Backpack the Hercules-Glades Wilderness

Join us for a weekend backpacking trip in the Hercules-Glades Wilderness in Mark Twain National Forrest near Bradleyville, Missouri. This is a gorgeous, lightly trafficked, 9 mile looping trail that includes multiple water features and a waterfall, steep inclines/declines, rough and rocky trail surfaces and wooded scenery.

Basic schedule for this adventure:  If you aren’t a fan of getting up early, you may find it useful to spend Friday evening in Springfield, Missouri.   Saturday we will meet at the trailhead between 9:30 – 10am to begin our hike.  We will hike about 5.5 miles before we make camp.  This start time should have us setting up camp between 3-4pm.  Sunday we will hit the trail no later than 10am which should have us off trail between 3-4ish for our drive home.  This timeline allows ample time to explore the area.  Carpooling is suggested, participants will receive a group email to facilitate connecting.

Things to know: 

• Sign up for this event closes November 5th.
• We have pre-hiked this trail and feel comfortable with the rating of *Moderate as a challenge rating.
• November temperatures in this area range from a high of 65* with a low of 35*.  This is your opportunity to experience cool night time temperatures with mild, comfortable temperatures for hiking.
• You will need `backpacking and hiking gear.  We will provide a gear list with details but the basics include: backpack, tent, sleeping gear, layered clothing, all of your food, snacks and the ability to cary your water.  Participants can plan to share gear to lighten their loads.  We will provide a water filter on the trail to assist you with refills or this would be a good hike to use your own water filter.  If you need help choosing gear or knowing what to choose, we can help you prepare.