Hike Reports
About 50 TrailBlazers made tracks for Devil’s Den for our end of the season picnic. It was a warm and sunny day, so we didn’t get as ambitious as usual, just settling for a leisurely stroll on the Devil’s Den Trail. Of course, the young and ambitious bearded the devil in his den and came back out unscathed, just a little dirty. The ice box with its natural air conditioning was a welcome treat that lured several explorers who came out decorated with muddy hands as a souvenir. The waterfalls were running, so we lucked out.
Of course, even a short hike makes everybody hungry, so we headed back to the pavilion to wolf down hot dogs, salads, beans, chips and dips, and all sorts of rib-sticking desserts that were not justified by the shortness of the hike! Oh, well, it never stopped us before, and we certainly didn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. Rest assured, we did not!
A highlight of the occasion was the surprise visit and TrailBlazer debut of Baby Thomas along with his proud parents and grandparents. Yours Truly is a sucker for babies and so is Erin, so you can check him out in the photos. It was the end of another great season and we look forward to seeing everybody at our kickoff picnic in the fall. Y’all come!
2008-05-08 Butterfield Trail Photo Link: click here
Nine TrailBlazers left Van Buren for the Butterfield Trail under very overcast skies with the weather forecast for afternoon storms. As we drove up I-540, the clouds were hanging very low over the mountains. When we arrived at the trailhead, it was very chilly and most of us kept on our jackets. The trail was wet and muddy in many places and before long we arrived at an area that had recently been subjected to a controlled burn by the Forest Service (Tim Ernst's arch enemies). We continued on to the Quail Valley area, a very scenic unique spot, where the creek was running good and the waterfall was very pretty. From there it was a short distance to a place that backpackers must use often for camping. A rock table had been constructed by someone in the past and there was a nice fire ring with a small stream nearby. We continued on to Blackburn creek where we found a scenic spot to enjoy our lunch. Just as we were finishing, big raindrops started coming down. Several dug their ponchos out and put them on. It lasted maybe 10 minutes and by then we were trudging up a steep incline so the ponchos came off quickly since they were starting to feel like a sauna. The trail back was mostly uphill so we made several rest stops along the way. On the way to the trailhead we noticed a new general store on Hwy 74 so after the hike we stopped by to check it out and get some refreshments. It was a very pleasant day to be on the trail and we made it back home before the storms arrived.
2008-05-03 Winding Stairs Photo Link: click here
Fourteen TrailBlazers headed down to the Ouachitas on a cool morning to hike Winding Stairs, designated a crown jewel by Tim Ernst. En route we checked out Crooked Creek Falls along the road and also stopped to explore the Little Missouri Falls area. By this time we had a sunny day with a great temperature for trekking.
From Albert Pike Campground we started out with a steady uphill climb, prompting Bonanza Bob to say that we should always start our hikes with a flat stretch to get warmed up! Next we meandered up and down the trail enjoying the wildflowers and umbrella magnolias. Everything was green and leafy unlike some previous hikes made in the fall. Hike leader Buffalo Bob whipped out his pruners to save us from greenbrier and foliage in the trail. Alas, the fallen tree that used to spare us from the first wet crossing is no longer there, so off came the boots!
About a mile later we made the back-to-back second and third wet crossings where the water was deeper than usual, leaving us with soggy pant legs. Fortunately the day was warm and the water felt good. Following time-honored TrailBlazer tradition, we ate lunch at the turquoise-colored swimming hole with the little falls at each end and the beautiful bluffs with the peace sign formation made of tall rock columns. Because of the greenery, there was also the face of a green-eyed monster up in the bluff – check out the pictures! We had a great day!
2008-04-26 Brushy Creek Photo Link: click here
Finally,with the magic of email and cyberspace, the details of the latest TrailBlazer adventure have winged their way to Yours Truly in Omaha thanks to a report from Becky and photos from Katie.
Brushy Creek was the destination of 28 TrailBlazers including 4 new hikers, one a young girl from Estonia who plays volley ball for UAFS. We were concerned that Brushy Creek might be too deep, but we were able to cross without putting on wading shoes. There were about 5 crossings in the first 1.3 miles. The teenage boys were along and were very helpful. They waded into the water to place rocks at strategic points on one creek. Boys being boys,the water was no doubt irresistible. They stood in the creek and held our hands as we walked across a log over yet another creek. Randy piggy-backed Billigene across two of the streams. We all know how Billigene feels about wet crossings, so Randy surely put a jewel in his crown, even if it is only simulated!
There were lots of wildflowers in the creek area including wild iris, fleebane, violets, firepink, phlox and one that we thought might be an orchid. We also saw something we don't know growing on a small sapling. It was a white fuzzy ball with little red dots on it. There was still scattered dogwood blooming and wild azaleas were starting to come out.
After leaving the creek area, it was a long steady climb up the mountain with a stop for lunch along the trail. With the leaves on the trees, there was never much of a view. We entered a scenic area as we headed down the mountain with hollows and drainages as we switched back and forth. It was an absolutely lovely day with perfect temp and blue skies, but not such a great day for pollen sufferers as they returned home with green shoes and green cars!
2008-04-19 Buffalo Lodge Weekend Photo Link: click here
Twenty-nine TrailBlazers, both new and old, answered the call to the 6th annual spring fling at Buffalo Lodge, encountering an overturned truck en route. The Friday evening wiener roast was the chilliest on record, but it was tempered by Carroll’s fruit cobbler hot out of the Dutch oven, all kinds of goodies and libations contributed by members, and a sing-a-long around a roaring campfire under a silvery full moon.
On Saturday 21 trekkers hiked the Cecil Cove Loop making a side trip into Thunder Canyon to see some magnificent falls. There was some slip-sliding around, with muddy pants to prove it, but the hike got rave reviews. Another group of 8 explored all the nooks and crannies on Round Top Mountain in search of wildflowers. After our burger bash we played games, had another campfire songfest, or hit the hot tub.
On Sunday after our traditional Mountain Man Breakfast, one group shuffled off to the Buffalo to canoe or kayak, and the rest headed for Lost Valley where Eden Falls were the best in recent memory. Some of us finished off with a trek down to the Glory Hole. As usual, we ate more than we should, a time-honored tradition, and had a great time! PS: Check out the pulldown Photo Album menu on the top of the picture page to find more pics under Part Two.
2008-04-13 Fern Gully Photo Link: click here
On a cool, windy, overcast afternoon 17 TrailBlazers headed up 215 to explore the gully. This is not so much a hike as it is a scramble and bushwhack over rough terrain to check out some natural wonders. The creek was flowing well, so there were lots of waterfalls. This rocky canyon is filled with megaliths, crevices, rocks and holes, so it does not merit a knee-friendly rating, but it is fun and provides plenty of photo ops. Some elusive dogwood was in bloom in the gully, but there was more along the road.
We kept crisscrossing the creek in an attempt to find easier footing for our explorations. Even though the crossings were trickier than on previous occasions due to the volume of water, we managed to do this without mishap. Of course, there was an ample supply of helping hands to help the technically-challenged! Most of us did not trek the entire length of the gully, but a few eager beavers did. The distance is not particularly long, but it is slow going due to the rugged conditions.
There was big excitement on the road out. A large rock decided to take up residence in Eloise’s back tire. Fortunately, Buffalo Bob and David were our heroes and quickly got to work. Our Eloise is no slouch herself when it comes to wielding a tire iron, but it is nice to be pampered once in a while!
2008-04-05 Pams Grotto Kings Bluff Photo Link: click here
Having had our planned trek to Twin Falls literally washed out, two dozen TrailBlazers in 2 groups enacted Plan B in search of water wonders. One group first hiked up to Pam’s Grotto where the falls were gloriously tumbling down to the pool below. There were also some beautiful falls and rapids in Haw Creek just across the road where we had parked.
Next we headed to King’s Bluff Falls where the water was flowing well for the first time in many moons. It was very slippery on the top of the bluff. Word has it that Bonanza Bob slipped precariously close to the edge near the falls, and others also had some missteps. Several people bushwhacked their way down the steep trail to view and photograph the falls in their full-length majesty.
Afterwards some of us drove to Falling Water Falls, which is right on a road. Still yearning for more water, next we took the water-damaged road to Twin Falls to see the spectacular Six Fingers Falls. Finally we reached the incredible roadblock caused by the enormous landslide. After turning back some people hiked ľ of a mile up to Keefe Falls to round out the day. It was a long day, but nobody wanted to miss this rare opportunity to see big water. What a "wonderfall" experience!
2008-03-29 Glory Hole and Home Valley Bluff Photo Link: click here
Two and twenty TrailBlazers headed for the Glory Hole on a cool, very humid, overcast day that left our crack weather forecasters with egg on their faces! There was a lot of fog, sometimes very heavy, and in places gray clouds appeared to descend to the ground or ascend to the sky from the tops of trees, giving a familiar road a whole new look. The trail to the Glory Hole was wet and muddy, raising our hopes for a great water show, but in this we were disappointed. However, this hike never fails to please, and we had some hikers who were seeing for the first time how the stream funnels down through a round hole carved in a solid rock bluff to form a curtain of swirling water that can be viewed from underneath. Due to the mud and wet leaves, we had to watch our footing as we hiked to the bottom to explore. As we headed back uphill it started to rain, making it the kind of picture-taking day favored by Tim Ernst. Decked out in all manner of raingear, such as Hanna and her umbrella, we made quite a picture ourselves.
Next we headed on down the road to Home Valley Bluff, a new hike for most of us. Hiking downward for less than a mile, we arrived at an enormous bluff with an incredible view that was mostly obscured by heavy cloud cover. We hiked along the bluff line, where it was quite wet and marshy in places, to drink in the view. There were waterfalls in a couple of different places and a set of 3 large, flat rock tables, freestanding rock formations. After eating lunch and doing some more exploring, one contingent headed for home and the Ozark Barbeque for takeout. The other group captained by Bob and Wilson stayed behind with their heavy duty ropes to try to bushwhack their way to the valley floor, spurred on by their plan to finish the day by wolfing down burgers at CJ’s in Russellville.
2008-03-15 Indian Creek Photo Link: click here
Buffalo Bob gives us the scoop: The weather forecast for Saturday's Indian Creek Adventure Hike was for overcast and 40's and the rains in the early morning hours left the ground saturated and slippery. On our drive into Boxley Valley we had to stop to allow the elk to clear the highway. Over forty were grazing along the road.
19 TrailBlazers started out at the top of Indian Creek where the water was flowing nicely with waterfalls being plentiful. The trail was very wet, muddy, slippery and steep. In the creek area it was a challenge to find the best way downstream without slipping into the water. Even though the greens of Spring have not burst out, the moss and some ground plants were in full color.
The Eye of the Needle wasn't much of a challenge for this gang of hikers. Using over 100 ft of rope to climb to the top, another 100' added wasn't enough to reach to the bottom. No problem. Use your "low center of gravity" and scooch down the best you can and mission accomplished. The water was flowing through the top of the Eye and made a very pretty waterfall. The big adventure was Boxed In Canyon Falls where the soaked ground made for slippery footing (butting in some cases). The climb down the eighteen foot wall was successful and no hiker was left behind. The final leg to Kyles Landing included many crossings and falls.
The hike was a challenge for most and an adventure for all with only a few bumps and bruises. Ed was overheard to say: "I haven't been this dirty since I was seven and I'm loving every bit of it". It was also reported that the only one who somehow came out of it without a muddy backside was Buffalo Bob.
2008-03-09 Sugar Creek Photo Link: click here
After a patch of cold, snowy weather, balmy temperatures beckoned 42 TrailBlazers down to Booneville to hike along Sugar Creek with Doug. Wanting to avoid the time-consuming wet crossing that we have done in the past at the outset, we chose to start the hike at a different point. Most of the heavy snow has melted in Booneville itself, but it was still in evidence on the trail and the hillsides, making for a beautiful sight as we trekked up the slippery trail. Of course, parts of the trail were muddy or had wet leaves. As the snowy sections became packed down by many boots, the trail became slicker for the hikers bringing up the rear. There were places where we really had to watch our footing when all we really wanted to do was drink in the view! At the top we took some time to catch our breath, visit, and look around.
Along the way we got in touch with our inner child by making snowballs, ambushing each other, and playing catch. We found out that Shanti is actually a closet Conehead and several people, like Buffalo Bob, have a wicked aim. Little did we know that Mother Nature is a bit of a prankster herself, and did she ever have a surprise in store for us. Our hike was not supposed to have any wet crossings, but we certainly came close. The water was really rushing, so a crossing that should have been a mere rock hopper turned out to be a bit of a challenge. Some people chose to cross by straddling a large log, inch by inch, high above the creek. Others crawled across on it. Most of us crossed on a slippery log farther down the creek. Without the able assistance of Doug and Wilson, most of the hikers would have ended up in the drink.
We saw some new faces today, and everybody enjoyed getting up and out to experience Arkansas dressed in her snowy finery.
2008-03-01 Mt Magazine Photo Link: click here
On a beautiful day for hiking, 21 TrailBlazers drove down from the Mt. Magazine Visitors Center to Green Bench Road so we could hoof it back up the mountain. Starting out with 21 hikers, we lost 2 at the outset, but picked up 2 latecomers afterwards, so we still averaged out at twenty-one! For the first 2 miles or so we climbed steadily, an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet – huff, puff, gasp, wheeze. Since the oxygen masks failed to drop when we lost cabin pressure on the climb, an asthmatic Randy and a recovering Yours Truly resigned ourselves to a noisy breathing contest on the way up! When we reached the newly paved road at the top of the park, we were in for a treat at Cameron Bluff. There were a couple of spectacular overlooks where we took a breather and had many photo ops. Some of the views looked like Arkansas’s answer to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Continuing on to the campground, we ate lunch while enjoying such welcome but unaccustomed luxuries as picnic tables and flush toilets. While hamming it up for the camera, Schatze showed us how she has taught Sue to give her multiple treats. Continuing upward we hiked up to Signal Hill, the highest point in the state. On the spot there is a metal marker on an area paved with native stone to depict the Natural State. In a flash Becky managed to sprint across the entire state from northwest to southeast following the Arkansas River. You go, girl!
Taking the North Rim Trail, we trekked back to the Visitors Center. Defying logic, since we had already been to the highest point in the state, most of this seemed to be an uphill climb! In any case, this hike was a good workout and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We saw some signs that spring is just around the corner, so that was a welcome sight that bodes well for future hikes.
2008-02-24 Lee Creek Photo Link: click here
This turned out to be a “two-for” week with a good turnout of TrailBlazers for hike leader Speedy who only graces us with rare appearances these days. If anything will get him out of hibernation, it is this trail that is dear to his heart.
Guest reporter Sherri gives us her impressions: “40 hikers .... count 'em .... there were 40 of us .... guess that's what cabin fever will do to us, huh? Anyway, Shorty was our leader (that's his turf for sure) and this time we added the "Crack in the Rock" and there was a killer scramble up a loose rock bluff ... geez, but we were proud of ourselves once we got on top (lol), but it was worth it, a truly beautiful area to explore.
Now it seems we had an extra special reason to celebrate being in the woods today ...it turns out it was Becky's birthday, so I tried to catch a couple of shots of her. The last one was a surprise serenade by some of us (we pounced when she exited the ladies room).”
As y’all can tell, Yours Truly is still sick with some kind of bug, but she appreciates receiving pics from Hanna, Sherri and Katie. She is prepared to accept at face value Sherri’s assertion that Becky was “surprised” by the serenade (rather than suffering from an unprovoked assault on her eardrums)! Happy Birthday, Becky – what a great way to celebrate. You are not getting older, you are getting better and a trail is a good place to prove it!
2008-02-22 Ben Geren by Moonlight Photo Link: click here
After some of our hardy hikers canceled Black Fork last week due to monsoons, a major concession on their part, the TrailBlazers were not about to put off doing moonlight madness at Ben Geren. An ailing Yours Truly missed out on the caper, but they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here goes. Considering the style show, or lack thereof, featuring the many-layered look, it would appear that it was either a tad chilly or our members were trying to keep a low, if not svelte, profile!
Silvery Moonlight was supposed to be the piece de resistance. However, its bulb must have burnt out or it was suffering a bout of shyness that rendered it powerless to put in an appearance, because it looks pretty dark. Down here in the boonies it was cold, damp and totally overcast, so that is a safe guess.
Fortunately I do have my sources, so Katie reports that there were 17 starters and 9 finishers. No, eight were not lost never to be heard from again, they just were not fond of trekking in chocolate pudding aka mud and decided that discretion is the better part of valor. Katie, a finisher, assures me that they had lots of fun, so there must be a difference of opinion on the subject of squishy trails. Katie provided the pictures and I appreciate how difficult it is to shoot in the dark. My experience is that it is pretty much a case of point, shoot, and hope for the best since you really can’t see what you are trying to frame up. Thanks, Katie!
2008-02-09 Mt Nebo Rim Trail Photo Link: click here
After a scenic drive to the top of Mt. Nebo, 24 TrailBlazers started their hike from Gene’s charming mountaintop cabin overlooking the valley on the South Rim. The house sports a fantastic screened porch with a spectacular view. What a place to enjoy your morning coffee! Gene, aka Nebo Dude, was an affable and knowledgeable pack leader who even gave us time off for good behavior to take five or enjoy the view. The weather was perfect and a real treat was in store for us. After hiking for a while, we heard the inviting sound of running water. The waterfalls were turned on, something that has been missing on previous occasions! We trekked down to the bottom of the falls to better appreciate the various layers of cascades.
We continued around the west side of the mountain and on up to the North Rim to enjoy the view, all the while trying to keep Nuclear One out of our pictures! Then we headed south and climbed up to the Visitors Center to eat our lunch on the porch or out in the sun. Continuing south on the trail, we went through that rocky area where there are lots of steep stone steps and finally arrived at the campground. At this point Gene allowed us to make the executive decision whether to take a short cut back to his cabin or continue on the trail that now has a detour because of falling rocks. Randy opted for the former, and sheep that we are, we all followed him on the shortest distance between two points. In any case, it made for an enjoyable and relaxing day.
Yours Truly, aka Calamity Jane, provided the greatest photo op of the day and hopefully nobody captured it. She was posing the group on a concrete house foundation next to the cabin when she tripped over a pipe, falling fast and hard, managing to smash her left elbow and raise two large goose eggs on her right knee.
2008-02-02 Tall Peak Photo Link: click here
Undaunted by a long drive and a trail rated as “strenuous” (with good reason!), 9 stalwart TrailBlazers headed down to the Ouachitas on a picture perfect day to tackle Tall Peak. This trail would be a worthy project for a crew of eager beaver volunteers on National Trails Day!
Once again this was a Three Bob hike with our latest Bob being dubbed Buckeye Bob since he has now seen Buckeye from Tall Peak. After meandering around in the campground, we eventually found the trailhead that tends to be a tad inconspicuous by its elusiveness. Contrary to established TrailBlazer tradition the gents outnumbered the ladies 5 to 4. This proved to be invaluable when it came to making 4 creek crossings involving some creative slippery rockhopping. The 5th crossing could be avoided by making a short side trip to the road, and most of us wimped out! On the return trip we skipped the creek crossings altogether and opted for the road – been there, done that.
The trail was steep and rocky and therefore does not qualify for either a lung or knee-friendly rating. Nevertheless, two card-carrying Medicare participants rose to the challenge – well, just barely – and lived to tell the tale. We were treated to some purple mountain views, neat rocks, wonderful rock formations, and lots of holly as we huffed and puffed our way to the summit where we ate lunch atop the tower with its 360-degree view. It was a great hike, but Bonanza Bob and Yours Truly had to regain our wobbly land legs when we stopped in Mena on the way home! After this, the Rim Trail at Mt. Nebo should seem like a rest cure. Actually this trail also has some rocky ups and downs, but everything is relative. Y'all come!
2008-01-26 Marinoni Trail Photo Link: click here
Thirty TrailBlazers headed up 23 on a gray, cool day that never quite reached the temps predicted by our crack forecasters, although it was still good weather for hiking. The start time had been delayed by two hours and this was a great idea. Along the way we saw lots of ice on the bluffs along the road as well as some beautiful frozen waterfalls. Previously we had hiked the Marinoni Trail in the spring when there was lush flowering vegetation. Winter gives a whole new look to the area. The fallen foliage reveals lots more boulders and bluffs than we remembered. There was crystallized ice virtually everywhere – on the boulders, the bluffs, tree trunks, fallen logs, and the creek. It was a Tim Ernst sort of day for picture taking.
The waterfalls had water but they were literally frozen in time. After the second set of falls, we encountered some large, overturned trees on the trail. Some people forged ahead, and some stayed put to eat lunch. This was a bit of a challenge because the ground was damp and the rocks were icy. Nevertheless, we managed to wolf down our food because an army moves on its stomach, especially this one! As we headed back, the sun finally decided to direct some rays in our direction, and it felt great! The only fly in the ointment was that a few of us had really cold hands in spite of our gloves. Of course, our hands got cold when we had to remove our gloves to eat, but skipping lunch was not an option!
2008-01-20 Lake Fort Smith Photo Link: click here
On a cold, sunny afternoon fourscore and more TrailBlazers headed up old 71 for a command performance, invitation only, white tie optional, sneak peak at the brand new Lake Fort Smith State Park due to open in April. Becky had invited park interpreter Jay Schneider to give us a talk at a general meeting in Fort Smith, but he did us one better by inviting us up to his turf for an up close and personal look-see, an offer we couldn’t refuse! The park has literally been moved over to accommodate the larger lake. We met in the beautiful new Visitor Center overlooking the lake where we had the opportunity to look around at the hands-on exhibits. In the future visitors will be encouraged to pack and unpack the covered wagon, try on period clothing in the mock up cabin, and touch some of the small animals in their habitats.
Jay told us about the new facilities like the day use area, the camping facility, the group lodge, the pools, the planned cabins, and the trails. There was a neat 15-minute slide presentation that highlighted the history and beauty of the Frog Bayou area. In addition, there were a series of pictures showing the progress on the construction of the new lake and dam that started 6 years ago. The park tried to preserve whatever they could from destruction. There was no way to move some old stone cabins, so they preserved many of the rocks for use elsewhere in the park. They even polished up the original WPA plaque and proudly display it in the center. Jay is enthusiastically raring to get started doing his job of explaining the flora, fauna, history and geology of the park to visitors. He invited us to do a drive through to look around. Like Jay we are itching to see the place in hiking boots! It certainly is great to see our tax dollars spent on something we will use and enjoy!
2008-01-12 Sams Throne 2008 Photo Link: click here
Under cool, gray skies 27 TrailBlazers led by Wilson went in search of a glimpse of Sam preaching from his throne. Sam was a no-show, but this didn’t keep us from enjoying the views along the bluff trail or the challenge of scrambling up the rocky crevice to make the final climb to the top using toeholds and the indispensable rope. Wilson did a great job of getting everybody safely up and down, and he was ably assisted by Don, Danny and Carroll. They gave us technical advice, encouragement, a hand, push or a pull as needed, and told us which foot to use and where to put it. Of course, there are always some disgustingly fit people who go charging up without help of any kind.
It was not windy on top where we ate lunch and did some exploring. Since it was still early, about half of the group decided to drive down the highway to Cave Creek Bluffs to check it out. After a brief drive on a rocky, rutted road, we hiked out to the top of the bluffs. We had to be watchful because we encountered at least a half dozen baited traps. Several eager beavers hiked down to the bottom and then decided to return by climbing up a steep narrow crevice that seriously rivaled the one at Sam’s Throne. As we trekked back to the cars, it started to drizzle and then rained for the drive home. Great hikes and perfect timing!
2008-01-05 Hobbs State Park Photo Link: click here
With only one December hike under our belts due to wet weather and our Christmas Recess, the #1 New Year’s Resolution for 32 TrailBlazers was to get back on the trail. En route to Hobbs State Park we passed by scenic War Eagle Mill. Upon our arrival at the trailhead we were greeted by gray, overcast skies, and a stiff breeze as Judith and Ed led us on a couple of loops. After a while the sun favored us with an occasional smile until it fully emerged, giving us blue skies and balmy weather. There were some new hikers with us as well as some oldies but goodies that we haven’t seen in a while. There was no Elvis sighting, but Santa did show up since there was not enough snow yet to get him back to the North Pole.
First we did the Dutton Hollow Loop that features some rugged terrain and steep hollows, but the trail itself is neatly laid out to weave around on fairly level terrain, so it was not very difficult. Since there are many pine trees, there is not a lot of debris on the trail and relatively few rocks, so the trail merits a knee-friendly rating. After completing the first loop we picked up the Bashore Ridge Loop that brought us to our beautiful lunch spot, a rocky shelf overlooking Beaver Lake. There were plenty of flat rocks to sit on as we wolfed down our food that always tastes great when we are dining al fresco. After about a 7.5 mile trek we headed for home.
2007-12-01 Vista Trail Photo Link: click here
After suffering withdrawal due to the rain cancellation of our post-Thanksgiving turkey trot at White Rock, 26 TrailBlazers led by Captain Kenya were more than ready to hit the trails and explore a brand new one at Lake Ouachita. Eventually this relatively new trail will extend for 40 miles, but we contented ourselves with about five. The trail has some gentle ups and downs as it winds through the woods sporting some great views here and there of Lake Ouachita. It is shared by mountain bikers, but we managed to outnumber them!
Somewhat different from the Ozarks, the leaf-covered trail featured various hardwoods, tall pines, many ferns, holly bushes as well as their taller cousins, lush patches of moss, and lots of neat quartz rocks of all sizes. We found out that Hanna is a closet rock hound who coveted many specimens on the trail. If Carroll had been with us, he probably would have used his well-practiced tactics to load down all of our backpacks with souvenirs for her when we weren’t looking!
It was a great hike in perfect weather and it is definitely a keeper to add to our repertoire.
2007-11-19 Tim Ernst Photo Link: click here
Once again Tim Ernst, Arkansas’s well known outdoor photographer, came to Fort Smith to give his pre-Thanksgiving slide show presentation to the TrailBlazers and a packed house at Grace Community Church. Having intimated in his Cloudland Journal that he might not give his Yellowstone program, his readers gave him what for, so he changed his mind! Yellowstone in Winter was a spectacular array of both wildlife and scenic photos. Tim traveled with a mixed group of photographers with different specialties. He ended up taking several wildlife photos, not usually his specialty, and inspired the wildlife photographers to appreciate and shoot the scenery. We saw some magnificent shots of elk, bison, bighorn sheep, and some remarkable sequences of wolves. Of course, there were also many views of winter wonders.
The second part of the program was Arkansas waterfalls, both the famous ones and some that Tim has discovered while hiking all over the state in some remote places. Of course, Tim has the equipment, the patience and the skill to capture things that the rest of us only dream about. He is also willing to brave the elements in any kind of weather or conditions. That’s why we got to see waterfalls showcased by seasonal garb, such as the lush green of spring, the chromatic hues of autumn, and the crystal ice of winter. Afterwards, Tim fielded questions and signed autographs. We ended the evening with drawings for some neat gifts furnished by various businesses and the TrailBlazers.
2007-11-17 Pedestal Rocks Kings Loop Photo Link: click here
A warm, sunny, picture-perfect day found 30 TrailBlazers hiking the Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff trails. Ably led by Linda, most of us did just these two trails. After our group picture, Wilson’s carload did the loops in reverse, so we wouldn’t slow them down. They also planned on hiking to Buzzards Roost.
First the large group trekked to Kings Bluff Overlook where we were disappointed in the falls but rewarded by the beautiful view. Dry conditions had reduced the falls to a mere trickle, not worthy of a king. Next we set off to see the pedestals, something that never fails to please. We had our lunch on a large rocky outcropping where we enjoyed a majestic view. There was still some fall color here and there, although many leaves had either fallen or passed their peak.
For the uninitiated the first impression is that the trail simply hugs a high bluff. Individual pedestals, large and small, can be seen from the trail. The real treat, as Gene found out, is that you have to get down and dirty to walk down underneath the bluffs. This is when you realize that you have been walking and sitting on the roof of a series of open caves and that several sections of the rocky trail overhead have no visible means of support! This part of the hike never fails to bring out the kid in all of us and invites us to explore the caves and rock climb. Three adventuresome teenagers in our group dug in their toes and fingers and scampered all over the bluffs with the confidence and exuberance of youth. The rest of us had fun too, but we couldn’t quite compete!
2007-11-10 Photo Link: click here
The weather was perfect for hiking - a little overcast, a little cool - and the trees were putting on a good autumnal show. So 41 people seized the day and showed up for the Seven Hollows hike at Petit Jean State Park. The crowded parking lot at the trailhead showed that TrailBlazers were not the only ones to hear the call of the wild, but we did not find the trail crowded. And while 41 TrailBlazers is a crowd all by itself, as the hike progressed we tended to break into smaller packs that made for very congenial hiking.
The Seven Hollows trail leads down valleys bordered with sandstone bluffs, popping over the ridges from one valley to the next. A great many leaves had already been blown down to line the valley floors, but more that enough salmon dogwood leaves and yellow hickory leaves clung to their limbs to give a good show against the gray bluffs. And with fewer leaves on the trees, the strange erosional patterns of the rock were very visible. These forested areas contrasted with the areas affected by the long-ago fire, where white, barkless trunks stand in a sea of new pine trees. In many places, the dead trees have fallen across the trail to give a hiking obsticle course. In one place, they fell across the trail where it runs between two 20' bluffs, which lead to some scrambling to get by. We sure got our hiking calisthenics in!
The interesting trail contributed towards a good day for everyone. We poked our head in the mini-cave, we took pictures through the rock arch, we climbed above the arch to walk over the rock turtles, we threw rocks in the grotto creek. And as always, the lunch break was a highlight of the hike. Getting over some of the rocks in the trail was a challenge to the knees of a few of us, but we all made it up and over and back to the trailhead, no problem.
No one felt inclined to tackle the Cedar Creek trail afterwards, but we swung by the lodge and overlook to check the color and to catch the score on the Razorback game. No more need be said on that subject. And a few of us stopped at CJ's in Russellville for burger that can't be beat. All in all, a pretty good day.
2007-11-03 Workday at Devils Den Photo Link: click here
A small but mighty team of TrailBlazers, numbering a baker’s dozen, answered the semi-annual call to spruce up Devil’s Den. The drive was beautiful with trees really starting to turn, so next week might be peak color.
This time we did something new - cleaning up the remains of the Civilian Conservation Corps buildings in honor of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the park. Back in the dark depression days of the 30s, the government employed thousands of young men to do public works projects. In the South this took the form of creating many state parks. The men did beautiful stone work, making bridges, rock staircases and cabins, many of which are still in use.
On a small loop trail we cleared away dirt, brush, and trees to uncover the foundation of the CCC kitchen. It seems that women never get out of the kitchen even when we are out in the woods! Bonanza Bob’s chain saw came in handy for cutting out the fallen trees. Some people, with Gene serving as an able engineer, worked to clear and repair the trail near the kitchen, smoothing it out, curbing it with rocks, and spreading gravel. We also cleared out the old root cellar and then moved on to the latrine. Women’s work is never done! Fortunately, it has been many moons, no pun intended, since this facility was used. The cleaning only consisted of cutting down brush and weeds to uncover the ruins, so no rubber gloves, gas masks, and Pinesol were needed.
Everybody pitched in and worked hard, so we got the work done in short order. Afterwards, four of us decided to hike the Lee Creek Trail and enjoyed the scenery and the company. It was a great day and it was more fun than raking our own yards or cleaning out the garage or attic!
2007-10-27 Hawksbill Crag Lost Valley Photo Link: click here
In search of fall color, 53 TrailBlazers traveled up the Pig Trail to Hawksbill Crag. There was a dress rehearsal in costume along the road, particularly the red maples, but the peak color is still a work in progress. Undoubtedly our crack weather forecasters failed to coordinate their day planners with Mother Nature, a lady who has an agenda of her own. It seems we haven’t had enough cool nights to bring out all the color, but it is always a beautiful drive and we still have the anticipation of color to come.
After reaching the trailhead, we set out at a brisk pace and trotted on up to the crag with its view that never fails to please. We had plenty of time to explore, visit, and eat before taking our traditional group photo atop the most photographed rock outcropping in the Natural State. Here and there we spotted a few colorful trees down in the valley. Beautiful bluffs, interesting rock formations, and soaring hawks are all included in the panoramic view.
Next, after a short drive, we easily “found” Lost Valley, but finding a parking space presented a bit of a challenge. The creek was dry, but there were some beautiful leaves glistening in the water below the low waterless falls. We continued on to Eden Falls that were a mere sprinkle and a shadow of what they can be. Ascending a steep staircase of rocks we continued up the trail to see the magnificent bluffs stretching up to the sky and to reach the cave where some adventurous hikers did a little spelunking.
On the way back we looked for elk In Boxley Valley and saw a herd of at least 15. A rather magnificent male with an enviable rack was bugling and strutting around guarding his harem but, if truth be told, the girls seemed more interested in the lush grass! A perfect finish for our day!
2007-10-20 Mt Magazine Photo Link: click here
Once again blessed with great weather, 34 TrailBlazers and two canines hiked the Bear Trail at Mt. Magazine. As usual, Schatze was more than happy to flash her pearly whites for the camera, always sensing the best camera angles and lighting, while little Low Rider proved to be “long” on camera shyness! When we set out, a stiff breeze threatened to blow away lightweights like Billigene, but after a while the layers came off as we enjoyed a warm day with little humidity.
Taking Will Apple’s Road from the Visitor Center, we crossed the horse camp where we met up with Joy, Vickie, and Low Rider, and then picked up the Bear Trail on the other side of the road. Of course, after we crossed the road there was some momentary dithering about finding the trail, but eagled-eyed Buffalo Bob saved the day. Of course, we weren’t lost! The long-time members were probably just feigning humility for the benefit of the newcomers, so that they wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by a bunch of know-it-alls claiming to be experts on the great outdoors. What we won’t do to make folks feel at home!
Everything was pretty green with little evidence of fall color to come, but the sumac was starting to get colorful and there were some beautiful hazy views. We saw ferns, violets, asters, and some beautiful wildflowers that defied identification by even our plant-savvy members. Finding a beautiful rocky overlook featuring Mt. Nebo in the distance, we decided it would make a great lunch spot. A few people decided to pass on their brown bags al fresco in favor of lunch at the lodge since it was early enough to do that. We had a great time and are crossing our fingers for some great fall foliage at Hawksbill Crag next week.
2007-10-13 Little Missouri Photo Link: click here
A delightful sunny day, with little humidity, beckoned 28 TrailBlazers, both new and old, down to the Ouachitas to hike the Little Missouri Trail from Albert Pike Campground to Little Missouri Falls. We expected the possibility of several wet crossings, but we were pleasantly surprised to have only one at the very beginning of the trail. The water over a low bridge was just high enough to require us to slosh across in water shoes. After that we managed to rock hop the rest of the crossings. Of course, here and there someone managed to wet a boot or a sock or even suffer the indignity of a partial dunking due to a slip, but identities will not be revealed at this juncture because we don’t want to scare off new members! This trail is relatively easy with no really hard uphill sections, so everybody kept up a pretty good pace
We found a lovely rocky area in the middle of a creek and decided that it was not only a great place for a photo op, but also an ideal lunch spot. Along the trail we saw some tiny asters, mushrooms of various types, holly, and beauty berries. Fall color was not yet in evidence as tree leaves are still looking pretty green, although there was no indication that this area had experienced the heavy rain that occurred recently in the Fort Smith area. Toward the end of our hike we were rewarded with several waterfalls down along the river. Everyone agreed it was a perfect day for a hike.
2007-10-07 Sunday Kickoff Picnic Photo Link: click here
Devil’s Den hosted fourscore and more TrailBlazers, our largest crew ever, for our sixth season kickoff picnic. One group hiked the Devil’s Den Trail, very tempted to spend the duration in the Icebox, and another explored the crevices that branch off that same trail. The largest contingent, gluttons for punishment, hoofed up to Yellowrock on a very warm and humid day.
Of course, this army moves best on its stomach, so we all headed back to the pavilion to wolf down hot dogs, salads galore, and some sinful desserts. Randy’s grandson Allen also celebrated his birthday with us. Unfortunately, doing justice to the food did not fare so well for our waistlines, so we all need to head for the Ouachitas next Saturday to work it off. Come join us!
2007-09-17 Meeting Photo Link: click here
On September 17th the TrailBlazers had our first meeting of the sixth season for a sellout crowd of around four score at the River Valley Nature Center. Becky welcomed everyone, new and old, and invited newcomers to join us on a hike. Bob the First, our original Buffalo Bob, gave a slide presentation of some of the TrailBlazers’ finest moments at such scenic sites as Indian Creek, Hawksbill Crag, Twin Falls, Glory Hole, and the Ouachitas. Next Judith and Ed, our poster children for physical fitness, enthusiastically told us how much they have enjoyed the club since joining a couple of years ago. This dynamic duo makes a lot of us realize that we have a lot of catching up to do!
This was a birthday party of sorts because the club was founded five years ago on this very day. This means that we are officially out of hikers’ preschool and ready to tackle kindergarten. In honor of the occasion we celebrated with a neat cake with an outdoor theme. Our birthday gift was that no dues will be collected this year. Poverty is no longer a valid excuse, so we all need to get up, get out, and enjoy Arkansas – our motto. Happy Trails to you!
2007-06-23 Trip to Angel Fire, NM Part 2 Photo Link: click here
On Tuesday several people did the Clear Creek Trail that was billed as a walk along a creek. It turned out to be an uphill trek on a steep, regged trail but it was a neat hike with lots of waterfalls and rushing water.
Wednesday found a large group huffing and puffing their way from about 10,200 ft. up to scenic Williams Lake at 11,000+ ft., where we lunched at some beautiful falls at the far end of the lake. Most of the rest of our group shot the rapids in the Rio Grande on rafts.
Thursday brought more shopping in Red River and Taos for some. Another group did the long drive to Valle Vidal where they were impressed by the scenery. Five of us took the Red River Lift in the AM to hike to an old mining town then did the mountain jeep tour in the PM and managed to get bombarded by hail and rain. During the tour we ran into 2 rental jeeps driven by fellow TrailBlazers.
On Friday five diehards, with Judith saving us face as the sole female, hiked the steep, rough trail up to Touch Me Not and were treated to panoramic views. Several others went shopping in Santa Fe and Taos or visited the historic Taos Pueblo where Indian artisans live in traditional pueblos with no water or electricity.
The scenery was beautiful and very varied from the hot desert area of Taos and Santa Fe to the high-desert/mountainous terrain of Angel Fire where it was cooler, greener and wetter. Everybody had a great time and appreciated all of Becky’s hard work to get this show on the road. Phil, a newcomer to TrailBlazer Travel, enjoyed all the hikes and sightseeing but felt that the best part was meeting everybody – Amen
2007-06-23 Trip to Angel Fire, NM Part 1 Photo Link: click here
The last week in June found 30 TrailBlazers flying, driving or biking to Angel Fire, with 7 leaving a day early to food shop. Contrary to popular belief, June 21st is not the longest day of the year. This year that distinction was reserved for June 23rd when 2 vehicles loaded with 7 women made the marathon food run to Sam’s in Santa Fe and Wal-Mart in Espanola with Commander in Chief Becky ably leading the charge.
As usual there were some last minute changes, including 2 people dropping out due to illness and one blazer substituting for another. The “5K House” actually turned out to have a different name and address than we were told, but the name stuck anyway. A last minute administrative change led to Bison Lodge (a really neat pad) being substituted for Losack House, much to the delight of its occupants.
On Sunday most of us drove the Enchanted Circle, hiked the Columbine Creek Trail and actually spotted some large columbines, checked out the Visitors’ Center in Cimarron Canyon State Park, surveyed the Royal Gorge from the Rinconada Loop Trail and La Junta Point, and finished up viewing and photographing the canyon from Gorge Bridge.
On Monday a large contingent made the long, scenic drive to Bandelier National Monument to learn about the cliff dwellings and pueblos on a ranger-led tour. Several adventurers, aka mad dogs and Englishmen, climbed about 140 ft. up a series of 4 steep ladders in the blazing sun to Alcove House at the top of a cliff. South of Red River a smaller group hiked the Lost Lake Trail that parallels a creek with several waterfallsand reached 11,400 ft.
See Part 2!
2007-04-21 Glory Hole and Magnolia Falls Photo Link: click here
Twenty-five TrailBlazers headed up Highway 21 to check out the falls on a day that promised to be very warm. First we hiked down to the Glory Hole, noting along the way that there had been a prescribed burn and quite a bit of frost damage, retarding spring growth. Nevertheless, we did manage to see some shooting stars, wild iris, violets, and shriveled-up dogwood blossoms. The creek has certainly been higher than it is now, but there was enough water to make little waterfalls and cascades here and there, as well as a beautiful spray coming down through the Glory Hole itself. Everyone always seems to enjoy exploring the area.
Next we went on down the road to see Magnolia Falls. The trail seemed quite dry and dusty, so we were pleasantly surprised to see a respectable amount of water tumbling down. This area made an ideal lunch spot, so we made the most of it. After checking out the nearby Woods Boys Falls, we were keenly disappointed that “the boys” were nowhere to be seen, so some pretty forlorn ladies trudged back to the cars. The men managed to mask their feelings of deprivation, or perhaps Woods Girls would have been more to their liking!
Pictures of Magnolia Falls and the Glory Hole from May 2004 are included for comparison purposes. Oh, it was a good year!
2007-04-14 Buckeye Mt Caney Creek Photo Link: click here
After a night with rain, seven TrailBlazers made the drive to the Ouachitas and Caney Creek southeast of Mena. The skys were cloudy and the temperature was in the upper 40's, perfect hiking weather as we started out on the Caney Creek Trail. After crossing several small creeks and seeing some small waterfalls, we wondered what would lie ahead when we had to cross Caney. As it turned out, we were able to stone-hop across the creek. Some did choose to wade through the cool water on an earlier crossing. We found Katy Falls to be really pretty and flowing nicely. After a short lunch break, the next leg of the hike was up the Buckeye Mountain trail. We found a few vistas where the surrounding mountain tops were visible. The winds were strong at times and it felt like the temperature was dropping as we neared the end of the trail. An easy mile walk down the dirt road and back to the vehicle made this 9.6 mile a great time with some good friends.
2007-03-17 Pinnacle Mountain Photo Link: click here
On a crisp morning, 13 TrailBlazers met at the crack of dawn for the trip to west Little Rock to climb Pinnacle Mountain. Of the 13, 3 knew what they were getting into but came anyway! Pinnacle Mountain is 1,001 feet high and sits on the outskirts of Little Rock offering views of the Arkansas River, Lake Maumelle, distant Ouachita Mountains and the Little Rock skyline. Actually, Pinnacle is the eastern-most mountain in the Ouachita Range, according to our resident geologist, Doug.
We started our 750-feet climb from the East Summit trailhead through the forest. After an unplanned side trip, where we commented that Pinnacle Mountain State Park needed a volunteer crew (like us!) to do trail maintenance, we got back on track and found the rock field that lay between us and the peak. We picked and pulled our way through the rocks and after much huffing and puffing, we all reached the top where we rested and enjoyed the views. We decided that all of our hearts must be healthy since no one was experiencing chest pains. After making our way through the crowd along the spine to view the other side of the mountain, we descended the West Summit trail. This side is equally steep but has been made more accessible by placement of rocks in stair-steps. Most visitors ascend and descend on the west side.
We had lunch in the picnic area and enjoyed having picnic tables and nearby bathrooms and vending machines. We then took the easy route, the Base Trail along the Little Maumelle River, back to our cars. There were areas blanketed with yellow trout lilies, a sprinkling of spring beauties and patches of May flowers.
2007-03-10 Devils Den Workday Photo Link: click here
A frog of a foggy morning turned into a prince of a day for 14 TrailBlazers to help out at our home park. Y’all could say that for the ladies the day was the pits, fire pits, that is! Four teams of two roamed 4 different campgrounds, with long-handled shovels, in pursuit of ashes in the fire rings. After filling up trash bags, we had to haul the bags – grunt, groan – to the road for collection. We pity the guys that will heft these bags up onto trucks since some of the ashes were wet. Of course, this stimulating work gave us an excuse to be goofy, as if we needed one, so Hanna tried on an oversized garbage bag for size in various poses. As luck would have it, whenever Ranger Harry checked up on us, we were goofing off or taking a breather. He'll find out what all we did when his men come back with hernias!
As for the men, no sexism here, they spruced up the trails with hacksaws, pruners, and chain saws. We sure were glad to see these guys because this work can call for people made of sterner stuff, and our boys rose to the challenge. Remember that all TrailBlazers, even those conspicuous by their absence, are more than welcome to join the chain gang! We always smile a lot, act happy, and never wear stripes so the campers don't think we are on work release or community service!
Afterwards we enjoyed lunch alongside the dam where the water was cascading beautifully.
2007-02-07 Black Fork Mountain Photo Link: click here
On a crisp and hazy day twenty TrailBlazers headed down toward Mena in the continuing pursuit of the Ouachita Odyssey with Wilson as pack leader. Although this is not a trail for wimps, it didn’t prove as difficult as Tim Ernst’s trail guide might suggest. However, he is quite right that the trail is not well maintained in certain parts, and Yours Truly does not give it a knee-friendly rating. It does start out with a rather long uphill trek, huff and puff, but there are some sections that level out, with or without rocks. Because the day was so overcast, the views were mostly a bluish haze. After a while the trail started going downhill on rocky, uneven ground. After a chilly lunch break, we continued upwards on this rocky trail to a boulder field called Rock Glacier, our planned destination. Treacherous greenbrier in abundance was literally a thorn in our sides. The afternoon sun predicted by our crack weathercasters was conspicuous by its absence, so the thermometer remained stuck all day.
At this point some of our SuperBlazers decided to push on up the trail while the other half decided to return via a different route. The returnees hiked down the mule trail, passed a tree farm, tangled with some greenbrier (with battle scars to prove it!), crossed the railroad tracks, returned to the cars via the road, and ended up stopping for refreshments at a little store.
SuperBlazer Bob reports: “Nine trekkers opted to go the "extra mile". We only hiked a short distance before reaching Rock Glacier where there was a pretty vista overlooking the valley and highway below. We could see Queen Wilhelmina Lodge on Rich Mountain south of our location. The trail continued another .8 mile to the end where at 2600'+ the trees were only 4' to 5' tall."
2007-01-06 Sams Throne Photo Link: click here
With Tim at the “Helm,” 26 TrailBlazers opened the New Year on a crisp but not bone-chilling morning in pursuit of Sam’s Throne. In no time we were shedding layers to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day. We started out on the scenic rim trail and worked our way down the rocky road before continuing along the trail that is lined with unusual standing rock formations and high bluffs. Legend has it that Sam was a man who liked to preach from the top of the throne.
When we arrived at the base of the throne, we had to work our way up a steep and rocky trail to reach the staging area for our climb up the crevice. Bless his li’l pea-picking heart, our Tim took his guide duties seriously and came suitably equipped with sturdy orange ropes to assist technically challenged, physically decrepit (Yours Truly!), or just plain scared hikers to scale the crevice. Fortunately there were also other do-gooders willing to lend a hand. Of course, we also had our fair share of agile show-offs who scampered up the crevice, spurning all offers of help! Tim worked up a sweat helping us up and down and even hefted Schatze the Canine up the crevice. On the top we ate lunch and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
After the descent down the crevice, we had to tackle a steep, rocky, slippery slope back down to the return trail. This is where Humpty Dumpty aka Yours Truly took a nasty fall, tipping backwards, whacking her knee and ending up on her face – how low the mighty are fallen. Fortunately all the king’s horses and men weren’t needed, but she will probably have at least one purple knee tomorrow. Bob was concerned about possible broken bones and she was worried about her camera – just a question of priorities! After this stretch, it was pretty easy going until the final uphill trek to the cars.
Photo Link: click here