Ten TrailBlazers, including Billigene, headed for Ponca under the command of Judith and Ed to hike the trail down to Big Bluff. The weather casters got it wrong and we had no rain at all on the trail. Yours Truly rode in a carful of men and at our favorite Clarksville pit stop had the unique experience of having to make an executive decision between 2 empty stalls in the rest room – unheard of for Lady TrailBlazers!

The unique feature of this hike is that we hike down to the bluff on a sometimes rocky and muddy trail and then make a steady uphill trek out – huff, puff, wheeze, groan! Regardless of what Ed’s GPS might say, Yours Truly maintains that the return trip is longer. We had at least 3 first-timers who were able to enjoy this majestic view for the first time. As the BOC web site states: “At 550-ft tall, Big Bluff is just that---big. In fact, it's so big that it has the distinction of being the tallest sheer bluff face found between the Rocky and Appalachian mountains.” Of course we had a great view of the adjacent bluffs and the Buffalo River for lunch. Afterwards, we scampered around on the narrow goat trail ledge, climbed through the rock window to explore further, and took pics that don’t do justice to this lofty bluff.

Trivia: Larry has a new vehicle, Billigene has some bruises on her face from a bar fight – actually a slip in her yard, and Richard is in the doghouse for not knowing the difference between a hiking stick and a cane. See what y’all miss when you don’t hike with us? Happy Trails to us!

{gallery}PhotoGallery/2014-03-08-BigBluff{/gallery}