Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

       Fifteen months ago while hiking on the OHT east of Richland Creek Wilderness (see: 159 Fat Lip Falls ) , I made it as far as Long Branch and found a beautiful waterfall.  Only exploring about 100 yards of Long Branch that day, I’ve been waiting   ever since  for the chance to return after some good prolonged rain.   O ne week after our ‘big’ rains, today the creek should still be flowing well. rocky Long Branch      Parked just off Falling Water Road (FR 1205) at an old road I’ll refer to as 'Long Branch Road' (FR 92744A).  Today the forest service gate blocking vehicle access down the road is standing wide open.  I’m tempted to just drive on down but not knowing what lies ahead and seeing no tire tracks, I decide to park outside the gate.  I will soon come to regret this decision, walking down the road I quickly realize how good its condition is, any little SUV could handle this road even the two easy creek c...

       After three days straight of rain and thunderstorms, with an average of six inches around most of northwest Arkansas, I think the drought is over.  March turned out to be drier than usual, it appears April is determined to make up for it, that’s fine we need the rain.  The three days of rain ended Saturday, Sunday waterfall photos started showing up all over the internet featuring a lot of dirty brown water, hopefully everything has cleared up today. @ Sweden Creek Natural Area      I pick Sweden Creek of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, after considering a few ‘waterfall’ destinations.   We visited Sweden Creek once over eleven years ago (long before ‘Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks’) in the middle of winter, on that day the icicles where the main attraction.    A lot has changed in the years since, as I found out even before reaching Sweden Creek Natural Area, a return visit has been long overdue. two li...