See http://arkansasstateparks.com/
for the official web page of Arkansas State Parks
The Arkansas tourist bureau puts out a great Camper's & Hiker's Guide
book that lists a ton of the trails in the state. Pick up a copy of
this if you can.
Arkansas Pictures (9 pictures)
Evan's Point Loop - Lake Fort Smith State Park
Directions:
75 North to I40 west (middle of Oklahoma) to 540 North to exit 29
(follow signs to Lake Fort Smith State Park). About 285 miles, 4 1/2
hours. Stop at the park headquarters and get a trail map. The trail
head is at the far end of the top of the dam.
Free
Trails:
Evan's Point Loop goes for 3 miles along the hillside of Lake Fort
Smith. You start with a boring hike across the damn and then up a
number of stairs to the true trail. It is mostly a one-person width
trail. After 3 miles is the start of the Ozark Highland Trail (187
mile trail) and the loop back. For the loop back, you have to do a
low water crossing and it goes back on the other side of the lake (I
didn't do this as I was cold enough without getting my feet wet). I
went a little ways on the Ozark Highland Trail, but didn't go far as
it was flat to start and I had Devil's Den on my mind (caves). I
came back the way I went.
Area:
Woodsy with some elevation change. I went at the tail end of the
changing of the leaves (still pretty, but not as impressive). It was
a cool day when I went, so I had it mostly to myself, but would worry
about boat noise from the lake for a pretty day.
Picture
When I did the hike:
early December 2000
Recommendation:
If you are near by, maybe, but don't take extra effort to get there.
Devil's Den State Park
Directions:
[From Evan's Loop: 71 North to 182 West to (about 1/2 mile) 540 North]
75 North to I40 west (middle of Oklahoma) to 540 North to exit 45 and
74 West to park entrance. About 300 miles [20 miles from Evan's Loop]
Free. To hike the Butterfield Hiking Trail, you need to get a
backcountry hiking permit (even for a day hike) at the visitor center
(it is free).
Trails:
For my December 2000 trip, I made the side trip purely for the
caves. The Devil's Den trail is a short 1 1/2 mile loop that has
two fracture caves along the way and a couple of other neat
looking things. It is a rugged trail and you do a little bit of
climbing. You'll need a flash light to go into the Devil's Den
cave - it does go back quite a ways and there are small bats in
the cave. I was rushed for time and didn't go into the 2nd cave.
The Butterfield Hiking Trail is 15 mile loop trail. There is a
450 feet elevation change a couple of miles in from both ends
of the hike and another climb in the middle of the trail, but the
trail is surprisingly level outside of those climbs/descends.
There are 3 starting points and you can head in either direction
(you pick the starting point and direction when you fill out the
permit). I started at the playground across from the suspension
bridge and headed counter-clockwise (with a 15 minute detour as
I couldn't figure out which way was "counter-clockwise" - don't
go across the bridge for the start I was supposed to have).
The width of the sometimes rocky trail varies between one- and
two-person width - it goes to two when it joins with other
trails. The trail is marked with blue dots on the trees -
double dots indicate that the direction of the trail is about
to change - and there are occasional steel poles with "BHT" on
it indicating the trail - keep an eye of for both the dots
and the poles to make sure you keep on the correct trail.
It is a very nice, well defined forest trail. Don't take the
Junction Camp side trip (unless you want to camp there) - the
cemetery for Anna is somewhere across from Lee Creek (on the
other side of Junction Camp, not Blackburn Creek which you
walk next towards Junction Camp. There is no trail to the
cemetery and it is a wet water crossing to the other side of
Lee Creek. Near the end/beginning of the trail is an old
cemetery (there is a sign on the trail pointing it out), but
I only notice 2 headstones and the writing was no longer
visible. This is also the area for "several old homesites",
but I didn't notice any remains indicating their location.
The end/beginning of the trail is a long wet water crossing
of Lee Creek at Area A Campground next to campsite #7. It
took me 7 hours (including my 40 minute Junction Camp
side trip) to hike the Butterfield Hiking Trail (and I was
hiking at a good clip). There are also a couple of other
shorter trails in this nice park.
Area:
Rocky, mountainous area with tress.
Picture
When I did the hike:
early December 2000 (cave), October 14, 2001 (Butterfield)
Recommendation:
Caves are cool. The Butterfield Hiking Trail is a long, nice
hike - but it is either an all or nothing trail, so don't
start unless you are ready to go 15 miles.
War Eagle Trail - Withrow Springs SP
Directions:
I540 to Hwy 412 (city of Springdale) east for 25
miles to Hwy 23. Then north on Hwy 23 for about
5 miles. Or from Eureka Springs: Hwy 62 to Hwy
23 and south on Hwy 23 for about 22 miles. Stay
on Hwy 23 (not the road that goes through the
park) and park in the gravel parking area on the
west side of the road, just to the north of the
pavilion/picnic area. The trail starts on the
other side of the road.
Free.
Trails:
After crossing the road, the wide trail heads
next to the trees with an open field (with some
park buildings in the distance) to the right. At
the bench, the trail takes a right and narrows.
It heads down the hillside, with a couple of
overlooks and some wooden steps for a steeper
section. Then it is fairly mild as it goes
alongside (though mostly a little inland from)
the creek before coming out on Hwy 23. Lots of
road noise.
Trail Length:
1 mile one-way
Area:
Trees and bluff next to the War Eagle Creek.
When I did the hike:
Monday, October 27, 2008
Recommendation:
No, blah.
Pigeon Roost trail - Hobbs State Park
Directions:
I540 to Hwy 12 (city of Rogers). East on Hwy
12 for 13 miles (a few miles past the Hwy 303
turnoff). Keep an eye out for the turnoff on
the north side of the road and the parking
area is just ahead - there is a large info
sign about the trail next to the parking area
at the trailhead.
Vault toilet.
Free.
Trails:
The trail starts out wide as it heads at a
downward angle through the trees. A short ways
into the hike is a neat looking tree on the right
that that has an L-shape to it - it's a "thong"
tree that native americans created to mark a
direction. After about .5 miles, the trail
narrows and heads along a hillside. Then it is
down to a gully and the loop junction. Take a
left and the trail heads up alongside the gully
for a ways. The trail stays in the trees and
heads up (there are a number of ups and downs to
the hike). After about 2 miles is a trail
junction - continue straight (take a right for the
shorter loop hike). After another mile or so, the
trail reaches the first of the backcountry
campsites and you get your first glimpse of the
lake. The trail stays high above the water (and
inland some) before gradually heading down closer
to the water and then rounding a point. The trail
then heads inland (again, more ups and downs) and
goes by a couple of sink holes (nothing exciting).
A little bit after the short loop junction, the
trail goes next to the lake for a short bit before
heading up a gully and eventually reaching the end
of the loop. Take a left for the spur trail back
to the parking area.
Trail Length:
8.5 mile loop (or shorter 5 mile loop)
Area:
Woods and hills, a branch of the large Beaver
Lake is visible for two sections long the
top of the loop.
When I did the hike:
Monday, October 27, 2008
Recommendation:
Kind of nice, but not that pretty or exciting.
Didn't help that it was cold (in the low 40s
the entire hike) and most of the colorful
leaves were gone.
Hot Springs National Park
Directions:
About 4 1/2 hours from Plano. Take I-30 to Arkadelphia and take
Highway 7 to Hot Springs. Hot Springs National Park is right on
Highway 7.
Free. (But you have to pay for parking in the city. And don't
go cheap if you park at a meter - do at least 7 hours [I did 6 hours
the first time and had to rush to get back just after it expired].)
Trails:
There are a number of smaller trails around the headquarters/bath
houses. Stop in the park information building (one of the bath
houses) and pick up a trail map. The big trail is the Sunset trail.
You can get to the start of the trail by hiking up Prospect Avenue
a little ways to the start of the trail next to West Mt. Summit
Drive (little bit of a walk through a residential area) or at the
end of a very short alley off of Highway 7 between Fountain St and
Whittington Avenue [do the latter]. The trail is an about 13 mile
endurance test. It is clear that you are on a trail, but there are
no trail indicators along the way (though there are a handful of
distance signs). There are a couple of forks/question spots. For
the first fork on the Sunset trail, I take the left/straight branch
and then after a little bit hit the dirt road for the radio towers
where you go left and then right and the trail continues to the
left near the far radio tower [I think the right branch re-joins
this branch after the towers]. After crossing Cedar Glades Road
(the second road), continue on the straight trail/dirt road (it
should soon look like a real trail, not just a road). Along this
part, there are some orange marks occasionally marking the trail.
After forever and a day, there is a fork in the trail - go right
(I'm not sure where the other branch goes and I don't want to know;
I'm dead tired by then). The trail comes out on a road. Take the
road to the left and around the corner to Highway 7. There is a
BBQ restaurant at the corner across the street that is good place
to stop for a break before the last leg. The trail continues to
the left of the BBQ place along the road. Once you get to the
Gorge Trail-Dead Chief Trail junction, you'll have your choice as
to how you wish to finish your hike (the Gorge Trail is steep).
The trails are a one to two person width and are well defined.
They are fairly smooth (not many rocks) and there is elevation
changes along the way.
Area:
The trails go through the woods in the Ouachita mountains. There
are not many scenic views from the trail - take the short Balanced
Rock side trip for a nice view and a good place to rest. The
park is in the city and you can hear car noises for the first and
last hour of the hike.
When I did the hike:
September 1998, September 1999
Recommendation:
It's good workout, but I can't really recommend it. I've been
twice (both in Septembers) and can't say I enjoyed either one.
I don't know if it was just the moods I was in, the long drive, the
lack of good scenery, the time of year, the car noises, or the
abundance of spider webs. If you are in the area (Hot Springs is a
tourist spot), you may want to do it just to say you did, but I
wouldn't make a trip there specifically to hike the trail.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Directions:
$4 to diamond hunt
Trails:
There are two trails in the park. One is a couple miles loop
through the woods and briefly along the river. It's pretty and
peaceful, but buggy and flat. The other trail is also a loop,
but I didn't hike much of it as it was a very wide, flat, dirt
road.
Area:
When I did the hike:
September 1998
Recommendation:
Don't go for the trails. But sitting and sifting through dirt for
a couple of hours after a day of hiking can be fun.
Mount Magazine State Park
Directions:
Take I40 to Ozark and take Rt 23 south over the river
(may have to weave through town (north side of river) to
get to 23 south). Shortly after going over the river,
turn right on to Rt 309. From there is it 33 miles (long
drive as the road is not straight) to the park turn.
After the State Park sign, continue on Rt 309 as it heads
up the hillside and after a bit take the right for the
park road next to the small visitor center (also on the
right). Drive the park road further up the mountain side
to the junction with the loop road at the top. Take a
right at the top and continue straight past the first
right turn (Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive) and then there
is another road to the right - there is room for a couple
of vehicles to park at that turn. The trailhead is across
the road, on the left, with a sign. You can also access
the summit trail from just past the lodge (no parking) and
just to the left of the park road-top loop junction.
Free.
No facilities.
Trails:
At 2,753 feet, Mountain Magazine is Arkansas' tallest
mountain - that is the main lure for trail (there are
other longer trails in the park). It is a good, 2-person
width trail that weaves its way through the trees up to
the summit (with a large sign at the summit). From the
summit you can go back the way you can (which I did as
I was hiking on a sprained ankle and this was a "side
trip" on my way to Missouri) or continue on the trail
down the south side and then take a left at the
junction and a left at the next junction back to the
trailhead. It is pretty and colorful with the fall
colors.
Trail Length + Elevation:
.5 miles one-way (bit of an up, not too hard)
1.5 miles for the loop trail
Area:
Trees, small mountain
When I did the hike:
Monday, October 31, 2011
Recommendation:
Out of the way, but it is always neat to bag another
tallest state point.
Indian Rock House Nature Trail
Directions:
I-40 to Highway 65 north to Highway 27 east to Highway 14 north to
Highway 268 to Buffalo Point/Buffalo River State Park.
Free.
Trails:
About a 3 mile loop down to the Indian Rockhouse Cave. Add two
more miles if you go to the Bat Cave (the trail is "closed" certain
times of the year during mating season). There is a little
elevation change to the Indiana cave and a nice climb over a small
mountain to the bat cave. The Indian cave area is neat. To get
to the bat cave trail, follow the creek to the right of the cave area
a short ways and the trail goes up (and up and up) to the left. The
trails are mostly one-person width.
Area:
Hilly, forestry area. The Indian cave trail goes along a small
creek for a bit. [Note: there are no Indian ruins or relics at
the cave.]
Picture
Recommendation:
Not quite worth the long drive out there [I stayed at a hotel
Friday night and did this trail and the Rush trail the next day and
then drove back - I think it was a 6.5 hour drive], but it is pretty
and the Indian cave is really neat. The trail was too easy for my
taste, but the bat cave trail made it a bit of a workout.
Rush Mountain Trail
Directions:
I-40 to Highway 65 north to Highway 27 east to Highway 14 north to
to country road 635 (small road that turns to dirt near Rush) to Rush.
[Do a map search on Rush, AR.]
Free.
Trails:
The description says that this is a loop trail (I didn't have a
trail map), but I turned around after 2.5 hours as I wasn't sure if
it really was a loop and I had a long drive home ahead of me. The
trail starts at the far end of the ghost town (there is a small
parking area) and goes up past a couple of buildings and through a
destroyed building's foundation. For the first mile or two, the
trail goes past a number of abandoned mines - there are fences
around the mine openings (but they are easy to get around - but I
don't recommended entering them). The trail then continues on and
there are a couple of pretty views of the Buffalo river. The
trail is a one-person width trail along the mountain in the trees.
There is a climb at the start, but not too much up-and-down after
that.
Area:
Rush is a ghost town from the ore mining days. There are a number
of abandoned buildings in the area that you can roam around (some
are fenced in).
Picture
Recommendation:
It's a neat place with the ghost town and the mines. I liked it
and I'd go back to see where the trail actually ends.
Lost Valley - Buffalo River
Directions:
Hwy 7 to Jasper and head west on Hwy 74
(mountain driving) for 14 miles to Ponco.
Continue straight (turns into Hwy 43) (or make
a brief stop at the historic home at the
junction) and a little over a mile ahead is the
signed turnoff on the right for Lost Valley.
Note: The Buffalo River is about a mile
away - it's next to Hwy 43.
Flush toilets.
Free.
Trails:
At the end of the parking lot, cross the bridge
and the mild, wide trail heads through the
woods alongside a creek. Take a right at the
two trail junctions to continue alongside the
creek. Not too far ahead is a small falls
coming through a tunnel with a small pool in
front of it. If the water in the pool is low,
walk around to the other side and look up
through the tunnel (you maybe able to crawl
through the tunnel to the other side, but I
wouldn't recommend that). The trail gets
harder from here with lots of rock steps
heading up to the cove. The 150 foot deep and
250 foot long bluff cove has been used for
shelter for ages and is kind of neat to
explore. Just past the cove is Eden Falls,
not much more than a trickle when I was there,
but it does drop a total of 170 feet. It's a
steep up from the falls to the cave, above the
falls. Supoosedly there is a room in the cave
with a 35 foot waterfall, but I didn't go into
the cave (if you do go inside, you'll need a
flashlight). Take the right trail at the
junctions on the way back for a little more
variety (though the way you came is more
interesting).
Trail Length:
1.5 miles one-way
Area:
Hills and woods of the Ozarks. Creek, thin
waterfall, bluff cove, and a natural cave.
Picture
When I did the hike:
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Recommendation:
Short, but with the variety, worth a visit.
Buffalo River trail from Erbie
Directions:
On Hwy 7, about 5 miles north of Jasper (but
before crossing the Buffalo River), head east
on the Erbie Campground road (there is a sign
on Hwy 7 for the turn). It is a long 5 miles
on the narrow gravel road (have to pull to
the side when cars come the other direction)
in the mountains to the Erbie Campground.
Continue straight for a mile as the road takes
an unpleasant (but still passable) down through
a gully. You'll pass by the Parker-Hickman
homestead on the left (worth a visit - can also
pick up the trail at the top right of the
homestead). A little bit further ahead on the
road is a small parking area just before the
road crosses the river.
No facilities, but flush toilets in the Erbie
campground area.
Free.
Trails:
From the parking area near the river crossing,
the trail heads through the small field and
then a short up into the trees to the junction
with the Buffalo River Trail. Taking a right,
the trail heads through the trees along a
ridge above the river, with a farm field to
the left and then fully in the trees. After
.6 miles, the trail T-junctions with an old
dirt road - take a left and a short bit ahead
on the left is the Cherry Grove Cemetry. It
is interesting to wander through the old
cemetry as there are several tombstones from
the 1800s, including a legible one of a civil
war soldier (the writing on most of the older
ones are illegible). Continuing up on the
dirt road a short ways, keep an eye out to
the right where the trail continues as a
one-person width trail through the tress -
there are some small ups and down to the
trail. Then it comes out above the river
with some pretty views. I turned around
shortly after the stone steps.
Trail Length:
3 miles around trip, my hike from Erbie
36 mile total length for Buffalo River trail,
but there are a number of access
points and you can hike much shorter
sections
Area:
Hills and tress of the Ozarks, next to the
Buffalo River
Picture
When I did the hike:
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Recommendation:
If you make the long drive out the Erbie, yes.
The cemetry is interesting and there are some
nice views of the river.
Cecil Creek trail, Erbie - Buffalo River
Directions:
On Hwy 7, about 5 miles north of Jasper (but
before crossing the Buffalo River), head east
on the Erbie Campground road (there is a sign
on Hwy 7 for the turn). It is a long 5 miles
on the narrow gravel road (have to pull to
the side when cars come the other direction)
in the mountains to the Erbie Campground.
Continue straight for a mile - the road takes
an unpleasant (but still passable) down and
then the Parker-Hickman homestead is to the
left (worth a visit). A little bit further
ahead on the road is a small parking area just
before the road crosses the river. I parked
there as the trail description I had said to
do so. But, if the river is not too high, you
can take your car on the road further as it
has two wet water crossings (cement under an
inch or two of water) and then bare left and
continue up the gravel road to the old church,
on the left. There is a small parking area,
picnic table, and toilets just north of the
church - it's also the trailhead, with an
info sign.
Free.
Trails:
From where I parked, I had a 2 wet water
crossings right away and then a mile walk up
the road (and it does head up) to the
trailhead. The trail heads through the trees
and drops some (not steep) and eventually
reaches a (dry when I was there) creek bed.
The trail then heads along side the creek,
crossing it a few times, for about 2 miles -
a fairly uneventful hike. The trail then
gets a little prettier as it heads up (at
times a harder up) to the trail junction.
Continue straight at the junction (to the
right is a narrow trail for 1 mile to
Broadhollow Falls (didn't do)). After a
little over .5 miles is a small cemetry
(early 1900s) on the right. The trail
continues up and at the junction, take a
left - a short ways to the right is an old
homestead (nothing left but part of a
chimmney and some foundation stones). The
trail heads at a down for a bit next to an
old stone fence. The trail crosses a creek
and has some ups and dos along the way, but
is mostly mild. After rounding the
mountainside, the trail reaches a gravel
road - 2 miles from the cemetry. Take a
left on the road. You can take the road
for 1.4 miles back to the trailhead. Or
after a little bit of heading down on the
road, look for the horse trail to the
right for the Farmer Homestead trail. It's
a rough, rugged, rocky, steep down on an
old road for 1 mile to an old house. From
here you have several options. You can
head to the right and have a wet water
crossing of the Buffalo River and then head
up and connect with the Buffalo River Trail
just short of the Cherry Grove Cemetry.
For the loop I did, head left and then take
another left at the next trail junction for
the Goat Overlook Trail (going straight is
still a horse trail and has two crossings
of the Buffalo River). The steep trail
heads up, up, up with rock steps. As the
trail continues above the river, there are
some really nices views of the river valley.
The Goat Overlook Trail is .8 miles long.
At the next trail junction, continue
straight (if you are parked at the trailhead,
taking a left may give a shorter return, but
I don't know). The trail then heads down,
down, down and re-joins the horse trail.
Take a left and the trail goes by the long
farm field, pass the barn, and then you are
at the road. If you parked on the other
side of the river, take a right and the
river crossings are just ahead. If you
parked at the trailhead, take a left and go
a mile up the road.
Trail Length:
8.5 mile full loop
6.7 mile loop from trailhead with walking
road back instead heading down
to near the river
Area:
Hills and trees of the Ozarks. 3 old
abandoned houses. A pretty section above the
Buffalo River.
Picture
When I did the hike:
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Recommendation:
A pretty hike in the fall, the Goat Overlook
section was the best and prettiest part of
the hike.
Alum Cove
Directions:
Hwy 7 north Hwy 16 west, 15 miles south of
Jasper. Head on Hwy 16 west for a very short
bit (less than a mile) and take the 2nd right
turn (sign for Alum Cove). The head north on
Hwy 327 for a little over a mile to the Alum
Cove Recreation Area.
$3 selfpay fee.
Trails:
The trail starts in the center of the parking
area on the north side and heads through the
picnic area and then starts heading down. At
times it's a steep down. At the bottom is a
130 foot long natural bridge. After exploring
underneath the bridge, continue straight and
then start heading up and then cross the bridge
on top to re-join the trail from the way down.
Trail Length:
1 mile total
Area:
Hills and trees of the Ozarks. A long, natural
bridge.
When I did the hike:
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Recommendation:
Na. Maybe if you are in the area, but with the
fee, it's not worth it.
Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area
Directions:
From I40, head north on Hwy 7 for a good ways (30
miles of mountain driving). At the junction
with Hwy 16 (stop sign), take a right onto Hwy 16
for about 6 miles. At the Pedestal Rocks sign,
take a right on the narrow (but short) dirt road
to the small parking area. Note that it is
popular, especially on pretty weekends in the
fall, and you may have to get creative to find a
parking spot.
Pit toilet.
Free.
Trails:
There are 2 loop trails in the area, both short
enough to hike both in one outing.
King's Bluff Loop: Heading counter-clockwise, the
one-person width trail heads through the trees
with a mild down (so some up on the backside of
the loop). The trail stays in the trees for less
than a mile to the bluffs. The bluffs are a long
rock cliff (you're at the top) with some nice
views of the hills beyond. After the bluffs, the
trail is back in the trees until it junctions
with the Pedestal Rocks Loop, .1 mile from the
parking area.
Pedestal Rocks Loop: Heading counter-clockwise,
the trail is a little wider for the 1 mile walk
at a mild down through the trees to a short bluff
area. Just past those bluffs is a longer bluff
area that has the pedestal rocks - a number of
isolated rock spires and small rock islands just
in front of the bluff. The back portion of the
loop is not as wide (one-person width) and is
back in the trees to the completion of the loop,
with a bit of an up at the end.
Trail Length:
1.7 miles King's Bluff Loop
2.2 miles Pedestal Rocks Loop
Area:
Hills and woods of the Ozarks. 2 bluff/overlook
sections.
Picture
When I did the hike:
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Recommendation:
A ways from anything, but if you are visiting
the Ozarks in the area or heading towards the
Buffalo River, a pretty outing, especially in
the fall.
North Sylamore Trail
Directions:
In Arkansas, I40 to Hwy 65 north to Hwy 9 west/north to Hwy 14 east
at Allison. There are 4 trail accesses points.
To get to the Allison trailhead: right after turning on Hwy 14, go
over the river and take a right onto the dirt road right after the
bridge - there was a short, small signed saying Hiking Trail -> (no
road name) - and go a short ways on the _one_lane_ (pray no one
comes the other direction) to the parking area in front of the
pasture (no facilities).
For the Blanchard Springs area: take 14 a number of miles to FM
1110 and the sign saying Blanchard Springs ->. The trail to
Allison is top of the parking area for the swim hole. The trail
to Gunner Pool is in the picnic area on the other side of the road
from the swim hole.
For the Gunner Pool area: take 14 to the town of Fifty Six and
take a right on FM1102/ST93 - there was a sign saying Gunner Pool
Campground ->. Go 3 miles on the wide gravel/dirt road to the
campground. The trail to Blanchard Springs is on the road right
before the first turn-in for the campground.
For the Barkshed area: take 14 past the town of Fifty Six and
take a right on FM1112/ST55 (gravel) to ST76 to the campground
(about 3 miles from Hwy 14).
About 470 miles from Allen, Texas.
Free. [there is a fee for the Blanchard Springs area]
Trails:
The North Sylamore trail is a 13 3/4 miles one-way trail along
and above the Sylamore creek in the Ozark National Forest. I
had my dad with me, so we were able to put cars at Gunner Pool
and Allison to do a 9 3/4 miles one-way hike. We started at
the trailhead in Allison. The trail starts through the pasture
and then along the creek (the trail is sandy here) and then a
wet water crossing through the creek to the other side (I
believe this is the only wet water crossing). Unfortunately,
we missed where the trail turns off from the dirt road and
continued on the road, crossed the creek again, the road ended,
back across the creek, up the road a little ways and onto a
"trail". It turned out to be what I suspected a short ways in -
a horse trail (but we didn't want to backtrack). So after 2
more wet water crossings and 2 miles of sandy trail, the horse
trail finally intersected with the real hiking trail and we
became happier trekkers. The one-person width dirt trail, with
occasional sandy parts and a small stretches of old road, had
some mild ups and downs and some nice scenery. The trail comes
out near the swim hole (and it seemed like a small area to be
calling a swim hole) of the Blanchard Springs area - we had lunch
here. The trail continues across the road in the picnic area and
has a good climb up a small mountain. There are some areas here
with moss hanging from the trees. On the down side of the
mountain, the trail goes past 2 crumbling shacks (they weren't
that interesting) and then levels out along the creek for a
little ways. After another good climb up a small mountain is a
sign indicating Gunner Pool is only a mile away. It took us
about 4 hours, 50 minutes to hike the 9 3/4 miles (includes extra
time for taking off and putting on shoes for the 5 creek crossing
with our detour).
There are occasional metal signs indicating the trail's
direction, but most of the white blazes on trees indicating the
trail had faded away.
Trail Length:
13 3/4 miles (one-way)
Allison - Blanchard Springs: 4 3/4 miles (one-way)
Blanchard Springs - Gunner Pool: 5 miles (one-way)
Gunner Pool - Barkshed: 4 miles (one-way)
Area:
Woods and creek in the Ozark Mountains.
When I did the hike:
October 5, 2002
Recommendation:
It was a nice trail, but not as awesome as some reports I read
about the trail and scenery. I wouldn't make a trip purely for
this hike, but if you are in the area, it is be a nice trail to
hike. The trail had too many icky sandy parts (and that's
excluding the horse trail) and dirt road parts for my liking.
If you are limited to doing one section of the trail, pick one
of the Gunner Pool branches.