Trail of the Month Program - Overlook Trail - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR

Hikers' Comments on Overlook Trail
Hawn State Park

	Month Hiked	Comments from participants of the 2007 Trail of the Month Program
	November 2007	My two-year-old daughter loved this trail, nice and flat, short and paved. Nice time of year to go. The leaves were very colorful looking off the overlook.
	September 2007	Wow! What beautiful pines! The view would probably be more interesting without the leaves on the trees.
	September 2007	I felt healthy hiking on this trail because of the cool air and smell of pine trees.
	September 2007	Anyone can do this trail. It's extremely short. The overlook itself is very nice and the informational signage is interesting. It wasn't really worth the drive for us because we can see the same thing out our back door. We prefer the Pickle Creek Trail.
	August 2007	I heard the beautiful melody of the birds and I saw a number of shortleaf pines.
	August 2007	The trail is up by the park office and wasn't identified on any park maps. Luckily the campground host was available and told me where to find the trailhead. This was a nice paved short trail!
	August 2007	Pretty sanctuary set up for the birds and butterflies. Saw sassafras trees and yellow daises nestled among the pines.
	August 2007	It's very easy, and handicapped accessible, and it's very educational. Interesting for biologists, ecologists and geologists alike!
	July 2007	Super short, paved, easy trail through a pine forest. Anyone could do this one! Our first few steps caused about 10 yellow birds to fly out of the brush into the trees -- it was very cool! Later, we read on a sign that they were warblers. We also saw a lot of butterflies on all the wildflowers. Very pretty walk.
	July 2007	Interesting look at what Missouri had before oak forest came in. We stopped at the picnic area just before the campground and enjoyed listening to the pines. A real relaxing park with fine facilities. We did not have time to hike the four-mile and six-mile trails, but will come back another time for those.
	July 2007	I saw some really pretty flowers that I couldn’t pick because then other people wouldn't get to enjoy them, too.
	July 2007	Very short, easy trail that is wheelchair and stroller accessible. We enjoyed reading the informational markers.
	July 2007	The Lamotte sandstone was easy to see from this overlook. We also walked the Pickle Creek Trail and found it a very lovely walk both along the creek and up on the bluffs. Highly recommended.
	July 2007	Breathtaking shortleaf pine forests provide soothing hums as the wind flows through the upper pine needles of Missouri's only native pine species. Below you will find the striking Lamotte sandstone, which is the oldest major sedimentary rock in Missouri. Pinkish feldspar and quartz can also be found if you look closely.
	June 2007	Do this short little hike just to see all of the goldfinches. They are a bright splash of color amongst the pine trees. We also saw a western bluebird.
	June 2007	This was a very short trail, but it was interesting. There were informational plaques set up along the way for you to read. The trail was paved and easily accessible. Great for young and old alike!
	June 2007	Super short trail in a nice area. The "overlook" actually looks out into the trees. We saw a bird's nest with four eggs in a decaying tree stump directly beside the trail.
	June 2007	Very Short paved trail. Cannot see too much during the summer. Majestic pine trees surround this area. We also hiked Pickle Spring Trail - very soothing sounds from the creek alongside the path. Interesting rocks jutting up from the ground all along this path.
	June 2007	There isn't much of a trail here to write about. You'll be back at the lot before you can stretch your legs. That said, the old cedar growth forest is beautiful and the overlook area provides some great views of the forest within Hawn.
	June 2007	It was short and not very scenic. I would suggest the Pickle Creek Trail as it was gorgeous and rigorous. The shut-ins were especially tranquil. Some rude person had pulled out the slips used to report overnight hikes and scattered them about the whole 1.0 mile trail. My companion and I spent time picking them up as to help the experience of the other hikers. Too many people don't pitch in to help our parks. Very disappointing.
	May 2007	This trail was so short I wouldn't even call it a trail. You can see a whole lot at the overlook. It will have a better view in the winter. You have any points along the way that you can stop and read about wildlife and controlled burns.
	May 2007	This is a very short trail that is designed for everybody. At the end, there is a nice overlook and lots to look at on the hike and from the overlook site. Hawn State Park has lots of other wonderful trails also and I would encourage you to hike the others while you are there.
	May 2007	The information signs are very interesting. The trees are magnificent. The songbirds are most obliging. But if you want to see far, come in the winter!
	May 2007	Very short hike on paved path. Loved the tall, beautiful trees and the pretty pinkish Lamotte sandstone rocks beside the path. Not much of a view of the valley - trees have grown to obstruct the view.
	May 2007	This was too short. The area is so beautiful and the trees smelled so good. The trail wasn't long enough to do it justice.
	May 2007	The Overlook Trail is very short and paved. It is very educational and explains the needs of pine forests. While at the park, be sure to hike the Pickle Creek Trail. It is a bit rocky and you will need bug repellant for the mosquitoes, but the soothing effect of the creek and the beauty of the creek and woods make it a worthwhile hike!
	May 2007	Short trail in beautiful Hawn Park. Nice interpretive signs along the way. I suggest exploring more of this park's wonderful trails!
	May 2007	Very short, but really worthwhile - go in the morning!!

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