Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

       Here it is the middle of September and maybe it has cooled down enough that I can survive and actually enjoy hiking, we’ll see, I’m giving it a shot anyway.  I have picked Sam’s Throne for a couple reasons: first the route I choose should be on trails the entire hike, no bushwhacking.  Second, this time of year most waterfalls are dry, and third although we’ve been to Sam’s Throne SIA many times I haven’t actually been to the ‘Sam’s Throne’ itself. a Sam's Throne view      I park half a mile south of the main Sam’s Throne entrance at what I’m calling Sam’s Throne parking area 4 (S4), the same parking spot used for our hike to Valley of the Blind and Middle Earth Falls (see: 91 Valley of the Blind ).  The parking area is good for maybe five vehicles and a desperation camping spot.  I head north past the gate signed ‘Road Closed’ downhill but easy hiking. parking at the trailhead      After just under a hundred yards the old road swings to the southwest and continues downhi

       This morning on our way to Rogers we had light rain off and on the whole time, for us it’s about a two-hour trip to Rogers.  I thought about stopping on the way back at Hobbs State Park and hiking the short Sinking Creek Trail.  But with all the rain today we decide to check out Atalanta Lake Park just east of historic downtown Rogers instead. creek that feeds Atalanta Lake     Walnut Street east out of downtown less than a mile brings us right to Atalanta Lake Park.  We park at Clark Pavilion on the right soon after entering the park.  Clark Pavilion is a sheltered group picnic area with restrooms and a huge fireplace.  Most of the park’s over ten miles of trails are accessible from trailheads here at Clark Pavilion.      Lake Atalanta owned by the city of Rogers is nothing like I expected, we are pleasantly surprised.  Pretty much all the facilities in the park today are the result of the extensive remodel/upgrade completed in 2016.  After enjoying a picnic lunch in the pavili