Current Trail Conditions

With 360 miles of trail and trees dropping at random times, we can't always have the best info on downfall, so if you encountered any problems on your trip, please drop us a line.

We have a new forum for trail users to post existing trail conditions: ozarktrail.com/forum . The forum is a good place to see what recent reports have been filed. If you've been on the trail recently, please consider posting conditions in the forum for other useres to see.

MAY 2009 STORM UPDATES

Updated 3/1/2010

STILL CLOSED:
The Taum Sauk section south of Hwy A from the state park boundary through Goggins, JSI, and Proffit over to Taum Sauk Creek west of Devils Tollgate is still EFFECTIVELY CLOSED and not passable due to wind damage.

As more damage and clearing reports come in, we will update the conditions.... please check the forum for information or call the office: (573) 436-0540.

General trail conditions summarized below:

Section Name	Notes	Posted
Courtois	Open Overall this section is in nice shape. There may be a couple of trees down here and there, but should be mostly tree-free. The new trail east of Bass is now open. You still have a 1 mile of road to walk from the entrance to BASS, but after you cross the the low-water bridge stay to the right side of the road and look for the trail entrance, also on the right. The Berryman portion of the trail is showing its age (70+ years!) and is the subject of a future improvements and a renovation project. Courtois Creek in the Huzzah Conservation Area can be subject to flooding. Consider calling Bass River Resort or Ozark Outdoors for a river update. Portions of the trail in bottomlands or open areas can be weedy in the summer, especially near Harmon Spring.	08/26/2010
Trace Creek	Open and in good shape. The northern Trace Creek section of trail (north of 32) is in very good shape for a hike/ride. You can extend your hike or bike ride by connecting into the Council Bluff Loop at Telleck Branch. South of Highway 32 to A - is also in great shape. All the signage has been replaced and there are just a few root balls and holes to look out for. Otherwise, this section is ready to go. Expect some seasonal growth, but this section has some very dedicated adopters, so it should not be a problem. There is a little illegal ATV activity in the Hazel Creek area, so watch for the OT signs.	08/26/2010
Middle Fork	Open for Hiking. Caution for Bikes and Horses. This section is in pretty good shape. Expect a tree down here and there and seasonal growth, especially in areas that have been clear cut or had timber stand improvement a few years ago. This should be an excellent destination and you can extend your trip up through the Trace Creek section, over to Council Bluff Lake, or south to Brushy Creek Lodge. South of Barton Fen to J - The trail has been cleared, but due to major wind damage resulting in hundreds of downed trees, this section of trail still has many deep holes in the tread left from tree root balls that blew over, and Ozark Trail markers have not been repaired yet. Mountain biking and horse riding on these sections of trail is not recommended due to the large holes in the tread. The Forest Service will be making repairs on the tread on this section over the next year. It will take some time. Use caution after periods of rain as the creek crossings can be hazardous. South of Strother's Creek there is a short section that can get very muddy.	08/30/2010
Karkaghne	Caution for Hiking. Caution for Bikes and Horses. Recent storm damage and heavy growth have been reported 1.5 mi north of Sutton Bluff (mi 94), just south of the top of Sutton Bluff (between mi 96 and mi 97), and between Bee Fork and 2309 (mi 100 and mi 105). Hikers may be able to get through, but bikes and horses cannot. You can by-pass this area using a road route: CR-849 to CR-854 to CR-862. From 2309 to Hwy P Trailhead has been recently cleared. Due to major wind damage resulting in hundreds of downed trees, this section of trail still has many deep holes in the tread left from tree root balls that blew over, and Ozark Trail markers have not been repaired yet. Mountain biking and horse riding on these sections of trail is not recommended due to the large holes in the tread. The Forest Service will be making repairs on the tread on this section over the next year. It will take some time.	08/26/2010
Blair Creek	Open / Season Growth in Spots All clear as far as we know, except for a few step overs in Pogue Hollow. Please send us a report if you know of any other issues. Mowers have been out over the summer, but seasonal growth seems to take over some spots. Keep a look out for trail signs. Due to major wind damage resulting in hundreds of downed trees, this section of trail still has many deep holes in the tread left from tree root balls that blew over, and Ozark Trail markers have not been repaired yet. Tread repair on this section will be needed and will be in the plans over the next year. It will take some time.	08/26/2010
Current River	Open Spring maintenance including sawing, lopping, and leaf blowing has left this section in great shape, but seasonal growth can be expected Make sure you have a good map and compass or gps between Stegall and Peck Ranch as the MDC burn area can be difficult to follow if you are not familiar with this section. There will be seasonal growth in the bottomland areas of the trail, but the corridor should be generally free of downfall. If you enjoy hiking/backpacking in the summer, this is a good destination. It has a lot of good swimming holes to cool down from the heat. Just remember that you'll encounter an occasional weedy patch with all the rain this area has received.	08/26/2010
Between The Rivers	Open, but can be hard to follow in burned areas Controlled burns have made some places hard to follow. Make sure you have a good map or GPS until we can get the OT markers replaced. There is normally-occurring deadfall on this section and seasonal growth. Adopt-A-Trail activity is high in select areas, but some of the bottomlands can quickly become overgrown with all of the rain we've had in 2009. The Current River and Eleven Point sections may be better destinations if you enjoy summer trips on the Ozark Trail.	08/26/2010
Eleven Point	Open Recent tread repair, sawing, signing, lopping, and leaf blowing leaves this section in good shape. The trail from Hurricane Creek west to Greer Recreation Area along the "lower route" has heavy stinging nettle grown in the summer, so be prepared. This can be a beautiful area to travel in the summer, but summer growth combined with heat, humidity and insects can detract from its beauty. There are some tread issues on the lower route near east of Greer Recreation Area plus some erosion issues near Bockman Spring. This trail can be a great adventure in the summer with swimming and fishing opportunities along the Eleven Point River, but it's not a "walk in the park."	08/26/2010
North Fork	Open This section is in great shape. There is a lot of local maintenance performed on this section of trail. Bottomlands can get weedy in summer between maintenance outings.	08/26/2010
Taum Sauk	CLOSED: except 21 to Taum Sauk Creek and JSI Loop Hundreds and hundreds of trees were blown down on this section of trail from a wind storm last year. This section is CLOSED and NOT PASSABLE from south of Hwy A at the State Park boundary, through Goggins, to Hwy N crossing (south of JSI). These sections of the Taum Sauk are OPEN: - Taum Sauk Mountain State Park over to Hwy 21 Trailhead - 3-mile Mina Sauk Loop at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - Mina Sauk Falls out to Devils Tollgate and along Taum Sauk Creek - The Scour Loop Trail, and out to the scour overlook at JSI and Hwy N The OTA is working with State Parks, the Department of Conservation and the Forest Service to develop a cleanup plan. More information will be trickling out this summer.	08/26/2010
Marble Creek	Open The trail from Marble Creek Campground to and around Crane Lake was completely sawed in the spring, and AAT volunteers were out in June. Seasonal growth can be expected. There are still some large root balls from May storms, so be careful and keep a look out for them. Portions that were subject to logging may be difficult to follow at times. If you are unfamiliar with the trail, you should bring a topo map and compass or GPS.	08/26/2010
Victory	Open - Seasonal Growth Seasonal growth and trees down in a few places can make it difficult to get through. From Walton Chapel trail head (Brush Arbor), trail is passable, with low hanging limbs. About half way to gravel 3551, the trail can be difficult to follow and get through.	08/26/2010
Wappapello	Open Popular with equestrians, Sam A Baker to Hwy 34 and the loop see the most activity. Seasonal growth can be expected. Some parts subject to flooding. If you have been on this section recently send us a report.	08/26/2010