Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

       We were reminiscing the other day about Richland Creek which seems to get a lot of our attention compared to other wilderness areas in the Ozarks.   It was eleven years ago this past May, the first time we drove into the area to see some of the ‘roadside’ waterfalls, namely Falling Water Falls, Intersection Falls and Six Finger Falls.   Besides the waterfalls, another enduring memory from that drive down Falling Water Road was the large area of devastation from the big landslide that took out the road. 2008 landslide area      Landslides seem to happen frequently in the Ozarks, this one was significant since it wiped-out the road.   I learn online , the slide happened in 2008 four years later the road was finally re-opened,   not long before our May 2012 visit as heavy equipment was still on-site.    Today I plan to hike a short segment of the Ozark Highlands Trail that will take me above the landslide area. ...

       I've contemplated  Big Creek Trail from Tilting Rock all the way down to the Buffalo River for quite some time.   O n the  map,  this looks like a long steep hike, I’m just not sure that this is something I'm ready  to tackle .   Last week I hiked up the BRT from Steele Creek then back on the ORT, on the map these two hikes appear to be similar in distance and elevation gain.   And since my Steel Creek Loop hike (see: 148 Steele Beech Loop ) really was a pretty easy hike I have decided to go ahead and see what Big Creek Trail has to throw at me . Cold Spring Schoolhouse      Parking at Log Wagon Gap Trailhead along Big Creek Road has room for 6-8 vehicles and a couple more if the fallen tree gets removed.   I begin my hike following the road which is Big Creek Trail soon coming to Tilting Rock (aka Wobble Rock).   On top Tilting Rock I don’t feel any movement or wobble at all, moving from one side ...

     When we got up this morning,  I was pleasantly surprised by temps just above 40°, I decided   right then  to go hiking.   Heading down to Steele Creek Campground, I pass Centerpoint Trailhead around 9:00, the trailhead parking area is already completely full.   A lot of others apparently agree, today will be a great day for a hike.    Above the canoe launch area at Steele Creek is a big parking area, I park here close to Steele Creek and notice I’m all alone. Big Bluff on the Buffalo      The only other vehicle in sight is a truck with horse trailer across the big field at the horse camp.   As  I take my time gearing up for the hike four more cars arrive, I knew I wouldn’t be alone for long, today is Saturday.    After brief conversations with arriving hikers and a park ranger who just transferred here from Colorado but doesn’t know much about the BNR, I head south to the corner of a fence. ...