Special Notice:  Hikers to contact Hike Leader Evan Walden by email  at   thewaldenfarm@hotmail.com  (not texting) by Friday evening to announce their interest in doing the hike.

Highlands Chapter Dayhike:  Buffalo River Trail Boxley to Ponca

Day/Date:  Saturday, March 14, 2026

Name of Hike:  BRT Boxley Trailhead to Ponca Low Water Bridge

Location:  Upper Buffalo River, Boxley Valley AR

Hiking Distance:  11+ miles

Elevation Gain:  1,775 feet

Rating: Difficult, due to distance

Features: This is an 11+ mile, all day hike on the Buffalo River Trail with elevation gain and loss (1,755 feet), and wet crossings. Hikers will be surrounded by nature with creeks and views of Boxley Valley, and may even see some elk

Hike Leader:  Evan Walden

Telephone and Email:  thewaldenfarm@hotmail.com   or  479-677-2127

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at 7:00 am at the Boxley Trailhead in the south end of Boxley Valley.  The hike will start promptly at 7:30 am.
• For Google Map to Boxley Trailhead see:  Upper Buffalo Wilderness Trailhead – Google Maps 

Comment:  Bring water, snack, 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.

http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet

Ozark Society Highlands Chapter Day Hike:  McWater-Lake Alma Trail, Lake Alma Arkansas

Day, Date: Saturday, 3/14/26

Name of Hike: McWater-Lake Alma Trail

Location: Lake Alma, Alma Arkansas

Type of Hike: Loop trail

Hike Distance: 4.4 miles

Elevation Gain: 351ft.

Rating: Moderate

Features:  When the original Lake Alma hiking trail was refurbished and re-routed to become a multi-use trail, the part of the old original trail which remained intact was renamed the McWater Trail.  Today, the McWater Trail weaves in and out of the newer Lake Alma Trail, as it wraps around Lake Alma. The McWater Trail also continues to access McWater Falls which the newer Lake Alma Trail bypasses.  The hike on both overlapping trails includes bluff lines, small cascading waterfalls and moss-covered boulders.  Prepare for a stream crossing or two. This trail is situated in a shady hardwood forest, giving hikers a chance to see wildlife such as rabbits, foxes, or deer. There is an abandoned settler home site with a preserved brick fireplace and other remnants of a past settlement.

Hike Leaders: Chris and Les Kline

Contact Information: ckline901@gmail.com

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at 9:00 am on the Northeast corner of the WalMart Superstore parking lot on Martin Luther King BLVD in Fayetteville AR; or,
• Meet at 9:50 am at the Lake Alma Trail Head at the parking lot near the restrooms in Alma AR.
• For Google Map to trailhead see:  lake alma trail – Google Maps 
• Comment:  Bring water, snack, 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.  http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet