My first thought on doing Lone Spring Trail at Cuivre State Park should be renamed “Lost Springs Trail” since I spent some of the time not finding the trail. This was an adventurous hike with a lot of lessons learned.

Where It’s Located

I pull into the trailhead at the intersection of Lincoln Hills Road and Highway KK at the north end of Cuivre State Park. The quickest way to get this trailhead is to turn onto Highway KK from U.S Highway 61 heading north out of the St. Louis area.  

Heading Off For the Trail

I noticed that from the parking area I could walk along Highway KK going west to where Lone Spring Trail crosses the highway to go south since I was not doing the full trail, which is a 4.75-mile loop. I only wanted to do a 2.4 mile out and back trip to Lone Spring. Looking at the trail map later after hiking it I could have just done the full loop and not have gone much further.

Anyway, I walked along the highway looking for the trail crossing and not seeing it connecting with the highway. 

I was grossed out when I was buzzed by a lot of flies having walked over smooshed roadkill. This pre-occupied my mind for a bit and I think I missed the trail crossing because of it.

Making A Mistake 

I kept walking and looking on my phone following my progress on GoogleMaps and thinking that I will see the trailhead. Then I noticed I was almost to Big Sugar Creek and this was way too far. I thought for a moment about using the creek to get to the trail, but saw on the trail map that it goes near the creek but not by it, and if I had this much trouble finding the trail crossing it did not bode well in bushwhacking to it.

I had to turn around and walk back up the hill and around the curve on the highway. Now I took more care in looking into the woods than on the road and this time I saw it.

At Trail Crossing

The trail is marked with yellow arrows. You walk along the hillsides at first.

I found a huge orange mushroom with the top bitten out of it. The largest one I’ve seen in a long time and perfect for a Smurf to live in.

Blocked Trail

I walked down into a ravine along an intermittent rocky creek. Here I came to a where a few large trees had fallen over the trail. Thinking that I had gotten onto a side trail I started to walk back. A book I used for the map seemed to show it going in the other direction.

I kept walking back and then thought I should check this with a photo I took of the map on the state park brochure.

The park brochure map had the trail in a switchback, so yeah, I needed to walk over the fallen trees. This was not easy since they were huge and there were smaller trees in the bunch.

A park ranger needs to clear this with a chainsaw, I thought too myself.

When I made it through the trees I noticed a small trail going around it. Ughh!!

Follow Foot Prints

The trail then ended at a creek bed. I walked forward and it disappeared. I walked back and then noticed some muddy shoe prints. Followed those into the ravine and then on the other side found the yellow arrow, success.

Lone Spring Found

Going through more woods I came to Lone Spring. It is not a huge spring like I’ve seen in the Ozarks but it is was magical to have it all to yourself. This is not a heavily used trail so I stayed around a bit.

The springs come out of a narrow cliffside and to the right is a small part of it separate from the main flow.

The water goes over rocks and pebbles in a thick forest. I decided to walk down by it to where it goes into Big Sugar Creek. Stepping briefly into the water it felt really good on a hot hiking day.

Itchy

Close to Lone Spring, I went through some green foliage that made me itchy, not sure if it was poison sumac, ivy, or whatever but I had a reaction. Where the spring met the creek I took a moment to stand in the water and wash myself off, this took away the itchiness. 

Sinkhole 

I headed back to the outlet of the spring and read there was a sinkhole in my hiking book. Not sure if I found it but on the other side of the spring is a gravel bar area with water. It was worth checking out. Then I headed up above the spring a bit then noticing it going up int the woods along a hillside. If I kept going I would arrive at a backpacking camp that was supposed to be in the distance.

Going Back

I decided to stick with my out and back plan. Also, if I wanted to do this trail again at least I really will remember it and not get lost again.

It is also always easier to retrace your steps. I again walked through the poison whatever and was itchy once more. This time I stopped in a shallow pool in a nearby intermittent stream and sloshed around a bit and wiped my legs, which helped once more. Next time I will wear pants instead of shorts for hikes like these!

Walking back was much easier this time. I even used the path around the fallen trees.

Connector Trail

Instead of going out to the road, I decided to use the connector trail to the parking area.

This was a mistake. It was a lot of up and down on a narrow trail and it was overgrown. Worst of all it was filled with ticks that kept crawling up my legs and I had to keep wiping them off. I had cured the itchiness but also cleared off the Deet on my legs.  

Finally, I came out across the road from the parking area. I vowed to never use this connector trail again. Running to the car I jumped in and took off my clothes and did a tick check and threw any I saw out the door. I then put on extra clothes I had brought with me. Luckily no one was around to see my craziness.

Final Thoughts

I think now that I know the trail I might do it again, maybe in spring or fall when there is less overgrowth. It is not a long hike and the cliff with the spring all by itself is cool.

The state park is filled with other trails such as the Frenchman’s Bluff Trail that goes along the cliffs above Cuivre River. The state park also offers camping and a swim beach on Lake Lincoln.

This was a major learning experience. Next time if I go into the water have a backpack with Deet. Also, picking up a copy of the brochure with a detailed trail guide outside of the state park’s office or visitor center is always a good idea.

Most of all, this was not a heavily used trail and I needed to be fully aware of where I was going by keeping an eye on trail markers along with the elevation changes noted on the trail maps.

DETAILS

Hours: 6 am – Sunset, daily, Year-Round — Camping is available

Admission: Free

Address: 678 MO-147, Troy, MO 63379

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