Highlands Chapter Hike Announcement

Notice:  Practice social distancing and wear mask.

Date: Wednesday, Dec 2nd, 2020

Name of Hike:  Cecil Creek Loop Trail

Location:   Erbie Church Trailhead on Compton-Erbie Road, Buffalo National River

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at the Kings River gas station/store in Marble AR at 8:45-9:00 am, or
• Meet at the JB Trading Post on AR Hwy 43 in Compton at 9:35 am, or,
• Meet at the Cecil Cove Trail Head near the Erbie church in the Buffalo National River at 10:00 am.

Type of Hike:  Dayhike, Trail,

Hiking Distance:  7 miles total, roundtrip.

Maximum Elevation Difference:  600 ft gain, then 600 ft loss on return.

Rating:  Moderate, due to distance and elevation gain.

Features:  This hike starts on the Compton-Erbie road near the church in the historical Erbie community and follows Cecil Creek Trail upstream on an old roadbed through a relatively level, pleasant valley with interesting geologic formations.  The trail passes the Van Dyke spring and beaver dam/pond, the entrance to Fantasy Falls Canyon (aka Thunder Canyon Falls—not visited in this hike), an old stone wall, and the entrance to Mud Cave (closed) before beginning the gradual ascent to the Cecil Cove Bench Trail.  The bench trail leads back towards the Compton-Erbie road along the base of McFerrin Point.  It passes by the Jones cemetery, the Jones homestead site, and other rock walls from this vanished community.  We return to the trailhead via the Compton-Erbie road.  For more info, see Ken Smith (Buffalo River Handbook, pp. 344-349), or Tim Ernst (Buffalo River Hiking Trails #4, pp. 90-95), or Johnny Mollow (50 Hikes in the Ozarks, pp. 80-84).

Hike Leader:  Sue & Jack Mabry (contact hike leader for more info)

Telephone & Email:  816 922-9896 or mabrysue@gmail.com

Comments:  Practice social distancing and wear mask.  Bring water, lunch, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots. May be some wet crossings.  No pets are allowed on any hikes.  Children under 12 years are discouraged and minors must be accompanied by a guardian.   Participants are required to sign a “liability release” http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet_rev4.pdf  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.