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 ca...

     Two weeks ago, we drove around the north and east sides of Richland Creek Wilderness to break in the new car and look for parking places from which we could anticipate future hiking adventures   (see: 154 Wilderness Cruise ) .  Today we’re going back to complete the loop and find parking along the west and south sides of RCW. @ Moore CCC (9/2020)      We’ll begin in the same place as last time: the northwest corner of RCW, 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 and this island may be a part of it, I have seen parked cars here a few times, if you do decide to park here don’t leave any trash.  Nothing brings out the ‘No Trespassing’ signs quicker than an inconsiderate slob. pig wallow west of the wilderness (10/2024)      I’m curious to see just how often we’ll find parking down this west side, which i...

       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 Horse Camp 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, soo...