Goggins Mountain Trail – Johnson Shut Ins Sp

Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 700 ft Difficulty: Strenuous Type: Loop Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 3-4 hours Fee: $5-8/vehicle Dogs: Yes, on leash Permit: No

The Goggins Mountain Trail climbs out of the shut-ins valley to a summit overlooking the Black River gorge and the surrounding St. Francois Mountain landscape. These ancient Precambrian mountains are among the oldest exposed rock in North America, with rhyolite formations dating to 1.5 billion years. Shortleaf pine and scrub oak grow on the thin acidic soils of the summit ridge, providing habitat for rare glades flora including prickly pear cactus and collared lizards.