Take a walk by the lake to look for waterfowl and enjoy a break with the kids at a large playground at Wapelhorst Park. This 78-acre park in St. Charles includes a lake, water park, and a paved trail that goes throughout the grounds. In the park I walked 1.3 miles with 102 feet of elevation gain along a paved trail going by many areas…
Hike down from a hilltop view to the shores of the Missouri River on a trail at Sunset Park in Florissant, MO. This is a nearly 2-mile paved out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 171 feet, mostly shaded. At the Trailhead After entering the park, I took the road to the right and then turned right again onto a road leading to a large…
The Frenchman’s Bluff Trail features a half-mile walk along limestone cliffs at Cuivre River State Park near Troy, Missouri. I hiked this trail at 1.7 miles, although the trail guide says it is 1.5 miles, and it has 200 feet of elevation gain. Entering the Park I entered Cuivre State Park via Missouri Highway 147, making my first stop at the visitor center. Here, you…
Turkey Hollow Trail offers a brief hike through fields and woods alongside a small brook at Cuivre River State Park. I hiked 0.8 miles with an elevation gain of 95 feet. Start of the Hike This is the only trailhead on the left side of Lincoln Hills Road before reaching the stop sign at Camp Cuivre Drive. The trail begins with a descent through trees…
Hike along the bluffs of the Missouri River, through deep valleys, and explore a small cave on the Lewis and Clark Trail loop at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area. The complete loop covering the Lewis and Clark trails is 8.4 miles long and gains 883 feet in elevation. This includes a short detour to the Katy Trail and various lookouts, which I also visited. If…
A scenic hike around a large lake and Dardenne Creek, abundant with waterfowl, can be enjoyed at 370 Lakeside Park, located just north of Missouri Highway 370 in St. Peters. This 3.5-mile loop is paved and mostly level, with 33 feet of elevation gain. Beginning the Hike I parked to the left of the prominent Corporate Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 300 people. This…
Hike over 100 feet above the Meramec River and through dolomite woodlands on the Deer Run Trail at Onondaga Cave State Park. This hike is listed at 2.5 but starting directly from the parking lot and with lookout stops I clocked in at 2.8 miles with 351 feet of elevation gain. The surface is a mixture of gravel, rock, and dirt with some hill climbing,…
Spanning 600 acres, Wilderness Resort is America’s Largest Waterpark Resort. During winter, you can enjoy three different water parks, one of which features an indoor wave pool. The resort features three lodging locations: The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort (Main Lodge), Glacier Canyon Lodge (where we stayed), and Wilderness on the Lake (off-property, reached by shuttle bus or summer ferry). During summer, there are four…
The 2024 Top Ten Hikes includes the longest cave in the world and what was once the largest city north of Mexico before Columbus. This year’s list was compiled from summer travel, midwest hikes, and amazing natural beauty. (Waterfall at Letchworth State Park in New York in Main Photo). Click the Titles for the Full Story. Broemmelsiek Park Hikes Hiking alongside a brook and discovering…
Here are my top five summer travel books for 2024, featuring walks through various cities and beautiful spots we have explored as a family or plan to visit soon. Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles by Charles Fleming This book features exciting urban walks through parks, canyons, and neighborhoods unknown and unseen. Each walk is rated for duration, distance,…
