Taking The Green Rock Trail Challenge

Four busloads of hikers braved record high temperatures and the deafening whir of locusts for Wildwood’s Green Rock Trail Challenge on Saturday. Sign-ups for the annual event filled early, and registration was closed weeks ago.    

Participants gathered in the Muckerman Shelter at St. Louis County's for breakfast treats provided by the municipality. Wildwood Mayor Tim Woerther, and many other city officials and staff, welcomed attendees.

After Woerther welcomed the hikers, The Open Space Council for the St. Louis region director Ron Coleman spoke. “The first Green Rock Trail event was held eight years ago, with cooperation from the city,” he said, noting that council and Wildwood representatives have worked together to host many outdoor events for the community. 

Coleman and two Open Space Council staff members attended the event to promote their new program, where hikers and walkers will be able to get their passport stamped in many area parks. 

Green Rock's 7- to 8-mile hike over rough terrain began after hikers were shuttled to . The winding trail is partly in Rockwoods Reservation and partly in Greensfelder Park. It crosses Melrose Road, approximately at the halfway point, and here the city had a courtesy water station and a sag wagon.  The hike ended back at the Muckerman Shelter for lunch.

Wildwood residents were given first chance during registration, but many St. Louis area hikers signed up for the perennially popular hike.  One group, the St. Louis Trails Club, was well represented with eight hikers in attendance. 

Jane and Cliff Brady, of Wildwood, met the buses at Rockwoods Reservation and planned to do a portion of the trail with their grandson. “We’re definitely a hiking family,” said Cliff Brady, pointing to the couple’s matching 2008 Green Rock Trail Challenge T-shirts. “We just returned from hiking trips with friends and family in California and Colorado."

Wildwood residents Dan, Elizabeth and James Sullivan, along with Matt Legner, were eager to get on the trail.  All are regular hikers at Wildwood events.  “I really like this trail because I’ve done trail building here with the ,” noted Legner. 

Troop 456 Boy Scout Alex Vandover, along with his parents, Cliff and Nancy Vandover, of Wildwood, were looking forward to a great family hike on Saturday.  Alex completed a 12-day wilderness backpacking trip last year at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and Nancy is planning a Pikes Peak, CO, hiking trip with girlfriends.  “This is a great way to stay in shape for that!” she said.