Mark Twain National Forest

Type of Use: Foot

Length/Rating: 1-Mile Loop/More Difficult

Other Recreation Activities: Trout-fishing, canoeing, birdwatching, sightseeing, photography, picnicking, camping, mushroom/berry picking.

Nearby Facilities: The trail is a part of Lane Spring Recreation Area, which also has Cedar Bluff Trail. The area has a campground with 20 campsites and a beach.

Also nearby: Mill Creek Recreation Area, Big Piney River Accesses, Spring Creek Trout Area, Paddy Creek Wilderness, Roby Lake Recreation Area, Slabtown Recreation Area, Montauk State Park, Onondaga State Park, Huzzah State Forest, Indian Trail State Forest, Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Blossom Rock Trail was constructed by Boy Scouts in 1971. It begins at a small parking lot near the campground entrance by a big white pine tree. The trail threads through rich woods along a slough or old stream channel, then up to Blossom Rock. It travels along a ridge top, then descends through a steep glade to Little Piney Creek. Except for the steep portion, it is an easy walk suitable for a family outing. Benches are provided alongside for rest.

The wildflower show begins in early April with fawn lilies, spring beauties, and Dutchman's britches along the hillside as you start down the trail. Later on, look for may-apples, each plant like a miniature umbrella, with a creamy white flower hanging under the canopy of leaves. As you climb the gradual slope, watch for Blossom Rock, a sandstone formation that appears to blossom forth from the surrounding limestone. At this point during leaf-off season you can get a good view of the Little Piney valley. You can also sit and watch a hawk or a turkey vulture riding the wind and forget about time for a while.

As the trail continues along the ridge, cedar trees begin to appear, and the trail switchbacks down through a steep sunny glade replete with Indian grass and wildflowers. As you move downwards past ledges of limestone, think of Little Piney Creek gradually carving this valley over the ages. Now the trail follows along the creek. Look for several places where springs enter the creek. The view of the Little Piney is unobstructed, but the creek freely claims sections of the present trail during floods. Plans are underway to re-route it to safer locations.

Sycamore, boxelder, and other riverbottom trees are found here. Willows grow on the sand and gravel bars. Some trees fall into the stream, where they decay. At the same time, horsetail rushes grow in the fertile sandy soil left behind by the river, with perhaps a green frog or two resting underneath on a quiet sunny morning. The trail ends at the campground loop.