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.
Hiking Devil’s Icebox and Sinkhole Trail at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Devil’s Icebox and Sinkhole Trail leads hikers through the park's most prominent features: Devil’s Icebox, Connor’s Cave, the many sinkholes that dot the park, and ultimately the namesake Rock Bridge. It’s not often a trail features two subterranean sections, but this trail does.
Missouri’s Castle Ruins at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
I head to Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Central Missouri to hike to the ruins of a 20th century Castle and get treated to classic Missouri glades and a beautiful bluff view of the Lake of the Ozarks on the Castle and Quarry Loop Trail.
Hiking Mudlick Mountain at Sam A. Baker | Hiking Missouri
This week I head to Sam A. Baker State Park in Missouri to hike the Shut-Ins Trail to the top of Mudlick Mountain (1,313 feet). It’s the end of October and the Missouri fall colors were in full effect on this midwest hiking trail. Along the trail there is one beautiful Missouri bluff view, three historic stone camping shelters, and an active fire tower atop Mudlick Mountain.
Hiking Swimming Deer Trail at St. Francois State Park | Hiking Missouri
Today I’m hiking Swimming Deer Trail at St. Francois State Park just outside of Bonne Terre, Missouri about an hour south of St. Louis. Swimming Deer Trail may not offer the best bluff views in Missouri, but it is a Missouri hiking trail that offers several unobscured bluff views of the Big River.
Hiking West Ridge Trail in Weston Bend State Park | Hiking Missouri
Hiking the West Ridge Trail in Weston Bend State Park in northwest Missouri, about an hour north of Kansas City. This 2.4 mile loop trail is actually a combination of three trails (Harpst Trail, West Ridge Trail, and the Paved Trail) and offers some pretty beautiful bluff views of the Missouri River.
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.
Perfect Kid Friendly Hike at Johnson’s Shut-Ins
Featuring a creek and two overlooks without much elevation gain Horseshoe Glad Trail is a perfect kid-friendly hike to add to your trip to Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in Missouri!
Chasing Waterfalls at Johnson’s Shut-Ins
I went chasing waterfalls at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park just outside Middle Brook, Missouri. I waited for a day after it rained for my solo hike on the Johnson’s Shut-Ins Trail hoping to see some great waterfalls and I wasn’t disappointed.