Kaintuck Hollow Trail is located south of the Mill Creek Recreation Area. There are approximately 24 miles of well maintained trails through the forest which consists mostly of oak trees interspersed with cedar, dogwood and spruce. Wildflowers such as Queen Anne's lace, daisy, trumpet creeper, black-eyed Susan and blazing star can be found along the pathway. Blackberries turn from green to red, then to black when ripe. One can hear the rustling of leaves as a woodland animal scurries out of sight.
For the most part, the Acorn Section follows an old logging road west of Kaintuck Hollow. The trailhead is marked with several large stones beside the gravel road near the campground. The trail starts as a single track through a field. Then it turns up a steep incline to the ridgetop. On the ridge, the trail is level, wide, and well worn. Most of the other sections branch off the Acorn, and drop down either into Kaintuck Hollow or to Wilkins Spring.
After moving south for about 2.5 miles, the Acorn follows a smaller single track to the left. There is a gradual slope downward through the thick oak and cedar forest. You will pass a picturesque area with large, flat rock outcroppings. After this, the trail becomes extremely rocky. Later, the trail levels out and passes over a slab of concrete, the remnant of a structure long destroyed. The trickling of a nearby stream can be heard, as you travel to the gravel road where the path finally ends.
Pine Tree Section is approximately 3 miles long and runs parallel to the gravel road which connects the Mill Creek Campground with Highway T. It passes through the lowlands which are thick with vegetation during the summer months. There are several quick dips across the narrow, rocky streambeds. These add some fun for the mountain biker and provide a nice change of pace for the hiker.
At the beginning of the Mushroom Section there is a picnic table, a fire ring and a mowed parking area.
After some large boulders it immediately begins climbing upwards. The Squirrel Section branches off to the left and the Mushroom continues to- move up a short, steep, rocky incline. It then passes through a large field and ending after joining the Acorn at the top of the ridge. The Mushroom is probably the easiest path to the ridgetop.
The Squirrel makes a quick dip through a small stream and begins a sharp uphill climb into the oak and pine forest. It can be difficult for both hikers and bikers. The trail then turns downward until it meets the Oak Leaf Section not far from the Natural Bridge. On first look, the Natural Bridge could actually be an entrance to a large cave. After venturing inside, you will see that instead of growing pitch black, it opens up again to the sunny forest. The Natural Bridge provides a nice, cool place to stop on a hot summer day. The Oak Leaf continues to the top of the ridge where it meets the Acorn Section.
The Rabbit Foot Section connects the Acorn to Wilkins Spring. On the northern part, its path begins as a wide, double track. After passing a small, lily-covered pond on the right, the trail turns to the left and heads southwestward. It turns to a single track with. some sandy spots and then a steep, rocky downhill. On a mountain bike, it is nerve-racking to descend and almost impossible to ascend. It finally bottoms out and passes through a small camping area around Wilkins Spring. The spring flows year round into a large pond and then into Mill Creek. The Rabbit Foot then passes another small pond and wanders through an outstanding section of pine forest as it steadily climbs to the ridgetop where it meets the Acorn Section.
West from the Acorn, the Butterfly Section moves down into a streambed and then climbs back up again. Starting on the northern end, the trail descends suddenly, then winds through many cedar trees and passes over a dry streambed covered with large, mossy rocks. Switchbacking up through the oak trees, it approaches the ridge gradually and then ends at the top.
The Cardinal Section follows the double track path on the ridge top. After about half a mile along the ridge, it branches off to the east. Then it passes through a sparsely vegetated area that was either the result of a fire or a clear cut. The path enters into a dense wooded area again and then descends steeply into Kaintuck Hollow.
Return to
Top
RELATED GORP LINKS
GORP Missouri Resources
GORPtravel Adventure Vacations
from Away.com
