Kinnard Hollow Trail: 3.5 miles long.The Kinnard Trail must be accessed via the Chubb Hollow Trail, the Spring Valley Trail, or the Chilton Trail. A moderate, but long hike, this trail was once part of the route patrolled by a "Range Rider" when Big Spring, one of Missouri's first state parks, served as a wildlife "refuge" during the era of early conservation. Three fourths of the trail winds along a stream bed until ascending the ridge up to the Big Spring Lookout Tower. In the near future, hikers will be able to access the 200+ mile regional Ozark Trail from the Kinnard Hollow Trail via a 'spur' trail connecting the Between the Rivers Section of the Ozark Trail to the Big Spring trail system. In the great spirit of American entrepreneurship, they came up with a line of coolers that have a bunch of premium features but are also affordable. Pulltite Nature Trail: 1.5 mile loop trail.This trail presents a moderate challenge. The trailhead is located near the terminus of the campground road near the Group Camping Area at Pulltite. It is a 'self-guided' nature walk with interpretive panels along the trail. The trail ascends the ridge through oak/pine upland forest---passing close to a dolomite cave. On decent from the ridgetop the trail parallels the Current River through riparian habitat.

Ozark Trail decided to pass up the opportunity to create a simple cooler for the medium price range to the lower price range. If getting a great cooler at a great price means making some sacrifices, like not having it made locally, we know there are people who are willing to pay that price.

Ozark Leak-Proof Backpack – Just $10 More

The walls also have a UV-resistant, coating that protects the cooler from eventual damage by continued exposure to the sun. For the smaller 26-quart hard cooler, there is an overhead handle. For the larger ones, you have side handles for a more comfortable haul. We still think they would do even better if they put wheels on the very largest cooler. At mile 15 in the Trace Creek section, you will find scenic Council Bluff Lake, which has a 12-mile loop to explore the beautiful landscape of southeast Missouri.

Jerktail Loop Trail: This 5.2 mile loop trail is classified as moderate to difficult. There are two designated fords where the trail crosses the Current River. Several scenic overlooks offer expansive views of the Current River from atop high bluffs. What we can definitively speak about is the main motivation behind it. See, there are two kinds of cooler brands in the market, for the most part. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Want to help finish what could be America’s most spectacular long trail? The entire OHT is built and maintained by the nonprofit Ozark Highlands Trail Association, an all-volunteer group that builds new sections of trail, repairs older ones, and runs several outings per year to enjoy the route. The trips are open to the public (work parties require membership for insurance reasons). They also run educational programs on low-impact camping and hiking. What You Should Know About Hiking the Ozark Highlands TrailBlue Spring Trail: 1 mile round trip. This easy to moderate hike may be accessed at Powder Mill or from the picnic area at the Blue Spring Trailhead & Picnic Area. The trail skirts the bottomland riparian forest along the Current River between Powder Mill and the Blue Spring State Natural Area---where the trail parallels the spring branch out to Blue Spring . As the name of this spring indicates---Blue Spring is deemed the "bluest" spring in Missouri and at a depth of around 300 feet---it is Missouri's deepest. Round Spring Trails: Round Spring Trail - A short walk (0.1 mile) from the Round Spring Picnic area takes visitors to an overlook where visitors can view the deep blue-green waters of Round Spring which lies at the base of a moss/fern covered limestone bluff. Interpretive exhibits provide information on geology and an overview of prehistoric peoples who once lived in the area. We’d like to think the good people behind Ozark Trail thought this was sad indeed. However, rather than bemoan the situation, they decided to do something about it.

What is the terrain of your hike? Will you have to cross rivers or streams? Is your footwear adequate to handle the trail?Stone Ridge Trail:1.2 miles long.This moderate to mildly strenuous hike ascends the limestone bluff to the ridgeline above the Big Spring, then descends through swales and hollows down to link up with the Slough Trail. Segments of this trail consist of stone steps constructed by the "CCC boys" during the Depression era when Big Spring was an early State Park. The trail travels through dry upland oak woods with numerous dolomite outcroppings and several opportunities for scenic views. Water sources like rivers and streams may only be available seasonally. OT maps are a great resource to help identify places where you can access water. We know how premium Yeti Tundra coolers are, so the question is whether Ozark Trail coolers can match up. SAFETY NOTE:River fords are signed---and riders are to cross only at these designated fords. For the safety of both rider and mount---always release tie-downs before crossing a river ford. Never attempt to cross any stream or river during periods of high water. If you’re on the trail for several days, toilet paper and a cathole shovel are necessities. When you do have to answer the call of the wild, make sure to stay at least 100 yards away from a water source and bury any solid waste at least 6 inches deep.

However, that kind of handle won’t work for the larger coolers, so they utilize side handles made of rope for those ones. To be entirely honest, while Ozark tries, the ice retention isn’t quite on the same level as what you get with a Yeti. Neither is the toughness. The features are on par, however, and that is a plus. Here it’s really a battle of reputations, though, because, for the price, Ozark is a solid choice. Verdict

Bring enough water for your trip or a way to purify water to make it safe to drink. Many of the creeks and streams look crystal clear, but it’s still smart to make sure any impurities are removed with pumps or tablets before drinking. What is the weather going to be? Will you be traveling during a season with temperature swings? Is there potential for inclement weather? Most of the models also come with an expandable top, which means you get plenty of storage space, being able to gain an extra three inches off the top. While much of the trail is under shaded tree canopy, you’ll still want to use sunscreen to prevent any burns. The Ozark Mountains are home to over 390 miles of trails, including the 14 (mostly) continuous sections of the Ozark Trail. But most thru-hikers come to the Missouri Ozarks for the main event: The 230-mile Ozark Trail thru-hike between Onondaga Cave State Park southeast of St. Louis and the western edge of the Mark Twain State Forest.