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Trail of the Month Program
800-334-6946

Hikers' Comments on Sinkhole Trail
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

	Month Hiked	Comments from participants of the 2007 Trail of the Month Program
	October 2007	The description makes it sound much harder than it is!
	September 2007	Trail is rocky and you need some good boots. Watch out for seed ticks too, but the hike is great. Be sure to see Devil's Icebox trail, too. Take a hard hat and three light sources if you want to go into the cave. The temperature was also about 30 degrees cooler down there; be prepared.
	September 2007	I went on this one for a Geomorphology class of 10 people, and it’s a really good trail if you have a knowledgeable tour guide. And if you don’t have an expert on the topic, it’s still a very pretty trail.
	September 2007	There is plenty to see along the trail. It gets far enough into the back of the park that it isn't too crowded. The trail isn't very challenging at all, but that doesn't mean it isn't interesting.
	August 2007	This is indeed a trail less traveled. I found it very peaceful. The sinkholes and the old silos are very interesting.
	August 2007	The sinkholes are fascinating. I am from the Old Jamestown area of St. Louis County, which is known for sinkholes. I wasn't aware there were any in the Columbia area. Also, it was fascinating to see sign of human settlement.
	July 2007	It’s a nice trail but there are some steep parts; people with health concerns might want to walk it on a cooler day. We walked it on hot summer day. It took us very close to the Natural Bridge. Also, plan extra time so you can do all the trails in the park. We had to hurry home to KC but plan to come back.
	July 2007	We did both the Sinkhole Trail and connected to the Devil's Icebox trail. The silos and sinkholes were interesting. Nice hike -- the trail was cool even though the day was hot.
	July 2007	We went on both the Sinkhole Trail and the Devil's Icebox. My favorite part was going down to the cave on the Devil's Icebox cave. I wanted to go into the cave, but we didn't have lights.
	June 2007	It was a very interesting trail with lots and lots of sinkholes. The silos were interesting. Not many flowers but lots of butterflies. Had several large grapevines and some raspberries. Really enjoyed the bench mid-way.
	June 2007	Very pleasant trail -- easy walking -- wooded area but no wildlife. The rocks were cool and, of course, the rock bridge was awesome.
	June 2007	A great trail because it takes you through some wonderful karst topography. There are plenty of sinkholes dotting the landscape, which indicate the enormity of the cave systems that lie below.
	June 2007	Terrain is varied, from an old flat road to a hilly climb, through forest and also grassy areas. There are a lot of sinkholes to view of varying sizes, which make this trail very unique and interesting.
	June 2007	The Sinkhole Trail has many trees and they provide a lot of shade. The trail has two silos you will pass along the way. There is a question for the trail of the month, so make sure to read it. Most of the trail is dirt and some of it is gravel and rocks. My favorite part of the trail was experiencing the beautiful nature on the trail.
	June 2007	Nice hike in the woods. If it has rained in the past three days, it can be a bit muddy. Be careful and don't get confused with side trails.
	June 2007	Be sure to look at the huge locust tree on the right shortly after picnic area (if you go counter clockwise.) The trail is very shady. Great on a hot summer day but suggest avoiding it during and shortly after rains as parts of the trail become part of the waterway. Bring your bug spray for the mosquitoes and your reading glasses for the clue.
	June 2007	Scenic walk that takes you through nice woodland with evidence of a prior farm with its silos and fences. Better yet this is right next to Rock Bridge and Devil's Icebox - two must sees in this park. I can hardly wait until Rock Bridge is reopened!
	May 2007	Very nice hike. Just missed a storm and had lots of thunder. Just beat the rain. Especially liked the last half of the trail along the creek bed; very pretty.
	May 2007	The Sinkhole Trail at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is a quiet, serene hike that is a nice change from the very popular Devil's Icebox Trail. It was a great change of pace. I stopped on a busy Saturday afternoon. Vans and cars were unloading with families making a beeline for Devil's Icebox. Choosing the "road" less traveled is great advice at Rock Bridge State Park.
	May 2007	We have been to Rock Bridge State Park many times, but we had never hiked this very interesting trail. We saw a brilliantly colored blue bird, which we believe must have been an indigo bunting just before arriving at the "clue" site.
	May 2007	We saw lots of wildflowers and several deer. It was a great way to spend my Mother's Day.
	May 2007	We went after it had rained for several days, so the trail was muddy, it made for some sloppy fun. I think, if you take your kids along, you should have them try to count the number of sinkholes along the trail. Also, I would suggest that hikers not miss the Devil's Icebox Trail. (No mud, it is a boardwalk trail.)
	May 2007	A beautiful hike this time of the year with the leaves on the trees, purple flowers, and streams at various points.
	May 2007	Very muddy. It was really neat to walk through and see the old silos from the mill though.
	May 2007	The Sinkhole Trail in Rock Bridge Memorial State Park was a wonderful, shady hike on a well-maintained trail. Some of the blooming flowers we saw were: sweet William, blue-eyed Mary, beard tongue, dewberry, and also the Indian scrub brush at the end near the parking lot. The Sinkhole Trail was not one of the more popular trails, which made it even more enjoyable. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.