Maries County first responders came to the rescue of a hiker who sustained back and leg injuries after falling from the rock bridge at Clifty Creek Conservation Area last Tuesday, July 22.

The Maries County Sheriff’s Office reported that with the assistance of fellow hikers, sheriff’s deputies were able to locate the female victim, stabilize her injury and begin the process of hiking her out while carrying her on a medical litter, which is a portable and foldable stretcher. It was reported that one the way out of the conservation area, members of Maries-Osage Ambulance District (MOAD) and of Dixon Fire Department arrived to assist with medical care and extraction. 

A medical life flight helicopter was landed in a field off of Highway W and the victim was flown to a trauma center to assess the severity of her injuries. It was reported the victim was conscious and brave during the incident. Her family members present were helpful in guiding the first responders to the team. The sheriff’s office said it was a true team effort to bring to safety a young woman who plans to become a US Marine. 

Sheriff Chris Heitman said he has heard that the young woman, who is from Oklahoma, is going to be okay.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Clifty Creek Conservation Area and Clifty Creek Natural Area are adjacent to one another and combined offer the public 486 acres in Maries County to enjoy. A six-car parking lot for the area is found on Maries County Road 511.

Due to the rugged terrain in this part of the state, much of this area has seen little change since settlement times and due to the lack of fire has developed into an overstocked forest. Settlers found only the extreme southern and a few northern portions of the area level enough for cultivation.

In 1984, The Donald Walker Trust donated 156 acres to the Conservation Department, which later purchased 100 additional acres to form the conservation area.

The conservation area and the adjacent Clifty Creek Natural Area, owned by the L-A-D Foundation provide crucial watershed protection for Clifty and Little Clifty creeks which run through the areas. One of the more dramatic features of Clifty Creek Natural Area is a natural bridge with a span of about 40 feet that was created by a tributary of Clifty Creek carving through Gasconade dolomite. The areas also contain oak-hickory forest, mixed bottomland forest, limestone glades and cliffs and sandstone glades.