Mina Sauk Falls, MO

If you are at the trailhead for the Mina Sauk Falls hike, it is likely you arrived as a "highpointer", one of those odd ducks who find some kind of value getting to a variety of arbitrary high points, this one being the highest point in the state of Missouri... a less than challenging car trip, capped off with a short walk up the paved sidewalk to the peak...

... fortunately, once you're here, well, might as well do this hike...

And, it is a nice one.

The 132' tall falls is the highest in the state, and is accessed along a pleasant 3 mile long loop hike... the falls are named after the legend:

According to the legend of Mina Sauk (the daughter of Chief Taum Sauk), a spring in the mountain which contributes to the flow of the falls was formed by a bolt of lightning sent by the Storm King. The chief of a hostile tribe who had made love to Mina Sauk was captured and killed and, according to the legend:

"... the young captive was thrown from ledge to ledge, being caught on the points of up-lifted spears. His grief-stricken bride, calling a curse down on her tribe, leaped from the highest ledge and was dashed to death beside the body of her slain lover. The Great Spirit invoked the Storm King, causing a cyclone to utterly destroy the people of Taum Sauk. A bolt of lightning striking the mountain top caused the stream of water to flow over the ledges into the gorge below, to wipe away the blood of the young lovers. On the banks of the stream sprang up flowers of crimson hue, which grows there today, by the overflowing water and which are known as Indian Pinks."

This information was excerpted from a book by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources titled "Geologic Wonders and Curiosities of Missouri".

Camping fees are required in the park area.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2009-11-29 imike