Missouri/Arkansas TT'ers

“From my home in West TN, I tend to always drive East toward the Appalachians. I'm sure there are nice places to hike and backpack in Missouri and Arkansas.

Assuming my typical drive to backpack heaven is 7-9hr (Smokies, Appalachian Trail, etc) -- what destinations should I consider West for a change? I'm thinking if I stick to the Northern half of Arkansas and the Southern half of Missouri that the drive would be about the same.

Do you have any favorite trails that meet this criteria?”

“Some ideas here:
http://www.hikearkansas.com/trailsnew.html”

“Hurricane Creek Wilderness north of Russelville.

Irish Wilderness near 11 point river.

Buffalo River Trail system.

Google up Tim Ernst's web site. I have most of the books and can give you a description of just about any section you decide to hike.”

“Awesome. Good start guys. I'll start checking it out.”

“TD,
I am heading there the second week of May for Fishing and stuff. I am planning on the doing Wilderness trail in Lake of the Ozarks Sate Park for a one nighter. I have always wondered why we don’t see more TT stuff going on over there!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“It would be nice if someone would set up a trip in MO or AR. I'd go!”

“how about a canoe trip on the buffalo river?”

“I have always wondered why we don’t see more TT stuff going on over there!!
See ya later.
Randall”
Randall
3:13:07 PM
4/15/07

We used to haver some great trips over there. Last one I was on was a Thanksgiving trip. We had a big crowd.

Before you canoe the Buffalo River, you need to read BOTH of stickmons threads on his trips.

It is better reading than "A Walk in the Woods".”

“I was up in the Richland Creek area last weekend for a three-day trip. The last time I'd been up there was on the TT trip in Nov. '03. I'd forgotten how nice that area was. Armstrong Hollow is surely one of the most scenic places on the OHT.”

“That was a heck of a trip. And a bon fire you could see from space. We hike two days, come back, dust off the ashes and throw some wood on the coals and poof, instant fire.”

“If I were driving over from Tennessee, I'd hike the Buffalo River Trail (or part thereof). I've hiked every major trail in AR and the BRT and Old River Trail are my absolute favorites. I can't tell ya my favorite camp spots 'cause I might be there ;-)”

“Owl, how long before the OHT gets extended to the BRT? Or has that happened yet? Seems like they were working on the last section or two when I left Arkansas.”

“Come here! Come here! Arkansas or Up by Stikmon. I will meet up with ya'll!”

“There's a lot of great trails you should stick to.”

“LOLz at Mutt.

I started researching some. The Upper Buffalo Wilderness area looks awesome!”

“Some chick say come here? I keep a condom in my pocket at all times.”

“We have a celebrity in our midst. Second one in a week.”

“Count me in! I am ready to take a trip.”

“thanks for bringing up MY past. Isn't it bad enough that my girlfriend has been researching me on trail talk...i'm not even certain that she IS STILL my girlfriend after reading ALL day my antics on this website. YIKEES.

I'm sure that whomever wants to find things to do in Mo will. There are plenty of opportunities. I'd love to hike, but that season has past us now and its time to look to floating...others (dutch oven Dave) have been on the river, but I've yet to make it...a couple of weekends will see me and Nannette (hopefully she is still my girlfriend) should see water. She's a Spring River rat, but my heart lies on the Points. Khatru is off river until his lungs are healed of the infestations of Lung Werms that he acquired sometime last summer eating dead contaminated dead things on the river so my river time will be limited because if he don't go, I don't go near as much, but thats ok as I hope I still have a girlfriend named Nannette to share time with.

good luck, enjoy your hikes and floats.

Marc”