These two trails combine for a nice little family-friendly hike and educational tour through the Historic Ghost Town of Rush.
The oldest structure in Rush.
To get to the community of Rush, follow the instructions here, then park at the first parking area you come to on your left (just past the row of old buildings that are on your right).
The Morningstar Loop has a lot of signs to tell the story of Rush.
We're going to start on the Morningstar Loop Trail, which is a short .1 mile loop that starts off to your left. The trail starts off and passes and old smelter – the oldest structure in Rush dating back to 1886, then continues up, passed the remains of an old Livery Barn that was built in the 1890s, a great view through the trees at the old homes and general store you passed on the way in, passed an old Blacksmith shop (that is still standing and pictured here) and then the remains of the Morning Star Processing Mill, and several other old ruins.
A view of the old general store below.
This little loop (which is about .2 miles long) has a lot of history and reading --- and worth taking the time to spend reading the plaques to learn about the history of the area.
The old livery barn is in great condition.
Midway through the Morningstar Loop is a route that heads to the left and UP the hill. At this point, if you're just doing the short Morningstar Loop, you can continue off to your right past some more old ruins and back down to the main parking area. If you are doing the Old Mine Trail, then you'll turn left and head up the hill. This is a pretty steep climb but the trail is really good so it shouldn’t be too bad.
Once at the top (.2 miles) the trail levels out. There is a small, unmarked path to the left here that is the start of the Monte Cristo Loop Hike from this direction. For our purposes, stay on the main trail (it’s easy to tell which is the main trail).
As you follow along this main trail you’ll pass at least 7 different mine sites. The trail is pretty level with a few ups and downs – but is all very easy to follow. The mines are pretty interesting by themselves, and the remnants of the old Zinc Ore mining that was the whole reason for this former community’s existence. Zinc was mined here from about 1880 until after World War I. Things stopped for awhile and the mines were re-opened in the 1960s – but only for a brief amount of time.
All of the mines here are fenced off, with additional grates that prevent you from entering the mines if you go around the fencing. Please obey the fencing – these old mines are unstable and not safe to enter.
As you pass the last of the mines on this trail, the road will head back down hill. At one point, the main trail heads LEFT off the old road. Take this to the left, and it will head off into the woods (straight will take you to the main road).
Eventually the trail hits an intersection. The path to the right takes you to the second parking area, the toilet and the River access. The left takes you up the Monte Cristo Trail (which can loop you back to the starting point but please read my overview of that trail before doing so).
If you are just hiking the Morning Star Trail and the Old Mine Trail, you can either head back to your car via the main road or back the way you came for a round trip hike of about 3 miles.
Length: 3 miles (out and back)
Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Difficulty: Easy
Kids: Definitely
Footwear: Tennis Shoes or trail runners are fine
Trail Book: None Required, but covered in Buffalo River Hiking Trails
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