Current Outings for Eastern Missouri Group. Sierra Club members and non-members are welcome to join club members on these outings.

Randomly selected from the EMG Photo Gallery!, Submitted by: Bob Gestel, October 16-17 the EMG joined with the Thomas Hart ..., View full story, Submit your photograph Nov 6, Fri: Lets celebrate our good luck at having so many great choices for fall hikes. We will hike 6-8 miles on Howell Island unless the water is too high, then we'll go to Rockwoods Reservation. Mary Schubert choclt3376@centurytel.net Nov 7, Sat: Day outing at the St. Louis Zoo. Lunch at the zoo or at the boathouse. Jim Rhodes, (314) 821-7758, or jarhodes@sbcglobal.net Nov 7 Sat: Easy night time hike in Ruth Park Woods (University City) during the Fall Fire Festival. Joined by a local guide, we will hike a slow to moderate pace for 1 to 2 miles on level trails to explore and learn about our native prairies at night. A ¾ moon will provide ample light for our trip. Optional: The outing will conclude at the Fall Fire Festival (cost $10) and participants may then enjoy fire performances, folk stories, a pottery workshop, a bonfire w/smores, art sale, wine tasting and meet some local firefighters. Ted Slap, slapcentral-sierra@yahoo.com Nov 11, Wed: We will explore Broemmelsiek Park in St. Charles County on this ca. 4-mile fairly easy hike up and down a few moderate forested hills and through open prairie. Margot Kindley, (636) 458-4063, margot107@charter.net Nov 14, Sat: Lemonade Volunteer Appreciation Party. Celebrate the close of another successful season at the home of Jim & Phyllis Young, 905 Lami Street in the Soulard neighborhood. All Sierrans are invited. Please call Jim Young to RSVP, (314) 664-9392. Nov 15, Sun: Let's try to stay away from the hunters. Cuivre River S.P. is about 65 miles north of St. Louis near Troy with over 6000 acres. We will hike the North Woods Trail and several connecting trails so we will be able to extend our hike to six miles or more. Paul Stupperich, (314) 429-4352, or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel, (636) 296-8975, or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Nov 20, Fri: Burn some calories to make room for the T-day feast. We'll hike 8-9 miles at West Tyson Park. Mary Schubert choclt3376@centurytel.net Nov 21-22, Sat-Sun: Canoe/Kayak on the wide Missouri. Close to St. Louis, short two day trip. Enjoy the solitude while looking for artifacts and camping on sand. George Behrens, (314) 821-0247. Nov 24, Tue: Since most of us will be busy preparing for the Thanksgiving celebration, the Wednesday Hike was moved to Tuesday. The hilly 5-mile Clark Trail in Weldon Spring will help burn off some anticipatory holiday calories. Margot Kindley, (636) 458-4063, or margot107@charter.net. Nov 27-29, Fri-Sun: We will return to the Pioneer Forest for a three day camp out and day hikes. Himont Site camp ground is the hub for the Laxton Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail and the Brushy Creek Trail. Come on down to hike or just hang out with us. Carpool down with a stop at Hardees in Park Hills. Paul Stupperich, (314) 429-4352, or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel, (636) 296-8975, or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Dec 4, Fri: Over the glades and thru the woods we will go for about 8 miles at Washington S.P. Suzanne Smith, (thisissuzanne@yahoo.com) or (618) 281-4762. Dec 5, Sat: Holiday party and potluck dinner. Bring your beverage and a dish to share. Call for time and directions. Barb Wall, (636) 529-0477, Marilyn Harlan, (314) 966-8797, or Ann Eggebrecht, (314) 725-1560. Dec 6, Sun: A visit to Cahokia Mounds, a famous archeological site in Illinois. Hike the 6.2 mile archeological trail and visit the museum. Paul Stupperich, (314) 429-4352, or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel, (636) 296-8975, or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Dec 9, Wed: 7 flat miles on Howell Island in West St. Louis County. If the causeway is flooded, we will find an alternate hike. Margot Kindley, (636) 458-4063, or margot107@charter.net Dec 11, Fri: Enjoy the crisp December air and unobstructed views as we hike 7-8 miles at Pierre Marquette S.P. Make it a day and plan to consume a burger with us at Bon Air (aka Fast Eddies). Mary Schubert choclt3376@centurytel.net Dec 13, Sun: 10 mile hike in the St. Francois Mountains. Details to be determined. George Behrens, (314) 821-0247. ~ ~~ Dec 16, Wed: Deadline for outings from February 15 to April 30. Mark Schuermann, (636) 394-6265, mark_schuermann@sbcglobal.net, or Suzanne Smith (618) 281-4762,(thisissuzanne@yahoo.com) Dec. 18, Fri: Hike way up to the top of Buford Mt. to look down across Belleview Valley on our 10 mile hike. If it is hunting season we will stay in a state park. Suzanne Smith, (thisissuzanne@yahoo.com) or (618) 281-4762. Dec 19, Sat: We will investigate a high quality stream in a wooded niche near expanding Eureka. Our stream team will monitor the water quality of Fox Creek and send the data to the Dept. of Natural Resources. We will test for dissolved oxygen and other chemical parameters, do a visual survey, and measure stream flow if there is there is enough water. This time we will NOT net aquatic invertebrates so you will "get your feet wet" only in a figurative sense. Leslie Lihou, (314) 726-2140, or Jim Rhodes, (314) 821-7758, jarhodes@sbcglobal.net Dec 23, Wed: Call or e-mail for information. Margot Kindley, (636) 458-4063, or margot107@charter.net Jan 1, Fri: Start the year out right with our annual New Years Day hike at Meramec S.P. Springs, glades and caves are just a few natural features you will see on this hike. This a cross country hike in a remote area of the park so come prepared for a great hike. 4-5 miles of cross country hiking. Winter Weather Gear along with good Hiking Shoes are required. Paul Stupperich, (314) 429-4352, or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel, (636) 296-8975, or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Jan 8, Fri: Join us on our 7.5 mile end to end hike on the rocky, hilly Chubb Trail. Contact thisissuzanne@yahoo.com or (618) 281-4762. Jan 9-10, Sat-Sun: Winter backpack trip 2010. As always where we go will depend on weather and driving conditions. In past years we have had 12 degrees and 6 inches of snow and another year we had 70 degrees and sunny. This trip is for experienced winter hikers only. You will be carefully vetted. Paul Stupperich, (314) 429-4352, or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel, (636) 296-8975, or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Jan 15, Fri: Should be eagles and white pelicans on our 7 mile Pere Marquette S.P. hike along the river. Optional, lunch in Grafton afterwards. thisissuzanne@yahoo.com or (618) 281-4762. Jan 16, Sat: Let's look for bald eagles over in Illinois and do a brisk winter hike along the bike trail below the bluffs along the Great River Road. We'll start at the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge and end up at Pere Marquette lodge for lunch. Contact Jim Rhodes at (314) 821-7758. Jan 22, Fri: Greensfelder County Park has lots of trails to choose from for this Friday hike and is close in case of winter storms. (618) 281-4762, or thisissuzanne@yahoo.com Jan 23-24, Sat-Sun: Trail building at Hawn S.P. We will wrap up the loose ends from our week of October trail building and continue cleaning up the storm damage to the trail system at Hawn. Meet at the park office at 8:30 am. Bring lunch, water work gloves and sturdy boots. Paul Stupperich 314-428-4352 or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel 636-296-8975 or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Jan 24, Sun: Day hike at West Tyson county park. We will hike about 6 or 7 miles at a moderate pace. Toni Armstrong, (314) 434-2072. Jan 29, Fri: There might be icicles or snow for our 6-10 mile hike at our favorite Hawn S.P. Join us and see. (618) 281-4762, or thisissuzanne@yahoo.com Jan 30, Sat: Sing-Along. Sierra Club office in the evening. See box ad or call George Behrens at (314) 821-0247. Feb 5, Fri: Queeny park is our destination today for our 6 or more mile hike. (618) 281-4762, or thisissuzanne@yahoo.com Feb 7, Sun: Day hike at Hilda Young Conservation area near Eureka, Mo. We cross the LaBarque Creek ( the bridge is out) and hike the five mile Taconic Loop Trail. Paul Stupperich, (314) 429-4352, or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel, (636) 296-8975, or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Feb. 12, Friday; Snow or sun, warm your heart with a pre-Valentine's Day hike around Cliff Cave Park. 6 to 8 miles depending on trail conditions. Mary Schubert choclt3376@centurytel.net Feb. 19, Friday; August A. Busch Wildlife area has lots of trails that can be negotiated even in heavy snow cover. Come join us for some stimulating winter hiking. Mary Schubert choclt3376@centurytel.net Feb 21, Sun: Join us as we explore Onondaga Cave S.P. We have several trails to chose from along with a cave tour after the hike. We will limit this outing to 10 hikers. Paul Stupperich, (314) 429-4352, or lonebuffalo@earthlink.net Bob Gestel, (636) 296-8975, or rgestel@sbcglobal.net Feb. 26, Friday; Anytime of year, any weather is good for a hike at Castlewood S.P. Join us as we hike along the river bluffs and then down along the river bottoms. Mary Schubert choclt3376@centurytel.net Feb 27-28, Sat-Sun: Day hiking with camping in Ozark Mountains. You can come for one or both days. Ironton area. Hikes may involve some cross country. Camping will be a State Park or Forest Service area. George Behrens, (314) 821-0247. Eastern Missouri Group outings cost one dollar and are open to the public.  Leaders are unpaid volunteers who need your cooperation to make the trip safe, pleasant and rewarding.  Please call the leader well in advance for details, approval, or if you plan to cancel.  Outings start officially at the trail head or river access.  Travel responsibility rests on each participant.  Car pooling is encouraged but leaders can not be responsible for its organization.  The Sierra Club does not provide insurance for transportation.  Participants sign a liability release form and reimburse drivers for expenses.   Be adequately equipped and prepared.  No guns, pets, or radios are permitted on trips.  Please leave the area cleaner than you find it.  For general information about outings call Suzanne Smith, 618-281-4762 or thisissuzanne@yahoo.com.