Wedington Lakeshore Hike

Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024

Hike Leader: Miranda Kohout

Contact Information:  miranda.kowalczyk@gmail.com    or   773-209-9054

Type of Hike: Out and back with a small loop

Hiking Distance: 4.5 miles

Maximum Elevation Difference: 200 ft – uphill hiking in two sections may present a challenge for some hikers

Rating: Moderate – trail is generally wide, level, and in good condition. Some uphill hiking and possible mud. The area near the spillway is very uneven and requires care. After heavy rain, it becomes impassable.

Features: Lovely lake views and some historic CCC structures. This can be a nice trail for birding.  Many people choose to turn this trail into a loop by hiking all the way around the lake – we will not be doing this as it involves hiking along Highway 16 and/or crossing it.  Our route will take us from the trailhead, past the dam and spillway, up to the gazebo overlook, through the cabin area, down the paved road, and back to the trail, which we will follow back to the trailhead.

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at 9:00 am at the lakeshore trailhead. The parking lot is fairly small. There is room for maybe a dozen cars. There is a larger lot near the campground/boat launch, we can arrange some short shuttles to the trailhead if necessary, and we may choose to relocate for our apres hike to the larger parking lot

Google Map to Hike Trailhead:  Click on “Location” below

Driving Distance: 25 minutes from Fayetteville

Comments:  Bring water, snacks, lunch, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots/shoes.  Hiking poles may be helpful.  No pets are allowed on any hikes, and children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian.   Participants are required to sign a liability release at the trailhead to take part in any Ozark Society outing.  Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

The Ozark Society Fall General Membership Meeting will be hosted by the NW Arkansas Highlands Chapter at Queen Wilhelmina State Park  on Saturday and Sunday November 9th and 10th.

On Saturday morning from 10am to 2pm we will have a couple of hikes.  Should be great Fall weather.  From 2:30pm to 4pm we will have our general membership meeting.  In this meeting we will elect new officers.  At 6:30pm we will have a speaker for our evening get-together.

Sunday morning at 9:30am we will have our regular Board Meeting.  Members are welcome to listen in.

Another new hike! We will hike from Blanchard Springs along the North Sylamore creek down to Alison. We will carpool from Morgan McDonald’s at 7:30. You may want to stay Friday in Mt. View and join us Saturday at Blanchard trail head at 10 am. Bring a lunch, good shoes and water.

It’s our annual Holiday Potluck dinner. The location will be announced at the November meeting. Bring a dish to share and enjoy the season with your Ozark Society friends..

We walk above Falling Water Road on the OHT down to Richland Cr. C.G. You’ll see waterfalls and a landslide along the way. We will carpool from the Morgan McDonald’s at 8am. Or meet us at Falling Water Falls at 10. Bring a lunch and water. P.S. – we will probably be hiking Stack Rock to Richland in the Spring. Chance to get a big section of the trail done with the group.

It’s a new year and we are back at 2nd Presbyterian for our monthly meeting. Our speaker will be announced. We will also talk about the current items we are working on and the new outings schedule for the winter and spring.

We explore a new area close to home, Goats Beard Bluff, a Nature Conservancy Area west of Benton on the Saline. It looks like there is an old access road we might be able to use to get us down to the bluff line and the river. Meet at the Chik-fil-A by Bass Pro in SW Little Rock at 8:30. Its a short drive down to the area in SW Benton. Prepare to bushwhack, so bring good boots and a lunch. Come get your New Year started with an adventure.