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 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 river is much higher than we anticipated. near 'The Barns'      A canoe outfitter at Woolum Landing 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 with a strong current.   We drive east through the large field with Woolum Campground on our right along the river. a great day to be out in the woods      We check out the campground at about half full has two vault toilets spr...

     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.  Hopefully this is a good choice for a warm weather hike.  We park at the far east end of Erbie Campground above the canoe launch access. river vista      The trailhead is in the southeast corner of the parking lot, that's where we begin.   This is the Erbie Campground Spur Trail, which follows below the road east.   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 Buffalo River Trail. plenty of signage along BRT      Straight ahead (east), then a turn north and close to the edge of a bluff overlooking th...

     We make a trip to Broadwater Hollow about once a year, and why not this is a great little hollow with some beautiful waterfalls and so much more.   It just rained a couple days ago, 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 is flowing down the road in a few places, as a result the road is starting to get washed-out a little.   This road has seen its share of washouts and closures but we have no problem getting to the parking area. at the top of Paige Falls      Across the road from where we park, I notice a trail heading into the woods, thinking maybe there’s a campsite back there, we go to check it out.  It’s a short trail (about 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...

    A cold front slipped through last night and highs today are only forecast to reach 60, should be a good day to do some hiking.  So, we’re going back to Big Buffalo Creek to explore more of the Upper Buffalo Mountain Bike Trails  (UBMBT)  of the Buffalo River headwaters inside Ozark National Forest. 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.   Some of these trails are on old roads, and about nine miles of the trail system utilizes roads still open  to vehicular traffic including Cave Mountain Rd., Kapark Rd. and Nuckles Creek Rd. Big Buffalo Creek       Today’s loop route will take us on portions of four of the trails.  We park right at the intersection of Cave Mountain Road and Hi...

     Today we're going back to Eldridge Hollow for some hiking on the Ozark Highlands Trail, see: ( 24 Eldridge Hollow ) for our previous visit when flood stage  conditions made creek crossings hazardous.  While it has been a very wet spring so far, we haven’t seen any rain for about a week now.  Of course you never know until you go, but hopefully conditions will be good for waterfall viewing. Split Falls      We start 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 for the most part.      This means missing some of the best waterfalls, but there are others, so on we go.  At Upper and Low...