Rescheduled Outing:  BRT-OHT Spring Creek Road to Hwy 14 Bridge

Because rain is forecast for the entire area into the early morning hours of Saturday, the hike is being rescheduled from Saturday March 9 to Monday March 11.  All details are the same except for the meeting place in Fayetteville which will be at Harp’s Crossover Food Store.

Day, Date:  Monday, March 11, 2024

Name of Hike:  Buffalo River Trail—Ozark Highlands Trail:  Spring Creek Road to Dillard’s Ferry (Hwy 14 Bridge)

Location:  Farthest downstream section of the 28-mile extension of the Buffalo River Trail, 16 mi south of Yellville AR.

Type of Hike:  Dayhike, trail, with car shuttle to trailhead

Hiking Distance:  6.1 miles

Elevation Gain:  850 ft cumulative gain, mostly gradual inclines;

Rating:  Moderate due to distance; moderate-strenuous due to elevation gain.  Hike is on maintained trail with good tread; mostly gradual elevation gain/loss.

Features:  This hike traverses the first completed (2008) section of the 28-mile extension of the Buffalo River Trail between US Hwy 65 (Grinders Ferry) and AR Hwy 14 (Dillards Ferry).  From Spring Creek Road, we hike downstream (north) over three major bluffs (Sitton Eddy, Stairstep, Kimball) with views 300 ft down to the Buffalo River. See Ozark Highlands Trail North Map #3, OHT Trail Miles 200-206.

Hike Leader:  Luke Parsch (contact hike leader for more info).

Telephone & Email:  479-442-3817 home landline; 479-935-0859 mobile (on day of hike); or, lparsch@uark.edu

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at Harp’s Food Store parking lot, 1780 N Crossover Rd in Fayetteville for carpooling for a 7:00 a.m. departure; or,
• Meet for a quick stop at the King’s River Country Store in Marble AR at 7:45 a.m., or
• Meet at the restrooms at the Hwy 14 Buffalo River Bridge (Dillard’s Ferry), 16 mi south of Yellville AR at 9:45 am.
• Click on “Location” below or, see Google Map at:  Dillard’s Ferry Buffalo Access – Google Maps

Driving Distance:  At 116 miles from the Fayetteville carpool to the AR Hwy 14 bridge, this is one of the longest drives we make for an OSHC dayhike.  The trailhead on Spring Creek Road is another 6 mi from the Hwy 14 bridge, with the last 1.7 mi on good gravel road.  We will shuttle hikers from the Hwy 14 bridge to the Spring Creek Road trailhead, and hike back to the bridge.  Apres-hike will be at the Hwy 14 bridge.

Comments:  Bring water, lunch, rain gear, bug spray, gloves, and wear hiking boots. No pets are allowed on any hikes, and children under 12 years 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.