DAY HIKE SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2008 TO MAY 2008:

Your fearless leader’s knee will go under the “scope” on January 7, which means the first few hikes this spring will be fairly flat and not very far.  That’s ok, Arkansas has some great spots to visit without doing a long cross country hike. Join us for a great spring, including some new spots and doing some more segments on the two main trails, the Ozark Highlands and the Ouachita.

EMAIL ADDDRESS IS: STEVE_HEYE@ARISTOTLE.NET

JANUARY 5^TH  – BELL SLOUGH GAME & FISH AREA -MAYFLOWER.
(NOTE: This is BEFORE the regular monthly meeting!)
You’ve driven by this little gem hundreds of times on I-40. Located east of Mayflower just south of Lake Conway, the area has some easy walking and lots of waterfowl to look at. We’ll meet at the commuter lot at 430 & 630 at 9 AM. If you want to meet us at the Slough, be there by 9:15. Hike will be about 3 miles and is rated easy. Call Steve at 501-455-2210 or email: Steve_Heye@Aristotle.net

FEBRUARY 7^TH – LOWER BENCH – MT. NEBO STATE PARK- DARDENELLE.
If the leader has recovered from his surgery, we’ll see how well he’s walking by doing the lower bench trail at Mt. Nebo State Park. This is an almost flat loop about 200’ down from the summit and is about 4 miles in length. Bring a lunch and snack. This hike is rated easy. You’ll pass a small waterfall, a pond and rock formations. You’ll also learn some history of the mountain and the trail. Meet at Mc Donald’s at the Morgan exit of I-40 by 8 am. Call Steve at 501-455-2210 or email: Steve_Heye@Aristotle.net

MARCH 8^TH – BUZZARD’S ROOST – S.W. OF PELSOR
A lot of us have never been to this area southwest of Pelsor.  We’ll try and find this area that has rock arches, deep cuts and bluff lines. We’ll be leaving the Mc Donald’s at Morgan/I-40 by 7 and make our way up to Pelsor. Bring a lunch and snacks.  About 6 miles total and trip is rated moderate. Call Steve at 501-455-2210 or email: Steve_Heye@Aristotle.net

APRIL 5^TH – OUACHITA TRAIL – OUACHITA PINNACLE TO ROAD 122 – WEST OF 7.
Another section of the Ouachita Trail I am revisiting, this stretch goes downhill from the highest point on the eastern half of the trail. We’ll see some early spring foliage and views of Lake Ouachita. This piece can be steep in places, but you can see some of the best views on the trail as we work our way back toward Hwy 7. Hike is 10 miles, bring a lunch and snacks and boots. Meet at the 430/630 commuter lot by 7 am or at Iron Springs on Hwy. 7 at 9am. Call Steve at 501-455-2210 or email: Steve_Heye@Aristotle.net

MAY 7^TH  – OZARK HIGHLANDS TRAIL – CO. RD. 57 TO HAW CREEK FALLS.
Let’s hope the water’s running! This stretch of trail goes past some spectacular small waterfalls and streams. We’ll be going down 2 valleys, which of course means one good sized hill in between! Well worth the long climb to see these formations. We finish up at Haw Creek Falls campground. Bring good boots and WATER SHOES, a lunch and snacks. This hike is about 8 miles and is Moderate. Meet at the Morgan Mc Donald’s on I-40 by 7am, or be at Haw Creek Falls about 9am.

If you have any questions or suggestions, contact Steve and pass them on.  Most hikes are the Saturday following the first Tuesday of each month.