Conor Watkins' Ozark Mountain Experience

Field Trip Guide to the
Geology, Scenery, And History of The Salem Plateau of the Ozarks
–In The Buckhorn, Dixon, and Rolla Areas
For The Fall 2003 MVOR hosted by MSM Spelunkers at Shriners Club, Buckhorn, MO - Oct 3-5, 2003
By Conor Watkins, University of Missouri - Rolla

Stop 7: Lane Spring And Blossom Rock

Lane Spring, a recreational area of the Mark Twain National Forest, is located only 17 miles south of Rolla on Hwy 63 along the Little Piney River.  A nearby picnic area offers views of the river and spring.  The area is very pretty in the late spring and early summer when all vegetation is newly green.  The area offers camping, hiking, picnicking, trout fishing, hiking, and playground equipment for the kids.  The Little Piney Creek is a trout management area through the Lane Spring area and special regulations apply.  Two caves in the park offer spelunking opportunities.  Blossom Rock is a unique rock promenade along the Blossom Rock Trail.  This sandstone outcrop appears as a giant flower to some, hence the name.

Two short trails exist within the park.  Each trail takes the hiker into the scenic hills around Lane Spring.  The Cedar Bluff Trail gains the most elevation and offers excellent views of the spring and Little Piney Creek.  The Blossom Rock Trail takes the visitor by the unique Blossom Rock and also offers scenic views of the Little Piney Creek.

As with most of the terrain around Rolla, the Lane Spring area is an example of karst.  Lane Spring flows from cave system that has been buried by deposits from the Little Piney River.  Because of this, the spring doesn’t flow from one discrete opening as seen in Mark Ozark springs.  It simply flows through river sediment while forming a series of small boils in the bottom of spring branch.  The type of spring is called an alluviated spring since its opening has been buried in alluvial, or river deposited sediments.  Montauk Spring, farther to the south, is an excellent example of a very large alluviated spring.

One has the opportunity to see real life quicksand while visiting Lane Spring.  This phenomenon is much different than its portrayal in old B movies where a trapped person panics and drowns in quicksand.  At Lane Spring, quicksand shows up as a series of small sand boils in the bottom of the spring.  Since the river deposited material over the spring outlet, the water must force its way up through the sand and other soil.  The water pressure coming through the sand serves to lift the individual particles, keeping them from touching each other.  When the individual grains do not touch one another, there is no frictional shear strength in the soil.  When soil has no shear strength, it behaves like any other liquid and is able to boil, flow, etc.  Although one might sink into quicksand since it has no strength, there is little danger of drowning. The sand adds its weight to the mix and increases the density of the water/sand slurry.  This increased density increases the bouyant force of the mix and will float all but those who completely give up or try to drown.

Nearby Blossom Rock is thought to have formed when an ancient cave or sinkhole was filled with sand, which later turned to sandstone.  The surrounding dolomites were softer and more easily eroded away, leaving this structure preserved.

Blossom Rock is thought to be the sandstone infilling of an ancient cave or sinkhole.

Lane Spring is a National Recreation Area and part of the Mark Twain National Forest.  A small fee is charged for the use of the area and another fee is also associated with the use of the campground.

DIRECTIONS - To The Lane Spring Recreation Area:

From Mill Creek, follow the main road (FS 1576) through Kaintuck Hollow and exit the valley at the upper end near Hwy T.  Cross over Hwy T and go straight on County Road (CR) 7460 until it crosses over the Little Piney on a simple slab concrete bridge.  Don’t worry, despite its appearance, this will hold your car.  Turn right soon afterwards on CR 7240.  Follow CR 7240 until it runs into U.S. Hwy 63. Turn right (south) on Hwy 63 and follow to Lane Spring, which is located on the right 3.5 miles south of CR 7240.

RETURN TO BASE - The Shriner's Club - Buckhorn, MO:

From Lane Spring, head around 7 miles south to Hwy M and turn right.  Follow M and turn onto Hwy J.  Hwy M & J pass through scenic Ozark terrain and the bluffs of the Big Piney.  Follow Hwy J until it intersects I-44 near Devil’s Elbow.  Take I-44 west to the Buckhorn Exit (exit 153).  Follow Hwy 17 south a mile or so to Shriners. NOTE: If we omit some stops, the return directions will likely be different and I will give alternate directions when the decision is made to skip stops.

(C) 2004 by Conor Watkins