Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

    Today the weather is predicted to be absolutely gorgeous, and it may be the last nice day for at least a week so although today’s Saturday I had better get in some hiking while I can.  Dog Branch isn’t exactly well known to hikers, but it is a popular rock-climbing destination in the upper Little Buffalo River area southwest of historic Parthenon near Wayton. base of The Orange Wall      When I arrive at the parking area to my surprise there are two trucks already here, I park in front of the NFS gate next to a big blackberry patch and begin hiking mostly west down the old road.  Much of the hike today will be on old roads though in places some of these just look like trails , right away an old dead tree is laying across the road.  And less than quarter of a mile on the left is a nice campsite at a crossroad going south. at the top near parking area      A couple hundred yards past the campsite is a small rock cairn on the left side of the road at a trail, I turn here (southwest)

     Two weeks ago, we drove around the north and east sides of Richland Wilderness to break in the new car and look for parking places from which we could access the wilderness (see: 154 Wilderness Cruise ) .  Today we’re going back to complete the loop and find parking along the west and south sides. @ Moore CCC (9/2020)      We’ll begin in the same place at the northwest corner, the large parking area (35.8415, -93.99423) I call ‘the triangular island’.  There is a lot of private property all around this northwest corner of which this island may be a part of, I have seen parked cars here a few times, if you do decide to park here just don’t leave any trash.  Nothing brings out the ‘No Trespassing’ signs quicker than a few inconsiderate slobs.      I’m curious to see just how often we’ll find parking down this west side, which is far less popular with visitors than the other side of the wilderness.  We drive south staying on NC 5070, about a mile and a half we find a parking spot

       Day before yesterday I went hiking in the Erbie Historical District, although enjoyable it was a short hike that left me wanting more.  Today I once again use Erbie Cutoff Road to NC 2800 then on down to Erbie.  I have decided to hike up to Reavis Cabin which should be quite a bit more challenging than the easy hike from the Horse Camp on Tuesday (see: 155 HorseCamp Loop ) . Reavis Cabin with screened front porch      I park at Cavers Camp a small group  campground with two fire rings, three picnic tables, a vault toilet and plenty of parking for six or more cars.  Back down NC 2800 about a hundred yards north is a heavy steel gate at an old road.  This is the trail which doesn’t seem to have a name, I suppose you could call it NC 2857 as some maps do, but I’m calling it ‘the road’ to Reavis Cabin. at Cecil Creek crossing      Down here in the lush woods along Cecil Creek the road is nice and flat, soon I pass an overgrown rock wall on the left then where the road turns sligh

     This morning without any firm plans I drove to Erbie to do some hiking, and on a whim decide to check out the horse camp.  According to my map the 3-way intersection with the church to the south and Erbie Trailhead on the north is where NC 2500 (south) meets NC 2800 (east) and NC 2700 (west).  Just beyond the trailhead parking, NC 2799 forks off to the left and into Erbie Horse Camp. in the big hayloft      Pulling in I notice the camp is completely deserted, I park in the big circular field next to the billboard at the vault toilets, with many campsites all around the perimeter at the edge of the woods.  Investigating a couple of these sites I see each is equipped with picnic table, fire-ring and hitching posts. Erbie Horse Camp      Walking back out of camp up Horse Camp Road (NC 2799) I pass Erbie Trailhead then head over to the old church.  Built around the turn of the 20 th century the Methodist Church still stands and appears ready for services, complete with pulpit and p