Moss Rock Trace
- 0.3 mi
- round trip
- 63 ft
- climb
- 684 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Moss Rock Trace is a short, easy hike in Missouri, about 1.7 miles from the town of Cole Junction. The trail is an out-and-back, roughly 0.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of about 63 feet. The route starts and ends at about 684 feet, and the steepest stretch comes early on, with a grade of about 5%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jefferson City show October highs around 69°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 75°F. Summer runs hotter, with July highs near 88°F. The trail is rated easy and is short enough to fit into a longer outing. Raccoon Run is about 0.2 miles away, and Bluestem Ridge and Towering Oak are each about 0.3 miles off.
- Raccoon RunHiking0.2 mi
Bluestem RidgeHikingPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.3 mi
Towering OakHikingPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.3 mi- Gravel TrailHikingPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.3 mi
- Paved TrailHikingPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Bluestem RidgeHiking · Next doorPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Lake View Bend TrailHiking · ~1h 8m drivePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Cedar Creek - SouthHiking · ~19 min drive
- Loop 2Hiking · ~1h 6m drive
- Towering OakHiking · Next doorPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Cedar Creek Trail - Smith CreeHiking · ~29 min drive
- Moreau Creek TrailHiking · ~20 min drive
- Moniteau TrailHiking · ~1h 20m drive
- Gravel TrailHiking · Next doorPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Cedar Creek Trail - the MoonHiking · ~31 min drive
Best time to visit Moss Rock Trace
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°
8 wet
Feb
45° / 25°
8 wet
Mar
56° / 34°
11 wet
Apr
67° / 44°
12 wet
May
75° / 55°
12 wet
Jun
84° / 64°
10 wet
Jul
88° / 69°
8 wet
Aug
87° / 67°
8 wet
Sep
80° / 58°
8 wet
Oct
69° / 46°
9 wet
Nov
55° / 35°
9 wet
Dec
44° / 26°
8 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jefferson City Wtp, MO, 2.9 mi away at 650 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
