Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

     We've been to Rush Historic District a few times but  haven’t really ‘seen’ it.  Years ago,  we did the short Interpretive Loop and drove down to the campground then over to the canoe launch and that’s about it.  The plan today is to hike some of the many trails and really get an idea of what's here of both historic interest and natural beauty. ore-cart along Rush Mtn. Trail      From the Morning Star Mine parking lot, we walk across the road to the ghost-town of Rush.  The town has four houses still standing, all on the same side of the street, and at the west end of ‘town’ is the Taylor-Medley Store which also served as the Post Office.  The store is looking pretty ‘sad’ like it could fall over any minute. in Rush ghost town      Crossing the road,  we head back to Morning Star Mine Trailhead, next to where we’re parked and start in a clockwise direction around the Morning Star Interpretive Loop....

     Driving down to the Triple Falls Parking Area at the bottom of Camp Orr Road, is not what I would call a ‘good’ road but that being said it’s in better shape today than it was the last couple times we were here.  The road conditions ‘go with the territory’ I suppose, wherever you mix steep dirt roads with rain and then put traffic on it, the road ends up falling apart quickly.  Just drive down slowly  and you shouldn’t have any problem, though whenever it gets really   bad,  I wouldn’t try in anything less than a 4X4 with high ground clearance. Dry Creek      We s tart out south on the Triple Falls Trail for just over 100 yards to the signed trail intersection where we turn right and head to the top of the falls.  It’s a little steep for a while but levels out soon and turns to the left (south) onto a ledge along the base of a low bluff high on the hill above the creek.  This entire area is very ni ce,  and we ...

   Just over a year ago when we were here,  we didn’t have much information about how to get to the shelters, and we still don’t.  I did some research online but didn’t find much .  I did find some nice pictures of the shelters and Chancel Arch, and GPS coordinates which will really help.   We’re starting out at the same parking spot just off the road.  Down the old road/ATV trail we confirm two closer parking spots would work with no problems.  Not much further we begin a gradual descent to the little ridge, leaving the trail here we make our way through the woods to the pedestals south. two pedestals south of shelters      The woods are pretty wide open this time of year, easy hiking.  Though not all that tall (maybe 30) these pedestals are nice to visit.  But our real goal is to find that illusive first shelter, which is supposed to be below us and on the northwest side of the pedestals.  After fumbling a...