Missouri Frozen Butt Hang 2018/2019

[Br@nch]

I checked out the website for Taum Sauk. They state that the group site is available for "non-profit organized youth groups". While we are definitely non-profit, I'm not sure we qualify for the youth or organized categories. I may go ahead and check anyway, but I'm not too hopeful and I'm a dedicated procrastinator...

Otherwise, I'll probably take the day, or at least the afternoon off, and go down and snag a couple of camp sites. Prices are a little lower in the off-season, and early January is about as off as it gets.

mathineer

Thanks Mathineer! I plan on taking half the day off as well to try to get there a little early, if I can.

[Groundskeeper]

Taum Sauk website also says 2 inch tree straps are required at the appropriate height per "special management rule," whatever that means. It is also first come, first served. So many rules. No wonder I just camp on my own property.

[Br@nch]

Taum Sauk website also says 2 inch tree straps are required at the appropriate height per "special management rule," whatever that means. It is also first come, first served. So many rules. No wonder I just camp on my own property.

2" tree straps Will do.....

[mathineer]

Taum Sauk website also says 2 inch tree straps are required at the appropriate height per "special management rule," whatever that means. It is also first come, first served. So many rules. No wonder I just camp on my own property.

Where is that? I can't find it on the website.

I have camped there many times with standard 1" tree straps.

mathineer

[mathineer]

Where is that? I can't find it on the website.

I have camped there many times with standard 1" tree straps.

mathineer

I found it: https://mostateparks.com/page/54939/...nd-regulations

Those are apparently general rules for all Missouri parks.

mathineer

[twentybelow]

I agree with Elmer that rules can be quite a nuisance. According to the MO parks website, at Taum Sauk SP the camping fee per site is $12/night, with a maximum of two vehicles and two "sleeping units" per site. Based on Mathineer's comment, I assume they won't enforce the 2" tree strap rule. Hopefully they won't enforce the prohibition of bringing firewood from home either. Or the "two sleeping units per site" rule. Or the "maximum of six people using a designated campsite" rule if we all congregate around one fire ring. And what happens on the second night when (presumably) we will be camping down near the falls? Will we have to pay for a second night? Just wondering.

[mathineer]

I agree with Elmer that rules can be quite a nuisance. According to the MO parks website, at Taum Sauk SP the camping fee per site is $12/night, with a maximum of two vehicles and two "sleeping units" per site. Based on Mathineer's comment, I assume they won't enforce the 2" tree strap rule. Hopefully they won't enforce the prohibition of bringing firewood from home either. Or the "two sleeping units per site" rule. Or the "maximum of six people using a designated campsite" rule if we all congregate around one fire ring. And what happens on the second night when (presumably) we will be camping down near the falls? Will we have to pay for a second night? Just wondering.

There is a large parking lot at the trailhead. If we park there on day 2, there is no charge.

As for the 2" tree strap, I have no idea when that rule came about or how diligent they are about enforcing it - it might be recent. I'll probably go ahead and buy some 2" webbing and make myself some straps since the rule apparently applies to all MO parks. It'd be a bummer to get called on it and forced to leave. That said, I doubt most rangers are going to go around inspecting folks that are acting responsibly. They generally just drive by and wave if you see them at all.

We can switch to some other place if folks are worried about it. Hazel Creek campsite is on National Forest and the OT runs through there. It's pretty remote. It's not near as pretty a site, though, but the creek runs right by the campground. 20below - you probably went through there on your through hike of the OT!

mathineer

[twentybelow]

There is a large parking lot at the trailhead. If we park there on day 2, there is no charge.

mathineer

I saw that trailhead parking lot on the map and wondered if free overnight parking was allowed there. Thanks for clearing that up! How many campsites are there at Taum Sauk? We might need quite a few if we have a large turnout like last year.

Yes, I remember the Hazel Creek campground from my OT thru-hike... "remote" is an accurate description!

Looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the gang again. One year between meet-ups is too long!

[mathineer]

I saw that trailhead parking lot on the map and wondered if free overnight parking was allowed there. Thanks for clearing that up! How many campsites are there at Taum Sauk? We might need quite a few if we have a large turnout like last year.

Yes, I remember the Hazel Creek campground from my OT thru-hike... "remote" is an accurate description!

Looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the gang again. One year between meet-ups is too long!

I think there are about 12 pay sites. Number 9 is my favorite! Number 9, number 9, number 9... Number 6 is my second choice. (And if a six turned out to be 9, well I don't mind...)

I definitely want to get out more in the coming year. Once a year just ain't enough!

mathineer

[twentybelow]

I think there are about 12 pay sites. Number 9 is my favorite! Number 9, number 9, number 9... Number 6 is my second choice. (And if a six turned out to be 9, well I don't mind...)

I definitely want to get out more in the coming year. Once a year just ain't enough!

mathineer

Careful with those 1960's music lyrics mathineer... you're giving away your age!

Speaking of oldies-but-goodies, I see the park offers a senior discount for which this geezer now qualifies. coo coo ca-choo!