Charlie and Rhoda Transue, Highlands Chapter Members from Tulsa, will lead hikers on three hikes at the Nature Conservancy’s Nickel Preserve, located in the Illinois River watershed at the western end of the Ozarks in the vicinity of Tahlequah OK.

Information on the hike is below:

Day, Date: Friday, January 17, 2025

Name of Hike: Nature Conservancy Nickel Preserve Day Hikes

Location: Nature Conservancy Nickle Preserve, Oklahoma

Hiking Distance:  Hike one, two, or all three trails

• Pine Ridge Trail – 1.2 miles;
• Savanna Trail – 1.8 miles;
• Wetlands Trail – 1.0 mile.

Elevation Gain:  There is a short and steep downhill interval on the Pine Ridge Trail.  There is a moderate short climb on the Savanna Trail. Otherwise, the trails afford comfortable walking.

Rating: Easy except as noted in Elevation.

Features: Pine and hardwood forests, views of the Illinois River valley, and a pretty wetland.

Hike Leader: Charlie and Rhoda Transue

Telephone/Email: CJ.Transue@outlook.com 918-720-5064; RhodaT@cox.net 918-231-1558

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at the Sam’s Club parking lot at 1517 Gene George Blvd in Springdale AR for carpooling and car caravaning at 8:30 am; or,
• Meet at Nature Conservancy Nickel Preserve Headquarters Center at 10:00 a.m.

Google Map to Trailhead at Nickel Preserve:  Click on “Location” below

Driving Directions to the Illinois River, Combs Bridge:

• From the north – After crossing into Oklahoma on US Hwy 412 after W Siloam Springs OK, continue west on US Hwy 412 to the intersection with OK Hwy 10.  Take OK Hwy 10 south to the Combs Bridge/Road 569.  The distance on OK Hwy 10 from the US Hwy 412/OK Hwy 10 intersection to the Combs Bridge/Road 569 intersection is 17 miles.

• From the south – After crossing into Oklahoma on US Hwy 62 after Westville OK, continue west on US Hwy 62 to the intersection with OK Hwy 10.  Take OK Hwy 10 north to the Combs Bridge/Road 569.  The distance on OK Hwy 10 from the US Hwy 62/OK Hwy 10 intersection to the Combs Bridge/Road 569 intersection is 9 miles.

Direction Details from Combs Bridge/Road 569 to the Nickel Preserve:

• There is a small Nickle Preserve sign on OK Hwy 10 at the intersection with Road 569. Eagle Bluff Outfitters is located just north of Combs Bridge and Road 569.
• Go east on Road 569 past Edmondson Public Use Area.
• Go a short distance to a Y in the road.
• There is a small Nickle Preserve sign at the Y. Go right or south at the Y.
• Turn left or east on Road 685. There is small Nickle Preserve sign at the intersection of Road 569 and Road 685.
• The headquarters is located on Road 685 six miles from the intersection with Road 569.

Comment 1:  For the hike, bring water, snacks, rain gear, gloves, and a hiking stick, and wear comfortable hiking boots/shoes.   Please note – Pets are not allowed on Nature Conservancy preserves.  Children under 12 years are discouraged and minors must be accompanied by a guardian. Participants are required to sign a Liability Release sheet at the trail head to take part in any Ozark Society outing.  Everyone is welcome to hike with the OS, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

Comment 2:  After the loop hike, we can gather outside the headquarters to share light snacks and drinks. There are two picnic tables at the visitor center and a portable toilet. Bring your camp chairs. After the gathering at the headquarters, we can hike the 1-mile Wetland Trail on the drive out for interested hikers. Another option would to be complete all three hikes, and then gather for snacks and drinks.

The Long Ridge is a bluff line in the NE area of the Hurricane Wilderness. Near Cowell, in the middle of the bluff is a slot crevasse like you find out west. This is a road walk down to the base of the bluff. If we have time, we may visit nearby Alum Cove. Be at Morgan McDonald’s by 7:30am or Pelsor store by 9:15. Bring boots and a lunch.

We visit the best part of the Hurricane Wilderness, as we go to the west end of the wilderness with a natural bridge, deep rocky side canyons and waterfalls. We will use the Ozark Highlands trail to reach the area. We may go as far as Greasy Creek. Bring a lunch, good shoes and water shoes. We have one water crossing at the start and finish as we walk the old road into and out of the wilderness. Meet at the Morgan Mc Donald’s at 7:30 to carpool or meet us at Ft. Douglas School trailhead at 10am.