Mareshah Taber, Broker-Agent          Lauren Stehle, Agent

Frank Talbert, Agent          Doreen Gimlen, Agent

Email us:   ozarkcountyrealty@gmail.com

GLADE TOP TRAIL

Located just a few miles Northwest of Theodosia, is the 23 miles of Glade Top Trail. This is the only National Scenic Byway in Missouri.  The two lane gravel road that winds along the ridgetops and over the hills was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's.  Because of the stunning and unique vistas, Glade Top Trail was added to The National Scenic Byway system in 1989.  To the South you can see the Boston Mountains in Arkansas and to the Northwest you can see the Springfield Plateau.

 The large glade areas are shallow soil with limestone outcroppings. Native tall prairie grasses fill the glades with scatterings of eastern Red Cedar and Oaks.  The glades are also home to an abundance of wildflowers in season.  The 23 mile trail also has many spring blooming trees such as Redbuds, Dogwoods, Service Berry and wild fruit trees.

 When you go, bring your camera and be ready.  Besides the stunning vistas, traditional Ozarks small game like deer, turkey, rabbits and squirrel are plentiful.  You might see an  immigrant to the Ozarks, the road runner.  This area of our county is also home to the Bachman's Sparrow, a state endangered species.

The National Forest Service highlights the following landmarks as points of interest:

• Hayden Bald: a State Natural Area.

• The Three Sisters: a trio of limestone bald knobs.

• Watershed Divide: where water flows east into the Little Northfork River and west into Beaver Creek.

• Caney Lookout Tower: a fire observation tower designed by one of the Forest service's first landscape architects in 1937.

• The Pinnacle: a small hill along the trail is the site of an old, unsuccessful gold mining effort.

• Caney Picnic Area: site of the "Flaming Fall Review" barbecue and music show.

map from ByWays.Org