Check the Trail of Tears State Park Hours of Operation web page
http://www.mostateparks.com/trailoftears/hours.htm before visiting
in the winter. There may be some road closures after snowfall.
Sheppard Trail may still be open, but it's a 1.5 mile hike to the
trail head from the visitor center. From mid-spring to mid-fall,
the only areas at Trail of Tears that DON'T have poison ivy are the
trails, frequently mown areas and the lake! In the area of the
cache there are rock ledges on which snakes might like to sun
themselves; there are rattlesnakes in Southeast Missouri. Between
the two, the poison ivy is probably the greatest nuisance! You're
much to big for a snake to eat! 
Coordinates for the parking area are given in the listing. These
will put you at the trailhead of Sheppard Point Trail.
After you start the initial hike, you will face a branch in the
path that leads roughly east or west. Either way, the total hike is
about 1.75 miles to this point, around the loop and back. I
strongly recommend the entire hike for the scenery: Bluffs over the
Mighty Mississippi River and up and down through the woods. One
choice could let you get this done in as little as 1.2 miles, all
the way around 1.75, another would be the long route and a 2.4 mile
hike. Choose wisely.
The cache is not far off the trail, but will eventually involve
climbing, and a little bushwacking, up or down a slope that is
34-40 degrees.
This will probably be a strenuous hike for the average person.
Plan on 1-1/2 to 2 hours to hike and seek. I did the hike and hide
in an hour and 12 minutes and speed walked the downhill and level
stretches.
There are two great spots to stop along the trail, rest and
catch the view across the river to Illinois and Bald Knob Cross in
Alto Pass, IL.
The best: N37 26.714 x W 089 27.111
The other: N 37 26.929 x W 089 27.392
While you're in the area, why not log the Bee
Bluff (NGS Benchmark)> which you will find @ N37 26.725 x
W89 27.128
From Cape Girardeau, take 177 North about 14 miles and turn into
the first park entrance, Moccasin Springs. The visitors center is
about 1/2 mile on the left. Sheppard Point Trailhead is
approximately 2 miles from the entrance.
Trail of Tears State Park is approximately two to two and
one-half hours from the St. Louis area. Travel south on I-55 to
Exit 105 (Fruitland/Jackson). Take Hwy. 61 north for approximately
one mile. Turn right onto Hwy. 177 and continue for seven miles. At
the four-way stop in front of the Proctor and Gamble Plant, turn
right to stay on Hwy. 177. Continue on Hwy. 177 for another 2.8
miles. The entrance to the state park, Moccasin Springs, will be on
the left right before the Hwy. 177/Route V intersection.
Trail of Tears State Park is located in Cape Girardeau County,
north of Cape Girardeau, MO. It is a reminder of the hardships
endured by the Cherokee Indians, in the early 1800's, on the forced
march from their homelands to Indian Territory in the west.
Administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources,
this 3,416-acre park is the only Missouri state park located
directly on the Mississippi River. The forests consist of white
oak, black oak, and tulip poplar, covering sharp ridges and steep
ravines. Park visitors are likely to see deer, turkey, several
different types of hawks, foxes, and bald eagles in the winter.
An excellent visitors center is located along the drive to the
trailhead of Sheppard Point Trail. Lake Boutin is a nice fishing
lake with multiple picnic areas and a swimming beach. There are
also several scenic overlooks with the best being a road that
branches off to the north near Lake Boutin.
A Missouri DNR Official Geocaching Placement Permit has been
obtained and is on record.
