Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

     Tomorrow winter weather makes its return, today is going to be warm and windy as the cold front slides in, maybe I should get out there for some hiking while the weather agrees.  A few days ago, visiting Loafers Glory WMA for the first time I was investigating a possible route into a remote area of BNR (see: 219 Loafers to Painted ) .  Today I’ll be doing more of the same, except this time I’m going to Gene Rush WMA. Lick Creek      A couple months ago in Gene Rush I explored upper Lick Creek on a nice easy loop hike that involved a few of the many ‘firelanes’ in the Wildlife Management Area (see: 210 Firelanes ) .   Today my primary goal is to access some remote areas along the Buffalo River, and to do that I’ve decided to follow lower Lick Creek down to the Buffalo.   Parking at designated camping area #2 just off NC 4265, I begin my hike on Firelane 1105. parking @ camp area 2 Firelane 1105      The first thing I...

       It was two weeks ago today the storm everyone on social media called ‘Snowmageddon’ hit about half the country, judging by the amount of snow we got (only 6-7 inches) it didn’t even come close to ‘Armageddon’ proportions.   But the cold lasted up until a couple days ago, today with predicted highs near 70° it’s time to get back outdoors and go hiking.   Also on social media lately there has been a lot of ‘chatter’ about Subway Tunnel, so I’m going to check it out. on the Subway      Not far after leaving the house I realize I didn’t bring my water shoes or a flashlight, that along with patches of snow still pretty much everywhere I begin talking myself out of going into the tunnel.   I even consider ‘plan B’ but in the end I make it down Parker Ridge Road to the trailhead at forest road 92735A.   I’m going hiking regardless, maybe I’ll make it into the tunnel or maybe I won’t. scattered parking off Parker Ridge Rd. ORV trail...

     When I head out this morning I have just a loose plan as to where I’m going today.  The ‘plan’ is to hike along some more of the bluffs above the Little Buffalo River west of Wayton, but since the condition of the forest roads is unknown I’ll leave the final destination open until I get in the area.  I have been in this area of amazing bluffs twice before, see ( 158 Dog Branch Bluffs and 166 Bluffs of Haunt Hollow ) for those adventures. high above the Little Buffalo River      Leaving the pavement I head west on gravel NC 8583 this road is in great shape to start, it gets a little narrow after about a mile.  After curving to the north the road’s still in good condition, I have no problem driving all the way to Rich Cemetery on a hill top, where I park.  There are a bunch of forest roads all around the cemetery with lots of pull-out  parking spots, so take your pick parking isn’t an issue. Rich Cemetery      R...