Hughes Mountain has some of the most unique geological features in the state. The 1.5 billion-year-old Precambrian rock outcrops are among the most ancient exposed rocks in the United States. The rocks were once liquefied by ancient volcanoes associated with the St. Francois Mountains. Some of the molten rock cooled to create multi-sided columns. A rhyolite formation, known locally as the Devil's Honeycomb, is one of Missouri's geologic wonders and is the highest point on Hughes Mountain. Sunsets are also spectacular from the top, with its panoramic western view of the Washington County countryside.
As a result of this uneven heating, earth surfaces vary a lot in temperature. Air on surfaces with higher temperatures will rise because it is lighter (less dense). As the air rises, it creates low pressure. Air on surfaces with cooler temperatures sinks. The change in pressures up and down is what causes the wind to move horizontally. Tell me that doesn't blow you away! When you get up to the top at sunset all the colors almost hurts your eyes—pink granite, yellow and orange dried plants, purplely skies...
With our new production assistant and her boyfriend, we hiked to the top to stack some stones—they say it's good luck to make a stone stack at Hughes Mountain. And we could not have picked a more beautiful day. What a blessing! We talked and got to know these amazing young people as we walked to the top. And Caipka the 573 motion dog had a great time as well!.
Arf, look at all the colors...
My name is Keely Hawkins. I'm 20. My family is from Park Hills, and I grew up there. I've moved around a few times to different schools and even moved to Florida for a bit. I came back from Florida, where I went to school at Farmington High School for my junior and senior years. I graduated in 2022, and I've just been working and figuring out what I want to do since.
My name is Caden Mungle. I'm 19. My family is from Farmington. I grew up and went to Farmington schools my whole life. I ran cross country in high school, graduating in 2023. I've been doing brick-and-stone work since graduating.
Keely and I met in high school through a mutual friend. We reconnected in October 2023 through social media, and we've been together ever since. We currently live together with our dog, Buddy.
-Keely: What I like about him is the ability to always be there for me. No matter what it is, he is always there for me. He is such a hard worker but always finds time to help me whenever needed. My life has been so much better with him in it. I've experienced so many things and found new hobbies I enjoy since being with him. He brings out the best in me, and I can really be myself.
It was our first visit to Hughes Mountain. I loved the scenery—the views were incredible. Fall is my favorite season, so it was really nice to see all the colorful trees from up high. I really enjoyed it, and I know we will definitely be back.
Stone stacking was definitely a unique experience. I tried the one-at-a-time approach, which may not have been the best method. I'm pretty competitive, so I was definitely in it to win it, but looking back, Caden might've had the best method for getting the taller stack of rocks. I would never admit that to him, though.
-Caden: I thought it was fantastic. The scenery was really nice, too. Overall, I liked it. It was a really cool experience. Being a brick-and-stone mason, I thought it'd be best to build my stack with a broad foundation first and build it up from there. I think doing brick and stone work plays a part in kinda getting the best method of stacking the rocks. I won't let her live down that mine was the taller stack, but I had fun. It was a cool experience.
Keely is currently working with Motion Dog Films and 573 Magazine, learning to record and edit sound. She has her first big assignment coming up, a seven-day film shoot in Texas. We know she'll be a great addition to Team 573.
There you have it. GET OUT THERE! Do something. Do anything. Go hike a mountain. Go stack rocks. Learn a new trade. What one person can do, another person can. Start a business. Open a restaurant. Write a book. Take your kids on a long trip. Do something. Do anything. GET OUT THERE!
Words by Keely Hawkins & Caden Mungle
Words, pics & video by the Supreme Leader of 573 Magazine.
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