Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

       Whenever I’m looking for a hike close to home, I always seem to wind up at either Mincy Conservation Area (see: 111 , 112 , 133 , 175 , 218 ) or Slippery Hollow Natural Area (see: 108 , 109 , 176 , 202 ) , both are great areas for hikers.   But there are other places, also close to the house that I always overlook.   Today we’re going to check out ‘Fred Berry Conservation Education Center on Crooked Creek’, a long name, yes, but as we’re about to find out a beautiful place and close... Crooked Creek      Yes I said ‘we’, Kat has decided to come along for the adventure after I assure her, this should be an easy hike.   We drove around at ‘Fred Berry’ once many years ago, but this will be our first hike at the Ed. Center in Yellville, which is administered by Arkansas Game and Fish.   We pull into the Natural Area, crossing the bridge over Crooked Creek with Kelly’s Slab visible just downstream. first view of the creek on Cree...

       I got out of the house a little later than usual this morning, and this afternoon is supposed to get pretty warm, around 80°.   So as I’m driving south, I make the decision to keep my hike short and try to keep the elevation gain to a minimum.  You can tell a lot about distance and altitude gain when you’re studying a topographical map, but in the end, it is what it is , and you never know until you go.  I end up in Gene Rush WMA, at the trailhead for a loop hike that should fit the bill. subtle beauty      This little loop involves a few WMA roads or ‘firelanes’ as they’re referred to in Gene Rush.   I’m going to call this the ‘Maberry Loop’ for the cemetery I plan to visit along the way.   My parking spot is outside the gate across NC 4543, it’s a good sized area, probably with enough room for six or more to park here.   Last December when I first decided to check out some of the ‘firelanes’ I was pleasantly ...