AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Forest Park

Successional Forest–Jefferson Lake, 6 lakes

4.4 mi · ▲ 190 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Successional Forest–Jefferson Lake, 6 lakes is a 4.4-mile out-and-back in Forest Park near Clayton-Tamm, MO. The route passes Bowl Lake, Jefferson Lake, Colonial Daughter Fountain and 2 more. It is mostly level, with 190 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi459 – 545 ft6.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Heels Path 38.63236, -90.29077
Nearest town Clayton-Tamm, MO
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Successional Forest–Jefferson Lake, 6 lakes

4.4 mi · ▲ 190 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Elevation 460–546 ft

Out & Back · Forest Park

Trailhead: Heels Path · 38.63236, -90.29077

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:02 PM

Transit-accessible: River's Edge Station stop 206 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Heels Path, heading E.
  2. 300 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading NE.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  4. 150 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  5. 0.8 miBear right onto Heels Path, heading E.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  7. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  8. 400 ftPass Bowl Lake.
  9. 250 ftPass Jefferson Lake.
  10. 200 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  11. 50 ftBear left onto Heels Path, heading E.
  12. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Temporary Pedestrian & Cyclist Path, heading N.
  13. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  14. 450 ftSharp right, heading N.
  15. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  16. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  17. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  18. 100 ftBear left, heading N.
  19. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  20. 400 ftPass Colonial Daughter Fountain.
  21. 300 ftPass Water Lily Pond.
  22. 0.1 miPass Successional Forest.
  23. 0.2 miSharp left, heading SW.
  24. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  25. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  26. 300 ftReach Successional Forest, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  27. 300 ftTurn left, heading W.
  28. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  29. 0.2 miSharp right, heading SW.
  30. 0.4 miBear left, heading NE.
  31. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  32. 100 ftTurn right, heading N.
  33. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  34. 50 ftSharp right, heading N.
  35. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  36. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading SE.
  37. 0.2 miBear right onto Wheels Path, heading NE.
  38. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  39. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  40. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading E.
  41. 50 ftBear left onto Wheels Path, heading E.
  42. 0.8 miContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading S.
  43. 150 ftContinue straight onto Wheels Path, heading SE.
  44. 50 ftContinue straight onto Heels Path, heading SE.
  45. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/successional-forest-jefferson-lake-out-back-9-lakes

Trail surface

65% paved25% gravel8% dirt2% boardwalk

Weather

Sunrise 6:49 AMSunset 7:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~12 min). Leave by 6:29 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 0 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: River's Edge Station stop 206 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Heels Path Trailhead

Hikes near Clayton-Tamm, Missouri