Trail Overview
Sutton Bluff ATV 3, also known as Cooks Heights, with the legal/emergency ID SB 3, is a 50-inch and under restricted trail within the Sutton Bluff OHV trail system, managed by the Mark Twain National Forest Salem Unit. SB 3 is part of the small "center north" section of the Sutton Bluff OHV. Summary of the entire track staring at the east trailheads: begins on valley bottoms along the Cooks Spring Road, first heading west to briefly turn south and back north via steep uphill switchbacks to the ridge top, to then turn back west, going gradually uphill to conclude at the west trailhead at Cooks Branch FS 2646. The SB 3's notable core elements include a natural coarse gravel-dirt path, featuring whoops, steep inclines, loose cobbles, mini boulders, natural rock slabs, tree roots, with small water crossings and water collection spots. To enjoy this trail and OHV system, obtain the required Sutton Bluff permit from Mark Twain National Forest, and if intending to use an ATV on Reynolds County Roads to commute between trails, obtain the Reynolds County ATV/UTV permit as well, in accordance with Missouri state laws.
Difficulty
The SB 3 is given a base rating of 3/10, for having small 3-6 inch water crossings and water collection spots, with steep grades throughout the far east portion of the track, occasional small 3-12 inch fallen trees, tree roots acting as mini 3-8 inch ledges, loose 4-10 inch cobbles laying loose in the trail, 10 inch to 18 inch mini boulders and natrual slabs present on edges or mostly buried within the ground as part of the path. Difficulty can increase, from heavy use and a lack of maintenance, large 12+ inch fallen trees blocking the trail, in wet or rainy conditions, inclement weather, or from damage sustained from flash flooding, and if actively flooding, consider the trail closed.
