As of October 28, 1997 (unofficial) sections 1, 2, 3 and 15 of Missouri's OZARK TRAIL are being planned. This page discusses current and late-breaking news on emerging news for completing these sections. The all important question of a definitie start and end site (northern and southern trail heads) will also be discussed.
No significant new developments were reported on the unfinished sections at the October 25, 1997 meeting of the Ozark trail Council held at Meramec State park in the Visitors Center.
The current rumor is the Ozark trail will begin somewhere within Castlewood State Park and the part of the Chubb Trail that runs through it. A view of this area (see map below) discloses two problems with locating this initial segment of the trail.
Basic fact one is the Meramec River divides the Chubb Trail located in the southern end of the park from the Park's visitor's facilities which are all on the northern portion. There is no Meramec River bridge (remnants of an old one are still evident, however) at present, so actually the Chubb Trail must be accessed through the West Tyson and Lone Elk County Parks (see map) several miles away. Neither currently has spaces for long term parking for distance hikers and both close at night (ie. are day use facilities only). At the West Tyson Interpretaive Center tril head, parking is limited to 10-12 vehicles, so additional long term parking for trail hikers will have to be provided some other way.
Basic fact two is that Castlewood S.P. is on the opposite (western) side of Interstate Highway 44 (I-44) than are Robertsville and Meramec State Parks farther south through which the OZT will eventually pass. How will the trail cross I-44 safely?
The most logical crossing point is the I-44 crossing at Exit 272 on Lewis Road, the access point for West Tyson County Park and the new Route 66 State Park (former city of Times Beach). This access road to the two parks is not too heavily used, however the crossing would not be as safe as a marked lane for hikers on foot or bikers (the latter cannot legally use the Interstate highway -- Catch 22!).
Photo - Interstate 44 from Lewis Road near entry to West Tyson County Park looking south along future route of Missouri Ozark trail. The overpass is one possible route to expand Ozark Trail southward.
Section 1 (Castlewood State Park-Meramec Greenway) - The Al Foster Trail near Arnold, MO has been completed. This is a 2.5 mile foot and mountain biking trail. The major obstacles to completing sections 1 have been identified here as the Chubb Trail being inaccessible for castlewood visitors directly withi the Park, and the need for trail to cross Highway 44 plus land acquisition and trail development funding.
Section 2 (Robertsville State Park-Meramec Greenway) - No news was reported on development of this section at the 10/25/97 semi-annual meeting of the Ozark Trail Council.
Section 3 (Meramec State Park-Meramec Greenway) - No news was reported on development of this section at the 10/25/97 semi-annual meeting of the Ozark Trail Council.
Section 15 (Willow Springs/Norfolk Lake/Udall) - No news was reported on development of this section at the 10/25/97 semi-annual meeting of the Ozark Trail Council.
Southern (MO-ARK border) Trail Head
No news of interaction between the two state Ozark trail councils was reported at the 10/25/97 semi-annual meeting of the Ozark Trail Council. Additional input will be sought from the Arkansas Ozark Highlands Trail Association and news will be reported here. Stay tuned!
OZTMO_planned_sections.html