Welcome
to Prairie State Park! This is my favorite State Park. It represents the
largest patch of native prairie left in Missouri, which used to cover nearly
1/3rd of the state. Not too long ago Bison and elk used to roam Missouri in
the millions, now they are virtually nonexistent. This state park is home to
nearly 100 bison, and a small herd of elk. It covers 3,500 acres.
As you walk through the prairie imagine what
a sight it must have been when one could stand and see an unbroken sea of
grass from horizon to horizon. Watch for hawks, prairie chickens, wild
flowers, and white-tailed deer. If you get the chance, watch the bison play,
eat, stand, eat some more, and do a bit more standing. Ask the naturalist why
they have such small hind quarters.
The cache is in Prairie State Park. You can
walk the Path of the Sky People from the Tzi-Sho Natural Area to get to the
cache. This should be about a two mile hike.
The
other way to the cache is much more interesting. Go to the Visitor Center and
park. You are one and a half miles from the cache at the parking lot. The
trail to the Backpack Camp will lead you most of the way to the cache. The
trail is mowed and very easy to walk. However, be advised that once you enter
the park you are in Bison territory. If you plan to use this trail check with
the park officials first to inquire about the whereabouts of the herd. Also
you will need to cross an electric fence. The trail leads you right to the
crossing. The wires carrying the current will be insulated (covered) with
black plastic at this area.
After
you cross the wires the trail that heads South will lead you right to the
cache. It winds a lot, but I suggest you follow it, as there are briars
throughout the prairie and they are tougher than you are! The cache is a large
ammo can that is placed on the back side of a large upside down metal dome.
Leave it outside of the metal dome. This will be very easy to find.
Why not to turn over rocks? Rocks in a
prairie (or other terrestrial environment) rarely get turned over in nature.
Lichen growing on top of a rock in this prairie could easily be more than 20
years old (perhaps much older). These moss and lichen patches are virtual
forests to the microscopic creatures that live on them (such as mites,
nematodes, tardigrades (water bears), etc). Also, rocks are important habitat
for larger animals such as scorpions, tarantulas, lizards, and snakes. In this
case an endangered species of Skink (a type of lizard) lives in Prairie SP. So
please, no rock flipping!
Original
contents of the cache:
I placed a short book (Where Buffalo Roam) in
the cache for you to thumb through. They can be purchased cheaply at the
visitor center. Please leave the book in the cache for others to enjoy.
3 Spiffy Multifunction Knives (for the kids)
2 Swell Flashlights (for Mom and Dad)
2 Keen Decks of Cards (play a little poker)
2 Groovy Emergency Ponchos (if it's a rainy day)
2 Ducky Toy Cars (for Dad)
1 Nifty set of measuring spoons (for measuring)
1 Cool Shrunken Washcloth (wash up the kids)
1 Awesome Pack of Magic Cards (fun in the car)
1 Great 16 Inch Inflatable Globe (more fun in the car)
1 Wonderful Pair of BIG Scissors
1 Stone Cold set of Philips and Plane Screwdrivers
(First three photos below taken by
A_Pineapple)