Cold, blustery winter weather? Not a problem!

A dreary winter day with a sharp north wind usually isn't the best time to go hiking. At Crane Lake in Iron County, however, it's a plus.

I was invited recently to a hike at Crane Lake by the The Saint Louis Nature Meetup Group. After setting out from the trailhead, the blue sky was quickly replaced by a slab of clouds accompanied by brisk winds and falling temperatures.

Just great, I thought. What have I gotten myself into?

Once the group hiked around the lake and reached the dam, we found a silver lining. The north wind was pushing the lake water to crash violently over the spillways.

It's quite a spectacle, something that doesn't happen during tranquil weather.

After catapulting over the dam, the water cascades through a large shut-ins along Crane Pond Creek.

Built on solid bedrock above the shut-ins, this would seem a safe location for a dam. Nevertheless, an earlier version of the dam was breached in 1968. The current structure was built in 1971, creating a 99-acre lake.

Today the lake, dam, and shut-ins are owned by the Mark Twain National Forest. From the parking lot, a segment of the Ozark Trail leads to the shut-ins.

From here, it's possible to scramble down to the shut-ins and carefully tip-toe across the creek, joining a second trail on the opposite side that leads back around the lake to the trailhead.

Another option is to continue past the shut-ins on the Ozark Trail, climbing up and over a steep hill with ankle-crunching boulder fields.

The trail leads to a second, but not quite as picturesque, shut-ins along Crane Pond Creek.

Soon, the Ozark Trail turns left and heads toward Marble Creek Recreation Area. The main Crane Pond Trail bears right and soon reaches a slight obstacle: a ford across the creek.

After a futile search for a better crossing, it was clear that everybody in the group would need to wade across barefoot.

Just great, I thought. What have I gotten myself into?

The rocks were slick, but not quite snot-slick, so everybody made it across safely. I quickly gained feeling in my toes about two days later (just kidding).

Past the ford, the trail bears right and meanders up a hill, passing through a series of glades overlooking the creek valley.

The trail then reaches the shut-ins and dam on the other side.

From here it's an easy hike along the lakeshore back to the trailhead. Winter brings an additional perk when hiking along Crane Lake: the chance to spot a bald eagle. Maybe.

Despite the ugly weather, Crane Lake was still an enjoyable hike, made better by the water show at the dam.

Driving directions

[Google map]

From Cape Girardeau, take Highway 72 west through Jackson to Fredericktown. Follow Highway 72 around the new Fredericktown bypass to the interchange with US 67. Hop on US 67 south, then take the first exit at Route E. Turn right (west) on Route E and go 18 miles. Look for the Crane Lake sign at the intersection with Iron County Road 124. Turn left and follow this gravel road for 2.6 miles. At a four-way intersection next to a cluster of houses, turn left on Crane Pond Road (not marked). Follow this road 2 miles to the entrace of Crane Pond Recreation Area, then continue straight to reach the parking lot, boat ramp, and trailhead.

Hiking directions

The trail leads directly to the dam and shut-ins. After exploring the shut-ins, you have three choices:

1. Retrace your steps back to the trailhead. This is the best choice if the creek is running high.

2. Carefully cross to the other side of the creek at the shut-ins, then follow the trail along the opposite shore of the lake and back to the trailhead.

3. Continue on the Ozark Trail above the shut-ins, then keep bearing right at all trail intersections to return to the dam on the opposite side. Then follow the trail around the lake. Total distance is about 5 miles.