Devils Den Group Hike Emphasizes Motion Philosophy

Devil's Den State Park, nestled in the Lee Creek Valley of the Boston Mountains, is one of the most well-preserved parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the United States. Construction began in 1933, with young men of the CCC building the park's rustic stone and wood structures, including a dam that created the 8-acre Lake Devil. The park's lands were acquired by the federal government during the Great Depression from families unable to pay taxes. The park is situated in a significant geological area, protecting the largest sandstone crevice area in the country. These numerous caves, bluffs, and ravines once served as hideouts for outlaws along the Butterfield Stage Line and later for Confederate guerillas during the Civil War. Evidence of even earlier inhabitants exists, with archaeological sites indicating Native American presence as far back as 8,000 years. The Devil's Racetrack trail, a singletrack path rated as intermediate to difficult, winds through the park, following bluff lines and passing under waterfalls and through unique rock formations. It offers an immersive experience into the rugged beauty of the Ozarks that was first charted for recreation by the CCC. The trail is popular with both hikers and mountain bikers for its scenic and challenging terrain. The phrase "a body in motion stays in motion" is a simplified version of Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of Inertia. This fundamental principle of physics, articulated in the 17th century, states that an object will not change its motion unless acted upon by an external force. Prior to Newton, philosophers like Aristotle believed the natural state for objects was to be at rest.