Elephant Rocks State Park and Silver Mines

Today was a gorgeous fall Wandering Wednesday, so we decided to hunt for the prettiest tree in Missouri. Heading south on highway 67 and west on 221 we knew we would hit the jackpot.

Beautiful Fall Leaves

We hadn’t gone far when we began to see beautiful trees at the back of freshly mowed fields, backdrops to old barns and dotted throughout wooded areas. I knew the best was out there, but couldn’t pick “the one” by myself.

We headed toward Elephant Rocks State Park located at 7390, 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO, just off highway 21 and three miles north of Pilot Knob.

Elephant Rock State Park

I had visited this park several times throughout my life. Each time we pulled into the parking lot, I was amazed at the size of the old granite boulders. Today was no exception. Elephant Rocks was a perfect name for these giants.

The path through these boulders was quite impressive. It had been reworked which allowed handicap traffic to easily access the beauty of the park.

For the first time in our lives we didn’t walk the first 20 feet, head off the trail, and up to the top of the rocks. We actually walked the trail, through areas we had never seen before.

Hiking Through Boulders

I’m getting old – – – Dan will never grow old, but I could tell he was itching to make the climb. Being the gentleman he was, he stayed by my side.

The fall colors were brilliant against the rocks and it made my heart smile as we walked along, enjoying the day.

At the back of the park, near the old Engine House, we found a trail leading off through the woods to a body of water surrounded by large boulders piled on top of each other.

Dan could stand it no longer and headed to the highest rock he could possibly climb.

Throughout my married life I’ve said. “If Dan gets lost on a trail, look up, he will be found scaling the tallest rock possible.”

It began to sprinkle, so we headed back to the truck. Of course, the damp, chilly rain stopped as we stepped onto the asphalt parking lot.

Lunch in Iron County

It was lunchtime and since Thee Abby Kitchen located at Acadia closed on Wandering Wednesdays (drats), we chose Baylee Jo’s located in Ironton, MO. They served BBQ, seafood and grilled items.

They serve a wide variety of entrées and sandwiches but Dan chose the BBQ porksteak and potato salad and I chose the chicken with the baked potato. It was tasty and they even offered a senior discount. How did we get that old?

Silver Mines Recreational Area

Onward! Still searching for the prettiest tree in Missouri, we drove toward Fredericktown and turned onto highway D to Silver Mines Recreational Area.

Fall Leaves and Summer Swimming

Wow, this place was amazing! With the puffy clouds in the sky and the St. Francois River, the shades of grey colored rock made beautiful shut-in areas. This place would be a blast in the summer, but with the backdrop of the fall leaves, it was exceptional. We knew we were close to the prettiest Missouri tree.

Einstein Silver Mine Remains

We hiked a trail to the old Einstein Mine and dam. The mine had been in operation from the 1870’s to 1946. Lead, tungsten and silver were taken from the earth there, but it was never a profitable mine.