Hiking

Put on your hiking shoes and join us for a guided hike of the Karst and Grasslands Trails at Rock Bridge Memorial Park (Boone County); 4 miles – moderate. Meet at Runge Nature Center or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided, but carpooling may be necessary. Hike leaders will contact participants before the hike to give directions if needed. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Registration required. Ages 18+

This hike is a follow-up to Hike 101 but all are welcome. We will determine a starting point by looking at a topographic map of Rockwoods Reservation. Learn more about hiking basics as we hike the trail we have chosen.

Meet at the Pavilion. Dress for the weather, closed toe shoes are required for hiking.

Join Volunteer Naturalist Mike Mihalik to explore spring wildflowers at Cedar Gap Conservation Area. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool. Bring a snack and water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. We will hike the 1.6-mile loop trail.

It’s a new year full of possibilities, expectations, and resolutions. But what if you’re already exhausted and 2024 just started? Being in survival mode can often bring more stress and struggle, including sometimes snuffing out our energy and passion. How do we get our groove back and stay inspired, including letting nature rejuvenate us?

Join us for a fun and lighthearted presentation (but also meaningful, we hope!) on how the spirit of gratitude can help you live your best life. This session applies to those with an empty tank as well as those still firing on all cylinders—the learning, including personal storytelling and practical tips, will all be the same, including:

• How to rekindle your passion for life through gratitude and regain the spark and joy in living out your mission

• Strategies to refocus your day and take back your schedule (that are often hijacked by a hundred other things)

• Tip and tricks to get your gratitude mojo back, including where to find inspiration, mentoring, energy, and maybe even a daily dose of laughter

Even though gratitude is an inside job, we hope this session will be a sweet salve to the soul and just the spark you need to keep moving onward and upward.

Bio: Heather Feeler, communications branch chief with the Missouri Department of Conservation, spends her professional time chasing interesting conservation stories and connecting people with nature. Her team is responsible for statewide news, social media, video, marketing, magazines, media relations, and messaging for MDC. In her spare time, Heather can be found hiking, hammocking, and handwriting notes of encouragement for others. She’s also on a quest to visit all the national parks with her kids before they grow up and refuse to hang out with her anymore.

Put on your hiking shoes and join us for a guided hike of Spring Creek Gap Conservation Area (Maries County); 6 miles – difficult. Meet at Runge Nature Center or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided, but carpooling may be necessary. Hike leaders will contact participants before the hike to give directions if needed. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Registration required. Ages 18+

Join us for the gift of wildflowers courtesy of Mother Nature. Hike a 3 ½ mile natural trail that loops through meadows, woods and along streams; or turn back after the first mile. A short stop will be made at the platform overlooking the Meramec River Valley where participants can turn back. We will stop, admire, and discuss the different flowers in bloom along the trail. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring water and snacks if desired. Meet in the parking lot at Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation Area.

With the icy winds of winter giving way spring wildflowers start to bloom. Join us at Saint Francois State Park for a hike along a 3.4 mile trail. This trail follows the Current River before climbing 300ft in elevation and looping back. Pack your lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery when we stop to eat. The difficulty of Swimming Deer Trail is moderately-difficult due to the 300ft elevation gain along the middle of the trail. Participants will meet at the nature center and carpool to the state park.

Grab your hiking stick for a guided hike of the North Loop of Wilderness Trail at Meramec State Park (Franklin, Crawford, and Washington Counties); 4 miles – moderate. Meet at Runge Nature Center or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided but carpooling may be necessary. Hike leaders will contact participants before the hike to give directions if needed. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Registration required. Ages 18+

Birds are singing! Flowers are blooming! Learn about the seasonal changes that spring brings to Rockwoods Reservation. We will take a 1-mile hike on the Rock Quarry Trail to explore the signs of spring using your 5 senses. This program is targeted to students 5-12 years of age. The hike will be on natural terrain and include uphill and downhill hiking.

Meet at the Visitor Center.

Please dress for the weather. Sunscreen, hats, closed toe shoes, and insect repellant are recommended.

Please register all participants attending individually. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Want to see spring wildflowers and hike with a group? Meet at the pavilion for an introduction. Rockwoods is a little piece of the Ozarks close to home. According to MDC, “The terrain is reminiscent of the Ozark hills and many plants and animals found in hill country are also found here.”

We will hike about 2 miles. The hike includes hills and stairs. Picnic facilities are available if you want to bring your lunch.

Dress for the weather and protection from poison ivy. Insect repellent is recommended. Bring water and magnifying glass if you have one. Please register each participant individually.