One
of the Ozarks’ newest trails
offers unmatched diversity:
350 different plants and 135 different species of birds have been
identified in Big
Sugar Creek State Park.
The trail is named for the rare Ozark Chinquapin tree, found within
the McDonald County park.
According to a naturalist guide, “The woodlands found within
this natural area are among the last of a landscape that was once
common across the region. The woodlands feature open growths of
shortleaf pine, oaks and hickory trees over grassy hillsides rich
with shrubs and wildflowers.”The hike is moderate and the
3.1 mile loop trail can be done easily in a couple of hours. A separate
trail — an old road, really — runs up the middle and
can be used as a connecting path, splitting the loop into two separate
hikes, thereby providing enough of a reason to visit, and enough
of a reason to come back again. |
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