About us
For dog lovers who are ready to go "BEYOND THE SIDEWALK" with our best friends. Our main goal is to actually spend quality time with our pups doing fun things, instead of just hurrying through the daily grind of walking around the neighborhood.
You don't need to own a dog, but you'll have to tolerate ours. We stop often to water the dogs, take pictures, and play in creeks/rivers/lakes.
Usually, we have 2-3 events/week, year round.
When it's cold, we hike. Usually, we hike 6-15 miles/week in cool weather.
When it's hot, we kayak. Some easy lake paddles, some 10 mile river trips.
When it's nice weather, we camp. Campouts will include kayaking/hiking.
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In 2025, after 12 yrs of free membership, we have found it necessary to establish a $15/year membership fee. There is a 60 day free trial, but after that you will need to pay the dues to attend/participate in our events.
YOU MUST BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND EVENT. You'll need to answer our membership questions, pay the dues (after 60 day trial), RSVP like other members do, and abide by our rules if you want to hang out with us.
Leave the negative talk about family or politics at home, just bring a sense of humor and enjoy the day.
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IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A POWER HIKING/PADDLING GROUP, THIS IS NOT IT!
The pace of our hikes/paddles is more relaxed, and our groups are smaller. We take our "goof off" time seriously, especially if there's a puddle, creek, lake or river around. If you're in a hurry to burn up the trail, you won't like our group.
You do have to be reasonably fit for most of our hikes, which average 3-6 miles long.
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WE HAVE RULES & WE ENFORCE THEM! BE SURE TO READ THEM. It's no fun having to correct people on the trail. Please just read them.
Keeps our dogs and people safe and happy. By joining our group, you acknowledge that you have read these rules and agree to abide by them. You obviously hike at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety and your dog's safety.
If you don't like these rules...or think they don't apply to you...you should not join our group!
NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES, 6' max
NO INTACT MALE DOGS....THIS IS NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.
KEEP YOUR SHOTS UP TO DATE. We do not check this.
Please use tick preventative on your dogs, for their safety. Trails are often wooded.
Bring water for your dog....this is important, even if you don't think so.
Stay to the right on the trail, just like driving a car. We don't own the trails.
Arrive a bit early and be ready to go, we hit the trail/launch at the scheduled time.
Please leave the political or negative talk at home, no one wants to hear it.
PACE OF HIKE is set by event hosts. New members, do not take over and lead the pack.
If your dog is mean or aggressive, you will be asked to leave.
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REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP:
• A picture that clearly shows either you or your dog...prefer one of your dog!
• A real name for you and your dog
• Your dog's name, breed and age.
IF YOU DO NOT SUPPLY THESE THINGS, YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE DENIED.
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Upcoming events
15
CAMPING AT SILVER MINES for MO Whitewater Championship Race
Silver Mines Trailhead, HH46+3J Ironton, Missouri, Ironton, MO, USMISSOURI WHITEWATER CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE THIS WEEKEND.
Expect crowds, traffic and drunks. Plan, at this point, will be to drive to the whitewater runs. Maybe a short hike to the river, but it's too far to hike from campground, 6 miles.
The date has been set, and I've revised our writeup. There is no alternate date established for weather. This is, of course, weather dependent. If it floods, they can't race. And our campground will probably be flooded out. Always a crap shoot this time of year.
Great campground, but the "RIVERSIDE LOOP" is the only one with electric hookup. Only 11-12 sites here, one is for host. Plan on sharing your site possibly. Plenty of other primitive sights closer to the festivities, non electric.
There is a vault toilet in the campground, and electric. Hopefully the water will be on at the bathroom. I'll check that out later.
We, of course, will NOT be kayaking. But hiking trail is fabulous, so bring your gear.
HIKING BOOTS REQUIRED for safety. Trail is really rough in spots.
HIKING POLES STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.DRIVING: Maybe best to use your GPS. Meetup mapping worked well last time too. About 85 to 90 miles from 44/141 area. Not a bad drive down Hwy 55 to 61/67 just beyond Farmington. About 1.5 hours.
ZERO CELL RECEPTION after you leave the highway at Fredericktown, so know before you go on directions.
Expect TICKS and bugs. This is not one of our civilized campgrounds and the trails are rough. Frontline your dogs and spray your clothes/tents/etc with Permethrin. Ticks may well be out in late March.
If you sign up, include your campsite, your gear (tent/camper) and your arrival/departure date.
Here is the link that appears to give accurate directions:
Silver Mine Trailhead - Google Maps
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From Fredericktown:
- From the intersection of MO Hwy 72 and US Hwy 67, head West on Hwy 72 approx. 4.3 miles to State Hwy D, near the small community of Oak Grove.
- Turn Left onto Hwy D, and travel approx. 2.9 miles to the entrance on your right.
6 attendees
EASTER CAMPING AND HIKING at St. Francois State Park. BLUEBELL HUNT ON SAT
St Francois State Park, 8920 US Highway 67, Bonne Terre, MO, USCAMPING AND HIKING, maybe some play time in the Big River. There is a great little gravel bank right by our campsite, with a nice trail going to it. No kayaking this time.
Just a nice quiet weekend to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature!
My info says bathrooms/showers will be open on April 1, but I'll double check that before we go.
ZERO CELL RECEPTION HERE!
A lazy weekend, with a Saturday Bluebell Hike on Mooner's Hollow Trail. It's supposed to be the best bluebell field in this entire area, plus rock hunting in the creek. There are also supposed to be great bluebells on the second trail that starts at our campground.
Link for campground:
Missouri State Parks - Missouri State Parks Reservation SystemComment below when you have a site reserved, and what days you will be there.
There are several trails in this park, and access to the Big River. The only hike really scheduled is on Saturday. We will hike the Mooner's Hollow Trail. Expect to spend lots of time playing in the creek. We like to look for rocks here.
3 attendees
Past events
2208
Group links
Organizers
Members
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