Near Whites Creek Trail
Fiddler Spring gurgles near the Whites Creek Trail within the Irish Wilderness in Mark Twain National Forest.
Near Whites Creek Trail
The clear waters of Whites Creek in the Irish Wilderness, Mark Twain National Forest.
Near Whites Creek Trail
The beautiful Bliss Spring bubbles along the Whites Creek Trail in the Irish Wilderness in Mark Twain National Forest.
Near Whites Creek Trail
Gorgeous vistas await on the Whites Creek Trail within the Irish Wilderness in Mark Twain National Forest.
Near Whites Creek Trail
Looking at the 11 point river

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Whites Creek Trail

3.7 (10 Ratings)
The 16,227-acre Irish Wilderness is found in the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri.
16.5
mi
Distance
2,368
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
CaveRiver/CreekSpringViewsWaterfallWildlife
Access Issues
No water available at the trailhead.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
16.55mi
Distance
2,368ft
Elevation Gain
2,440ft
Elevation Loss
25%
Max Grade
880ft
High Point
467ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The trail begins at the Camp Five Pond trailhead and makes about an 18-mile loop. This trail is adjacent to the Eleven Point River. Heading westerly, at about eight miles in, you come to Bliss Spring. It's a beautiful little waterfall bubbling straight out of the bottom of a near vertical wall of rock with a nice little area to camp. Up the trail just a bit is a short spur trail that comes to an old homestead where the only thing still standing is a chimney and cistern. The trail then heads up the bluff (a moderate climb) to a great vista overlooking the Eleven Point River. The next few miles follow a ridge that circles around Orchard Hollow. After a couple of miles along the ridge, you steeply descend to White's Creek. There are a series of very small caves, which make exciting points to stop for a break. Just a bit down the trail, there's a spur that leads to White's Creek Float Camp. There are picnic tables, hang posts and fire rings. This area can only be accessed by foot or canoe. Back to the trail, it's a good climb out of the river bottoms where you'll run across White's Creek cave. There are bars across the entrance of the cave that are used to protect the bat population from human interference. There is one other spur about six miles before the trailhead. This is Fiddler Spring, which is a small bubbling spring adjacent to a nice camp area. Back on the trail, it's a gradual climb back to the trailhead. NOTE: Be sure to bring a map and compass, even better, a handheld GPS or the Mobile App because this trail is sparsely marked and it's very easy to get off trail.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

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Contributors
Barry Hudson