Highlands Chapter Members and Friends:

Let the Fall season begin! 🍁🍂September 26th, the 4th Tuesday of the month, will be our “first-of-the-year” OS Highlands Chapter monthly meeting at First United Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville.

We are kicking off the year with a trip to Iceland with Lucas and Janet Parsch from the comfort of our chairs, no air travel required.   Luke has spoken to us before about their world travels, and he always brings to us beautiful photography and wonderful details.

Title:  Ring Around Iceland

In September 2022, Luke and Janet rented a car and drove around Iceland on the Ring Road (Hwy 1) which encircles the island.  Luke will share memories of the trip by showing their photos of Iceland’s natural beauty which includes waterfalls, canyons, black sand beaches, glaciers, and geothermal fields.  You’ll also see some road shots, historic structures, and small villages along with a glimpse of Reykjavik, the capital city.  Iceland is a nature lover’s paradise.

Please join us.  Mark your calendars.     Details follow:

WHEN: 

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

6:30-7:00 pm social time

7:00 pm announcements

Guest Speaker immediately following announcements

WHERE: 

First United Presbyterian Church

Witherspoon Hall

695 E. Calvin Street

Fayetteville, AR 72703

SPEAKER:

Luke Parsch, “Ring Around Iceland”

Our event coordinator, Chris Kline, is out of town so if you would like to bring a snack for the social time, just “bring’em on!”, potluck hors d’oeuvres.

Peggy Bulla

OSHC Vice-Chair

(479) 586-2493

Name of Hike:  Lake Alma Loop Hike in Alma City Park

Day, Date:  Saturday, September 30, 2023

Trail or Bushwhack:  Trail, Day Hike

Distance:  4 miles

Total Elevation Gain:  350 feet. The trail is relatively level throughout, with no steep grades and good tread. There are two creeks, at least one of which usually involves a wet crossing.

Rating:  Easy to moderate due to distance and creek crossings.

Features:  This trail circles Lake Alma and features a small waterfall (weather-dependent), some old stone structures, and a nice view from the dam.
We’ll stop for lunch mid-way around the lake.

Hike Leader:  Miranda Kohout

Telephone & Email:  773-209-9054, miranda.kohout@gmail.com

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at the northeast corner of the parking lot of the Walmart Super Center on MLK Dr., about 1/2 mile west of I-49 at 9am. We will depart promptly at 9:15am. 
Walmart: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f6BRwvHWadA7ZqHY6
• Or, meet at the Lake Alma trailhead at 10am. 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xf3zS3PBz1qQHjZ69

Special Note:  Jim Warnock has agreed to join us for our hike; I’m sure many of our members know him. For those who do not, he is the author of “5-Star Trails of the Ozarks,” owner of the “Ozark Mountain Hiker” blog, an active member of the OHTA, and a champion of the Lake Alma trail. He’ll be a great source of information about the trail and its history.

Comments:  Bring water, snacks, rain gear, gloves, and a hiking stick, and wear comfortable hiking boots/shoes.  Insect repellant and sunscreen may be advisable. 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 sheet at the trailhead to take part in any Ozark Society outing.  Everyone is welcome to hike with the OS, whether an Ozark Society member or not.
http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04H/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet_rev4.pdf

We are back at Second Presbyterian for our October meeting. At this time our speaker has yet to be announced. Drop in for the latest news about Arkansas’ environment and see what’s next on the Outings Calendar. Get on Zoom if you can’t attend in person.

Let’s explore a new area for the chapter, Bluffton Preserve of the Nature Conservancy near Clinton. It’s a multi use area on the Archey Fork of the Red. We will check out a trail or two and see what else is available for us in this area. Bring good shoes, a lunch and water. If it’s warm enough, we may even take a swim. Carpool will meet at Morgan McDonald’s at 8am

https://www.bayouchapter.com/event-details/jefferson-camp-and-paddle

Ozark Society Fall General Membership Meeting set for October 28-29 at Tyler Bend

The Ozark Society Fall meeting will be held at Tyler Bend on the Buffalo River, October 28-29.  Group campsite 2 and the pavilion have been reserved for our activities.  Following is the schedule of activities.

October 28th Schedule:

10 a.m.                       Meet at the pavilion for a hike

10 a.m. –   1 p.m.      Ozark Society Board meeting at the pavilion

2 p.m. –   4 p.m.      General membership meeting at the pavilion.  Bring your camp chair.

6 p.m. –   8 p.m.      Potluck supper and entertainment at the pavilion.  Bring a dish,    beverage, and your own utensils for the potluck.  Ozark Society member Dave Smith will provide the entertainment with mountain music only Dave can perform.

October 29th Schedule:

9 a.m.                        Meet at the pavilion for a hike or float trip (water level dependent)

Group campsite 2 has been reserved for October 28 for campers.  Other sites are available at Tyler Bend by reserving them through recreation.gov.  Cabin rentals are available nearby through Buffalo River Outfitters, or options in Gilbert.  The cost to attend the meeting is $5 per family, regardless of the number of family members.

Buffalo River Chapter Membership meeting will be Saturday November 4, 2023 at Buffalo Point, Pavilion #2. 

Directions:  Take Highway 14 (south from Yellville or north from Harriet) to the turn for Buffalo Point (highway 268).  Buffalo Point is Buffalo National River’s eastern-most park district.  Drive into the park and just past the visitor center, turn right to head down to the campground and river.  At the T intersection at the bottom, turn left towards the tent/loops C,D,E campground.  The drive to pavilion #2 will be the first turn on the right after you turn right.  There is parking at the pavilion and a restroom a short walk away.

10:30am meet at the Pavilion if you want to go for a short walk with us, weather-permitting, to the river, etc.  You could also come earlier than 10:30am and go for a hike on your own on the Indian Rockhouse or Buffalo Point Campground Trails.

11:30am meet at the Pavilion for lunch.  If you can, please bring your own reusable plate and cup so we can meet the Ozark Society goals of wisely using resources.  No utensils are needed for the meal.  No problem if you can’t, or forget, we will have extras to use.   We will have sandwich fixings, chips and cookies, tea and water—-your BRC membership benefit!!

12:30pm Meeting and discussions

1:00pm Karin Hickenbotham of Buffalo River Partners will bring us up to date on the Granny Henderson Cabin Restoration Project and possibly other upcoming restoration projects on the Park.

2:00pm Southern Mountain Traditional music by Dave Smith

Please RSVP by November 1, 2023 

Due to ordering the food; we don’t want to run short and we don’t want to waste any good food by overbuying.  You are welcome to bring a guest.  Please let me know ASAP how many are coming for lunch.  krismcmillen7@gmail.com

https://www.bayouchapter.com/event-details/sandbar-overnight-paddle-red-river

We are at Second Presbyterian for our November meeting. At this time our speaker has yet to be announced. Drop in for the latest news about Arkansas’ environment and see what’s next on the Outings Calendar. Get on Zoom if you can’t attend in person.

A wonderful hike of 5.2 miles along the Little Missouri River in southwest Arkansas. The trail is easy walking and it will be down hill as we make our way from the falls to Albert Pike. Leaves should be just past peak. Bring a lunch and good shoes. There may be wet crossings, so be prepared. Meet at Chick Fil A next to Bass Pro at 8 am or be at Albert Pike Campground at 10. Bring Hunter Orange.

https://www.bayouchapter.com/event-details/beavers-bend-camp-hike

https://www.bayouchapter.com/event-details/post-thanksgiving-paddle-grand-ecore