I’m back in Missouri for a 13.3 mile solo hike of Bell Mountain in Mark Twain National Forest, about 2 hours south of St. Louis. This Missouri hiking trail is a lollipop trail to the 1703ft summit of Bell Mountain, which is Missouri’s 4th tallest mountain.

Today I explore the 1.2 mile hike from the Taum Sauk summit, Missouri’s highest point, to Mina Sauk Falls. This beautiful waterfall is a great St. Louis day hike only about 2hrs from the city.

Hiking a 10 mile loop from Russell Mountain to Taum Sauk, Missouri’s highest point. On the hike I learned about the Highpointers Club founded by “Guru Jakk” Longacre and stumbled upon several surprises including Taum Sauk Tower, which was awesome!

Missouri’s second highest point, Buford Mountain, isn’t the highlight of this 10 mile loop trail. Bald Knob at 1,575 feet is clearly the best point of interest on the Buford Mountain State Forest trail. And you can camp there!

The Whispering Pines South Loop is a roughly 6 miles extension of the trail. It’s a moderate mostly flat trail, an easy addition to add some miles to your hike. I recommend taking the Scenic Loop at the southernmost point of the South Loop as you’ll find beautiful rock outcroppings along Pickle Creek.

I closed out 2020 the best way I knew how, with an adventurous 13 mile New Years Eve hike on the Whispering Pines Trail in Hawn State Park. I had to take my shoes off, roll up my pants, and forge Pickle Creek in the first half of the Whispering Pines North Loop Trail.

Awesome winter hike of Labarque Hills Trail in Don Robinson State Park featuring a frozen creek, icicles, and the beautiful Missouri outdoors.