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Trail of the Month Program
800-334-6946

Hikers' Comments on Deer Run Trail
Onondaga Cave State Park

	Month Hiked	Comments from participants of the 2007 Trail of the Month Program
	November 2007	Tenth Trail! Great trail, good river views. By all means take the Onondaga Cave tour too! Perhaps the best cave I've been in the last 15 years!
	October 2007	This trail includes some glade restoration areas and showed evidence of trail improvement. Views of the river from the bluffs were good where the leaves had already fallen from the trees. It was a good workout on a very pleasant day.
	October 2007	I go to this park two times a year to camp and have never walked the trails. Doing the trail of the month showed me that walking the trails is a fun thing to do for the whole family.
	September 2007	I liked the different kinds of mosses growing with the ferns.
	September 2007	We didn't see any deer on the Deer Run Trail, but we sure saw and heard lots of squirrels. Don't miss the cave if you haven't seen it. It was pretty impressive.
	August 2007	It is an excellent opportunity to experience the diversity of nature.
	August 2007	This was a nice hike through an upland forest followed by a few nice views of the Meramec River. A great hike!
	August 2007	It was a nice length trail. There was a couple nice river overlooks. Don't miss the cave tour; it will cool you off on a hot day.
	August 2007	The views are amazing, and it's a trail that you need to pace yourself on.
	July 2007	This was one of the quietest trails we have been on. We loved that the trail followed the river on one side. I can't wait to go back and camp there.
	July 2007	Beautiful views but definitely not a trail for kids because of the walk along the bluffs.
	July 2007	This is the most secluded and quiet trail I've hiked so far. If you stand perfectly still, you won't hear ANYTHING....it is SOooooooo quiet. When you do hear something, it will be the many chipmunks and lizards scampering around on the forest floor. Very rugged trail with lots of climbing and descending. If you want to feel like you're really out in the rough wilderness, then this is the trail for you.
	July 2007	Very secluded feeling trail. The park was very crowded with campers but we only encountered one person on the length of the trail. Very well marked with some moderately strenuous uphill sections made for a great hike.
	July 2007	This was a very enjoyable hike to do. Nice to see our conservation taxes being spent on steps and bridges to make this hike possible. This was one of the more natural type hikes we have been on. Would like to take this trail again in late fall.
	June 2007	My family enjoyed the whispering breezes through the trees. The trail was well labeled and provided a beautiful wooded walk and a nice stroll along the river bluff.
	June 2007	This trailhead is tucked in amidst camping sites. Though lacking any major attractions, this hike exemplifies the beauty of Missouri forests and waterways. Lots of wooden bridges to cross. Well maintained trail and even terrain makes this trail a fun if fairly easy hike.
	June 2007	This was the second trail hiked today on our way to Table Rock State Park for the weekend. Almost stepped on a turtle and saw several deer along the path. Enjoyed the walk!
	June 2007	I experienced rustling leaves in the cool breeze, colorful flowers and toadstools.
	June 2007	If you like diversity on a trail, this is the trail for you! It has wooded ridges, open glades, creek bottoms, and cliffs along the Meramec River! I hiked this trail counter clockwise to be along the river near the end of the hike. There is a wide variety of wildflowers along the trail, especially along the cliff, which attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The trail is in good shape, although the vegetation is thick along the creek bed area. This is one of the most interesting hikes I have been on so far!
	June 2007	It is a beautiful trail to hike. The hike is a gradual climb to the top. It passes Cathedral Cave, which was a bonus find.
	May 2007	Bring plenty of water and be prepared for a testing hilly hike.
	May 2007	Veer to the right on this loop trail for the best experience, which saves the nicest scenery (wonderful glades and a peaceful ridgeline snaking through the forest) and bluff views of the Meramec for last.
	May 2007	This is a beautiful trail along bluffs above the Meramec River. We saw a deer the day we hiked and even though it was rainy, it was beautiful. Bring some bug spray and you will enjoy this trail in any weather.
	May 2007	It has some absolutely beautiful scenery. The overlooks were also amazing!
	May 2007	This trail has a nice variety of things to see. Lots of wildflowers, rocks and a great view of the river.