Having trouble finding info and pics of large hills/small mountains in MO. Please help. (Springfield: ski resorts, home)

[benandgrace]

Hello. It's my first time visiting the MO forum. I live around Springfield IL and I'm wanting to go on a scenic drive through some large hills or some mountains. I'm guessing that MO would be the closest state to me for that but even after searching online I have no idea which area within MO to drive to. The links below are all that I have found so far and they are around Branson, which is 5 hours and probably farther than some mountanous places closer to the Springfield IL area. I would prefer driving through mountains but large hills (like in the links) would do. I hear the term Ozark 'mountains' used but I haven't been able to find a pic of a mountain in MO. Mountains are anything above 2000 ft, if I'm not mistaken. I've seen some splotches of green on mapquest.com in towns such as newburg, steelville, waynesville, cherryville, davisville, etc. 3-4 hours from where I live but I can't find any pics to help me get an idea of what the hills are like.


http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc7164.php
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Google Image Result for http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RMN_jKuDh50/SCxq6VOywMI/AAAAAAAAA08/oVeUVqjtdJg/100_1396.JPG
from: branson MO mountains - Google Image Search

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RMN_jKuDh50/SCxq6VOywMI/AAAAAAAAA08/oVeUVqjtdJg/100_1396.JPG&imgrefurl=http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_iscBDKgzUG8ESEv1JfcA&h=1052&w=1600&sz=7&hl=en&sta rt=57&tbnid=J3rJXlBhJkyZGM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbranson%2BMO%2Bmountains%26start%3D40 %26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ie%3DU TF-8
from: http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&ndsp=20&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=branson+MO+mountains&start=40&sa=N


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The large hills in the link below are in San Antonio TX. Does MO have hills this large to see while driving or otherwise? It would be great to see some pics and/or receive some helpful advice. Thanks for any help.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...s-hills-6.html

[aragx6]

If you agree with some that mountains are above 2000ft (I've heard this before) then you are coming to MO a few million years too late for that. The Ozarks and the St. Francois mountains (these are the ones closest to you, as well as the one with the highest mountain) are incredibly old and a bit tuckered out, so they're much more like hills nowadays. The history of these mountains are very interesting if you're into that sort of thing.

That being said, the highest point in Missouri is Taum Sauk mountain (which is about 1700 ft above sea level), which actually isn't too long a drive for you. at about 4 hours. The state park through there is very lovely, though you'll think it more "hilly" in all likelihood. For more info on the state park see the MO state parks Web site: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - Home - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR

If you don't mind a longer drive head into Kentucky, as there are far more mountains as you head into the Appalachians. Kentucky's highest point is Black Mountain, which is over 4000 ft above sea level.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by benandgrace

Hello. It's my first time visiting the MO forum. I live around Springfield IL and I'm wanting to go on a scenic drive through some large hills or some mountains. I'm guessing that MO would be the closest state to me for that but even after searching online I have no idea which area within MO to drive to. The links below are all that I have found so far and they are around Branson, which is 5 hours and probably farther than some mountanous places closer to the Springfield IL area. I would prefer driving through mountains but large hills (like in the links) would do. I hear the term Ozark 'mountains' used but I haven't been able to find a pic of a mountain in MO. Mountains are anything above 2000 ft, if I'm not mistaken. I've seen some splotches of green on mapquest.com in towns such as newburg, steelville, waynesville, cherryville, davisville, etc. 3-4 hours from where I live but I can't find any pics to help me get an idea of what the hills are like.

http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc7164.php
------------

Google Image Result for http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RMN_jKuDh50/SCxq6VOywMI/AAAAAAAAA08/oVeUVqjtdJg/100_1396.JPG
from: branson MO mountains - Google Image Search

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The large hills in the link below are in San Antonio TX. Does MO have hills this large to see while driving or otherwise? It would be great to see some pics and/or receive some helpful advice. Thanks for any help.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...s-hills-6.html

BenandGrace...hello! Welcome to our corner of cyberMO!

The Ozark Mountains that you've heard about were formed differently than many other mountain ranges...they were formed by erosion. So they don't stick up from the plateau, they are cut down into it. I'm mostly familiar with the Stone County/Taney County/Ozark County areas...and there are a number of scenic drives where you'll see landscapes easily equal to the photos in your San Antonio thread.

One of the most fun ways to see the scenery is to float by...Dawt Mill - enjoy some of the Ozarks finest fishing, canoeing, camping and lodging

[mrschilicook]

Personally, I would classify most of the elevation changes in these parts as hills and bluffs...In checking out the MO map, there aren't many mountains indicated and the few are about 1200 feet. But there are lots of scenic drives thru the hills and even Arkansas has some spectacular scenery in some of the forests and parks.

If your looking for bigger mountains, I think you are closest to the Appalachians (sp?).
Look for ski resorts...that's where you'll find real mountains generally.

[benandgrace]

Originally Posted by aragx6

If you agree with some that mountains are above 2000ft (I've heard this before) then you are coming to MO a few million years too late for that. The Ozarks and the St. Francois mountains (these are the ones closest to you, as well as the one with the highest mountain) are incredibly old and a bit tuckered out, so they're much more like hills nowadays. The history of these mountains are very interesting if you're into that sort of thing.

That being said, the highest point in Missouri is Taum Sauk mountain (which is about 1700 ft above sea level), which actually isn't too long a drive for you. at about 4 hours. The state park through there is very lovely, though you'll think it more "hilly" in all likelihood. For more info on the state park see the MO state parks Web site: Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - Home - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR

If you don't mind a longer drive head into Kentucky, as there are far more mountains as you head into the Appalachians. Kentucky's highest point is Black Mountain, which is over 4000 ft above sea level.

Thanks for the helpful info. Now I know I shouldn't drive to MO specificly for small mountains/large hills but can still appreciate that scenery while driving through the state. One of these days I think I'll plan a trip with the following stops: current river, Branson, magazine mountain (2750, tallest mnt in AR), Talimena scenic drive (between Mena, Ar and Talihina OK Talimena Scenic Drive in Oklahoma and Arkansas , Things To Do Near the Talimena Scenic Drive and http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...rives-u-s.html ). Then I might continue on til' I get to Lake Texoma in northern Texas. I could be wrong but I think that's about as good as it gets when leaving central IL for a fairly short vacation.

[ShadowCaver]

as a geology prof and I chatted one night, 'tis not that our mountains are high, its that our hollers are deep...

[Inoxkeeper]

The Jacks Fork is way prettier than the Current. Jacks has huge 300 to 400' bluffs, the Current doesn't...

If you want something closer check out the Rockpile Mountain CA on the St. Francis. Lee's bluff is right there and about 350' Rockpile has many hiking trails and is pretty stinking steep.

While in that area you could also check out Elephant Rock, Silver Mines, Amadon and Millstream Gardens. There is lots to see on the Hwy72 corridor

[Darlynn0217]

Go south!! Anywhere around the Lake, is hilly! You can see some great aerial shots at my website of the beautiful countryside. (www.sslandcompany.com)

And don't forget dogwood canyon! Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Just go south on Hwy 13, to Hwy 86. It doesn't matter which way you travel, it will be beautiful!

Like this.. near Shell Knob, or this



near Kimberling City. It's beautiful!!

[Darlynn0217]

Originally Posted by Lake Junkie

One of the most fun ways to see the scenery is to float by...Dawt Mill - enjoy some of the Ozarks finest fishing, canoeing, camping and lodging

Uh huh! And when are we doing this?????? (As you know, Scottie is on "vacation". Did you say you needed a carpenter?? )

I need a float trip!!

[benandgrace]

Originally Posted by Darlynn0217

Go south!! Anywhere around the Lake, is hilly! You can see some great aerial shots at my website of the beautiful countryside. (www.sslandcompany.com)

And don't forget dogwood canyon! Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Just go south on Hwy 13, to Hwy 86. It doesn't matter which way you travel, it will be beautiful!

Like this..Attachment 24114 near Shell Knob, or this

Attachment 24115

near Kimberling City. It's beautiful!!

Those look like nice areas. Would you say the following link seems is the highest drivable elevation around Branson? http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc7164.php I'm not sure what direction coming into Branson it is but I think it looks real nice. I wonder if there's more areas like it.