2.77 miles at 6, 257 steps........according to the app that's what we did the first part of this Sunday adventure in the middle of June. No, I didn't do any calculations on that, because it took no calculating to know that it was a fabulous day on Hughes Mountain in the beautiful state of Missouri, each and every step was worth it!!

For the record the trail app list the distance at 1.6 miles. I use All Trails, and really like it. It provides a large amount of info in addition to the maps, which has proven to be very helpful out on the trail.

There were four of us on this particular hike, and we were all glad to see only two other vehicles in the parking lot. None of us like crowds, especially in natural areas.

We met both groups coming back down not long after we started up the hillside. We never saw another soul during our adventure. While, again, I don't like crowds, I think it's a shame more people don't get out and explore the many interesting, thought provoking, historical, and just downright gorgeous areas we have across the USA, and especially here in Missouri!

This hike, Devil's Honeycomb Trail, starts with a climb, not too tough at all, but take your time if you aren't used to walking up hills. Besides, everyone should be admiring what Mother Nature provided, not trying to set a record.

I strongly recommend hiking boots, laced up well, to support your ankles because the lure here is rocks, lots and lots of rocks, in really interesting formations. Most of the rock formations are ginormous and solid, but there are some loose rocks, and turning an ankle up there would make for a very unpleasant trip back down the mountain. Also, be aware that the rocks will get quite slippery if wet, so that's another great reason to wear good hiking boots.

Keep in mind you'll be out on the rocks with no trees for awhile, so you might want to apply sunscreen. Also, taking water is a great idea.

I've posted a link to some of my favorite hiking boots at the bottom of page.

We started off walking amongst trees providing shade, and listening to a chorus of birds. We started seeing some rock outcroppings and glade areas, which are prime habitat for the resident collared lizards.

Every one of the lizards were napping in the shade of all the native grasses and wildflowers while we were there, I suppose, lol! I'd love to go back when the weather is sunny and warm during the day, but the nights are cool, so that I might get to observe them sunning on those big rocks, recharging for their day ahead. Those would be the right conditions for finding snakes doing the same thing. Definitely need to plan a fall trip!

Rock outcroppings took over as we neared the top. The rhyolite rock shapes for which the area is famous are polygonal columns which were created close to 1.5 BILLION years ago, during the Proterozoic Eon when the area was an active volcano. The extruded rhyolite fractured into vertical joints.

As you ascend the mountain the shapes become more and more pronounced. The rocks at the top are squared off as if by a chisel and look like corner fence posts to this cowgirl. Apparently they look like the Devil's Honeycomb to many, hence the name of the highest point, and the trail.

Rocks such as these are found in only a few places in the world. They are the among the oldest exposed rock in the USA.

Standing on the Devil's Honeycomb affords a 360° view of the splendor that is Missouri's natural beauty. It's a more than worthy reward for the trek, which involves an elevation rise of 387 feet. Absolutely gorgeous anytime of year, but another incentive for a fall trip is to see those glorious hardwoods in a riot of colors!

There's a wide range of lichens and mosses. A lichen grasshopper takes advantage of this, and makes this landscape home.

Hughes Mountain is just south of Big River in the St Francois mountain range of the Ozarks. It reaches an elevation of 1,200 feet.

The Hughes Mountain Natural Area comprises 462 acres, and is part of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

First of all, food is always part of our adventures, whether they are just down the road, or in other countries, lol, so a place to eat was our primary concern after getting back to the truck. Everyone on this trip enjoys checking out local establishments. Luckily for us, Kathy and Bill, ( my sister and brother in law ) had eaten a couple of times at a nearby BBQ place. So off we went to Bailey Jo's BBQ, 1315 N hwy 21, Ironton MO 63650

Running roads, visiting places some of us either know, or have heard about, is often part of these get togethers and this was no exception as we zoomed around the area checking out three of the four remaining stone water towers. ( we might have found the fourth, but it's not easily recognizable so we aren't positive. ) I ended up with photos of just two, lol!

We visited the historic campus of the former Ursuline Academy, a Catholic prep school in Arcadia, walked around the shore of the pretty fishing reservoir, Shepherd Lake, just outside Ironton. Shepherd Lake is located on the Trail of Tears. While there we spotted the gorgeous Prairie six lined race runner. They aren't called race runners for no reason, and the only photo I got was where he had been. Fortunately, Kathy got a great shot.

Oh boy! Then it was time for....... ice cream, crazy good stuff, at the Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia, followed by a final stop at the cemetery in Potosi to see the grave of businessman and pioneer Moses Austin, whose son Stephen fulfilled his dream of colonizing Texas. The cemetery has many interesting historical stories. It is located at the old Presbyterian church in Potosi.