Cecil Cove Trail And Old Footbridge At Zinc
A Small Amount Of Water In Cecil Creek
It has been an interesting winter so far. Our weather continues to cycle between periods of low temps below 20 and then a few days later the highs return to the mid-fifties to low sixties and sunny. Wonderful weather for getting out and wandering around the Ozarks or even taking a walk along a creek.
It was Friday, the tenth of January. We were driving around, getting out of the house on one of those warm days and found ourselves in downtown Zinc. Spanning the creek was a rare, still in use, footbridge over the creek. We crossed railroad tracks which paralleled the creek here, pulled over and walked back to take a look. I walked around to get a good look at the bridge from all directions. From the height of the crossing I could imagine the roaring water of the creek when it was up and running! I decided to go ahead and examine the actual crossing, which looked a bit rickety to me.
It was Friday, the tenth of January. We were driving around, getting out of the house on one of those warm days and found ourselves in downtown Zinc. Spanning the creek was a rare, still in use, footbridge over the creek. We crossed railroad tracks which paralleled the creek here, pulled over and walked back to take a look. I walked around to get a good look at the bridge from all directions. From the height of the crossing I could imagine the roaring water of the creek when it was up and running! I decided to go ahead and examine the actual crossing, which looked a bit rickety to me.
As we finished examining the bridge we crossed back over the railroad tracks and thought we saw a train in the far distance. As it neared we could tell it was a railroad maintenance truck. The workers stopped for a few minutes to chat with us. They told us that the footbridge was certified by the state every year as safe to cross. With a wave they took off down the tracks to their next assignment. We returned to town.
The last day of 2017 rolled around and again the weather cycle promised a fine day to be outside. I called up my friends and asked them if they wanted to hike the first part of Cecil Cove Trail. They both said yes and we started out about 10:30. On the way to the trailhead we saw a nice herd of deer making their way through the forest. We parked at the Erbie Church and began our hike. It was sunny but a bit windy. We figured that once we dropped into the valley below the wind would die down.
The last day of 2017 rolled around and again the weather cycle promised a fine day to be outside. I called up my friends and asked them if they wanted to hike the first part of Cecil Cove Trail. They both said yes and we started out about 10:30. On the way to the trailhead we saw a nice herd of deer making their way through the forest. We parked at the Erbie Church and began our hike. It was sunny but a bit windy. We figured that once we dropped into the valley below the wind would die down.
Cecil Creek |
The Cecil Cove Trail is 5.3 miles according to the sign at the trailhead but you can also do the loop trail via the old Compton to Erbie road. That way is just under 7 miles. Our plan was to walk to the first or second creek crossing then turn back. We figured that would be a hike of between 2 and 3 miles. The trail starts out with a gentle slope then a drop down to an old beaver pond. Years ago this was an active site but this time we saw no recent activity. Just debris washed up against the rocks where the beaver dam used to be. We crossed over with dry feet and continued along the trail. Once you pass the pond the trail follows the creek as it winds its way through the valley. We made our way through the sunlight and shadows, enjoying our day together.
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Sunlight Against Rocks |
Eventually we found a length of running water that seemed to disappear underground. It started as a small trickle then expanded to be a decent pool of water. It had a faint current to it. I think this was the second creek crossing and we decided to have our lunch and explore a bit before turning around and walking back to the pond and then up the hill to the parking lot.