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PhotoGuide to Meramec Spring
View from the bridge
Location:
10 miles South of St James, MO (Exit 198 from I-44) on MO Hwy 68
Features:
Here you'll find a spring flowing out of an underground cave, a trout hatchery, a museum detailing the history of the St. James Ironworks formerly situated at this location, a dam area, a small (6-8 ft) natural waterfall, a museum of agricultural implements, an iron mine with scenic overlook, a historical drive through Stringtown, a playground with relics from the ironworks, a campground and fishing along the Meramec River
Panorama of the hatchery and powerhouse area
Photo Equipment - what you should take:
- Except during the noon hours (~11:00am - 2:00pm), this is a fairly dark area. You'll probably be shooting in the shade, so a tripod would be useful, or at least some fast (ISO400) film.
- There can be distracting reflections from the spring pool, so a polarizing filter is a must.
- The spring pool area can best be captured with a wide angle lens. I use a 17-35mm L Zoom in this area and my 28-70L everywhere else. I still haven't found use for a telephoto lens here.
- It's down in a low valley, and the light here is extremely mixed. Some areas are in shade, others are in full sun, so it can be a difficult place to photograph. Try it on overcast days.
The spring pool during a shower
Photo tips:
- I took one of my favorite photos from the bridge looking toward the spring.
- Good photos of water coming under the bridge can be had from the downstream side of the bridge. If you're a fisherman (or just plain hot), jump in the stream - the best shots are from the center of the stream using the stone bridge to frame the stream.
- There's a dam here. It's a bit shaded, so try a flash or overcast day.
- With a really wide angle lens, you can easily climb into the cave behind the spring and use the mouth of the cave to frame the spring pool.
- Evening hours are most interesting to me. During the summer, or after a shower, banks of fog form over the spring pool and roll down the stream.
- To the East of the agricultural museum is a parking lot and picnic area. You can see the top of the largest iron furnace here.
- The iron mine (1/2 way point on the historical drive) can be best viewed by hiking the short trail just past the scenic overlook. Morning and evening hours viewing are recommended here, as it's pretty uninteresting during the day.
Seasonal Tips:
There isn't a bad time to visit this place. I've been there in summer downpours, and I got great shots. I've been there with two foot of snow on the ground and got better pictures.
Winter view from the cave behind the spring pool
Fall color season is short and unpredictable in these parts. It's typically a one week period that can fall anywhere from the 3rd weekend in September to the second weekend in October. The length and color depends on two things: A lot of rain in late August and early September and a lot of sunlight during mid September. For this reason, I'll be posting seasonal update information here as often as time allows.
This year, Old Iron Works Days is the weekend of Oct 14/15, 2000. Not sure what happens then, but rest assured, I'll be bringing you coverage of the event.
Seasonal Update:
It's been a really rainy summer here and so the foliage has remained a beautiful dark green, as opposed to the usual brown cast this time of year. I highly recommend the hour just before sunset or the few hours after one of the frequent afternoon / evening showers, as you'll be treated to banks of fog rolling down the stream from the spring.
The Waterfall area
A view of the waterfall - the spring pool is on the left
The Dam Area
The Dam in winter - the water never freezes
The dam in late August, and the friend that introduced me to Maramec Spring
My impressions and experiences:
I knew of this place for about 10 years, and I was always too cheap to pay the $3 admission (a season pass is only $20). So many parks are free, I thought. Then about three years ago I went there with a friend and I was hooked! I find something new there every trip.
The historical trail reminds me more of a roller coaster than a drive through the woods. It's a half paved, half gravel one-lane one-way road. It's smooth enough that I've driven my Corvette through there, but I wouldn't recommend it - I scraped a couple of times. I've driven my Oldsmobile and a Cadillac through there without incident. You'll have to brave it if you want to see the cemetery, Stringtown and the iron mine areas.
It can be seen in its entirety, including photos, in a half a day, and less if you skip the museums. The agricultural museum is extremely hot during the summer. The iron works museum is a good place to cool off during the summer months. Both have restrooms and gift shops and the agricultural museum has a snack bar and soda fountain.
The Company Store is kinda grubby and I wouldn't eat there. It's a mix of a bait and tackle shop and restaurant.
A Few More Photos:
My first trip to Maramec Spring
Driving directions:
From I-44, take the St James exit (198). Go south through St James on Hwy 68 and continue ten miles south along the Trail of Tears to the Meramec Spring park entrance.
Visit the James Foundation Website:
http://tigernet.missouri.org/~tjf/
Other Attractions in the area:
Canoeing is available on the Meramec river (not to be confused with the larger Maramec River about 45 miles to the East). On Hwy 68 just south of the park entrance are boat ramps and nature trails.
About 45 miles south of St James is where the Current River Valley and Ozark National Scenic Riverways area. Good for canoeing.
Dining:
You can get a cool (and cheap) drink in the agricultural museum. There's a restaurant in "The Company Store" (the gate where you entered the park), but most people here feast on fresh trout caught from the river. St James is about 10 miles to the North, and here you'll find a mix of home cooking and fast food. Personally I'd recommend you drive another 10 miles West to Rolla, MO and have dinner at Johnny's Smokestack BBQ.
email: sales@roadslessphotographed.com
Phone: (573) 647-5301