michael shepherd jordan
Writer | Photographer | Adventurer
Welcome to my hiking blog where I feature my adventures hiking Missouri and around the USA. Each post features YouTube hiking videos of me on the trail, photos, custom maps, and my trail review.
Beautiful Bluff Views on the Lewis and Clark Trail | Hiking Missouri
Hike to some of the best Missouri bluff views on the Lewis and Clark Trail in Weldon Spring Conservation Area. With its proximity to St. Louis and multiple amazing bluff views of the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark Trail is one of the best St. Louis day hikes.
Castlewood State Park in Summer
The River Scene Trail at Castlewood State Park is the Missouri hiking trail with the best bluff views, even in Summer. And the fact that it is a hike close to Saint Louis is amazing.
Solo Hiking Pickle Creek Trail at Hawn State Park Missouri
I’m back at my favorite Missouri state park solo hiking Pickle Creek Trail in Hawn State Park. This is a lovely little Missouri hiking trail following Pickle Creek. AllTrails has it marked at 1.6 miles out and back, but I cross the creek and create a nice little loop trail.
Taum Sauk to Mina Sauk Falls | Winter Waterfall
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 Russell Mountain to Taum Sauk | Missouri’s Highest Point
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!
Hiking with Horses in Forest 44 Conservation
Hiking a 3.8 mile loop in Forest 44 Conservation Area near St. Louis. Forest 44 is right beside Kraus Farms Equestrian Center so all the trails are open to horseback riding. We saw several horses on our hike, and I have a good feeling anyone would when hiking these trails.
Hiking Missouri’s 2nd Highest Point | Buford Mountain & Bald Knob
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!
Pleasantly Surprised with Lone Wolf Trail in Castlewood State Park
I get out early and hike Lone Wolf Trail in Castlewood State Park. At 2.1 miles Lone Wolf is the shortest trail I’ve hiked at Castlewood, and while I was skeptical at first by the end I was won over and wishing it was longer. One again, Castlewood did not disappoint.
Sandstone Canyon Trail | Don Robinson State Park | Missouri
Wild and woolly Sandstone Canyon Trail in Don Robinson State Park in Jefferson County, Missouri. Don Robinson State Park is an 800 acre park that lies within the LaBarque Creek Natural Area and was donated to Missouri State Parks in 2012 by St. Louis businessman Don Robinson.