The highest point in the state of Missouri is Taum Sauk Mountain at 1,772 feet. It is located within Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in the St. Francois Mountains of the Missouri Ozarks.
It was named by the Holt family in 1870 around a general store that Timothy and James Holt owned.
In fact, this area was a popular stop for trappers who had arrived in the Missouri area during the seventeenth century.
Taum Sauk Mountain is part of the ancient Saint Francois Mountains, a group of peaks that existed as islands in the shallow sea throughout most of the Paleozoic Era. These mountains were several times older than the Appalachians.
According to geologists, these mountains were formed in a Precambrian landscape of explosive volcanoes and calderas. The vertical elevations of the peaks are the result of erosion of sedimentary layers of limestones, sandstones, and shales that had been deposited by the seas.
This terrane is a great way to view a rugged and scenic landform that had its origins 1.5 billion years ago when it was a landscape of volcanoes surrounded by a shallow sea. It is a fascinating area to visit for its natural beauty and interesting history.
Hiking the highest point in Missouri is a pleasant mix of easy walking and beautiful scenery that is well worth the effort! It is a very popular hike for locals and tourists alike, and is one that can easily be enjoyed with children.
