Kicks on Historic Route 66 and the Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River, Missouri

The Trip

Our trip combines two American classics: Historic Route 66 attractions and a canoe trip on the Eleven Point River, an archetypical, pristine Ozark stream. We will take in the Cubafest/Oktoberfest, the St. Louis Arch, Historic Route 66 attractions, Ozark springs and mills, and other attractions. The centerpiece of the trip is a three-day, two-night paddle of a section of the National Scenic Eleven Point River. For a finale, we will visit a recreated 1930s village with authentic Ozark BBQ and Model-A rides.

The Missouri Ozarks has a lot to offer in the fall, with cool days and crisp nights and a good chance for spectacular foliage, but hardly a bug compared to summertime. Chances are good that we will see a variety of wildlife. The Eleven Point is one of the eight original National Scenic Rivers. It is spring-fed so water levels are predictable and consistent. It was one of the original eight rivers designated in 1968 because “…it’s free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and undeveloped…and is considered one of the best and most pristine floating streams in Missouri.” (USDA Forest Service)

Our paddle will take us through the Irish Wilderness, a popular backpacking area. We will be camping in established Park Service float camps to the extent possible. There are scenic easements on private land that protect our wilderness experience on about half of the river corridor, and we cannot camp on them. We will visit a small sample of the many natural features, and outdoor and Ozark attractions on our trajectory as we travel by van before and after the river portion of the trip. Weather and other factors may require the leaders to adjust the trip. Everyone must be prepared to be flexible.

We will meet up at a St. Louis hotel near the airport Friday morning and will travel by van to Chain of Rocks bridge, originally part of Route 66 but now a hiking/biking link across the Mississippi and then on to visit the St. Louis Arch. Going up the arch is not included in the trip, but we will provide details for those who want to make an advance reservation. Our dinner will be at a winery on the way to our lodging. We will stay two nights in the historic Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66 in Cuba, MO. It is one of the top attractions along all of Historic Route 66. (Those signing up late in the process will stay at a nearby chain motel in Cuba.) Cuba is full of Route 66 murals and memorabilia, some of which we will see Saturday as we enjoy the Cubafest/Oktoberfest and tour the city. As we head south Sunday, we will tour giant springs that feed Ozark rivers and visit historic landmarks. After day trips based for two nights in deluxe state park cabins, we will paddle three days and two nights on the Eleven Point River. We will spend our last night at state park cabins near a recreated 1930s village, which we will visit on the last day before all too soon we must head back to St. Louis.

Day 1: After breakfast at our hotel, we will head by van to Chain of Rocks bridge where we can walk a mile across the Mississippi River and then visit the St. Louis Arch. (There will be time for rides up the Arch, but they are not included in the trip price.) We will drive to a winery for dinner (not included in the trip price). Then we will continue a short distance to our lodging at the historic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, MO, one of the top attractions of the entire Historic Route 66. (Those signing up late in the process will stay at a nearby chain motel in Cuba if there is no room at the Wagon Wheel.)

Day 2: This is the first day of the Cubafest/Oktoberfest in Cuba, MO. We will tour the extensive murals and other Route 66 attractions in and near Cuba and take in the festival. Our second night will also be at the Wagon Wheel.

Day 3: After breakfast, we will drive south and visit more Route 66 attractions, springs that feed Ozark rivers, and some Ozark attractions. Time permiting, we will do a short hike. That night and the next, we will stay at deluxe state park cabins at Echo Bluff State Park.

Day 4: After breakfast, we will visit Current River State Park and tour the structures there, which were once the Alton Club, an Alton Box Board Company corporate retreat for titans of industry in the 1930s and 1940s. Time permiting, we will do a short hike. Around dinnertime, we will check over our gear and do any final packing for our river trip.

Days 5-7: After breakfast, we will shuttle to our put in and paddle to our first campsite along the river. We will paddle on the next day to our second campsite and again camp along the river. The next day, we will continue on to our pickup point. After lunch in a pavilion at the historic Alley Mill (probably the most photographed mill in the Ozarks), we will drive on to state park cabins, with hot showers and soft beds, to clean up and spend the night. 

Day 8: After breakfast, we will travel a short distance by van to a recreated 1930s village with a large collection of Model As and vintage vehicles. We will be able to take rides and walk around the village. Lunch will be authentic Ozark BBQ smoked on site. Then we will load up and return to the St. Louis airport by late afternoon.

Getting There

St. Louis is the nearest airport. Since we are starting right after breakfast on Friday morning, you will probably want to arrive the night before. Our hotel is near the airport and has a shuttle. At the end of the trip, we will get back to our St. Louis hotel in the late afternoon, so you will probably want to spend the night. We will set up a room block for both nights. Lodging in St. Louis is not included in the trip price.

Do not make nonrefundable travel arrangements until the leader advises you to do so. Weather and other factors can affect this or any trip, so you should consider trip insurance.

Accommodations and Food

Our first two nights will be at the Historic Route 66 Wagon Wheel Motel, which has been in continuous operation for more than 83 years. The next two nights will be in deluxe state park cabins. Then we will spend two nights camping out along the river. The last night will again be at recently updated cabins in a different state park. All lodging is based on double occupancy.

Along the river, we will use established Park Service float camp campsites whenever possible and will otherwise strive to "leave no trace." Most of the float camps have latrines and a fire ring. Plan to work together to make camp, prepare, and clean-up meals, whether in our cabins, in park shelters, or when camping out. The trip leaders really like to cook and to eat, so count on interesting, varied, and nutritious meals. There will be plenty of food. If participants wish, they can bring their own additional between-meal snacks, which must fit into Garcia bear cans on the river. (“Mini bears” -- chipmunks, mice, raccoons, etc. -- are likely; actual bears are not.) We will do our best to accommodate vegetarians and medical dietary restrictions. Those with challenging restrictions may be asked to bring or prepare some of their own food (and cookware) to supplement group food. Please contact the leader if you require dietary accommodation.

Trip Difficulty

We will be on foot when hiking or sightseeing, so participants must be able to walk relatively short distances — from a few hundred yards to up to a mile — on established trails, sidewalks, boardwalks, steps, etc. You have the option of sitting out most extended walks, but there's the possibility of additional cumulative distance at Cubafest on Saturday. The river is spring fed, so hard paddling will not be required. However, participants should have canoe experience and be able to steer a canoe. We will go over paddling techniques. Some camping experience is preferred.

Equipment and Clothing

Canoes, paddles, and PFDs are included in the trip cost.

When we are camping, cooking and water purification equipment and camp tarps will be provided. We will have a group first-aid kit for emergencies. However, you will need a personal first-aid kit, prescription medications, and OTC items like Band-Aids, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. On the river, we plan to provide one bear canister per participant for group food, individual snacks, etc. Participants must bring their own water bottle/bladder, mug, bowl, spoon, tent, sleeping bag, and camping gear. Temperatures can range from the 40s F at night to 70s F in the daytime. A good two-piece waterproof rain suit is required. You will want quick-drying synthetic clothing that can be layered. For the river trip, participants must have waterproof dry bag(s) or canisters (e.g. five gallon buckets) to carry personal gear. (Trash bags will not suffice.) It is unlikely but possible that we will need to remove some deadfall or other obstacles in camp. Packable leather work gloves may be useful for this task and for making camp.

For day hikes, participants must have a daypack to hold two liters of water, a two-piece rainsuit, and other essentials.

Other than in Cuba, MO, where it is recommended, shoes worn outside of our lodging must be closed-toe and tie, buckle, or clasp.

Detailed equipment and gear lists will be provided to participants after they are accepted for the trip. With some advance planning, most gear (including packs) can be rented on an individual basis; and a few items may be loaned by the leader. Please contact the trip leader if you have any questions.

References

Web:

• http://www.pioneerforest.com/
• http://www.nps.gov/ozar/
• http://www.missouri66.org/
• http://www.boholoow.com/
• http://www.nps.gov/rivers/wsr-eleven-point.html/
• http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/

Conservation

Starting in 1938, local residents successfully opposed damming the river until it became protected in 1968. The state now owns 4,200 acres and around 6 miles of shoreline that has been designated as the Eleven Point State park, but special interests have been trying to get it sold off to fund tax cuts. Missouri has had a small sales tax, which has been periodically renewed for decades to fund conservation and parks. This has enabled things like the float camps and state park creation and maintenance and would cover the new park. The population density is very low in the Eleven Point watershed. Agricultural runoff from farming and cattle has created some issues. Equestrian use of the watershed has led to some conflicts in the general area. This is a karst area with all drinking water drawn from underground sources. Regulation of the many municipal wastewater systems has proven overall to be successful in protecting the river. However, “…the Eleven Point River is on the list of impaired waterways in Missouri due to mercury levels caused by coal-fired power plants.” (Springfield News-Leader opinion piece October 5, 2018)

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.