Broken Bow Lake – David Boren Hiking Trail

On the way home from Cossatot River State Park I stopped at Broken Bow Lake in southeast Oklahoma to look around and do a short hike.  I’ve spent a little time around Winding Stair Mountain but this was my first time south of OK63 and deep into Kiamichi country so that was a bonus.  It’s a far cry from the flat red dirt I once imagined covered all of Oklahoma.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cossatot River Corridor Trail

I got the “one more mild weekend” I was hoping for and spent a couple days of it at Cossatot River State Park & Natural Area sightseeing and hiking the 12.5-mile River Corridor Trail.  Cossatot is apparently an anglicization of the french words for “skull crusher” and it seems a fitting name for this wild river.

Cossatot River Corridor Trail.2014-05-17.082 Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Tall Peak Trail

The Tall Peak Trail is a 6.4 mile out-and-back in the Caney Creek Wilderness that begins at the Shady Lake Recreation Area in the southern part of Arkansas’ Ouachitas.  The trail begins by following Saline Creek upstream about a mile and crossing it five times before climbing 1200′ over the remaining 2+ miles to the top of Tall Peak.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Buckeye-Caney Creek Loop

My first visit to the Caney Creek Wilderness in the southern part of Arkansas’ Ouachitas.  The 9.4 mile Buckeye – Caney Creek Loop  consists of the Buckeye trail, the eastern part of the Caney Creek trail, and a short road walk on FR 38.  This area is about 10 miles west of the Eagle Rock Loop.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Billy Creek Loop

The Billy Creek Loop is a 9.9 mile loop on the south side of Winding Stair Mountain in the Oklahoma Ouachitas.  There is access from the Billy Creek campground to the south and the Horse Thief Spring picnic area to the north.  There is an east-west connector trail that divides it into a 6.7 mile upper loop and a 6 mile lower loop.  The lower loop is open to ATVs, the east & west sides of the upper loop are hiker & horses only.  The north side of the loop is miles 19.9-22.4 of the Ouachita Trail.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Buffalo River Trail – Beech Creek to Kyle’s Landing

The 4.3 mile stretch between Beech Creek and Kyle’s Landing has been taunting me for a while – too far away for a day hike and too short for a weekend trip, but I finally checked it off the list today.  I can now say I’ve hiked all of the Buffalo River Trail – all three open sections plus parts that aren’t official yet.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Horse Thief Spring Trail

The Horse Thief Spring Trail is an 8.5 mile loop on the north slope of Winding Stair Mountain in the Oklahoma Ouachitas.  I probably should have been out looking for a house today so I could finally get settled in Arkansas and get my stuff unpacked but the weather was mild and I’ve really been wanting to see this trail.  The last time I tried it, I was forced out by icy roads but that wasn’t a problem today.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Buffalo River Trail – Kyle’s Landing to Pruitt

I hiked the Kyle’s Landing to Pruitt section of the BRT with a group of Sierra Clubbers from the Kansas City area on a 2-night trip.  Temperatures near 80 and little shade from the still-developing forest canopy made conditions mighty uncomfortable.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Buffalo River Trail building – Spring 2014 progress

Much has happened just east of Tyler Bend in the last month!

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Buffalo River Trail building – Spring 2014 kickoff

Construction work on the Buffalo River trail resumed February 7 and I’ve spent a couple weekends working there so far.  Ken Smith established a temporary headquarters near St Joe, Ark and will move to the group campground at Tyler Bend when it opens on March 14.

Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment