THIS WEEK’s Outing:  Dayhike 3 April 2021:  Smith Creek Preserve, near south Boxley Valley

This coming Saturday April 3, Luke Parsch will lead a hike into Smith Creek Preserve which is just 1.2 miles from the Boxley Trailhead.  Parking at the trailhead is limited, so we will meet at the Boxley trailhead parking area (i.e., BRT Mile 0) and shuttle hikers from there as necessary.  Cars need to park as close as possible to each other (bumper-to-bumper) at the Preserve.

Departure times/places for this Sat April 3 day-hike are:

• 8:30 a.m. departure from Root School, Fayetteville for car caravaning
• 9:15 a.m. quick-stop at the gas station/store in Marble AR
• 10:00 a.m. at the Boxley trailhead parking area (i.e., at BRT Mile 0)

The attached map will come in handy.  See other hike details below.

Day, Date:  Saturday, 3 April 2021

Name of Hike:  Smith Creek Preserve (southern upstream portion of trail)

Type of Hike:  Dayhike, trail.  Most of the trail is old road-bed along Smith Creek.  Hikers are encouraged to follow spur trails for viewing the creek.  See also Comment 2 below.

Location:  Nature Conservancy preserve area 1.2 miles south of Boxley Valley off AR Hwy 21

Hiking Distance:  4.0 to 5.0 miles (4.0 miles to grapevine return or 5.0 miles to spring return)

Maximum Elevation Difference:  270 ft (up and down twice)

Rating:  Moderate, due to distance and elevation.

Features:  This preserve was created in 2005 by the Nature Conservancy from 1226 acres of land donated by Elise and Marty Roenigk of Eureka Springs AR, owners of the Crescent and Basin Park Hotels.  We will hike the southern upstream portion of the main trail with small waterfalls, large boulders, blue pools, hanging vines and several sink holes before reaching the hill-side Big Spring which feeds Smith Creek before returning via the same route to the trailhead.  Note:  I am not planning on taking the northern downstream portion of Smith Preserve to Qui Va La Elise Falls.  This adds 1.2 to 1.7 mi to the hike with added elevation gain/loss and requires four wet crossings of Smith Creek.  Hikers who want to pursue this on their own are welcome to do so.

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

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

Place and Time:

• Meet at Root School on 1529 E Mission Blvd in Fayetteville for carpooling for an 8:30 a.m. departure; or,
• Meet at 9:15 a.m. for a quick-stop at the Kings River gas station/store in Marble AR; or,
• Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Boxley Trailhead (i.e., Buffalo River Trail Mile 0) parking area.  Due to limited parking at the Smith Creek Preserve, we will consolidate cars at Boxley and drive from there to the trailhead 1.2 miles distant.
• Car-caravan means we drive in our own cars as a group to the parking area at Boxley

Driving Distance:  One-way driving distance from the Fayetteville carpool to the Boxley trailhead is 56 miles via AR Hwy 45/US Hwy 412/AR Hwy 21.  Smith Creek Preserve is another 1.2 miles south on AR Hwy 21.

Comment 1:  Wear a mask and plan to social distance.  Bring water, lunch, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots.  No pets are allowed on any hikes, and children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by guardians.  Participants are required to sign a “liability release” http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet_rev4.pdf  to take part in any Ozark Society outing.  Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

Comment 2:  I am not planning on hiking the northern downstream portion of Smith Preserve to Qui Va La Elise Falls (21’).  This adds 1.2 to 1.7 mi to the hike with added elevation gain/loss and requires four wet crossings of Smith Creek.  Hikers who want to pursue this on their own are welcome to do so.

Links to Pictures of recent OSHC hikes can be seen on the Ozark Society Website at www.ozarksociety.net  Go to Chapters & Activities/Highlands Chapter and look for Frank Millett’s and Luke Parsch’s  Flickr websites links.