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It is organized by trail, so that it will be easy for people to find information.
Please read our usage notes before starting. You can read reviews without joining the forum, but you have to join if you want to post. Click here to register.
Babler State Park - Hawthorn Trail
Posted by: ladyalite (IP Logged)
Date: November 6, 2005 09:38PM
Distance: 1.25 miles.
Official Site: [www.mostateparks.com]
My Photos: [www.mohiking.com]
Where to start at Babler? I took a tip from the book “60 hikes in 60 miles” where the Author said that the little Hawthorn trail was his favorite. It just so happened I was going to meet friends today at the Alta shelter which happens to be at the trail head of the Hawthorn trail. So that worked out perfect.
The Missouri Mycological Society was meeting for a little foray and then a feast of “wild foods”. I poked around some hillsides with them, learning more about mushrooms. The Alta Shelter, which is at the trail head for Hawthorn, is a really nice shelter! In the middle, it has a fireplace that faces all 4 directions, so really it has 4 fireplaces. It has enough space and picnic tables to host a family reunion.
After lunch I announced that I wanted to do the Hawthorn trail and asked if anyone wanted to go with me. Steve grabbed his bucket and another man came also. This was a very pretty trail! I know I say that a lot but just look at the photos! Of course it is Fall so I got to see the trail on fire with layers of yellow and reds. The tree canopy was lemon yellow and the ground cover was red or orange (all Sumac). The contrast was striking!
This was a very easy trail and sceenic. Most of it goes along ridge line where you can see down into the valleys below. I was a little put off by the fact that in some parts you could glimpse the housing developments of Wildwood (or the Babler Communty, whatever it is called there). I’m sure those houses would not have been there 10 years ago and I didn’t like the feel of them encroaching on the park. But don’t let that spoil your hike, for the most part they were hidden.
We came across an interesting little mini glade, rock formation area that looked like a really cool waterfall. We could see we were standing in a seasonal stream bed, dry at the moment. We looked down over the cliff and way down below, saw a creek. That waterfall must be impressive when it’s running.
We found 2 Hen of the Woods (mushrooms), but they were both past their prime. One was so old it was kind of interesting because it was drying up and really shrinking. Steve had found 2 large fresh Hens earlier that day and he sent me home with a hunk.
As the trail unfolded before us we couldn’t get over the stunning colors and I was very please that I checked it out and had my camera! It seemed the further we went the orange and red ground cover became thicker and thicker, with each turn of the trail seeming like the best yet. It really did seem like we saw more color on the 2nd half of the loop.
I can vouch that this trail is very pretty and impressive at least in Autumn. I may give an updated report and photos when I return to many of the places in the spring.
Edited 2 times. Last edit at 11/07/05 10:38PM by Nick Kasoff.
Official Site: [www.mostateparks.com]
My Photos: [www.mohiking.com]
Where to start at Babler? I took a tip from the book “60 hikes in 60 miles” where the Author said that the little Hawthorn trail was his favorite. It just so happened I was going to meet friends today at the Alta shelter which happens to be at the trail head of the Hawthorn trail. So that worked out perfect.
The Missouri Mycological Society was meeting for a little foray and then a feast of “wild foods”. I poked around some hillsides with them, learning more about mushrooms. The Alta Shelter, which is at the trail head for Hawthorn, is a really nice shelter! In the middle, it has a fireplace that faces all 4 directions, so really it has 4 fireplaces. It has enough space and picnic tables to host a family reunion.
After lunch I announced that I wanted to do the Hawthorn trail and asked if anyone wanted to go with me. Steve grabbed his bucket and another man came also. This was a very pretty trail! I know I say that a lot but just look at the photos! Of course it is Fall so I got to see the trail on fire with layers of yellow and reds. The tree canopy was lemon yellow and the ground cover was red or orange (all Sumac). The contrast was striking!
This was a very easy trail and sceenic. Most of it goes along ridge line where you can see down into the valleys below. I was a little put off by the fact that in some parts you could glimpse the housing developments of Wildwood (or the Babler Communty, whatever it is called there). I’m sure those houses would not have been there 10 years ago and I didn’t like the feel of them encroaching on the park. But don’t let that spoil your hike, for the most part they were hidden.
We came across an interesting little mini glade, rock formation area that looked like a really cool waterfall. We could see we were standing in a seasonal stream bed, dry at the moment. We looked down over the cliff and way down below, saw a creek. That waterfall must be impressive when it’s running.
We found 2 Hen of the Woods (mushrooms), but they were both past their prime. One was so old it was kind of interesting because it was drying up and really shrinking. Steve had found 2 large fresh Hens earlier that day and he sent me home with a hunk.
As the trail unfolded before us we couldn’t get over the stunning colors and I was very please that I checked it out and had my camera! It seemed the further we went the orange and red ground cover became thicker and thicker, with each turn of the trail seeming like the best yet. It really did seem like we saw more color on the 2nd half of the loop.
I can vouch that this trail is very pretty and impressive at least in Autumn. I may give an updated report and photos when I return to many of the places in the spring.
Edited 2 times. Last edit at 11/07/05 10:38PM by Nick Kasoff.
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