Hiking Report: Bell Mountain Loop with Johnson Shut-ins chaser in Late August

"Motivated, dedicated, and a little bit dangerous"

 Date: August 26th

Location: Bell Mountain and Johnson Shut-ins

Route: Bell Mountain Loop from Highway A & Johnson Shut-in Footpath

Stats: 14 miles @ 2,000 ft elevation gain

Weather: Overcast with a little showers, mid to upper 80s. 

    Unable to sleep due to the sheer excitement of another day spent hiking and swimming my body was excited out of bed by 3:30am. I went about my morning routines and around 4:40 the first intrepid adventurer showed up. A steady stream of people started rolling in until we reached critical mass at 5:30am and rolled out. 

    The group got on trail by 7:30 after a very very high energy drive down. Starting off with a trail rosary we ascended the first big pitch of the day. The trail then petered out as we got onto the main loop and we all settled into a variety of fun and serious conversations. Things went by very quickly in a way that could be described with a thousand words or in just a few; I shall settle for the later. 

    Bell mountain trail is very well marked and the elevation comes in digestible, albeit large, bites. Going clockwise our group arrived at the peak lookout for a lunch break around noon. I'm sure people had a great time chit chatting and putting away calories but for my part I found a very orthopedic memory foam rock and took a sausage powered fiesta. 

    Back on trail and with only a few miles left to go we were all very motivated to finish and head to the Johnson Shutins for some swimming. Shortly after resuming the hike our group chanced upon some wildlife! Spotted only a few feet off trail was a 4ish foot Timber Rattler, one of Missouri's few and most venomous snakes. Thankfully there was no incident and we passed in peace. Arriving in short order to the cars and finishing a fantastic day of hiking it started to sprinkle on us all. 

    The group then loaded up for the Johnson Shut-ins which was a quick 20 minute drive away. The rest of the day was spent swimming, cliff jumping, skipping rocks, cooking some hot dogs, and relaxing after a long and arduous hike (it was actually pretty easy, but myself and a few others packed heavy for some extra training.) 

    I'm very thankful for how this group has grown. The Lord has continued to bless me with good company and deepening friendships. We've been averaging a full day hike once a month now for 3 consecutive months. I would encourage everyone, no matter your position in life, to find a way to enjoy the great outdoors of God's creation and to do so with like hearted people.