Hiking Post Oak and White Oak Trail at Mark Twain State Park
Hiking Post Oak & White Oak Trail at Mark Twain State Park
In this Youtube hiking video, I'm still at Mark Twain State Park in Missouri, but this time I'm hiking Post Oak Trail and White Oak Trail which is a 2.7 mile loop trail that runs along the shoreline of Mark Twain Lake.
Post Oak Trail and White Oak Trail Loop
Type: Loop | Rate: Easy / Moderate | Traffic: Moderate | Distance: 2.7mi | Elevation Gain: 135ft
Hike along the shoreline of Mark Twain Lake and through the beautiful oak-hickory forest of Mark Twain State Park.
View this hike on AllTrails.
History of Mark Twain Lake
When Mark Twain State Park was first established in 1924 by the Mark Twain Memorial Park Association there was no Mark Twain Lake. Missouri’s 3rd state park was built along the banks of the Salt River in the Salt River Hills, aptly named for the numerous salt springs, or “licks,” in the area. The construction of Clarence Cannon Dam, completed in 1983, formed Mark Twain Lake as it resides today. Post Oak Trail and White Oak Trail travel along the banks of the lake around the peninsula offering two distinct sides (North and South) for hikers to enjoy.
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Construction of the dam, originally named the Joanna Dam project, was proposed in 1937 to to help alleviate damage caused by flooding of the Salt River, and to provide hydroelectric power to the area. With help from Representative Clarence Cannon the dam was authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act in October 1962. 450,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured to erect the 138ft high and 1,940ft wide dam thus creating the 18,000 acre Mark Twain Lake.
Hiking Post Oak Trail and White Oak Trail
Crossing Monroe Rd 418 from the Shower House parking lot, the Post Oak Trail heads north to the shore of Mark Twain Lake. It then turns west following the shoreline of the lake to the 0.8 mile mark where it connects with the White Oak Trail which extends further out on the peninsula. At 1.2 miles the trail is at its furthest point from the trailhead, which is a limestone outcropping jutting into the lake, which is particularly spectacular when the water is low. Views of the limestone cliffs surrounding the lake are present in every direction.
The trail begins to loop back around on itself to traverse to the southern side of the peninsula. At 1.7 miles a beautiful view of the south facing shoreline comes into view. It’s Mark Twain State Park’s version of a Caribbean beach. Cross the park road at the 1.9 mile mark, which is the road for boat launch access, and continue on as the trail divides the shoreline with the campgrounds to the left. The final spectacular view is an inlet at 2.4 miles looking back on the lake. Fork left at the White Connector 1 trail split and finished the short 0.2 miles back to the parking lot.
Mark Twain State Park Review
What’s unique about Mark Twain State Park is the topography and some of its flora and fauna which are reminiscent of the Ozark Mountain region in southern Missouri. In winter months look to the sky and hopefully be graced with a glimpse of bald eagles soaring overhead. In recent years the eagles have even begun nesting in the park.
After the hike, jump back in the car and drive the few miles north up MO-107 to the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site to see the small two room cabin the famed author was born in as well as first editions of many of the author’s works, a handwritten manuscript of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."
Hiking Dogwood Trail at Mark Twain State Park
Hiking Gear List
Jacket - Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie
Beanie - Ope Outdoors Chunky Knit Beanie
Long Sleeve Shirt - REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer
T-Shirt - REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt
Pants - Wrangler ATG Fleece Lined Pants
Underwear - REI Co-op Everyday Boxer Briefs
Shoes - The North Face VECTIV Fastpack FUTURELIGHT Hiking Shoes
Pack - REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack
Water Bottle - REI Co-op Nalgene 1L
Camera Gear List
Camera - Sony a6400
SD Card - ScanDisk Extreme Pro 128 GB 200 MB/s
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