Having comfortably toured this Byway of America by car, in the heat of July, we headed back to Glade Top Trail to explore a bit more. We invited a friend who lived close to the trail and was happy happy to join in. Not only was she familiar with the trail, she grew up on it and gave us a professional tour as only a local can.
Our first stop was for picture taking of the long range views along the 23 mile trail. This particular pull off had a concrete picnic table embossed with the U.S. Forest Service logo, hearkening back to an earlier time when families went for drives in the country just to enjoy the outdoors together. While the table appeared aged, the dirt roads were unchanged, other than basic maintenance, since their creation in the 1930s.
Next we stopped at the Caney Picnic Area where several staggered benches faced down a gentle slope to a stage area. Beyond the stage, was a backdrop of green mountains and valleys that viewers could take in from the benches. Each year since 1960, the city of Ava has hosted the Trail Flaming Fall Review, where they have a church service, food, crafts and live music.
Fall offered a different view from July, of leaves turning red, yellow and orange. September still had a display of wildflowers around the theater area. There were bathrooms at some of the stops which is good to know for traversing the 23 mile trail.
The highlight of our day was the cave. The entrance appeared smaller than comfortable to use, but without bending too much, we made it in and were able to stand up straight and explore. Flashlights were necessary if there was to be any exploring beyond the entrance. It did get a little muddy (even with little rain in weeks), but it wasn’t bad with regular hiking boots. We didn’t go too far in, but enough to be submerged into darkness. This was my first cave in Missouri, which has a lot, so I was excited. Looking from a place that’s cool, hard and damp, out onto a bright and warm forest, made for a welcome climb back out.
We were blessed to have our friend along. At another stopped we ventured down a path to an old cement structure, slowly being overtaken by the forest. Our friend told us stories of her grandfather taking her hunting in those woods and also how she learned to drive there. It was practically deserted that day, as well as on our first adventure, so I could see how it would be a pretty and safe place to learn. We climbed back up the path and continued on, enjoying much needed snacks that we packed for the ride.
Vistas were endless on both sides, forests with large boulders and the sun shining through leaves that would end and open up with valleys and hills extending several miles out. Tired hikers/spelunkers headed home, happy to share our adventure with a native.
