Emmenegger Nature Park, named after Russell Emmenegger, the last private owner of the property that would become the Park, is a 93-acre forested area owned by the City of Kirkwood. It is adjacent to a 15-acre Conservation Area named Possum Woods, though it is hard to tell where one begins and the other ends. For what it’s worth, this is a special bit of tranquility just outside of the St. Louis.

The Park includes an easy 2 mile trail, though there are plenty of spurs leading off to encourage further exploration (be sure to mind the signage though!) that open up possibilities for enjoyment of the Park. Taking one such spur led to the Meramec River, shimmering a greenish blue through the foliage. Another led to a lean-to structure comprised of branches. The morning that I hiked there with my buddy Isaac, it was hovering around the freezing mark (a favorite time to hike) and there was just enough Fall color left to make photography interesting.

Isaac climbing over some fallen logs

photo horizon seems off, but it actually correct- there is a couple hundred feet of elevation change between the riverbank and the highest point