Towering Oak
Photo: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- 0.5 mi
- round trip
- 175 ft
- climb
- 749 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Towering Oak is a short, easy hike in Runge Nature Center Park in Missouri, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The trail is about half a mile long and rises roughly 60 feet from its starting point, making it a quick outing that fits easily into a longer visit to the park. The route is an out-and-back, with the high point at about 749 feet and the low point at about 658 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about a third of the way along, with a grade of about 8 percent. The total climb for the round trip is about 175 feet. 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. Several other short trails sit close by. Raccoon Run is about 0.1 mile away, Bluestem Ridge about 0.2 mile, and Moss Rock Trace and Gravel Trail are each about 0.3 mile off.
- Raccoon RunHiking0.1 mi
Bluestem RidgeHikingPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.2 mi- Moss Rock TraceHiking0.3 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
- Gravel TrailHiking · 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
- Paved TrailHiking · Next doorPhoto: smays, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Cedar Creek Trail - the MoonHiking · ~31 min drive
Best time to visit Towering Oak
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, 2.6 mi away at 650 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
