Ozark Trail - Current River Section

Hike Name: Ozark Trail - Current River Section Location: southeast MO Length: 30 Submitted by: Scott Merritt Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Missouri trail reviews Missouri national parks Missouri state parks
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Description
I started at Hwy 60 and hiked north to Owls Bend. Elevations are approx. 500-1300. First 10 miles are through deep hollows and typical Ozark forest. Bring water, or fill up (and treat/filter) at one of the two streams you cross early on. Enter Peck Ranch Wildlife area. No camping for about 6 miles. Pretty area with lots of food plots, ponds, etc. Cross Rogers Creek (I assume this is full year-round). Now the best part. Switchback up Stegall Mtn for awesome views of Ozark landscape. Descend and hike through Kelley Hollow. Take 1/2 mile detour to Rocky Falls. This is marked on the trail. Continue on along Rocky Creek and see the old mill and beautiful shut-ins. Follow Indian Creek down to the Current River. Finish up with about 3 miles that follow the river. As stated before, there is not much water for the first half of the hike, but the last part follows streams and rivers. This hike has quite a few parking lots/access points, so it could be shortened. By far the most beautiful section is the 15 miles between Peck Ranch and the north end of the trail. Trail is marked with the standard OT signs. Some sections are very well marked, others not. Bring a map and compass. Easily one of my favorite hikes in Missouri.

Directions to Hike
I took Hwy 21 south out of St. Louis all the way down to Ellington. Take 106 west about 30(?)miles. Follow sign to Powder Mill Ferry or Owls Bend parking area. To get to the southern point, continue on 106 a few miles. Take 'H' south to Winona. Access to Peck Ranch is also along this stretch. Take Hwy 60 east towards Van Buren. Trail head is about 1/2 way between Fremont and Van Buren, right after passing Hwy 'C'.

Contact Information
Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources.
P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. (They have decent maps).
Alley Spring Ranger (Mark Miller)- (573)226-3316.
Shannon County Sheriff (573)226-3615.
Peck Ranch Manager-(573)323-4249.
NPS (573)323-4326.
If you need a ride from one end of the trail to the other, there are canoe rental companies and resorts that will provide one. It's a little expensive, and they are commercial operations, so I'd rather not provide phone numbers (and free advertising).

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