Williamsburg MO: St. Louis Chapter, Whetstone Creek Conservation Area Hike
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Central Missouri pilgrim Melissa Purvis will lead us on a 5-mile route through the conservation area. This moderate hike on gravel roads and mowed paths will take us across open meadows, past farm fields, and through wooded areas, with some hills and possible creek crossings.
Access a trail map here: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/conservation-areas/7601map.pdf
Following the hike, we will gather in the area for continued pilgrim conversation and fellowship over 6 Buck box lunches that we will order in advance from nearby Crane’s Country Store (see order instructions below). You are also welcome to pack your own picnic meal if you prefer that.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Due to the conservation area’s registration requirements for groups of 10+ people, advance registration is required via the event registration link.
Responding “Going” on the Facebook event or emailing the chapter is not sufficient to register you for this event.
EVENT DIRECTIONS
– From the I-70 Williamsburg Exit 161 take Route D north to the stop sign.
– Turn left (west) and continue on Route D to County Road 1003.
– Turn right (north) on County Road 1003 and continue approximately 2 miles to the conservation area entrance/parking area. Note: approx. 1.25 miles along CR-1003, you will come to a fork in the road with the option to go straight or turn left; go left here to head toward our parking area meeting point.
St. Louis attendees: Conservation area is approximately 80 miles from the I-270 and I-64 interchange.
Columbia attendees: Conservation area is approximately 37 miles from the I-70 and US-63 interchange.
CRANE’S COUNTRY STORE 6 BUCK BOX LUNCH ORDER
To be included in our Crane’s Country Store 6 Buck box lunch order, please complete one copy of the order form per attendee.
Access box lunch order form here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18xMTMV_xVLiwTNS1I-WpjJyR8tkArJ9t/view?usp=sharing
Email completed box lunch order form(s) by 12:00 PM Thursday, March 26 to Amy at StLouis@AmericanPilgrims.org
Box lunch payment: Send $6 per box lunch order to https://venmo.com/u/AmyElizabethHorton (phone last four: 6190) or bring $6 in cash per box lunch to the event to reimburse Amy.
WHAT TO BRING
– Your pilgrim spirit
– Plenty of drinking water
– Layers/accessories appropriate for varying central Missouri spring weather conditions
– Lawn chair for picnic seating
– Hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes
– Sunscreen
ABOUT WHETSTONE CREEK CONSERVATION AREA
The Missouri Department of Conservation purchased the 5,147 acre property in 1976. Prior to settlement, the land area of what is today Whetstone Creek CA had a tallgrass prairie, savanna, woodland, and forest landscape. The woodland and forest slopes on the rolling hills adjacent to the creek gave way to more open savanna and prairie habitats on the flat plains above the creek.
Portions of the property have had many owners since the mid-1800s (there were 27 different families owning portions of the land in 1876). It was mostly owned by a few landowners who had relatively large properties by the later 1800s. The area was managed as a cattle ranch through most of the 1900s up until the time when the conservation department purchased the property. A high fence was constructed on a portion of the area in the 1960s and bison were raised in the enclosure.
The area is today managed primarily for small game species such as quail and rabbits. Management is primarily accomplished through permittee farming, prescribed fire, woodland management, and early successional habitat.
DISCOVER MORE
– Whetstone Creek Conservation Area: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/whetstone-creek-conservation-area
– Whetstone Creek CA brochure: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/7601.pdf
– Crane’s Country Store: https://cranes-country-store.com/