Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

       A few days ago, we traded-in our little SUV ‘Not a 4-wheeler’ on a new little SUV (yet to be named).  Today we’re trying it out on some dirt roads for the first time, heading south to Bass then up the mountain to Richland Creek Wilderness.  Besides an enjoyable wilderness cruise, we’ll also be scouting parking locations for future hikes. Twin Falls (4/2020)      In the northwest corner of Richland Wilderness (surrounded by lots of private property) NC 5070 meets NC 5080 at a 3-way intersection, in this ‘triangular island’ is a big parking area, (35.8415, -92.99423) although reaching public lands from here will involve a little walk down the roads.  From here we head around the top of the wilderness on NC 5080.      Every map I look at seems to use different names for these back roads around Richland (and everywhere else actually), for example Newton County 5080 on older maps is NC 37, also FR 1205 when loo...

       When looking at any map of the Buffalo River the distinctive ‘duck head’ is easy to spot, naturally I’ve been drawn to this area, and have wanted to explore the region for quite some time.   I know, ‘you never know until you go’ but I had heard the road to the trailhead was pretty bad.   Then a month ago I drove up Cozahome Road about halfway , on my way to Big Creek Trail, (see: 149 Big Creek Trail )   and the road was in pretty good shape.   So today I’m back and going all the way to the end of the road at the Buffalo National River boundary. beautiful view from Devils Tea Table      I believe ‘Duck Head’ is a nickname given by river floaters back in the 60’s for ‘7-Mile Bend’ and the trailhead for trails on the Duck Head is officially known as Jackson Ridge Trailhead, located just west of the parking area with an old billboard to mark the spot.   I won’t be hiking from here though, I’m going south to Devil’s Tea Tabl...

       We hiked to Hedges Homestead almost five years ago, starting and ending at the South Boxley Trailhead (see: 6 Hedges Homestead ) .  Today I’ll be retracing part of that hike, but this is a ‘different’ hike altogether, with extended exploration into the Upper Buffalo Wilderness.  And I’m trying out the ‘alternative’ Hedges Trailhead parking spot further south. Low Hole      Pulling in off Highway 21 this unmarked road looks more like a driveway and it isn’t very long, only about 200 yards.  I drive up all the way to the end at the NPS gate assuming there will be a parking area and room to turn around, nope just a sign on the gate stating, ‘No Parking’.  I slowly back out on the narrow road to the lone driveway where I’m able to turn around.  Back towards the highway is a wide spot where you might squeeze in two small cars, roomy enough for my truck I park here. Old house at park boundary    ...

Falling Water Creek       Two days later and I’m back on Falling Water Road to complete the section of the Ozark Highlands Trail started Friday.   On that hike I started at the campground at Richland Creek and eventually made it to the little no-name creek that contains Hidden Falls, there I left the OHT returning to Richland Campground on Falling Water Road (see: 150 Richland Trailhead to Hidden Hollow) . Falling Water Creek & Falling Water Road      What I call a ' section of the OHT' is simply the segment of trail between two trailheads, this ‘ section 19’ is the trail segment from Falling Water Creek Trailhead to Richland Campground Trailhead.   The total distance of Section 19 according to my GPS track is 5.4 miles, I hiked 3.1 of that on Friday and plan to do the rest today. fall day on Falling Water Creek      Today I’m parking right at the east end of the Falling Water Creek bridge on the south side of the road, and...