Hillsboro, MO: St. Louis Chapter, Valley View Glades Hike + Sandy Creek Covered Bridge Picnic

HIKE DESCRIPTION
We will park and meet at the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge parking area (9090 Old Lemay Ferry Rd, Hillsboro, MO 63050) where we will make introductions. We will then divide up into vehicles to carpool to the Valley View Glades trailhead, since parking at the trailhead is limited.

The 2.8 mile loop trail brings hikers up and down through woods, over intermittent streams, and along additional open glades for a truly diverse experience. Once we return to the starting point, we may opt to reverse course and walk the loop in the opposite direction for additional steps and a varied view.

Special thanks to Ann Becker for leading this hike.

AFTER-HIKE PICNIC
Following our hike, we will return via carpool to the picturesque Sandy Creek Covered Bridge for a picnic lunch where pilgrims can continue to ask Camino/pilgrimage questions. Each pilgrim is responsible for bringing their own picnic meal; this is not a potluck picnic. Pilgrims may also consider bringing a pop-up lawn chair for comfortable seating.

PARK INFORMATION
The 225-acre Valley View Glades Natural Area offers a breathtaking vista and a sprawling open glade complex that features striking flower displays during spring and summer. The Valley View Glades area is part of a much larger complex of glades that extends eastward and beyond Hillsboro and Desoto, to Festus, then south into Ste. Genevieve County.

Sandy Creek Covered Bridge boasts the picture-perfect appearance of an old red barn. It was one of six bridges built in 1872 to allow passage from the Jefferson County seat of Hillsboro to St. Louis. John H. Morse built Sandy Creek Covered Bridge using the Howe-truss design, named for William Howe. Howe patented his design in 1840, which featured the use of vertical rods to draw wooden members tight against the top and bottom of the bridge.

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/valley-view-glades-natural-area

https://mostateparks.com/park/sandy-creek-covered-bridge-state-historic-site

WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of drinking water
Appropriate footwear
Hiking poles
Cap
Backpack
Rain gear
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Picnic lunch
Pop-up lawn chair