Post-Dispatch Lake–Catfish Cove, 5 lakes
2.7 mi · ▲ 54 ft · 56 min
Post-Dispatch Lake–Catfish Cove, 5 lakes is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Forest Park near Wydown Skinker, MO. The route passes Post-Dispatch Lake, Catfish Cove, Deer Lake and Fishtail Pond before reaching Bullfrog Pond at the turnaround, 1.3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 54 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Post-Dispatch Lake–Catfish Cove, 5 lakes
2.7 mi · ▲ 54 ft · 56 min
Elevation 464–527 ft
Out & Back · Forest Park
Trailhead: 38.63856, -90.29214
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
Transit-accessible: Fine Arts at St. Louis Zoo stop 171 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Post-Dispatch Lake.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 150 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading NE.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Wheels Path, heading W.
- 0.3 miPass Catfish Cove.
- 50 ftPass Deer Lake.
- 50 ftPass Fishtail Pond.
- 50 ftPass Bullfrog Pond.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
- 50 ftReach Post-Dispatch Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.4 miSharp right, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading SE.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading W.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 6:12 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Fine Arts at St. Louis Zoo stop 171 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Successional Forest–Post-Dispatch Lake, 4 lakes 2 mi · ▲ 82 ft
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