Ozark Trail Storm Damage Clearing

On May 8, 2009, a severe storm called a “derecho” devastated trees along more than 40 miles of the Ozark Trail in Missouri’s Mark Twain National Forest and Ketcherside Mountain Conservation Area. The trailhead itself was damaged as well from fallen trees. With both straight-line winds and several tornadoes, the windstorm delivered the worst damage from one weather event in the 30-year history of the Ozark Trail, a multi-use hiking, cycling and equestrian trail.

Acting quickly to assess the work needed to clear and re-open the trail, John Roth, founder of the Ozark Trail Association (OTA), soon learned that support for the clean-up would be scarce. Many other areas in southern Missouri had been buried under downed trees and were suffering from other storm damage, making it difficult for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to immediately address all areas requesting help.

Enter the Missouri Heritage Conservation Foundation. On a quick turnaround and working with both the Ozark Trail Association and MDC, the Foundation supported a June clean-up project on five miles of the Ozark Trail through the Ketcherside Mountain Conservation Area. “Without the support of the Foundation, it would not have been possible to get the Taum Sauk section through Ketcherside Mountain cleared as quickly as it occurred. MDC and Foundation assistance of $3,150 was greatly appreciated by the OTA,” said Steve Coates, OTA president.

The support for crews was a critical first step toward restoring access to one of the most scenic areas of the Ozarks, in Iron County. Two chainsaw teams from Americorps, each working for a week, completed the work between Claybaugh Creek and Russell Mountain, clearing hundreds of downed trees in just 14 days. Now re-opened from the Highway 21 trailhead, the Taum Sauk section leads to Missouri’s highest point at Taum Sauk Mountain and connects to a loop trail for access to beautiful Mina Sauk Falls.

Sadly, this project coordinated on behalf of the OTA by John Roth proved to be one of the last before his tragic death in an accident in early July. Roth founded the Ozark Trail Association in 2002 and under his leadership, 35 miles of Ozark Trail were developed, contributing to a total of over 360 miles to date. Roth inspired hundreds of volunteers to donate over 13,000 hours in 2008 alone to building and maintenance of the trail.