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The 16,227-acre Irish Wilderness is found in the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri.


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Map Key

17.2

Miles

27.7

KM

99%

Runnable

914' 278 m

High

554' 169 m

Low

995' 303 m

Up

1,030' 314 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildlife

No water available at the trailhead.

Runner Notes

This would probably not qualify as a running trail as there are many trip hazards.

Description

The trail begins at the Camp Five Pond trailhead and makes about an 18-mile loop. This trail is adjacent to the Eleven Point River.

Heading westerly, at about eight miles in, you come to Bliss Spring. It's a beautiful little waterfall bubbling straight out of the bottom of a near vertical wall of rock with a nice little area to camp. Up the trail just a bit is a short spur trail that comes to an old homestead where the only thing still standing is a chimney and cistern.

The trail then heads up the bluff (a moderate climb) to a great vista overlooking the Eleven Point River. The next few miles follow a ridge that circles around Orchard Hollow. After a couple of miles along the ridge, you steeply descend to White's Creek.

There are a series of very small caves, which make exciting points to stop for a break. Just a bit down the trail, there's a spur that leads to White's Creek Float Camp. There are picnic tables, hang posts and fire rings. This area can only be accessed by foot or canoe.

Back to the trail, it's a good climb out of the river bottoms where you'll run across White's Creek cave. There are bars across the entrance of the cave that are used to protect the bat population from human interference.

There is one other spur about six miles before the trailhead. This is Fiddler Spring, which is a small bubbling spring adjacent to a nice camp area. Back on the trail, it's a gradual climb back to the trailhead.

NOTE: Be sure to bring a map and compass, even better, a handheld GPS or the Trail Run Project mobile app because this trail is sparsely marked and it's very easy to get off trail.

Flora & Fauna

Hickory, White Oak, Pine, Cedar, Sycamore, dogwood, persimmon, sassafras and various species of mushrooms. The critters are many, including White Tail deer, Turkey, Bald Eagle, Bobcat, Coyote, Raccoon and I even encountered feral hogs while running.

Contacts

Shared By:

Barry Hudson

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 10 votes

#11692

Overall
  3.7 from 10 votes
5 Star
30%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
40%
2 Star
10%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#271

in Missouri

#11,692

Overall
10 Views Last Month
1,995 Since Jan 20, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
44%
33%
22%
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Photos

The clear waters of Whites Creek in the Irish Wilderness, Mark Twain National Forest.
Jan 20, 2017 near Alton, MO
Gorgeous vistas await on the Whites Creek Trail within the Irish Wilderness in Mark Twain National Forest.
Jan 20, 2017 near Alton, MO
The beautiful Bliss Spring bubbles along the Whites Creek Trail in the Irish Wilderness in Mark Twain National Forest.
Jan 20, 2017 near Alton, MO
Looking at the 11 point river
May 8, 2021 near Alton, MO

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