Ozarks ECT

“since no one posted one, here goes. Arrived late friday to find base camp up and running...pavilion, lanterns, chili, huge bon fire and a bunch of creeps who were busy being creeps. the night was cold and everyone in the morning was complaining how cold they slept (not me in my Wiggy's) haha. the initial rise to the ridge was strenous and hard. At the first stream crossing, we all were stripping our outside layers and stuffing them in our packs, as we ate our food and drank our water, we weren't losing pack weight, we were gaining it cause of stashing our removed garments. we climbed @ 700' in the first mile or so. needless to say, we were all quite warm by the time we reached the ridge. We crossed many streams and small falls that careened over small crags. there were neat cedar groves and numerous overlooks of the river and surrounding hills. The sky was the shade of blue that hurts your eyes...and the sun was ripe in the sky, like a giant orange. The company of walkers was jolly and cheerful. There was no rush and no true timetable, so we breaks were taken when needed. Part of our group left us and shuttled 2 of our vehicles to what would be our end point. We eventually met up with them on the trail as they hiked in the opposite direction...It was a joyful reunion...and we all hugged and slapped each other on the backs...well not really, but we did shake hands and say "namarie mellon" (elvish for "farewell frriend"). We continued on our way, My left knee was holerin at me and my right hip flexor was singin the blues...but on we trekked to the days end. after a quick 500' decent...2 of our party decided to stay up in the higher elevation (to frolic and howl at the moon more privately), we made camp near the river slightly off the trail...little stalker, or rather "starburst" got our fire crankin, the boys all pitched in and tossed some major logs around to make more managable firewood, me, I pulled out my sierra saw and went to town...I should have tossed the wood, it looked like more fun...anyway...the fire was grand, the food was delicious and some of us played bogle...I got womped by and 11 year old...it was great...others helped starburst womp me...thanks tex, I always enjoy being humbled by an 11 year old in a word game. The evening wore on and sleep came to each of us in its own time...the talk was great and the stories were even better...BacPac...you missed a good one. The morning was bright as we all crawled out of our portable homes and beds...some of us had to be practically yanked out of bed...Starburst...what a sleepy head. The morning hike to the trailhead and cars only took us @ 20 minutes. We jumped in, went back to the base camp at Steele Creek took us 25 minutes...It took us all day to hike the same distance...groan!!! We broke camp and packed it all in and headed off into the sunset. Great trip, great adventure...the moral of this story is...strangers can have a great time...If you leave yourself open to the possibilities, and are willing to go out on a limb...Personally, I can't wait to do it again...Happy trails all, and thanks.”

“Great trip report, Stick-Dude! I have fond memories of the taste of that Philly Hot Pretzel after being grilled over the coals. And the mustard was the crowning touch! Yummy!! And sgeils brought that banana bread..oh, the pain! I sure learned alot about trail cusine on this trip! You guys bake and I'll bring the candy - okay?

Tex”

“Stikmon pretty much summed it except for the part where the two adventurous souls struck out on their own.

Mozark and Jerbear camped Saturday night on a bluff overlooking Indian Creek just a bit off the Buffalo River Trail. This boy wasn't sleeping next to a damp river another night in a 30F bag in 20-25F weather. Someone had convinced Jerbear that a 30F bag was sufficient until Friday nights stay at Steel Creek Campground on the river. LOL

Moving on with the story. We had everything a backpacker could want in a campsite. A hawks eye view of Indian Creek Gorge, the first to see the sunrise in the morning, plenty of firewood and contrary to popular belief two great tent sites. I only had to worry about a bear attack from two directions. That is unless bears can fly.
Sunday morning Jerbear and I headed up Indian Creek for a fantastic treat. The water was flowing nicely. Just imagine any type of waterfall or sandstone wash and we saw it! The grand finale was at the gorge head waters. The water was pouring, no tumbling down about 30 feet over and under large boulders to the floor and the gorge. If this wasn't enough it was complimented by a 20 foot waterfall flowing out of the entrance to "Arkansas Cave" often called Bear Cave. What a treat, I had never seen water flowing from the cave in my previous visits. It was a just reward for making the arduous hike up the gorge. Rocky, slippery and cold at times.

After spending about a half day in the gorge we decided to check on our wondering TTers that were too scared to camp in the "real" woods.LOL(that comment was meant for Tex) We figured they had taken a wrong turn and were forever lost in the woods. So we hiked to Kyles Landing and drove back to Steele Creek Campground to the "imitation" Boy Scout Basecamp hoping for another one of Stalkers bowls of chilli. But, we were too late they had taken down the campsite not leaving a trace.

So Jerbear and I jumped (yeah right) into our vehicle and headed Southeast to the nearest "What A Burger" in Russelville. emm good!

Now you know the rest of the story!

At least Mozark's ..........”

“great addition Mozark...it was a pleasure to have hiked with you and Jerbear. It sounds like you and him had a grand time in Indian Creek. I hope to do it one of these days and to once again hike in your presence. Happy trails...”

“Next time we should meet at Sylamore Creek Trail. Much closer to you and JGiles.

Or float Spring River\Current River?”

“Thanks for not hanging around ya creeps. I met Mozark. I only saw one chick, a short blond so I must have missed Txwoodswoman and I saw a few other dudes.”

“Good trips reports, THanks.
Bacpac- We saw each other! I asked you ifin there were hikers ahead of ya and you replied. I thought you were with them! Good passin ya.”

“No Dogs?
No Guns?
No Pushing or Shoving?

Not what I expected from you guys!

ST”

“I remember jerbear going by.”

“Where did you hike to Bacpac? We never saw you again. It was a great weekend for hiking. You should have joined us, a lot of really nice people. I thought I would never want to hike with a bunch of strangers, but now I consider them my friends. You are going to be packed for a solo trip anyway so if you don't really care for the people you can always do your own thing. I'll definitely do it again.”

“Sounded like a pretty groovy trip. Sorry I couldn't make it. I'll try to put enough vacation time aside for an Ozark walk next season.

Sorry you didn't get to meet me bacpac. I know it musta bummed ya out.
LOL!”

“did you see my dog? He was on his leash the whole time.”

“Mozark, very NICE vivid report on Indian Creek......i kin hear the water tumbling.....thanks for sharing that experience”