OZARK SOCIETY, HIGHLANDS CHAPTER, OUTINGS
(February 1 – March 31, 2010)
For all hikes bring water, lunch, rain gear and wear hiking boots. No pets are allowed. Call the hike coordinator a day or so in advance to check on any last minute changes. Outings Chair, Bob Cross, can be reached at 587-8757 (home) or 466-3077 (cell). For those who want to propose and lead hikes call Bob or send an e-mail to racross@uark.edu Everyone is welcome, whether an Ozark Society member or not.
Note that there are three sections to this memorandum—the Saturday hikes, the Sunday gourmet hikes, and the trail-building opportunities.
First, a reminder: As previously announced a Wilderness First Aid Course taught by Wilderness Medicine Institute instructors will be offered at the University of Arkansas on February 20th and 21st. There is still space available. For more information go to
http://imrs-inet.uark.edu/ProgramRegistration/RegistrationForm.aspx
Look at the “Information Packet” link. If you decide to register you can get the University employee rate if you chose $195 and put “(OS)” after your last name on the application.
Saturday Hikes:
CANCELED Saturday, February 6—Buffalo River Trail from Boxley to Pearly Springs
This is an 8-mile section of the BRT rated "difficult" because of length and 600-700 feet of elevation gains and losses along the trail. It offers many views of valleys and the river, bluffs, springs, an old homestead, and several waterfall areas. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Root School or at the South Boxley trailhead at 9:30 a.m. The trailhead is on Hwy. 21, 1.1 miles south of the bridge over the Buffalo. Be prepared for ice and snow on the trail and wet, cold water crossings or a return to the trailhead from the halfway point if the Buffalo is too high for a safe crossing by 4WD or foot between Pearly Springs and Hwy. 43. For information, call Bob Cross at 587-8757.
Saturday, February 13—Kings River Falls and Beyond Bushwhack
We will hike to Kings River Falls and then see the backcountry scenery in the vicinity. There will be bluffs, crevices, waterfalls and a historic site or two. The distance is 5 miles and the hike is rated difficult. If you want an easy hike, join us for the 1-mile hike to the Falls and enjoy the scenery while the more adventurous among us follow Terry into the wilds. Meet at FirstCare Medical at the intersection of Crossover and Hwy. 16 at 8:00 am or in Boston at the intersection of Hwy. 16 and the gravel road to the north at 9:00 am. Call Terry Fredrick at (479) 442-3812 for information.
Saturday, February 20—To Be Announced
Saturday, February 27—To Be Announced
Saturday, March 6—Lost Valley and Hawksbill Crag
These are two of the most famous trails in the upper Buffalo region and with a total length of 5.1 miles and an elevation gain of less than 500 feet they are rated easy. There will be great waterfalls and bluffs at Lost Valley. Bring a flashlight if you plan to enter the cave. You will need a camera for Hawksbill Crag. Meet at Root School at 8:00 a.m. or at the Lost Valley trailhead at 9:30 a.m. Call Sally Stone at (479) 521-4062 for information.
Saturday, March 13—Buzzards Roost, Natural Bridge and the Grotto
On this hike, in two different areas of the Ozark National Forest you will see the longest natural bridge in the state, fantastic rock formations and an unbelievable bluff shelter. The total distance is less that six miles but the hike is rated difficult due to a steep climb and some scrambling over rough terrain. We will be hiking on trails and forest roads with some bushwhacking. Meet at the FirstCare Medical parking lot at the intersection of Crossover and Hwy. 16 at 8:00 am. Call Terry Fredrick at 442-3812 for information or a meeting place near the trailhead.
Saturday, March 20—Upper Buffalo Wilderness Bushwhack
I believe we’ve only scheduled this hike to a hidden valley one time in the last five years. It is 5 miles in length and partly on an old road but includes 2 miles of bushwhacking and is rated difficult. You won’t forget the hidden valley. It is very narrow with bluff overhangs on both sides with a nice waterfall at the end. Meet at Root School at 8:00 a.m. or at the BRT South Boxley Trailhead on Hwy 21, 1.1 miles south of bridge over the Buffalo, at 9:30 a.m. For information call Ron Foldvary at 442-5248 or Terry Fredrick at 442-3812.
Saturday, March 27—Indian Creek Bushwhack
This is Terry’s specialty and it’s an extremely difficult hike. There will be hiking on narrow ledges, much scrambling, and the use of ropes in two areas. The elevation gain is approximately 700 feet and the length is 5 miles. You’ll be rewarded with arguably the most spectacular scenery in the Ozarks. See the famed Eye of the Needle and Arkansas Cave along with several impressive waterfalls. Meet at Root School at 8:00 am or at the Kyles Landing trailhead at 9:30 am. Call Terry Fredrick at 442-3812 for information.
Sunday Hikes (The “Gourmet” Series):
Sunday, February 7--Lost Bridge Loop at Beaver Lake.
Look for eagles and enjoy a gourmet meal afterwards. Bring your own place setting AND bring lots of “birthday goodies” since Brenda’s birthday happens on February 5! Carpoolers meet at 10:30 at Starbucks in Rogers (Walnut Street) or trailhead at 11 AM. This hike is rated “easy”. For more information, email Marty Kerns – marty.a.kerns@gmail.com or Brenda Brown - goatlady2557@netzero.com
Sunday, February 28-- Pigeon Roost Trail and Hobbs Visitor Center, Hobbs State Park
Meet at trailhead at 11AM. There is a possibility of eagle sighting as this trail borders on Beaver Lake. After dining, take in the Visitor Center. If you haven’t seen it, it is quite something! There is an additional trail there if you haven’t hiked enough with the 4 mile Pigeon Roost trail. Bring your own place setting and potluck dish to share. The hike is rated “easy”. For more information, contact Marty Kerns at marty.a.kerns@gmail.com or Brenda Brown at goatlady2557@netzero.com
Sunday, March 14--Fern Gully Bushwhack
We will begin with a short hike to Artist Point Falls, take in Fern Gully with its fantastic climbing rocks and cracks and finish with a stop at the “petroglyphs under the road” near Mountainburg. Carpoolers meet at Clarion Inn off of Sixth Street in Fayetteville at 10 AM. The Clarion Inn is located at Exit 62 from I-540. Bring your own place setting and potluck dish to share. This hike is rated moderate for those with good balance and agility and difficult for others. For more information, contact Marty Kerns – marty.a.kerns@gmail.com or Brenda Brown – goatlady2557@netzero.com
Sunday, March 28--Tea Kettle Falls
This hike in the Madison County Wildlife Management Area located between Huntsville and Eureka Springs is considered “moderate” if the ice damage has not been cleared away from the “easy” hike along the creek Fayetteville carpoolers meet at Root School at 10 AM, Rogers carpoolers meet at Harps Parking lot near the Rogers Square (13th and Walnut) at 10 AM. Bring your own place setting and potluck dish to share. For more information, contact Marty Kerns at marty.a.kerns@gmail.com or Brenda Brown at goatlady2557@netzero.com
Trail-Building Opportunities—New Extention to the Buffalo River Trail
FEBRUARY 6, AND FEBRUARY 20 --Meet at the Harps supermarket parking area on Highway 65 in Marshall at 9:30 a.m.
Each Saturday, we'll clear the flagged trail line of fallen trees and limbs, including damage from last winter's ice storm. The National Park Service provides tools, but if you have lopping shears or pruning saws, you're welcome to bring them. NOTE: If you have a chainsaw and know how to use it safely, bring your saw. We have tree trunks across the trail line.
Wear work clothes and hiking boots, and bring a daypack with lunch and drinking water.
We'll be working on hillsides, sometimes steep, sometimes with loose rock underfoot. We can't recommend your coming if you have problems walking in such terrain.
Questions? E-mail me at trailsmith1@yahoo.com or phone me at 479-443-4098.
We hope you can be with us. Winter is a great time to visit the Buffalo River woods, when the river and its hills and bluffs are open to view.
Ken Smith
And note the following offer from Mike Adelman:
Weather permitting, I will be going to work on the trail on the February 6 and 20. I welcome anyone who would willing to help to ride along with me and my son , Mike. I will leave Root School in Fayetteville at 6:33 a.m. and will stop in Harrison for breakfast.
Mike Adelman
Home: (479) 571-1488
Cell: (479) 283-4212