Rockwoods Reservation is a conservation area located near the St. Louis metropolitan region and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Although I frequented the area in my high school years, it was over 40 years before I returned to explore the area with my camera. So close to home, I often put off the visit. In early November 2019 I decided to hike a portion of the Green Rock Trail, which passes through the park. I had hiked this trail as a Boy Scout in the 1960’s but had little recollection of the hike.

What was immediately apparent as I set out on the trail was the vast number of fallen trees that were strewn across the hillsides. Strong winds and storms have sculpted the woods as I have never seen in another Missouri forest. This particular autumn, rains and wind had already stripped most of the leaves from the standing trees by early November. What remained was the ideal opportunity for me. An overcast day with the woodland reduced to its bare bones, punctuated by patches of color. What is presented here are images from that first return visit. In the future, I hope to add to this gallery with a more varied portfolio. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty I found as I was reintroduced to my teenage hangout.