Highpoint #18: Missouri

Return Cross-Country Highpointing Trip, Stop #2

Vanity Shot at the Summit

After visiting the highpoint in Kansas, we continued eastward across Kansas into Kansas City, Missouri.  While not on the way home, we opted to dip down from there into southeastern Missouri in the Ozark plateau, to visit Taum Sauk Mountain which is the highest point in the state.  Off the interstate, the drive was pretty slow going.  Perhaps the two cross-country trips were starting to take their toll, but I was kind of anxious to finally make it to the mountain and be done with the back-roads traveling for a bit.  We eventually made it to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and began winding our way up the mountain.

We Made It!

The path to the summit area is entirely paved, making it, technically speaking, a walk-up highpoint.  Of course, being winter, the road was less than agreeable.  A bit shy of the summit, the road was covered in snow and ice.  My fiancée was at the helm and, surprisingly, opted to keep driving rather than hoofing it the rest of the way.  We came upon a sign for the overlook and pulled over by it thinking that we had driven all the way to the top. 

Any Idea Where the Arrow to the Summit is Pointing?

Overlook Area

Just getting out of the car, we had to take great caution with each step.  It was really icy here!  I had to be especially cautious about not slipping.  We ambled over to the lookout area and took in the scenery.  The observation deck jutted out a bit, and the view was unobstructed, so it was the best vantage point all around.  By comparison, the actual summit is wooded, so there are no views to be had.

View from the Overlook

Speaking of the summit, we realized after a few minutes that the observation area was not the actual summit.  So we began exploring, on foot, farther up the road.  Again, taking care with each step, we eventually came upon a sign for the trailhead area.  The trail is the Mina Sauk Falls Trail which leads to the highpoint and then onward to a nearby waterfall.  It also joins up with the famous Ozark Trail.  On this visit, we were just interested in the summit.  

Trailhead

The Trail to the Summit and Beyond!

Interestingly enough, there was a warning about local wildlife.  Unlike the previous highpoint warnings of rattlesnakes and mountain lions, here they warned you of the threat of skunks and raccoons.  We were definitely in safer parts.   

Beware Raccoons?

We followed the paved walkway for a bit, and came upon the highpoint of Missouri.  Amid the snow, ice, and trees there were a few scattered boulders.  Just before one of the boulders (presumably the highest), there was a nice square granite plaque marking the highpoint.  We posed for the necessary photos and spent a moment scouting around.  

The Summit!

Detail of Summit Marker

There was a bench to the side, but we were not going to make an extended visit.  We opted to simply return back to the trailhead and down to the car.  It was nearly dusk, and it was pretty cold.  It really was time to go.  

Lonely Bench at the Summit

Again at the helm, my fiancée braved the downhill drive on the ice and snow and we were soon out of the park entirely unscathed and on our way (eventually) to Mississippi whose highpoint I missed on the way out…   

View from the Top (actual summit)