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233 Sugarloaf to Carrollton Castle

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       A couple weeks ago, it finally cooled off enough to get outside for a little hiking (see: 231 Coursey , and 232 Calf Creek ) but it didn’t last long.  The mornings have been nice, but it warms up quick into the eighties, too hot for me to hike.  So we have been catching up on yardwork lately, but today I decide to ‘try’ to get a little hike in before the thermometer hits 80.  The trick to this, is to keep the drive time minimal which means stay close to home . dry West Sugarloaf Creek Highway 14/W. Sugarloaf bridge      Bull Shoals Lake is pretty close to the house, since it’s been a very dry summer the lake level is down below normal conservation pool (659’), today’s elevation is at 652’.  Often in the spring lake levels reach top flood pool elevation of 695’ and can stay there for weeks or longer, but that never happened this year.  When water levels are down the shoreline is transformed into an off-road playground f...

232 Exploring Calf Creek from Peter Cave Road

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       Day before yesterday I got back out on the trail for the first time in over five months, before then it had been too hot to even think about going outside let alone go hiking.  This coming week, the daily highs are predicted to gradually rise every day, back to ‘unseasonably warm’ by the end of the week.  So, I better get back out there, take advantage of the good weather while I can. Calf Creek      On the hike Friday (see: 231 Coursey to ORT ) I was pleasantly surprised that the Old River Trail was in such good shape.   I easily made it down to the Buffalo River but couldn’t find anything resembling the trail on the other side of the river.   Today I’ll try to find the Old River Trail from the south side of the river, beginning somewhere around Peter Cave Road.   I end up parking off an old road now seldom used for hayfield access. old road off of Peter Cave Rd.      From here at my parking spot, it’s c...

231 Old River Trail from Coursey Drive access

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       It’s been over five months since my last hiking adventure (see: 230 Buffalo Point ) , it goes without saying; this summer has been a long one, I’m really excited about some cooler temperatures and the upcoming hiking season.  Only 50° this morning when I hit the road, and it isn’t predicted to get much over 60.  Perfect for a short segment of the Old River Trail, that’s the plan, I hope it won’t be too overgrown. Mill Creek      Last spring as the temps started climbing the tick and chigger populations really ‘exploded’, some trails and especially off trail in fields was thick with the blood thirsty pests.  After some research over the summer I’ve treated a set of hiking clothes with ‘permethrin’.  Today will be my ‘test run’ just the permethrin treated pants, shirt and socks.  No DEET on my skin today, last spring it seemed like DEET had no effect on ticks, it didn’t even slow them down. tight parking @ end of Coursey...