I supposedly saved the hardest for last, and the two climbs on the silver trail, providing you do them in the right order don't disappoint. Each of them reaches a minimum 20% grade which is steep. With the thicker air today, you really felt it going up. As well, a whole week of hiking in Busiek was catching up with my legs although I definitely dropped some pounds this week.
To get access to Busiek's silver trail you don't enter Busiek at the main exit on US 65. You have to turn on County Road A and look for the small access sign (yellow and black) on the north side of the road. It's a one-lane gravel road located next to a small house. I didn't know it existed until I started hiking Busiek this week. I have hiked there before, as well as repelled and used the firing range, but I have never accomplished all the six main trails--three on both sides.
With the exception of the two main climbs, one with a tricky descent that is just as steep (you will slide in the gravel in some places, so plant your feet into the bigger gravel for better footing) it was just an average trail. Nothing magical or anything that makes you feel like you have accomplished anything more than the other trails. They all have their challenging points that will test your skills.
Today was also the first time I met other hikers on the trail as well as a doe with her fawn on the final ridge of the trail. As well I came up on several cactus patches, which I thought were interesting considering its Missouri and not a desert.
For the best challenge go all the way back and do the final loop first and then do the loop closest to the parking lot going from east to west. That will ensure you take in the toughest climbs.
Here are pictures from today's hike:
