Sam Baker Trip

[Tearin Up Topwater]

Going to Sam A Baker Park with the wife and friends later this week. I plan on trying for smallmouth/goggle-eye. I won't have a canoe so I'll be limited to just wading and just bring the flyrod and light spinning combo. I know there are a couple main access points in the park. Can anyone give me some good spots to try close to and around the park? I was worried about it being too shallow. Thanks!

[eric1978]

I've backpacked around Sam A. Baker, but have never fished there. From what I remember, the river was very shallow at the campground (could have just been a long riffle, I didn't pay that close of attention), and I don't know where any other accesses are. The river looked really neat from atop the bluff we hiked along the second day of our trip. I'd be interested in what you find...report back afterward if you can.

[jdmidwest]

Actually, it is just the opposite. Most of the St Francis and Big Creek are a series of large holes and shallow runs. It is best floated in canoes. They rent canoes at the park and shuttle you if you bring your own. Popular floats are from the park to 34 bridge or Big Creek above the park to the park. You could even have a pretty good float from the upper end of the park to the lower boat ramp. Otherwise, wade fish the Big Creek, several points of access in the park or hike above to Mudlick Hollow. River should be in good shape to float with the rains this week and last.

We floated the Big Creek from Brunot to the park around Easter and I posted a report.

Big Creek Spring Float

[BKB]

I have camped and fished here for many years. There are plenty of fishing spots right at the campground as well as up and downstream from the campground (more up than down). Very easy to wade. Use anything that looks like a small crawfish and you will do very well. I use crawfish looking jigs bounced slowly along the bottom.

[steve l]

I've backpacked around Sam A. Baker, but have never fished there. From what I remember, the river was very shallow at the campground (could have just been a long riffle, I didn't pay that close of attention), and I don't know where any other accesses are. The river looked really neat from atop the bluff we hiked along the second day of our trip. I'd be interested in what you find...report back afterward if you can.

How did you like backpacking around the park? My wife & I have recently taken it up & are always looking for new spots. Any comparison to where we have visited so far (Taum Sauk, Bell Mtn and the Indian Kitchen area in the Lusk Creek area of Southern Illinois)?

[eric1978]

How did you like backpacking around the park? My wife & I have recently taken it up & are always looking for new spots. Any comparison to where we have visited so far (Taum Sauk, Bell Mtn and the Indian Kitchen area in the Lusk Creek area of Southern Illinois)?

The Sam A. Baker hike was a pretty good Missouri overnight. I would compare it to Bell Mountain as far as difficulty, maybe a little tougher ascents. There's a section of horse trail you have to hike that is hell on the knees, but nothing horrible otherwise. The first day isn't all that special from what I remember, just lots of woods and one money shot early on, then you descend. The second day starts tough when you climb a mountain, but the trail takes you up on top a bluff that looks over Big Creek, and it's beautiful. The trail follows the bluff for at least a mile or so, and along the way there are several CCC shelters built back during the depression (or just after it). My grandfather helped build those stone shelters with his bare hands.

I'll try to find the name of the loop for you. As always, the backpacking is better in the fall. When we went, the maples were as yellow as bananas and the weather was perfect.

Edit to add:

Here it is, Mudlick Mountain Loop. We did the hike in the opposite direction it is described here, and saved the best for last.

Mudlick Trail

Mudlick Trail provides an intimate journey into one of the oldest mountain regions of North America: the St. Francois Mountains. It is a moderate to very strenuous 12-mile loop trail, climbing from 415 feet above sea level in Big Creek Valley to 1,313 feet above sea level at the top of Mudlick Mountain. It is open to hiking, backpacking and equestrian use. Most of the trail is located in the Mudlick Mountain Wild Area, one of the most significant, undisturbed natural landscapes in Missouri.

The trail begins by ascending the bluffs above Big Creek where three stone hiking shelters, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offer outstanding views of the surrounding countryside and the "shut-ins" valley below. The trail then drops into Mudlick Hollow, a narrow rock-strewn valley interspersed with pools of clear water. The trail follows Mudlick Hollow for about three-fourths of a mile before beginning a gradual climb to the summit of Green Mountain. Horses may bypass the rocky Mudlick Hollow on the "horse friendly" Hollow Pass Trail. Hikers may use the Hollow Pass Trail as a return route after visiting the scenic hollow. The view from Green Mountain is best during the fall and winter when the trees in the thick oak-hickory forest have shed their leaves. From the southern end of Green Mountain, the trail descends rapidly, via a series of "switchbacks," into Logan Creek valley. A dense stand of red cedar grows in the valley, providing a cool shaded corridor for the trail. Once through the valley, the trail begins a steady climb to the top of Mudlick Mountain. It then traverses the rugged eastern slope of the mountain back to the starting point.

[steve l]

The Sam A. Baker hike was a pretty good Missouri overnight. I would compare it to Bell Mountain as far as difficulty, maybe a little tougher ascents. There's a section of horse trail you have to hike that is hell on the knees, but nothing horrible otherwise. The first day isn't all that special from what I remember, just lots of woods and one money shot early on, then you descend. The second day starts tough when you climb a mountain, but the trail takes you up on top a bluff that looks over Big Creek, and it's beautiful. The trail follows the bluff for at least a mile or so, and along the way there are several CCC shelters built back during the depression (or just after it). My grandfather helped build those stone shelters with his bare hands.

I'll try to find the name of the loop for you. As always, the backpacking is better in the fall. When we went, the maples were as yellow as bananas and the weather was perfect.

Edit to add:

Here it is, Mudlick Mountain Loop. We did the hike in the opposite direction it is described here, and saved the best for last.

Mudlick Trail

Mudlick Trail provides an intimate journey into one of the oldest mountain regions of North America: the St. Francois Mountains. It is a moderate to very strenuous 12-mile loop trail, climbing from 415 feet above sea level in Big Creek Valley to 1,313 feet above sea level at the top of Mudlick Mountain. It is open to hiking, backpacking and equestrian use. Most of the trail is located in the Mudlick Mountain Wild Area, one of the most significant, undisturbed natural landscapes in Missouri.

The trail begins by ascending the bluffs above Big Creek where three stone hiking shelters, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offer outstanding views of the surrounding countryside and the "shut-ins" valley below. The trail then drops into Mudlick Hollow, a narrow rock-strewn valley interspersed with pools of clear water. The trail follows Mudlick Hollow for about three-fourths of a mile before beginning a gradual climb to the summit of Green Mountain. Horses may bypass the rocky Mudlick Hollow on the "horse friendly" Hollow Pass Trail. Hikers may use the Hollow Pass Trail as a return route after visiting the scenic hollow. The view from Green Mountain is best during the fall and winter when the trees in the thick oak-hickory forest have shed their leaves. From the southern end of Green Mountain, the trail descends rapidly, via a series of "switchbacks," into Logan Creek valley. A dense stand of red cedar grows in the valley, providing a cool shaded corridor for the trail. Once through the valley, the trail begins a steady climb to the top of Mudlick Mountain. It then traverses the rugged eastern slope of the mountain back to the starting point.

Thanks much Eric. Pretty cool having the connection to your granddad.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, thanks Eric...I'd kinda forgotten about the Mudlick trail. I've hiked it but it's been many years. Gotta do it again when it gets cool.