Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

   Tomorrow our daughter and grandson are scheduled to fly home, so today is our last chance to take them to some of the Natural State’s finest, a nd Lost Valley certainly qualifies.  We have visited Lost Valley a few times, it seems to be one of our go to places whenever we have guests in town. dogwood      I tend to avoid all the mega-popular tourist destinations and Lost Valley is right up there near the top of the list.   Now of course, there are good reasons for this massive popularity, and that would be the massive amount of natural beauty.    So, we’re out the door as early as possible to hopefully beat the crowds. Natural Bridge Falls     This will also be our first time to Lost Valley since the big makeover was recently completed.   The first change we notice is the new parking lot, this has got to be the biggest parking lot for a hiking location I’ve ever seen.   And it appears we have definitely beat the crowds, there are only three cars in the lot when we arrive.    So of

     This morning we loaded up our out-of-town guests and took them to Broadwater Hollow.   The plan was to show them a little bit of the Natural State's beauty and do some  hiking at the same time.   Broadwater Hollow was awesome as usual, (see: 20 Broadwater Hollow ) and everyone was up for a little more. framed in green      So off to Triple Falls we go.   ‘As the crow flies’ it’s not very far from Broadwater Hollow to Triple Falls.   But in a car, is a different story.   From Compton we drive to Ponca then up the mountain to Mt. Sherman and finally down the hill to the Boy Scout’s Camp Orr.   A very scenic drive the entire way. Triple Falls      The parking area is actually just inside the Camp Orr property and is designated with signage.   The hike to the falls I believe, is the shortest possible that you can even call a hike.   Anything less and it would probably be visible from the car.   It sure is a beautiful spot too. skippin' rocks      Triple Falls is three distinc

     We have some out-of-town visitors today, our daughter Chelsey and grandson Aidan.    So, we thought it would be a good time to show them some of Arkansas’s beauty and do some hiking at the same time.   We didn’t want to be in the car all day, so chose Broadwater Hollow since it is relatively close to home. above Paige Falls      Having been here many times we have learned that you never know what to expect regarding the back road down into Broadwater Hollow.   Today the road is great, apparently having been recently graded and we're at the parking area in no time. group shot at Paige Falls      From the parking area it’s a short walk down the road to Broadwater Hollow, we cross the creek here on the road then find the good trail on the east side.   It’s a very easy hike along the creek passing some lovely cascades.   We then go between and around some huge boulders and around another corner to some great views of Paige Falls down below. turquoise pool of Paige Falls        Jus

    This morning we went out with nowhere in particular in mind.   We just wanted to get out on some back roads and do a little hiking.   We have already been to Fallsville and Waterfall Hollow earlier this morning, see: ( 18 Waterfall Hollow ) . down in Lonesome Hollow      Now we find ourselves near Cowell and have decided to do the short hike to Lonesome Hollow Falls.   It’s easy to get to the parking spot, just turn off Highway 7 at the cemetery, then around at the back of the cemetery turn south on Taylor Ridge Road.   Go about a mile to a pull-off on the right where there is a dirt berm blocking access down an old road. bluff shelter      From this parking spot we head over the berm and down the old road.   Its real easy hiking and we soon come to a rock cairn at the right side of the road.   This cairn marks the spot where to leave the road and begin the bushwhack back to Lonesome Hollow Falls.   But, in following our ‘nowhere in particular’ theme for the day, we continue down t

This morning we head out to just drive around on some back roads and do a little hiking along the way.   With nowhere in particular in mind we eventually found ourselves south of Fallsville near Waterfall Hollow.   There hasn’t been much rain here lately but since we're here, we thought we would check out the three waterfalls.   That would be  Waterfall #1, Waterfall #2 and Waterfall #3.   I guess those are as good of names as any, what else would you call waterfalls in Waterfall Hollow? Waterfall #1       The hike to these falls is on the Ozark Highlands Trail and that means a good easy to follow trail.   We have no trouble getting to all three waterfalls.   Mid May here in Arkansas feels like early summer, and of course all the trees are in full foliage now. This means pretty green scenery and lots of shade to keep things comfortable.   All three falls are right on the OHT so no bushwhacking necessary. lots of storm debris      The waterfalls are in little side drainages flowing

     Last month we were down in this area with the plan of hiking to waterfalls on Little Cow Creek.   We didn’t make it into Little Cow Creek that day, but instead checked out some other cool stuff in the area.  That included Haw Creek Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest, which is a nice little campground with beautiful Haw Creek Falls right on the north edge of the campground.  Today we’re back at Haw Creek Rec Area, this time we'll be hiking to Pack Rat Falls and nearby Pam’s Grotto. Haw Creek      First up is Pack Rat Falls, we park the car in the middle of the loop campground at the restrooms.  A fter a quick visit to Haw Creek Falls, it’s only about 100 feet to the falls and too awesome to pass up, so why not?    Then over to the  trailhead (of sorts) for Pack Rat which is at the back of campsite #6 in the southeast corner of the campground. side falls below Pack Rat      This is a pretty good little trail for a while.   After passing some stacked rocks I call the