There are two horse trailer parking lots, one at the north loop and one
at the south figure eight and both are huge. The trail is well
marked, and generally follows old logging roads. There are some
rocky areas, a few creek crossings (wet weather), but really nothing
difficult. The north loop is about 2.5 miles, the south figure
eight combined is about 4.5 miles, and the connector in between is 2.5
miles one way. There are also some food plots that are planted
along the connector trail, near the south figure eight.
My directions from I-44 (St. Louis), which are different from what is
on the MDC webpage. The way I list below is shorter, takes less
time, and less time is spent on gravel roads and twisty country roads.
Take I-44 West to the Stanton exit (Highway JJ/W).
Turn north (right) onto Highway JJ for 1.7 miles.
JJ curves very sharply to the right, and there is a triangle
intersection here.
Turn south (left) at this intersection onto Acid Mine Road (name not
marked).
Go 0.2 miles and turn west (right) on the first road, Leuchtefeld
Road. It is a gravel road with a paved apron.
The road curves to the right and heads north, then at a total of 0.6
miles from when you turned on the road, turn left to follow the road
to the west. If you go straight ahead it becomes a private
drive. (There is a black mail box on the left side just past the
turn).
Follow the road until it dead ends on Ridge Road. Turn right to
go to the north parking lot (1.4 miles from turn on left hand side) or
turn left to go to the south parking lot (approximately 1/4 -1/2 mile
on the right).
