Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

     Here it is the end of May and we’re still squeezing in a hike now and then.  Spring got off to an early and wet start, but this month has been mostly dry and mild, so we won’t complain.  Our plan for today is to drive to Woolum, wade across the Buffalo River and hike to the Narrows and Skull Bluff.  We arrive at Woolum with no problem, but the Buffalo is much higher than we anticipated. near 'The Barns'      A canoe outfitter at the Woolum ford is doing a brisk business and asks if we would like to ‘go for a float’.  I explain that we were hoping to cross the river and hike down to the ‘Nars’.  He advises against trying to wade the river, tells us it’s at least five feet deep and a strong current, but he doesn’t offer to give us a ride across in a canoe, and I don’t ask. a great day to be out in the woods      We drive east through the large field with Woolum Campground along the river.  While checking out the campground which is about half full, I take a look at the map t

     The weatherman thinks we will have a high around 80° today but the humidity is supposed to drop a little.  So we’re going to give it a try, I’m thinking the BRT from Erbie Campground downriver to Adair Cemetery shouldn’t have much elevation change and it is a maintained trail.  Therefore, this is probably a good choice for a warm weather hike.  We park at the far east end of Erbie Campground above the canoe access. river vista      The trailhead is at the southeast corner of the parking lot, this is where we begin.   This is the Erbie Campground Spur Trail, that takes us below the road east to the Buffalo River Trail.   We notice how ‘lush’ everything is getting, thick greenery all around.   Up some natural stone steps,  we soon come to the end of the spur at the intersection with the BRT. plenty of signage along BRT      Straight ahead (east) then a sharp turn north and close to the edge of a bluff overlooking the Buffalo River, we pass above a nice pouroff waterfall on our left.

     We seem to return to Broadwater Hollow about once a year, and why not this is a great little hollow with some beautiful waterfalls and lots more.   It just rained a couple days ago and as we drive down the dirt road to the parking area, we see water falling from rocks on the hillsides north of the road.    Also, water flowing down the road in a few places and as a result the road is starting to get washed-out a little.   This road has seen its share of washouts and closures but today we have no problem getting to the parking area. at the top of Paige Falls      Right across the road from where we park, I notice a trail heading into the woods, thinking there’s probably a campsite back there, we go to check it out.  It’s a short trail (maybe 100 yards) back to a great overlook about 15 feet above Paige Falls.   A beautiful spot, with a fire-ring and some big flat rocks to sit on, not to mention a different perspective of gorgeous Paige Falls just below.  We decide this would be a go

    A cold front slipped through last night and highs today are only forecast to reach 60, should be a good day for some hiking.  So, we’re going back to Big Buffalo Creek to explore more of the Upper Buffalo Mountain Bike Trails (UBMBT). Big Buffalo Falls above lovely pool      Since our hike here last month, (see: 45 Big Buffalo Creek & Little Buffalo Falls) I have researched the UBMBT a little online and found that the system consists of 35 miles of 19 interconnected trails.   A lot of these trails are on old roads, and about nine miles of the trail system utilizes roads still drivable  including Cave Mt. Rd., Kapark Rd. and Nuckles Creek Rd. Big Buffalo Creek       Today’s loop route will take us on parts of four of the trails.  We park right at the intersection of Cave Mountain Road and Highway 16.  Cave Mountain Road has a wide apron here at the intersection with the highway, and plenty of room for a couple cars to park, although this isn't a 'designated' parki

     Today we are going back to Eldridge Hollow for some hiking on the Ozark Highlands Trail, see: ( 24 Eldridge Hollow ) for our previous visit.  While it has been a very wet spring so far, we haven’t seen any rain for about a week now.  So hopefully conditions will be good for waterfall viewing. Split Falls      We’re starting our hike at the same OHT trailhead as we did eleven months ago.  Right away its obvious things have dried out considerably compared to last year.  The first creek crossing at the top of Eldridge Hollow is dry, but soon afterwards we start hearing falling water.  Eldridge Hollow is very lush with the Arkansas jungle quite thick, so we’ll be staying on the trail.      This means missing some of the best waterfalls, but there are others, so on we go.  At Upper and Lower Eldridge Falls there’s noticeably less water flow than last time, but the falls are beautiful none the less.  That pouroff fall off the bluff that was flowing so impressive is completely dry.  Toda