Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

    Two days ago, while I was exploring Lost Valley with out-of-town visitors Jema and Julz, (see: 169 Lost Valley ) I made the comment that ‘Cob Cave doesn’t appear to be as big as Indian Rockhouse’ to which Jema replied ‘let’s go to Indian Rockhouse and check it out’.  So today we’re going south to Buffalo Point for some comparisons and more outdoor adventures in the Ozarks. Painted Bluff at Buffalo Point      We don’t go directly to Buffalo Point though, instead we travel a scenic loop.  Our route today takes us to many interesting places in the region: Pindall, St. Joe, Grinders Ferry, Marshall, Morning Star, Harriet, Cozahome and Dillard’s Ferry before finally reaching Buffalo Point around noon. Julz climbs out of Sinkhole Icebox      On our last visit Kat and I literally rubbed elbows with a mass of humanity on Black-Friday, not at the ‘mall’ but here on the Indian Rockhouse Trail, for that adventure see: ( 78 Indian Roc...

       Once an Arkansas State Park, Lost Valley is now part of the Buffalo National River, and one of the most popular day-hike destinations in the state.  Today is Tuesday so hopefully it won’t be too crowded, I’m joined today by daughter Jema and grandchild Julz who are visiting over spring-break. Natural Bridge       After a quick stop at Ponca low water bridge to see the river level, we head down Highway 43 less than a mile to Lost Valley Road and arrive at the big parking lot around 10:00 to find maybe ten cars and a small bus already here which isn’t bad, I have seen this lot full to the brim with seemingly hundreds of vehicles.  Starting out west on the handicap accessible Lost Valley Trail first to the picnic pavilion and restroom area, then across Clark Creek. below Ponca low-water bridge      Still headed west on the wide, manicured trail going upstream along mostly dry Clark Creek we pass a couple trails to the...

       Just six days ago while hiking along the upper portion of Whitaker Creek, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the overall hike was  (see: 167 Amber, Compton’s and Owl Falls ) .   Having expected a steep rugged day with lots of  bushwhacking , typical in wilderness areas.  Yes, I was definitely pleased with the easy hiking conditions, the scenic beauty and magnificent waterfalls were  great and lived up to the  expectations . tight steep Adkins Canyon      That being said, today I decide to attempt another area also in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness that I’ve been curious to see forever but have always shied away from.   Along the southwest corner of the wilderness is Adkins Creek with lots of water features including Leaning Log Falls and Adkins Canyon Falls.   Today may be the perfect time to check it out since we got another inch of rain just two days ago. east of trailhead on old road    ...