Loop 1
- 2.1 mi
- round trip
- 378 ft
- climb
- 896 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Loop 1 is an easy out-and-back hike in southeast Missouri, about a mile from the community of Old Bland. The route covers roughly 4 miles round trip, with a total climb of about 380 feet and a high point of 896 feet. The trail rises gently for the first quarter mile, where the steepest stretch reaches about 13%, before leveling off. Elevation gain is listed as 204 feet one way, and the total round trip is about 378 feet. The trail works for hikers, and it also carries horses and bikes, which makes it a practical choice for riders and pack animals. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Freedom, Missouri, show May highs around 75°F and September highs near 80°F, with October cooling to about 69°F. The trip takes about 1.5 hours. Loop 2 is just 0.1 mile away, and Loop 3 is about a mile off. Paddlers can find Third Creek roughly 6 miles from the trail.
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Walking Fern TrailHiking · ~50 min drivePhoto: teeks99, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- Loop 2Hiking · Next door
- Wilderness TrailHiking · ~49 min drive
- Kaintuck Trail YellowHiking · ~1h 1m drive
Towering OakHiking · ~1h 6m drivePhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Cedar Creek - SouthHiking · ~1h 14m drive
- Cedar Creek Trail - Smith CreeHiking · ~1h 17m drive
- Paved TrailHiking · ~1h 6m drivePhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Moreau Creek TrailHiking · ~1h 15m drive
- Gravel TrailHiking · ~1h 6m drivePhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Best time to visit Loop 1
Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
40° / 21°
7 wet
Feb
46° / 24°
7 wet
Mar
56° / 33°
9 wet
Apr
67° / 43°
10 wet
May
75° / 53°
12 wet
Jun
83° / 62°
9 wet
Jul
88° / 66°
8 wet
Aug
87° / 64°
8 wet
Sep
80° / 55°
7 wet
Oct
69° / 44°
8 wet
Nov
56° / 34°
7 wet
Dec
44° / 25°
7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Freedom, MO, 10.6 mi away at 805 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
