With eight primitive campsites and plenty to explore in between, the aptly named Wilderness Trail in Meramec State Park is one of the best backpacking hikes in the state park system.

I headed out on the trail early one weekday in late fall when the last autumn colors were still hanging around. The hike ended six hours later after a long day full of caves, springs, sinkholes, woodlands, glades and river bluffs. Saw nary a soul along the way.