J. Avery Ruble Trail
Meramec Conservation Area
Copyright 2006-2007 Missouri Trailblazing.com.  All Rights Reserved
Location:
Franklin County

Trail Manager:
Missouri Dept. of Conservation
375 Hwy 185 South
Sullivan,  MO  63080

Phone:
1-636-468-3335

Website:
www.mdc.mo.gov
Directions:
From St. Louis, take I-44 west to the Sullivan Hwy 185 exit.  Turn left onto Hwy 185 and
follow road 4.5 miles, past Meramec State Park and over the Meramec River, to the first
gravel road on the left.  Turn left and drive 1 mile to the trailhead parking lot on the right.

GPS Coordinates:
Trailhead Parking Lot:  N38.22533, W91.07532

Miles of Trails:
11 mile double loop.
 
Trailer Parking:
Ample

Trail Maps:
www.mdc.mo.gov/documents/area_brochures/6202map.pdf -MDC's Topo Map
JPG Topo Map - jpg file that anyone can open.
GPX - Can be viewed in Google Earth and many other mapping programs.
National Geographic Topo Map - Will only open in National Geographic Topo Software.
Mapsource GDB File - Will open only if you have Garmin Mapsource Software.           

Season:
Year-round.
*Caution! Open to hunters during hunting seasons.
  
Fees:
No day use fees.

Equine Camping:
Not allowed.  

Trail Notes:
Trail is mostly level to gently rolling with the exception of one long, steep grade you
will have to go up if you follow the trail in a counter clock-wise direction.  Trail
corridor is wide, clear and has limited wet weather creeks to cross.  There was
some logging done here a few years back that made some portions of the trail a
little harder to find and follow.  There are also some historical markers to enjoy.
 
Cart/Wagon Driving:
Not feasible.  Not enough road riding in the area, the trails are mostly single track and not
wide enough for a cart or wagon.

Water Available:
Drinking water:  None available.
Water for horses:  Limited wet weather creeks.

Other Facilities:
There are some huge boulders that made great mounting blocks.  There's also one hitching
rail.  They enlarged the equestrian parking a lot.  There is an outhouse at the parking lot at the
bottom of the hill, past the horse trail parking lot, but you need to keep your horse away from
the area.






Other Activities:
Hiking, non-equestrian camping, hunting, fishing, caving, picnicking, wildlife study,
photography, and mountain bike riding.

Other Services:
Car care, groceries, & restaurants:  Sullivan, about 5 miles northwest.
Tack & Feed:  Orsheln Farm and Home
  Sullivan              
  1-573-468-4335

Emergency Information:
Cell Phone Signal:  Limited
Franklin Co. Sheriff: 1-636-583-2560
Hospital:  Missouri Baptist Hospital
  Sullivan               
  1-573-468-4186
Veterinarian:  Equine Medical Associates
  Sullivan
  1-573-860-3311
Click on the
pictures to enlarge!
If this information was helpful to you, please help support Missouri Trailblazing:
We Thank you!!!
*Trail Alert: Closed during fall firearms deer and spring firearms turkey.  Trail
may be open during portions of fall firearm turkey.
Mounting boulders
& hitch rail.
Area Sign.
Parking Lot.
(These pictures by Lalita Creighton)
Start of trail.
Reedville School Sign & Marker
(These pictures by Lalita Creighton)
Pictures of trail typical
throughout the area.
(Pictures by
Lalita Chreighton)