My visit to Washington State Park in Missouri was not a full fledged hike but more of a quick recon of the area. I had intended to wake up early for the hour and twenty minute drive and be on the trail at sunrise, but of course I overslept. What first attracted me to the park was that it has the second largest collection of petroglyphs in Missouri and I'm glad I went.
My first stop was to the petroglyph site which you can drive right up to. The odd part was I had trouble actually seeing them in the rock while there in person but later when I reviewed my photographs they were very clear to see.
Next my faithful canine hiking buddy Buckwheat and I proceeded to the trailhead for the Rockwoods Trail which is near the boat access. It was about 10AM when we got started and the views along the trail were amazing. Early on into the trail you are walking along bluffs that drop a considerable distance. About a mile into the trail I realized that the likelihood of me completing this 10 mile trail before sunset was somewhere between slim and none. Daylight was burning fast and the elevation changes were not going to make for quick travel so I let discretion be the better part of valor and turned back for the trailhead.
I really was not disappointed though because I had already made plans to come back to Rockywoods Trail with a hiking buddy that was recovering from surgery. Once we reached my truck again I dropped my pack and proceeded to the 1000 Steps Trail with only my hydration pack. Once again the views were amazing and I would highly recommend this quick trail to anyone.
At the high point of the 1000 Steps trail is an observation structure mad from cut stone which I believe was built in the 1930's by a CCC crew. I can't wait to get back to Washington State Park to tackle all 10 miles of the Rockywoods Trail. As it turned out I got to visit another State Park the same day with my Dad since I left early, I'll have another post about that visit soon.
GPS track and pertinent links are below.
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