. Really interested in Lee Bluff