The Big Rock Challenge

Can you do 6 hikes in 1 day?  See the best and most beautiful attractions in the area, create memories to last a lifetime, challenge yourself to hike over 13 miles, and go on adventure that you will NEVER forget.

6 HIKES. 1 DAY: ELEPHANT ROCKS, JOHNSON’S SHUT-INS, MILLSTREAM GARDENS, SILVER MINES, HUGHES MOUNTAIN, AND TAUM SAUK MOUNTAIN/MINA SAUK FALLS.

How It Works

We also have the (easy) kid-friendly option: 2 hikes in one day (Johnson’s Shut-ins and Elephant Rocks). Or you can choose the moderate option: 4 hikes in one day (Silver Mines, Millstream Gardens, Johnson’s Shut-Ins, Elephant Rocks) 

Before completing The Big Rock Challenge or doing any of the hikes please make sure you are prepared: check the weather before going, have plenty of food, water, and other supplies that you will need, consider using bug spray and sunscreen, make sure you have navigation tools (a compass or map, your phone – consider an app such as All Trails), wear hiking shoes/boots and weather appropriate clothing. You will be driving to each location so make sure you have enough gas.

We have 3 challenges to choose from: Easy, Moderate, and Difficult.

 Easy (kid friendly) – 2 Hikes

This challenge consists of 2 hikes in one day: Elephant Rocks and Johnson’s Shut-ins. At Elephant Rocks take the full loop, known as Braille Trail. This is an easy 1.2-mile loop. It takes an average of 23 minutes to complete, but be sure to hang out for a while, take pictures, visit the engine house, and explore the giant boulders.

At Johnson’s Shut-Ins take the paved trail down to see the shut-ins. It’s an easy .3 mile paved trail that leads to the observation area. That is as far as you need to go for this challenge (the hike gets more difficult beyond this point, but that hike is only included in the “Difficult Challenge”). Be sure to take lots of pictures and use the hashtag “thebigrockchallenge”

Moderate – 4 Hikes

The first hike is the Silver Mines Trail (only to the dam and back out to your car – the water is usually too high to cross the dam). This trail is pretty rocky and often wet, making the rocks extra slick. This is a moderately challenging hike. Please note that there is a day use fee of $5 per vehicle – there is a self-service pay station in the parking lot.

The next hike is at Millstream Gardens Conservation Area. You will be taking the Tiemann Shut-Ins Trail. This is considered an easy route. The trail is paved with benches along the way. It ends at the Cat’s Paw overlook with gorgeous views.

Consider stopping in Ironton for lunch at this point.

The next hike is Elephant Rocks: Take the full loop, known as Braille Trail. This is an easy 1.2-mile loop. It takes an average of 23 minutes to complete, but be sure to hang out for a while, take pictures, visit the engine house, and explore the giant boulders.

At Johnson’s Shut-Ins take the paved trail down to see the shut-ins. It’s an easy .3 mile paved trail that leads to the observation area. That is as far as you need to go for this challenge.

Be sure to take lots of pictures and use the hashtag “thebigrockchallenge”

Difficult – 6 Hikes

The first hike is the Silver Mines Trail (only to the dam and back out to your car – the water is usually too high to cross the dam). This trail is pretty rocky and often wet, making the rocks extra slick. This is a moderately challenging hike. Please note that there is a day use fee of $5 per vehicle – there is a self-service pay station in the parking lot.

The next hike is at Millstream Gardens Conservation Area. You will be taking the Tiemann Shut-Ins Trail. This is considered an easy route. The 1.9 mile out and back trail is paved with benches along the way. It ends at the Cat’s Paw overlook with gorgeous views.

Next up we have Taum Sauk/Mina Sauk Falls. Be sure to stop at the Taum Sauk Mountain Overlook and take pictures along your way, as this is the highest point in Missouri. Just a few more minutes down the road you will come to the Mina Sauk Falls trail head. This is a moderately challenging trail. It is rocky and can be wet/slick. This trail is a 2.9 mile loop – you will begin and end in the parking lot. This hike takes approximately one hour and 20 minutes to complete. If you visit this trail when the falls are flowing – it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Next, at Johnson’s Shut-Ins you will do the full 2.4 mile Shut-Ins Trail. This loop takes approximately one hour to complete and is considered moderately challenging. This trail is beautiful with beautiful scenery all along the way.

The next hike is Elephant Rocks: Take the full loop, known as Braille Trail. This is an easy 1.2-mile loop. It takes an average of 23 minutes to complete, but be sure to hang out for a while, take pictures, visit the engine house, and explore the giant boulders.

The last of the 6 hikes is at Hughes Mountain. You will do the Devil’s Honeycomb trail. This is a 1.6 miles out and back trail. It takes approximately one hour to complete and is considered moderately challenging.

Be sure to take lots of pictures and use the hashtag “thebigrockchallenge”

Disclaimer: You should consult your physician or other health care professional before starting The Big Rock Challenge or any other fitness program to determine if it is right for your needs. Do not start The Big Rock Challenge if your physician or health care provider advises against it.

For more information on the Big Rock Challenge, see the front desk.