Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

     Eva Barnes Henderson better known as ‘Granny’ lived on a little farm near the Buffalo River and Sneeds Creek most of her life.  We have wanted to visit her old place for a long time but didn’t consider it within our abilities due to the over 1100 feet of elevation gain when returning to the Centerpoint Trailhead, doesn’t sound like fun to me.  I know, a lot of people do this hike all the time,  I’ve driven past Centerpoint Trailhead many times  to see the parking lot full, and others parked on the highway.  You can even pay to park in the  front yard across the highway from the trailhead. low river level of early autumn     Until recently I had resolved we would only get to the Henderson house as a side trip while floating downriver.   Also,  I used to be one of those  who wouldn’t even consider the Old River Trail, I had dismissed this great trail as someplace for horseback riders only.  Admittedly the...

     We have sort of a ‘come what may’ approach to this hike, my objectives today are to locate the Old River Trail heading downstream to Erbie and find the Buffalo River Trail heading west up to Kyle’s Landing, and  just enjoy the great outdoors .  It will be nice to see Triple Falls again, but it has been so dry for so long,  I won’t get my hopes up.   The road down to Camp Orr and the Triple Falls parking lot is rough and steep, we take it slow and have no problem getting to the bottom. black and blue      Back up the road about 150 feet from the parking area is an old road off to the left, this is the Old River Trail.  The ORT through here is on private property belonging to the Boy Scouts of America (Camp Orr) and we notice ‘facilities’ in the field to our left.   Stay on the trails, otherwise you will be trespassing, is what I’ve read.  We keep going down the old road, easy hiking for just under a quarter m...

     Today actually feels like fall, finally.  Summer was pretty mild really, but now with fall here we’re ready for hiking season and today have picked a section of the Buffalo River  Trail to ‘easily’ break-in the season.  The parking lot at the Ponca Low Water Bridge is where we start, which is easy to get to in any vehicle, and is big with room for about 50 cars. Ponca Low Water Bridge      We cross the river here on the Ponca Low Water Bridge, 50 feet past the bridge on the left is the trailhead for the BRT heading downstream to Steele Creek and beyond, there are signs here.   Heading north, in less than 100 yards the trail crosses Hwy.74 under the bridge.   The first quarter mile or so is pretty lush with occasional views down to the Buffalo on our left.   Then as the trail turns a little away from the river is a small campsite, and another 200 yards a nice view of the river on a rocky outcrop just off the trail. Buf...

     We still have a couple days before the official start of fall, and its probably too hot today to be out walking around the woods, but I have been itching to do some hiking.  We have chosen  the Moore Civilian Conservation Corp site, as this is a short flat hike with lots of cool stuff.  The Moore CCC site is just outside the southwest corner of Richland Creek Wilderness above the banks of Richland Creek.   The small parking area is on the left before a locked gate. White Snakeroot      We hike west along the fence line, turning south at the corner where the trail joins an old road.   This is easy hiking as there really isn’t any elevation change other than at the Clark Hollow crossing, and that isn’t much.   The old road follows the fence line, across which is private property to the east. across the fence (private property)      About half a mile farther on this OHT Spur Trail is the first intersecti...