#80 - Lone Elk Park

Gorgeous weather here in St. Louis over the weekend. The weathermen had forecasted rain so TL & I had planned to knock-off one of the Oscar epics (Ben-Hur, Lawrence of Arabia) that are bloating her DVR. But Saturday was bright and sunny, so we went to Faust Park instead for a walk around. Little picnic lunch, stopped by the restored carousel - beautiful. TL got us in free to the Butterfly House since she belongs to the Botanical Gardens. I may have to join.

Butterfly House is nice - they are currently running March Morpho Mania! releasing hundreds of bright blue butterflies like this:

Very pretty and the hot house was full of them. I had to resist the urge to swat when they divebombed me. We then went exploring, and followed about a mile long trail through the park, and then did another mile or so back along the road, since we didn't feel like doubling back. Tired and thirsty at the end but it was a very enjoyable day.

I told you that story to tell you this one. Next Day (Sunday). Again forecast to rain - it did - for like five minutes. Then the sun came out. So, again no epic, but another hike. Except this time we decided to be prepared and bring water - so I busted out my hydration pack and my old Boy Scout canteen for TL. Plus it gave me an excuse to put on my boots and my Gore-Tex hat.

For my first 60 Hikes within 60 miles, we picked Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County. By coincidence it is probably the closest to my house. Oh, well. It was TL's first time on the White Buffalo Trail there (the only trail they have). I've done the 3.25 mile loop a couple of times though probably not for at least a year.

It is a pleasant little dayhike. Seems shorter than 3 miles; TL & I did it in 1.5 hours with few stops. Nearly impossible to get lost. So it is a good beginner trail. Rated Difficult by the Parks Dept. but I think that is only because Easy == Handicapped Accessible. And so by extension Difficult becomes anything that has a dirt hill. And of course not having anything but a daypack on helps tremendously.

Despite the name, there are multiple elk in Lone Elk Park, but we didn't see a one on the first half of the trail. But on the back half of the loop (going clockwise), we ran into 3 big males sitting right on the trail. Luckily and accidentally we were downwind of them. Well, lucky in them not smelling us, unlucky for us since Elk haven't invented soap yet.

We were able to approach within 10 feet or so. I really wanted to be irresponsible and count some coup on them, but I demurred. The rest of the herd was hanging out near the Visitor Center when we got back to the car and everybody was pulled over taking pictures. I need to buy myself a digital. But here is a park provided photo:


We then drove through the Bison Area they have set up and saw that herd. So, a very successful little trek.

Overheard: Me: I'm letting you go ahead because a group should hike to the slowest member. TL: Oh, I thought it was so you could look at my ass. Me: Well, ok, multiple reasons...