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Trail of the Month Program
800-334-6946

Hikers' Comments on Spring Branch Trail
Mastodon State Historic Site

	Month Hiked	Comments from participants of the 2007 Trail of the Month Program
	August 2007	This was a nice level trail -- an easy stroll through the woods. Some people were playing in the creek as we walked by. Lovely afternoon.
	August 2007	This was a pleasant level, gravel hike through the woods. Young boys were playing Cowboy and Indians along the creek. Several families were also enjoying the day on the trail. This is a nice hike for the entire family. The film and museum are a must to see, too.
	July 2007	Very pretty trail by the stream. Be sure to plan extra time for the other trails. We want to go back again to finish the one trail that needs maintenance to be completed. The part we did was nice but be prepared for some steep sections.
	July 2007	Real nice trail that I didn't even know existed until we started this program. We had gone to the museum several times but never to the picnic area. Quite a surprise. If you go, plan time for the other trails as well -- they're G-R-E-A-T!
	July 2007	It had a wide open trail. There was a lot of underbrush in the trees. It had an interesting foundation at the start of the trail.
	July 2007	Very flat, easy trail. Great for toddlers! If you have extra time, bring along some water shoes and let the kids play in the creek. Not very scenic, but nice.
	July 2007	Very shady trail; nice and easy to walk. Great for small children and those looking for a little stroll. We encountered only other walkers and saw people playing in the stream.
	July 2007	A very flat walk along a nice creek to play in and to an old foundation. A nice relaxing place to walk.
	July 2007	My favorite of the 17 trails we have hikes so far. Wonderful trail; easy to hike. It was so beautiful with the stream next to the trail and the forest was very dense. It smelled terrific and was just perfect all around.
	July 2007	Very nice; nice and level for all ages and hiking ability. Many people walk their dogs there, but the trail is still very clean; everyone takes care of the necessary things their animals leave.
	July 2007	There are an abundance of songbirds including gray-headed catbirds, Carolina wrens, black-capped chickadees and cardinals. Also has many of the exquisite black-winged damselflies, water striders, locusts, and other insects that are attracted to the lovely creek that winds throughout this easy to walk trail. Probably the only trail in Missouri where you will find an original springhouse used by early settlers to keep their foods cold since refrigerators had not yet been invented.
	July 2007	This was the nicest trail I have hiked yet on the Trail of the Month Passport program. It was an easy trail to follow and a great place to get away for a little while.
	June 2007	This was our first trail. It was nice and shady and very level. A babbling brook was nearby, which we crossed several times on small wooden bridges.
	June 2007	I really enjoyed this trail. It really felt like I was back in the time mastodons roamed the area. Recent rains left a mist hovering over the ground. The sparse trees coming out of the areas with standing water looked very prehistoric. Only downside was the trail is gravel set in tarp, which only served to retain water. In many places the trail looked like a stream with dry ground on either side.
	June 2007	This is a beautiful trail with wonderful surroundings. The gravel trail was well maintained and easy to hike. We hiked this trail after a rain storm so there were some large puddles on the trail. I really enjoyed this trail.
	June 2007	A nice, easy hike...the clear, bubbling stream alongside the trail is delightful! We walked the trail three times in a row!
	June 2007	This mostly shady trail passes along a small creek. Kids were throwing rocks and enjoying the water. Elderly couple with their seven-year-old golden retriever, a female jogger, and a group of women with their baby strollers were all along the trail the day we visited. Easily found the clue.
	June 2007	I was surprised at the ground cover on this trail. I didn't expect to see the "swamp" like ground. The plants were so different than anyplace we have been. Enjoyed it a lot. You don't expect to see this kind of trail so close to the St. Louis area -- or at least we didn't. Very nice place.
	June 2007	We saw a deer in the wood eating leaves off a tree. We saw an old building made of stone. I liked finding rocks with fossils.
	June 2007	It was a long walk. I liked the stream along the path. I liked skipping rocks in the stream.
	June 2007	I liked swimming in the creek, collecting and returning leaves on the ground and watching for critters.
	June 2007	It's easy and comfortable for anyone. The creek, on the day I hiked the trail, was running and teaming with fish in the places I stopped. I saw a woodchuck run along the trail ahead of me.
	May 2007	This trail is perfect for all fitness levels. It is very pretty with a lot to look at and listen to along the way. We saw several deer crossing the trail in front of us. This trail would even be good for a child in a stroller. This trail was very peaceful.
	May 2007	This trail has a wide walking path so your companion can walk next to you. It is family friendly so children or grandparents can go along. The ease in walking made it easy to look for and locate the clue. Make sure you stop by the visitor's center while there. It is fantastic. I am going to recommend the park as a field trip for the 4th grade classes at the school where I teach for the upcoming year.
	May 2007	The path is very nicely paved with pretty rocks most of the way. It also follows along a very nice creek; very nice relaxing trail.
	May 2007	It is flat and flowers are beautiful. The Limestone Hill Trail is more rigorous and provides for beautiful views.
	May 2007	Started at 5 p.m. and finished at 5:30 p.m. This was very easy trail, nice wide white gravel trail. There was a beautiful creek, which I aim to find out the name of, since I have lived in this area all my life, I should know. Nice clean water and gravel banks. Saw some cane plants; will get the right name for them and write in my log. This trail I have also walked before with my grandson, but this time it was fun because he was excited about finding more clues. This is a great idea.
	May 2007	It is a pretty park and I would hike all the trails and view the movie in the visitor’s center.
	May 2007	It is a great trail for anyone to hike. If you have little ones, you can even take a stroller on it.
	May 2007	It is a very easy trail along a beautiful creek. It is the fanciest springhouse I have ever seen.
	May 2007	Trail is beautiful and well maintained. Creek is very pretty - a quiet, cool, reflective sort of spot.
	May 2007	It is a well kept, flat trail. There is lots of wildlife along the trail, especially if hiked in the morning. For a more demanding workout, hike the Limestone Hill Trail across the road. It is slightly longer and much steeper, but is well worth hiking!