Pedestal Rock Trail
"Life isn't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride" - Gary Allan
Difficulty - ✹✹ (out of 5)
Scenic Beauty - ✰✰✰✰ (out of 5)
Directions - click here
Pedestal Rock is a trail I really didn't know much about when I made plans to see it for the first time. It's a 2.5 mile loop near Pelsor in Pope County and is only a moderate to easy trail. The first quarter mile or so is fairly routine and unispiring but then you walk upon some pretty amazing rock formations and scenic bluff views.
Inside Info - This is a very straight-forward, well-marked and fairly level trail. Most trail websites list this as moderate difficulty but really it's pretty easy with very little elevation change and zero technical aspects. The Pedestal Rock trailhead is also used for the King's Bluff trail and they are both so short and moderate that many people do both in the same trip. There is also a sign at the trailhead warning hikers that there are bears in the area with a list of helpful tips to avoid them. We didn't see any on our trip but it would probably be a good idea to have a can of bear spray when on either of these trails. The stars of the the hike are obviously the pedestal rock formations with look like large mushrooms rising from the forest floor. I would estimate that the largest we saw would have been over 50 ft tall. It would be nice to have a geologist around to explain how these rock formations formed but nevertheless they are very impressive. There is also a large arch formation and what appears to be several caves in the lower ends of the bluffs. So this is a loop trail but I would recommend taking a gps app and only walking the first half of the trail, doubling back and then climbing down to the bottom of the bluffs (near the arch) and walking the bluff line at the bottom to see all of the caves and rock formations there. The second half of the loop is a simple hike through woods with nothing remarkable to see.
Final Word - This is a very enjoyable, easy hike that requires no special fitness levels. I have read in other sites and blogs that it can be dangerous because of the many bluffs with 100 ft falls but there is nothing particularly to worry about if just a minimum amount of care is applied. As always keep hold of small children and don't venture too close to the edges to get that perfect selfie shot. Take a bottle of water, take your time and you'll have a great experience.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trailhead Pic
Scenic Beauty - ✰✰✰✰ (out of 5)
Directions - click here
Pedestal Rock is a trail I really didn't know much about when I made plans to see it for the first time. It's a 2.5 mile loop near Pelsor in Pope County and is only a moderate to easy trail. The first quarter mile or so is fairly routine and unispiring but then you walk upon some pretty amazing rock formations and scenic bluff views.
Inside Info - This is a very straight-forward, well-marked and fairly level trail. Most trail websites list this as moderate difficulty but really it's pretty easy with very little elevation change and zero technical aspects. The Pedestal Rock trailhead is also used for the King's Bluff trail and they are both so short and moderate that many people do both in the same trip. There is also a sign at the trailhead warning hikers that there are bears in the area with a list of helpful tips to avoid them. We didn't see any on our trip but it would probably be a good idea to have a can of bear spray when on either of these trails. The stars of the the hike are obviously the pedestal rock formations with look like large mushrooms rising from the forest floor. I would estimate that the largest we saw would have been over 50 ft tall. It would be nice to have a geologist around to explain how these rock formations formed but nevertheless they are very impressive. There is also a large arch formation and what appears to be several caves in the lower ends of the bluffs. So this is a loop trail but I would recommend taking a gps app and only walking the first half of the trail, doubling back and then climbing down to the bottom of the bluffs (near the arch) and walking the bluff line at the bottom to see all of the caves and rock formations there. The second half of the loop is a simple hike through woods with nothing remarkable to see.
Final Word - This is a very enjoyable, easy hike that requires no special fitness levels. I have read in other sites and blogs that it can be dangerous because of the many bluffs with 100 ft falls but there is nothing particularly to worry about if just a minimum amount of care is applied. As always keep hold of small children and don't venture too close to the edges to get that perfect selfie shot. Take a bottle of water, take your time and you'll have a great experience.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trailhead Pic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments
Post a Comment