Hiking Arkansas

“OK all you Arkansas hikers. I'm trying to plan a hike 22-26 June in the Ozark Mountains. I've done some reading but I haven't found exactly what I'm looking for so here is some perameters:

#1 Mountains - I need a mountain fix - Louisiana is too damn flat.

#2 I plan to hike about 4 days worth of trail, no base camp stuff. I would like to average about 10 miles per day since I'm brining kids.

#3 A loop is preferable, but a 20 mile one way caould also work I guess.

#4 Water. I would like to see some streams that flow again, not stagnant black puddles. Waterfalls would be a plus. In this state a 1' drop on a stream is the oly known waterfall, back home we wouldn't have even noticed it.

Please help me! It could be the only salvation to my sanity.”

“buff a lo river


look around hemmend in hollow(evry tall waterfall). anywhere on the upper half. or you can hike between the canoe put in points. there trails running the entire length of the river.”

“The Eagle Rock Loop is a 26.8 mile loop comprised of three trails; the Little Missouri Trail, the Viles Branch Horse Trail, and the STEEP Athens-Big Fork Trail.

There are other trails in the area for side trips that could extend you mileage. Contact the Ouachita National Forest office in Hot Springs, AR for more information (501-321-5307)”

“Hey Rock -

Are Trail Talk members allowed or is this a "by invitation only" hike?

Tex”

“That is sort of what I'm looking for.

Stratdewd, I've seen a couple of different listings for the Buffalo River, but best as I can tell it's relativly flat staying right on the river, is this true?

Owl, that was my first choice to look at, but it was a little short for my plans. If it has good side trails - especially ones with cool places to visit like rock outcroppings and secluded streams, then that sounds like a great trip.
So where is a good trail head to leave a car a few days and any thing I should consider before going?

TxWoodswoman, I just started planning this and have other family commitments to work into the plan. But I wouldn't mind meeting some fellow TT members at all. Let me get my plans a little more firm then put out a net call to see who would be interested.”

“Check with Mozark, he knows all about this trail as it's in his back ayrd so to speak, really a great trail. Flat? not by a long shot.”

“Shoot if your going to go to the Buffalo you MUST canoe it!!

You'll have the best time of your life if you go RIGHT of the Low Water Bridge.”

“Hey Rock!
Eagle Rock loop is in my back yard and it has many things close to it to hold your attention.

Shady Lake, Albert pike, lots of falls and rock outcroppings, a bunch more lakes, a diamond mine, there`s gold in them thar hills and wildlife abounds, you`ll feel like you`re on the backside of nowhere, but you`re actually not far from a lot of towns!LOL

The other choices they gave you were great ones too, but further away. Depending on your time off and how much of it you want to spend driving would be something to figure into it.

Oh and don`t be fooled, there`s nothing very flat in Arkansas except life and it`s flat out fantastic most days!:)”

“Rock, the Old River Trail on the Buffalo is pretty flat and along the river. The Buffalo River Trail is far from being flat and goes on top of several bluffs. Just be careful and be sure about the water situation.”

“Big Foot, I did think of you when I started. Are your legs up to some short hikes yet?

I started putting my plan together on line in case this turns into a Trail Talk hike. Check it out here: Eagle Rock Loop”

“It's WAY not flat. We have hiked between several of the trailheads(canoe put-ins. The trails start & end at river level, but it's anywhere from 5-10 miles in between and the trails have to go over those mauntains several times & back to the river level several times. It is not flat by any means. You'll get as hard of a workout as you're willing to push yourself. This ain't no Mickey Mouse hikin.........if it was easy, everybody'd do it!”

“I like the sound of that too. Maybe after September I can do part of that.

But the loop sounds like the right thing for this trip. I identified a few small side trails from the one map on line, but I don't know any good camp sites or what trail head would work best. Any suggestions?”

“Yo Rock!
Yes, I`m up for some short hikes now and if you`d like to see the high spots give me shout, I`ll meet up with you somewhere.

Shady Lake and Albert Pike are both close to the loop and no one`ll mess with your rig at the trailhead.”

“Tex;

Let me know if you are coming up this way!

SGT Rock;
Eagle Rock Loop should suit your needs very nicely!

Moz”

“Next week I'll put out a net call with the plan complete as I can make it so we can arrange any link-up times with interested parties.

So next question: Topo maps and trail guids. Any suggestions?”

“Let's see, my vote for favorite male trail guide would be Sam Elliot and if he's busy a close second would be Patrick Swayze.

Okay...*sigh* if those two can't make it, get Mozark or Gojo & Sarabelle.

I hope that helps! *Grin*

Tex”

“Tex I would be careful with that Mozark fella. He doesn't have a good sense of distance. Everything is just a couple of blocks away.LOL”

“Tex, you got your Montana ticket yet?”

“get tim earnst's buffalo river hiking trails, it has maps and descriptions of all the trails in the park. the forrest has 2 maps of the river(i think, upper and lower). packrat outdoors center carries them. here's a link to that book;

http://wilderness.arkansasusa.com/TrailGuides.html


oh, and look at this one. it's a book about hailey zega, a 6 yr old girls that got lost in the wilderness for 3 days. well, i kinda helped look for her & the guy who wrote the book asked for volunteers stories & i sent mine in & he put it in the book. he sent me a copy autographed by hailey. they are doing a dateline nbc show about it too.

http://www.cloudland.net/haleybook.html”

“sgt ROck, twin falls is a great packing trip all the way up the ozark highland trail, i did search&rescue up there for a while,moved to oregon not as hot, anyway plenty of water swimming holes for your family, get a hiking boot called ozk highlands trail about 14,95 or the buffaloo trail guide 16.99 a good buy hurracain creek trail offers alot but more remote, but look into it, well thats all i got for know, have fun”

“very cool place nomad”

“I wish I might, I wish I may
go to the mountains and play
the sun does come up and burns the fog away
hello world, it`s the start of a great day

Mornings on the mountains start a lot like that up in Caney Creek. Guess it`s the amount of streams, rivers, waterfalls and lakes that border `em on all sides that makes it like that?

Nights are cool most times in the summer and you`re never far from ice cold streams, 11 months outta the year the water there`ll turn you blue and make your teeth clatter like crazy! Summer days are HOT and humid at best and your clothes`ll stick to you most times.

There`s wildlife everywhere and bears are sometimes seen, but expect deer and trukey, owls, birds of all kinds will sing to you during the day and at night the owls and cyotoes will sing you to sleep. There`s furry critters aplenty, but leave `em alone and they`ll do the same.

The beauty in that place is off trail, but never take kids off like that, that place is still plenty wild and will bite you if given the chance. Getting lost is no real trick there, one mountain there looks pretty much like any other`n. Save the bushwhackin` till you`re alone, or with someone that knows the place a bit.

I`ve gone up and in there all of my life and I don`t half know all of it, I always walk up on something new each time and come away with more than I took up there with me.

I haven`t changed that place any, but it has me, it`s taught me a many great and wonderful things, but most of all it taught me to respect the wild things and places.

Fall is when that place is magic and stuff just happens that there`s no words for. Summer`s a bummer!

I hope you see it like I did!”

“I am having bp'ing withdrawals. I had not planned on a summer trip, but I might have to make one soon. I think Sylamore Creek should offer some relief from the heat. I bet the water will still be cold at Slick Rock Hollow.”

“Jgiels;

Now that would be a couple of "City Blocks".LOL Did you buy bpbaby's sleeping bag? That is one really nice bag and she is just giving it away!

I need a hiking fix myself chili. Maybe a one nighter on the Sylamore Creek would fix me. I bet Tex, Jgiles, Stikmon and Grunt would be up for it also. How about the weekend of June 22-23? JG won't need that 15F bag though and he can show us his new Go Lite backpack.

Bpbaby it isn't too far from your home site either.


Moz”

“will be in Utah that weekend,,,,probably will have to wait until July with my calendar looking the way it does”

“Yeah Mozark I bought the bag. It's going to Montana with me. I know it won't get that cold ,but it's small and light enough that even if it is around 40 degrees it will be nice to have.”

“I also broke down and ordered the precip with the full side zip pants and jacket and reordered that North Face Slickrock tent. You started me on a spending spree that day in Little Rock. LOL”

“There may not be any water at slickrock hollow.”

“Mo -

I am available the weekend of June 22/23..and the 29/30..could even be a Montana warm-up hike..LOL

You KNOW you don't have to twist my arm too bad to get me to hike in Arkansas..heck, that's less than a days' drive for me!!

jgeils..I'm surfing the net for my ticket..haven't found one under $300 yet. I figured as long as I buy it before the 13th, I should find a good deal - cause that's still 30 days out.

She'll be coming round the Montana when she comes...

Tex”

“can you say C-A-N-O-E-I-N-G!!!”

“this i just don't get, i went to school in fayettville, have been backpacking for 4 years and have to find this site to find fello hikers, why, jgeils what park are you from,mozark what part are you from, maybe i ran in to you two on the trail some where, i left arkansa about one year ago, moved to austin, then to eugene(or), now to grand junction co, it's good to here about other peop;e backpacking the ozarks, i kept telling everone how great it was at twin falls, or hemmden hollow, but know one wanted to go,, wish i would have know you then,,, anyway just thought i'd say hello,,,,,”

“That's the beauty of Arkansas trails. I almost never run into anyone. Tex, a WARM-up hike would be right. It would be better to hike at Sylamore, Buffalo, or OHT (around Hurricane or Richland Creek) so you can be close to water. Not to drink but to swim in when you get overheated. If you guys get a trip up let me know.”

“Holy Cow! Do you own your own U-Haul or just keep them in business? That's a lot of moving in 1 year.”

“Same here Arkie, we're down for a hike with ya'll.

Who's comin to ma party gig this weekend? They got a pool & 17 kegs! WE GONNA JAAAAAAM! KNoll MO, home of the world famous homade bikini contest.”

“I'm in Jonesboro, Nomad.”

“Sherwood "Forest"- Nomad

Arky;

I'm up for a section of the Ozark Highlands Trail and it is about 2 hours less driving time for Tex than Sylamore... Err since the OHT sections are typically 20 miles maybe we should hike in and out and keep it around 10-15 miles.

The weekend of June 22-23 is still good for me.

Let's here the interest and I'll work on a "simple" plan. I plan to hike "light and near water".

Moz”

“Hurricane Creek Wilderness can give you a loop if you cross the creek, hike down to the second crossing and take the high water cutoff on the way back. There will be water there and some cool swimming holes as well.”

“sounds cool chilie!”

“I am not going to have the opportunity for a bp trip until July. It will be hot, but I think I will have to make the Sylamore trip or the Hurricane Creek Wilderness in late July.”

“we rent a u-haul, its not as much as you would think, from austin to oregon it was only 200 dollers, from oregon to grand junction its 150, trailer of course,we have gotten it down pretty good, its like backpacking only a lot longer we take what we need, (of course the backpaking gear), so we get to find some col places to pack, we just did a trip down the coast, four days, no rain it allways rains here,rain gear is a must,did a trip to the three sister mountain range, at the end of the month before we leave going on a 3 dayerup to hood, have some search&rescue buds going with,,if anyone goes to richland tell me how it went i love going there, the swimming holes where great and love taking ex-girlfriends there, caughta two couples having sex under the falls thats a sight to wake up to but why the hell not,,, has enyone been to sylamore,,, well got to go to work ,,, anyway nice to hear from ya'll have a good one,,,,,,,”

“I have hiked Sylamore a couple of times nomad.”

“Nomad, I was at Sylamore in early April. Also, was that two couples having sex at the same time or different occassions? Chili, We hiked in March from Fairview to the Piney Trailhead. We had to take the high water bypass. It is a much easier climb than the other way. If you guys want to go to Hurricane we can do a loop from Piney, camp at the natural bridge, then loop around the old section where the OHT used to go and come back out at Piney. That would be 12 miles tops. If you do the highwater loop it will be about 18 miles.”

“haven't been there in about a year but some one told me they built a 5 foot bridge over the first creek crossing (why) it was never past your knees,,,has anyone seen it, and no they where two different couples, just a hell of a weekend i guess, my buddy was in the tent sick so he didn't see them, sick from hiking with no water,,,,yes i know what your going to say but i told him,,, anyway thats a storie i'm working on for the articles, you will enjuy it if you have everbeen to richland,,,, (trust me),,,,,,,, by the way the spelling is bad because of my keyboard,, find the oregon thread and you will seeeeeeeeee,,,,, later,,,,,,”

“arky, I have hiked Fairview to Piney a few times and fortunately we never had to take the high water cut off. I always wondered if it was any easier than the other way. It is a pretty good pull up and over the OHT to bypass the private property.”

“Looks like I'll hit the trail at Albert Pike Recreation area so I can use the shower off trail. I plan to be there about 1500 on the 22nd of June and start hiking clockwise on the loop, maybe trying to get to Winding Stairs on the first night.

Any experienced Arkansas hikers got some advise? My ICQ is 27307878, and my Yahoo IM is ebengman. Thanks!”

“Pretty interesting history of the place. Sounds like spectacular scenery too. Should be an awesome hike.”

“Moz has a trip going in Arkansas for this weekend too. I plan on being there for the night of the 21st. How far will you be from us..he has a thread going on the hike for the 22nd - want to join us?

Tex”

“Or maybe we should join you??

What's up?”

“generate it tx, YOU GO GIRL!”

“My hike time is from the 22-26th. I wouldn't mind changing the trail, one is as good to the other in most cases. The reason I picked this one though is because of the loop and how easy that makes logistics for my 4 person group.

I saw your hike dates and figured that ya'll didn't have the same amount of time to come with me. But if you wanted to join me on this trail instead of doing the other, there are 4 trail heads with parking, I'm sure we could find a way to drop a car for a convinient 2 day for the ones that can't do the entire trip.

The extra company wouldn't bother me, if you don't mind watching teenagers all in love every day of your hike. My daughter and her boyfriend are comming, and he ships out for basic in about 2 months, he had to come for her to want to go LOL! That is a great story in itself:

As some of ya'll know, I was supposed to be going to Germany, in fact I would be there right now except for my promotion. Well, a few months ago, before I found out, they were all depressed that we were moving to Germany and she would be leaving, while he was graduation HS and was supposed to go to College.

Then he decides to join the Army and go to Germany - so he can still see her. He joins on a Friday back in April. That very Sunday I find out I made the promotion list and I'm not going to Germany any more! So now he is going to Germany until about February 2005 while we are staying right here in Louisiana!

Don't get me wrong, I really like the kid. But talk about bad timing and letting your emotions cloud your decision making.

Anyway, I was hoping some of you experienced Arkansas hikers would IM me.”