Redding/Spy Rock Loop Hike

Day, Date:  Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

Name of Hike:  Redding/Spy Rock Loop Trail

Type of Hike:  Day hike, Trail, Ozark Highlands Spur Trail

Distance:  7.3 miles, roundtrip.

Total Elevation Gain/Loss:  800 or so ft. gain & loss

Rating:  Moderate to strenuous. Please know your ability.

Features:  Spy Rock is a scenic promontory in the Ozarks with long views of the Mulberry River Valley and surrounding mountains.  We will ascend gradually along a ridge on the East Redding Loop through mixed hardwood and pine forest, then linger on Spy Rock to enjoy the scenery and eat lunch, then return on the West Redding Loop, which features more long vistas of the Mulberry River Valley and distant views of Spy Rock as we descend.

Hike Leader:  Norma Senyard (contact hike leader for more info)

Telephone & Email:  479-966-7009 or norma.senyard@gmail.com

Meeting Place and Time:

• For carpooling, meet near the Medical Arts Pharmacy South at the intersection of Huntsville Road (AR Hwy 16) and Crossover Road (AR Hwy 265) in Fayetteville for an 8:30 a.m. departure;
• Or, meet in the small parking area by the 3-panel sign at the entrance road to Redding Campground, off Hwy 215, at 9:30 a.m by the trailhead.

Comment:  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. Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not. We look out for each other, but all hikers are responsible for their own safety. Participants are required to sign a liability release at the trailhead to take part in any Ozark Society outing: http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet_rev

December

Saturday, Dec. 2^nd, Two hikes:

        Lake Wilson (Fayetteville) Kids & Family Hike, Shari Withey

       Spy Rock Trail, Norma Senyard

Saturday, Dec. 9^th, OHT Maintenance, Fain Creek, Tom Perry

Friday, Dec. 15^th Eureka Springs Urban Hike, Luke Parsch

Steve Singleton

Fall Outing Chair

Ozark Society Highlands Chapter

aerialobserver@gmail.com

(479) 283-9446

Family Friendly Lake Wilson Loop

Date:  Saturday, December 2, 2023

Name of Hike:  Family Friendly Lake Wilson Loop on the Joe Clark Trail

Meeting Time: 9:00 AM

Meeting Place: Lake Wilson coming on S. Lake Wilson Rd, Fayetteville

Location: 4668 S Lake Wilson Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701

Type of Hike: Dayhike, Trail

Hiking Distance:  2.1 miles more or less

Total Elevation Gain/Loss:  less than 200 feet

Rating:  Easy to Moderate, due to some narrow paths through rock formations, which could be challenging after a rain.

Features:  Most Ozark Society hikes are for adult hikers, but this one is for kids and families. The outing aims to introduce youngsters to the pleasures of fresh air, exercise and natural beauty, and to enjoy the company of fellow hikers. The Joe Clark Trail at Lake Wilson was created by the Ozark Society in 1995 and is easily accessed south of Fayetteville. The hike tracks the border of the lake through hardwood forest and is short enough for most young legs to handle. Leader Shari Withey will offer a short orientation. She says, “Depending on the skill level that arrives we can do a full hike around the lake which takes about 2 hours or a more simple hike to the far south side w/ a stop at the rocky creek bed for a snack break or explore up the rocky dry bed. Either way we will be done before noon, so families can get back to other activities. I want fun and success on this simple little hike so folks can get just a taste of our group offerings.”

Hike Leader:  Shari Withey, 479-442-6511 or email at willowbendgarden@aol.com

Meeting Place & Time:  The pavilion next to the Lake Wilson parking area for a 9:00 a.m. start.

Comment:  Adults bringing kids should make sure they have walking shoes for the rocky trail, water and snacks. Backpacks to carry or store rain gear, gloves and a jacket would be helpful. Pets aren’t allowed on Ozark Society hikes but we may encounter dogs. All kids 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. We look out for each other, but hikers/adult guardians are responsible for their own safety and that of kids in their charge. Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

For further information see:

https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Joe-Clark-Trail-at-Lake-Wilson-19

December

Saturday, 2^nd, Two hikes:

        Lake Wilson (Fay.) Family Friendly Hike, Shari Withey

       Spy Rock Trail, Norma Senyard (details to follow)

Saturday, 9^th, OHT Maintenance, Fain Creek, Tom Perry

Friday, 15^th Eureka Springs Urban Hike, Luke Parsch

Steve Singleton

Fall Outing Chair

Ozark Society Highlands Chapter

aerialobserver@gmail.com

(479) 283-9446

https://www.bayouchapter.com/event-details/lincoln-parish-park-hike-and-lunch-1

Join us for our annual Holiday pot luck party. Bring a favorite dish or dessert to share. We will hold a short meeting as well. Location will be at Stewart Noland’s home, 5210 Sherwood, Little Rock. 

https://www.bayouchapter.com/event-details/smokin-butts-fest-caney-lake

We will climb Forked Mountain and see the area that will be added to Flatside Wilderness. The hike to the top takes about 40 minutes and we will descend to check out some of the new area. Bring a lunch and good shoes. Meet at the Garden area of Walmart on Hwy. 10 at Chenal at 8.

Everyone is welcome to join us for a 4 mile walk to start 2024 off right. We will walk from Compton Gardens to Park Springs, take the MTB trail over to NE A Street and return through the North Forest at Crystal Bridges.

Bring water, sturdy walking shoes and dress for the weather. You will warm up walking.

This is our fourth year for the “New Year’s U Pick It” day hike. We will drive up to Petit Jean and then pick which trail or trails we hike. What will it be? Cedar Falls? Bear Den? 7 Hollows? Boy Scout? Come along and find out. We will eat lunch at Mather Lodge when we are done. Be at the Morgan McDonald’s at 8 or Mather Lodge at 9:15.

Please mark your calendars for the Ozark Society, Highlands Chapter’s Winter Holiday Party.  We will celebrate this season at the Lodge at Butterfield Trail Village on Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. As in the past, this will be a holiday potluck dinner. Reminders, details and updates will be sent out as we approach the date.

Click on “Location” in this announcement for Google map.

See you there!

Chris Kline

Event Coordinator

Ozark Society, Highlands Chapter

479-409-0394