Halloween Hikes: Finding a Cave on Zombie Trail West

On the Zombie West Trail, go into a shallow cave below a cliff overhang and listen to the sound of a dripping waterfall.

This is a 7.2-mile hike with 443 feet of elevation gain, and I would rate it as difficult in parts due to hills and rocky terrain.

However, there are some easy sections along the valley section of the walk.

This trail is accessed from the Al Foster Trail Meramec Greenway Trailhead as it does not have its own trailhead.

The complete hike includes the Al Foster Memorial Trail, Bluff View Trail, the Bluff View Connector Trail, and finally, the Zombie West Trail, and returning on the Rock Hollow Trail.

The walk has various surfaces, such as dirt, rock, gravel, and pavement.

Why Is It Called Zombie Trail?

NOTE: (Also, Explained in Zombie Trail East Blog Story)

The Rock Hollow Trail was once unpaved and was only a dirt or gravel path leading to the railroad tracks. Stories of hauntings begin in the 1860s.

One story goes that an early settler was killed by a train and haunts these woods. It is also said that a killer lived in a shack and would attack young lovers in the woods.

Lastly, people say a man named Zombie escaped a mental institution and fled into this area, leaving blood-soaked clothes.

This was my hiking destination during the daylight hours before the zombies came out. The trail closes before dark.

*Walk along the park road heading south towards the Meramec River / Photo from an earlier hike*

Start of the Hike

I parked at the Al Foster Trailhead. Walk towards Grand Avenue, which dead ends here. Across the street, the Al Foster Trail begins.

You will come to a Y. Go to the left. If you go to the right, you will come to the end of the trail along the Meramec River below a cliff.

Bluff View Trail

Next, I walked 0.35 miles down the gravel Al Foster Trail and arrived at a green sign for the Bluff View Trail. I turned onto the Bluff View Trail, which is located behind the sign.

Along here are cliffs, and on rainy days, water drips down the side of them.

Bluff View Connector

Next, I came to an intersection and went to the right to follow the Bluff View Connector Trail. The Bluff View Trail goes to the left along the cliffs. At the intersection, there is a “You Are Here” sign.

*Small rail tracks go through here for the small gauge Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad. This small train is fun for young kids and the young at heart.*

I cross the miniature train tracks used for a children’s train ride and turn left.

The trail surface in this area is chert. I walk through a small evergreen forest and come to an incline. Then, I notice cliffs to the far left.

On the right, I see a rusty mangled pole, but I’m not sure what purpose it served in the past.

Start of the Zombie Trail

After walking 1.10 miles, I came to a trail on the left marked with a trail post and a map on a tree by it. Make the left onto this trail, and now you are on Zombie West.

Along the path, I encounter a small rocky stream before reaching another intersection.

*Going to the left to continue on the trail.*

I turn left to continue on Zombie West.

Now, I come to a rocky area to hike along.

*This rock pile built for mountain bikers.*

Then, I see a rock pile created by the mountain bikers.

Next, I walk through another evergreen grove.

Come to a cliff where a tree has grown around it.

A green marker on a tree shows I have gone one mile on Zombie West.

Mile Two

I had to watch my step since it was muddy and leaf-covered.

Two ways to hike that loop back to each other-- your choice! — *Two ways to hike that loop back to each other– your choice!*

Then I came to a sign on a tree with a black arrow on an orange circle pointed to the left, and below it read “Hard.”

I also saw another tree with a black arrow on an orange circle to the right. The trail can be hiked in either direction, with the upper section being a rock terrace and the lower part below the terrace. I chose to hike the lower section.

This area is rock-filled with views of hills across the valley.

Then, I stopped at a round rock that looked like a bandstand.

Now I come to Mile Marker 3, somehow missing the Mile Marker 2.

Mile Three

Now, I am closer to the Rock Hollow Trail below, which the Zombie Trail goes above, and I spot a bridge across a creek down there.

*You can shorten the hike, but you would miss the best part by taking this trail to the Rock Hollow Trail.*

Next, I come to a creek crossing. A trail goes to the left if you want to shorten the hike, but you would miss the best part: a cave and a waterfall.

Waterfalls

First, I pass by a small waterfall carved by a brook through the lichen-filled rock.

Then, I came to the larger waterfall from a circular cliff. A nearby tree is marked with a sign and map in front of it.

I went down to it, taking in the view of the rock shelf, the falls, and the round pool below.

Then I cross above a small brook flowing down through the cliffside.

Small Cave

After a short walk, the trail passes over the top of the cave.

*View from just below the cave. The main blog photo has the view from inside it.*

You can walk under the rock shelf, which forms a small cave. Water drips down from the top.

After passing the cave, I cross above a ravine.

After the Cave

I came across a stone streambed with water flowing from a rock shelf.

Now, I go by some large boulders scattered across the path.

Then, cross a muddy brook before arriving at the Rock Hollow Trail.

Making a right onto the Rock Hollow Trail. — *Making a right onto the Rock Hollow Trail*.

Rock Hollow Trail Section

This is the easiest section of the hike. Make a right onto this trail.

This trail crosses rocky brooks on wide wooden bridges.

You can stop along benches for breaks. An Information sign at this rest stop provides historical context about the area and the native plant life.

Last Section of the Zombie West Trail

I came to a second Zombie West Sign pointing to the right. This is the last section of the trail that forms the loop.

NOTE: (You can skip this section, continue on the paved Rock Hollow Trail, and then return to the Al Foster Trail, returning it to the trailhead.)

*Back on the rocky and natural surface paths*

This trail climbs again into the hills, but at a lower elevation, before reconnecting with the section I had already hiked.

Then, I return to the Al Foster Trail and retrace my previous steps.

*View of the Meramec River along the trail*

Along the Al Foster Trail, I see the Meramec River flowing fast.

Then, I am back at the trailhead.

Final Thoughts

The strenuous hike includes rock surfaces, muddy sections (especially after rain), and switchbacks along the ridges. My favorite part was at the end, with a cave and a waterfall.

It’s nice that you can walk an easy section with the Rock Hollow Trail after seeing these sights. This area is scenic, considering it’s so close to suburban West County.

MORE TRAIL INFORMATION

You can combine Zombie Trail West and Zombie Trail East to cover a total distance of 9.7 miles. Zombie Trail East is 2.7 miles long, while Zombie Trail West is 3.6 miles long.

DETAILS

All year long, Restrooms are near the parking lot. Dogs should be leashed.

Drive: Take Interstate 44 west out of St. Louis. Then, take exit 264 to go north on Missouri Highway 109. Make a right onto Old State Road and then a quick right onto Washington Avenue, which goes to the trailhead parking lot.

Address: 225 Grand Ave, Wildwood, MO 63038

Hours: Sunrise to a half hour after sunset.