Storment Hauss Nature Preserve Hike

Hike above sandstone canyons and along rocky streams deep in the woods at Storment Hauss Nature Preserve south of Waterloo, Ill.

This is a 1.3-mile hike that includes the single track before the loop and stops along the way with 128 feet of elevation gain.

It is rated moderately difficult due to its primitive natural tread surface and alignment that traverses ridges, ravines, and small rocky stream crossings.

At the Parking Lot

I head to the front of the lot where the trail begins in gravel.

Next, I come to a covered information center that has information about the trail. In a box, you will find a brochure that has a map that includes marked sites along the trail.

Start of the Trail

Now the natural surface of the trail begins in front of the information center.

The trail drops elevation and leads to Site 1.

I will reflect on the sites as I walk the trail.

Site 1

Cross the headwaters of South Fork Creek. It flows rapidly after rains but quickly dries to isolated pools that sustain small fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Here I came upon a 200-year-old oak tree. The disfigured growth at the base of the tree is a “Burl.” It develops from callous tissue that forms to heal an area of the tree as a result of a storm or injury.

Site 2

Also, to the left of the tree is Ridge Top Overlook. You can view the oak-hickory forested ravine below which contains the rocky stream and canyons that will soon further down the trail.

*Arrow shows the direction of the trail.*

Trail Markers

As you walk look for white arrows that keep you going in the right direction.

Site 3

Former owner David Storment planted several non-native white pine trees here. The sparse vegetation below is due to the pine needles that lower the soil pH.

Site 4

Next, I came to the sandstone waterfall and canyon overlook. The waterfall was barely dripping since it had been dry. Unlike most of Monroe County, the bedrock is Aux Vases sandstone, deposited in the Mississippian Period some 330 million years ago.

Site 5

A sign points to the right and a short trail fronted with a semicircle of stone markers leads to the David Storment Dog Cemetery. He selected this picturesque spot for the grave sites of his beloved pets, Duke and Jake, two purebred German Shepherds.

Back Area

I crossed a dry streambed.

The trail then goes above the interment waterfall and you can see the pool of water from this side.

Site 6

At the end of the Illinoian Stage of the Pleistocene, torrents of glacial melt carved slot canyons through the sandstone bedrock. Such ecosystems are much more common to the south, in the Shawnee National Forest. Here you will find mosses, liverworts, and ferns, growing on the sandstone. A lone American beech tree clings to the edge of the canyon.

Site 7

Dead fallen oaks create a sunny opening with lots of small trees and sun-loving plants crowding the area.

Creek Crossing

Then I cross the creek once more and find a small pool of water.

Site 8

A thicket of Spicebush, a native aromatic shrub, 6-12 feet fall grow here. I love to see the red fleshy seeded fruits that adorn the shrubs in September and October. Used in the past were the leaves for medicinal tea and the fruit as an alternative for Allspice.

Deer Blind

Next, I notice a deer blind in the distance I guess on a nearby property.

*Above the headwaters branch of South Fork Creek*

Site 9

The trail goes up to an overlook. The stream below is the western headwaters branch of the South Fork Creek which eventually flows into Horse Creek.

*Look for this sign to head back to the parking lot.*

Parking Lot Sign

Then I head up a hill and come to a sign with an arrow for the parking lot. This helps know to go left.

Return to Creek Crossing

Back at the first creek crossing, I stop for a moment to take pictures of the intermittent stream and how it flows through the rocks before heading back up to the trailhead. (main photo)

Information Center

I stop again at the information stand and see that on the wooden panel on the cement deck is more information. One board talks about the unique landscape and the other on Storment family history.

Then I head back to the parking lot after reading.

*Sign shares information on the unique landscape*

Final Thoughts

I would like to come back here in the spring when the water is flowing and flowers are blooming. Also, maybe in the fall sometime when the trees are changing their colors. This is a hike I would do with my son since he would enjoy the canyon and woods.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 255 and go east across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge and then take exit 6 and go south on Illinois Highway 3. Next, make a right onto Kaskaskia Road and then a left onto Mm Road. Next, make a right onto Reed Road. Then look for a blue 3326 sign in front of a gravel road that leads into the preserve.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: 3326 Reed Rd, Prairie Du Rocher, IL 62277