Purple Trail

Purple Trail is a short, easy hike in Missouri, about a mile long and rising roughly 180 feet from its starting point. It sits close to the town of Morschels, about 0.8 miles away, and is a low-effort outing that pairs well with other trails in the area. The trail is rated easy, and the climb is gentle. The route starts at about 581 feet and reaches a high point of 698 feet, with the steepest stretch coming near the end, around 1.1 miles in, where the grade reaches about 15%. The total descent is a little more than the ascent, at about 220 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 70°F with lows near 46°F, and April highs around 67°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. The trail is open to horses, and bikes are not allowed. The trip takes about half an hour, so it works well as a quick stop. Chubb Trail and Gray Trail are both about 0.7 miles away, and the Meramec River fishing access is about 1.7 miles off.