Berry Bend West

Don't expect to find many other hikers using this trail. It is popular as a horse trail and most of the activity on it will be during the spring and summer months. While the trail is well-marked, there are many places, due to mud, blowdowns, or water, that you may lose trail. Especially along the lakeside, the trail gets hard to find at times. During the fall and winter, don't expect to see anyone else. For Missouri, this is a very challenging trail. The trail has a lot of ups and down and a lot of rock on the pathl. If you are familiar with hiking on a horse trail, you know how it will be. If not, be prepared for your feet to hurt. Navigation, GPS, and a map are musts for this trail. The west side consists of 2 trails (orange and blue). If you start on the orange side, you'll reach a gravel road at approximately 6 miles which signifies the start of the blue trail. Prepare for numerous water crossings and mud. Lots of overgrowth on trail. Prepare for thorns on trail. In spring and summer (I can't imagine being on this trail then but if that's your thing), prepare for snakes, poisonous plants, ticks, and lots of other bugs.