Hiking around stone foundations on the grounds of a former monastery was the highlight of my time at Saint Stanislaus Conservation Area.
Seminary History
This property was once part of the 999-acre historical St. Stanislaus Seminary which was originally started in 1823 in the then Louisiana Territory by eight Belgian Jesuit missionaries, including Father De Smet, under the encouragement of Bishop DuBourg and President James Monroe.
The main brick buildings of the seminary can be found near the intersection of Howdershell and Charbonier Road and are now part of the United Pentecostal Church International.
The conservation land once used by the mission was known as St. Stanislaus Villa, a retreat for the seminary students, and where the seminary mined their coal.
MY TIME HERE
I hiked a 2.5-mile loop trail going up into the bluff then by the ruins and back down along Cowmire Creek that flows into the Missouri River.
Beginning the Hike
I parked in a gravel lot off Aubuchon Road then walked along a paved path leading into the conservation area.
Before the Bridge
At an intersection of trails before the bridge, I found an information sign on Lewis and Clark noting Charbonier Bluff here on May 16, 1804.
It is one of their first observations after leaving Wood River and Missouri’s only landscape listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Starting the Main Loop
The main loop trail begins after the bridge.
Intersecting with the main loop trail, there is a trail that goes right to the top where the ruins are. If you just want to see them and go this is the trail for you.
I wanted to explore the area, so I went to the right on the main loop following Cowmire Creek. Looking down I saw a large tree trunk half-submerged in the rocky creek bed before coming near Charbonier Road.
A second parking lot is across the road. If you want to do a much longer hike, you can park here and take a trail that goes east to Harry S. Truman Park in Hazelwood, Mo.
Going Up the Bluff
Instead of heading towards the road I hung a left and went up the trail to the top of what is known as Charbonier Bluff.
Easy to follow the trail, but it is a workout going uphill.
On my right ravines and mounds go into the woods. I think these might have been where they mined coal at one time.
Antenna Farm
At the top of the hill, I noticed a side trail on the right and went to see where it led. It went to a road and an antenna farm. Was hoping to come across a view, but all I saw were fields and trees.
Old Monastery Road
I walked back disappointed through the woods to the main trail. Then I came to two stone cairns and now towards the monastery ruins walking along a former road that was rocky and had red cobblestones in places.
On the ground nearby were some torn-up pillars.
Far Off Views
I stopped for a moment to notice through the trees distance river views and could see bluffs across the Missouri River valley. I came to a tall tree and looked down into the flood plain where I had started the hike.
Then I took a far-off shot of the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles.
The Ruins
I was thinking I missed the ruins until I came across a stone foundation for a small building.
Recently an animal had dug a large hole next to the rock wall, possibly a groundhog.
Following the ridge down I came across stone pillars leaning to the right and others farther in the woods.
I crossed a bridge with a metal chain on each side connected to two pillars.
The trail led up to another foundation that was fronted by stairs.
Next to the stairs was ivy that still grew here planted long ago when this was a retreat.
In the middle were two round cement structures that now held water, almost looking like former wells.
Down Slope
After checking out the structures I followed the slope down passing by a fallen tree now filled with white mushrooms.
Then the trail becomes steep. If I had my son with me I would have to help him down. It was also muddy so this made it even harder.
To the River
At the bottom, I was now by Cowmire Creek where it empties into the Missouri River. A side trail follows the trail to the Missouri River, but this was really muddy so I stopped and took a photo then turned to my left to take the valley trail back towards the trailhead.
Creek Walk
The trail was flat but muddy and not easy to walk along and I slipped once or twice. It sometimes went close to the creek ravine.
On the plus side, I came across the hoofs of deer. In muddy places, you can easily see animal footprints.
Beaver Bend
I looked down into the creek to see a lot of brush and tree trunks in the water.
Then in front of me, a tree cut by beavers and many more after it. The splinters were all around one tree like he was just here and scared him away when I walked into the area.
Finally, the trail came out of the mud and I was back where the side trail went straight up to the ruins.
Final Thoughts
Seeing all the ruins scattered across ravines and hill were the best part of the hike. Also, the walk along the bluffs allowed for distant views. The creek walk gave me a glimpse into a busy beaver world.
TWO OTHER TRAILS
.75 Mile Hike
The .75-mile flat path is to the left before the Cowmire Creek bridge. It leads to wetlands and near cultivated fields and dead-ends at Bryan Island Chute.
Paved Loop
After hiking the main loop I walked the short-paved loop before the bridge. At the start of the trail on the right were high prairie grasses. Then trees filled my view in a dark bottomland forest and then I looped back to the main trail.
It was a quiet space to relax in nature, although a bit eerie in the tangle of woods.
DETAILS:
Note: Roads to the conservation area can be closed due to flooding do not attempt to drive here since the conservation area would also be flooded. No restrooms.
Drive: Take Missouri 370 to Exit 9 for Missouri Bottom Road and follow it until it becomes Aubuchon Road and continue until you see the conservation sign pointing to a short gravel road with potholes that end in parking.
Hours: 4 a.m. – 10 p.m., Daily
Address: Saint Stanislaus Conservation Area Hazelwood, Mo. 63042
MORE ST. LOUIS AREA HALLOWEEN HIKES
Halloween Hikes: Robertsville State Park Cemetery Walk
Views of the Meramec River and walk through spicebush and lush forests and creeks can be found at Robertsville State Park along with a trip to an electrified cemetery.
Halloween Hikes: Route 66 State Park
Hiking along a former street in a ghost town near the skeletal remains of a Route 66 bridge across the Meramec River was my destination. This area has a lot of history, from once being a resort town to becoming contaminated by the dangerous chemical of dioxin.
Halloween Hikes: Fort Belle Fontaine
Grounds of a former 19th-century U.S. Military installation and ruins of a popular summer retreat in the 1930s can be explored at Fort Belle Fontaine County Park in North St. Louis County.
Rumors are this place is haunted by soldiers and it does have an eerie vibe to it with all the ruins.
Halloween Hikes are hikes that I spotlight in October that fit the spirit of Halloween. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do in the future. Also, post any questions you might have on the hikes!
