The OT is a great “starters thru-hike” in both length and technicality. The one place this trail may be considered more advanced is the lack of towns along the trail for resupply and a bed, shower, and town food. Streams and creeks can run deep and quick during heavy rains, and temperatures can dip below freezing in the spring and autumn. There are long stretches without cell phone service.
Whether you’re getting ready to head out hiking, going shopping, or traveling, this backpack is up to the job! It features a front zippered pocket for your accessories and keys and a large open main compartment for everything else. A perk of hiking lesser-traveled trails are fewer (or non-existent) permits and parking fees. The Ozark Trail does not have permit, parking, or registration requirements for its trail sections.
The 26-mile route follows Blair Creek south as it carves down a valley through oak-hickory-pine forest before merging with the emerald waters of the Current River. Here the 30-mile Current River section picks ozark trail outdoor equipment up, following the river for two miles before veering south toward Stegall Mountain. Enjoy views of the Ozark landscape as you gain 500 feet of elevation up 2.5 miles to the top of Stegall Mountain.
What’s more, the OT offers many things to see and experience for both seasoned and first-time backpackers. The Ozark Trail had its beginnings in the 1970s when a group of public land managers, land owners, and trail users met to discuss the concept of a long-distance hiking trail. A comprehensive state outdoor recreation plan prepared by the state of Missouri in 1975 showed a need for an addition of 500 to 900 miles (805 to 1,448 km) of hiking trails. A first meeting in 1976 at Meramec State Park lead to the first draft of the trails proposal in February 1977 and in 1981 the first sections of the trail were under construction.
Consider bringing waterproof shoes and treating your clothes ahead of time with permethrin to repel insects. In the colder seasons insulating layers are a must, and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round. The next section along Trace Creek is an enjoyable, quiet walk in the woods.
This was day nine of my 16-day thru-hike of the Ozark Trail (OT). Browse Ozark Trail’s top-rated backpacks and more. Find the best backpack for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. Order your 2023 Official Missouri Travel Guide and ozark trail canopy start planning your #MissouriAdventure today. While much of the trail is under shaded tree canopy, you’ll still want to use sunscreen to prevent any burns. The Ozark Trail Association maintains a number of maps to help you traverse each section of the trail.
Backpacking stoves are a convenient way to boil water for dehydrated meals and instant coffee without adding a lot of weight to your pack. The Ozark Trail (OT) is one of America’s premier distance hiking trails. Mostly divided into linked sections, the trail winds through 390 miles of rolling hills, stone bluffs and cool streams in central and southern Missouri. We like to go on day hikes around our area and my other backpacks are much bulkier and heavier than this one. We live close to Zion National Park and it gets very hot during the day, so you want to make sure to always have water with you. Wetlands give way to ridgelines at the start of the Blair Creek section.
Physically check in by filling out a backpacking card at dedicated trailheads. Also, learn the seven principles of “Leave No Trace” to keep the backcountry beautiful. One of the best parts of backpacking is settling around a campfire and enjoying a hot dinner after a long day of hiking. ozark trail canopy You may find it helpful to make a list of meals for each day you are out on the trail to ensure that you are not over- or under-packing for your trip. There are circumstances that are out of control (natural disasters, holidays, weather, etc) that may cause shipping postponements.
Although I saw many diggings from feral hogs, I was fortunate to have never come across any. I did meet a hunter in the woods whose hands and arms were covered in blood. She had just shot a wild hog and had cut out the “back straps” to eat. My first night out I heard coyotes howling just before I fell asleep, which half startled me but was also beautiful to hear. “The AT, PCT, and CDT have a higher profile, but not many people can take three to five months out of their lives to do a thru-hike.
Whether you’re planning an epic thru-hike or an out-and-back weekend excursion, this guide will help you get started on your Missouri adventure. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.