2025 -RECONFIGURED – Course
2025 The North Face Shaw Bloom Trail 10k/20k Reconfigured Course (due to flooding)
2025 Shaw Bloom Trail 10k/20k Course Description-
NOTE: Due to expected major flooding on the Meramec River on Tuesday, April 8, we are currently working with the Shaw Nature Reserve to determine what steps we will need to take for this year’s run. As of 3 pm on April 8, 2025, the map above is the new planned course for this year. Please note that the course will be short of a full 10k by approximately 0.2 miles.
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This course features the most single-track that we’ve ever been able to offer at the Shaw Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful trail run courses in all of eastern Missouri.
As you arrive for the race, all parking for the race will be held, once again, on the southwestern side of the Reserve. Parking will open at 7:30 am. Signs will be posted from the entrance of the park to direct you to the lot. The path indicated in red on the course map above is the main driving route through the park. We ask that you enter through the main gate and exit via Robertsville Rd.
It is approximately a half-mile walk from the parking lot to Race HQ at the Maritz Trail House. Please leave yourself plenty of time to arrive on race day.
The 2024 Shaw Bloom will start on Brush Creek Trail just to the north of Trail House Loop Road, right across from the Trail House (Race HQ). We’ll head straight down (well, up on the map above, or North if you prefer,) the trail towards the entrance to the park.
After just over a third of a mile, we’ll hit our first major landmark – the creek crossing. For the creek crossing, there are a series of concrete pylons (at left) that runners will use to get over the water. PLEASE BE CAREFUL! In case of extreme water, we’ll use the bridge. (But don’t cheat and just use the bridge!)
Stay to the left as you come up the slight climb from the creek and continue on the Brush Creek Trail. A little while further on the trail, you’ll come across the first deer gate on our course. Simply follow the directions on the door to get through. This gate is never locked. Even if it’s closed, you can still get through.
As you continue to the north, you’ll find a number of trails heading off to the left around a series of ponds. Stay to the right on the main trail at all times. When you leave the forest, again stay to the right as you join a large gravel path just a few steps from Pinetum Loop Road surrounding Pinetum Lake, one of the largest lakes on the nature reserve property. Again, stay to your right.
We’ll loop around the southern section of the lake and then join up with the Wildflower Trail. As you will do everywhere on the course, simply follow the orange ribbons and flags. The Wildflower trail had been under maintenance for most of 2021 and 2022, but we finally were approved for use in 2023, and is one of the most fun sections of single-track in the park.
We’ll meet up with the Wolf Run Trail coming in on our left. We’ll make a right turn to head towards Wolf Run Lake and stay to the south side of the body of water. Instead of going all the way around the lake, we’ll make a right turn towards the Serpentine Wall, one of the park’s famous landmarks. Follow the Wall around until it ends and head down the steps towards one of the few times will actually be on Trail House Loop Road.
We cross the bridge over Brush Creek on the road, and then we’ll make a left turn onto the Wetland Trail. This section of trail features one of the highlights of this race right around the two-and-a-half-mile mark: the Boardwalk above Wetland lake. You’ll make a left turn off of the main trail to access it, and make sure you watch your step on the boardwalk for any slick spots! As you exit the boardwalk, turn left back onto the Wetland Trail.
You’ll head right at the end of the lake and start up hill, following the edge of a small forest before you come to a gravel road.
NOTE – This is where the original course has been changed to get around flooded areas of the park.
Cross directly over Freund Ridge Road towards the buildings of the Dana Brown Overnight Center. You’ll be on a gravel road at this point for about two tenths of a mile before making a left turn onto a small gravel connector trail to meet up with the Harris Hollow trail. We’ll make a right onto the official Harris Hollow trail and run through an open glade for about a quarter of a mile before we cross Quarry Road and meet up with an Aid Station at about the 3.35 mile mark.
You’ll go straight across Quarry Road and descend quickly (and hopefully carefully) into a beautiful small valley (officially “Hidden Valley” in the Shaw Nature Reserve Guide). Watch your step! (If you’ve run this race with us before, you’ll recognize this stretch of trail, but don’t follow the old course!) Turn RIGHT as you reach the bottom of the hill and you’ll head back up hill on the Hidden Valley trail back towards the center of the Park.
You’ll make a right on Barn Road as the trail ends and make a quick left onto a grass trail connector to the Prairie Trail. We’re heading uphill to the McMillan Prairie Overlook (where you welcome to stop and admire the view if you like!). Behind the Overlook will be a gravel trail heading south. Follow it until it ends and stay to the right. You’ll make another right as you join the “groomed” gravel trail of the Goddard River Trail for about a quarter of a mile.
You might be tempted by the finish line up ahead, but the course will make a left turn onto the Bluff Overlook Trail and follow until you come to the first connector trail on your right. Once again, you’ll come oh-so-close to race HQ before heading south again until you meet up with a T in the trail with paths to the left or straight – turn left.
Our course will quickly narrow down to a small single track with the bluff on your right and a steep drop off to your left. Marvel at the beauty but please don’t try and pass on this stretch of trail! Again, if you are a former runner on this course, you’ll recognize this location, but we will be taking a different path home! We’ll make a left at the first connector trail onto a small technical stretch of rock trail that will lead to a small creek crossing. Once you’re across the trail you’re on will end at the Goddard River Trail. Make a right. Welcome to the last mile of the race! (It is mostly uphill from here.) You’ll stay on the Goddard River Trail all the way back up nearly to the road you would have walked in on from the parking lot. Make a right before reaching the road, continuing on the main trail towards the Crescent Knoll Overlook. You’ll stay straight until you reach Race HQ. Make a left to stay just to the right of the Maritz Trail House. Cross Trail House Road and you’ll find the Alpine Shop archway directly ahead of you.
For 20k competitors, you’re first loop is done and the 10k aid station will be directly in front of you. On to Loop Two!
Approximate mileage: 5.9 miles
Max Elevation: 650′
Min Elevation: 486′