Poteau Mountain Wilderness waterfall hunt

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Michael R

Inspired by last weekend’s waterfall quest in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness, today’s adventure involved finding a couple waterfalls in the Poteau Mountain Wilderness a bit south of Fort Smith.  It was my first visit there and the targets were Slate Falls and Belle Starr Falls.

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Upper Buffalo Waterfall Hunt

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Michael R

Friday’s high was 89 and Sunday’s was 69.  The long-range forecast has mostly 60’s and 70’s for the rest of the month.  Backpacking season has finally arrived!

I was to kick-off the season with an overnighter in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness but plentiful precipitation on Saturday turned it into a day-hike on Sunday instead.  I was part of a group of 10 that hiked in to Smith & McClure falls.  There was surprisingly little water flowing – perhaps the rain runs-off very quickly and one needs to be there during or just after a shower for the real show.

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Robbers Cave

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Michael R

My first trip into Okalahoma’s San Bois Mountains was a day hike in Robbers Cave State Park a bit north of Wilburton.  I expected the trails to be rather tame – it’s a state park after all – but was pleased to find them pretty pleasantly primitive.  The park has two or three primitive camp sites that can be used (with permit) by backpackers and 25+ miles of trails so one could arrange an overnight trip here or do a day hike of just about any length. Continue reading →

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Spy Rock and Redding Loop

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Michael R

The Redding Loop Trail begins at the day-use parking area in the Redding Campground ($3/day fee) and heads part way up Morgan Mountain, roughly paralleling Morgan Mountain Road (aka FR1504).  At the north extremity of the loop are spurs heading west to Spy Rock and east to the Ozark Highlands Trail.  The total distance is 8.8 miles around the loop with an out-and-back to Spy Rock. Continue reading →

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Black Fork Mountain Trail

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Michael R

I hiked earlier in the week at Lake Alma (a bit NE of Fort Smith) and the Pigeon Roost Trail at Beaver Lake – two new trails for me – but the best of the week by far was today’s hike on the Black Fork Mountain Trail.

Black Fork Mtn Trail.2013-09-14.001 Black Fork Mountain is north of and runs parallel to Rich Mountain, straddles the state line with Oklahoma, is almost entirely contained in the Black Fork Mountain Wilderness, is home to a short piece of the Ouachita Trail, and is the source of the Ouachita River.

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Roamin’ Holiday

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Michael R

I had a 4-day Labor Day weekend and felt it was time to get out and explore the area around my new home.

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Mount Zirkel Wilderness

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Michael R

A 4-night trip in Colorado’s Mount Zirkel Wilderness northeast of Steamboat Springs was just the escape I needed after months of doing little except packing, fixing-up, and cleaning the house in Kansas City.  3 friends and I left KC early Sunday (Aug 18) and arrived that evening in Walden CO where we stayed at a motel.

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New beginnings

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Michael R

Today is my first day as a full-time resident of Fort Smith.  I arrived yesterday evening and the movers should deliver my stuff tomorrow.  I stayed up until after midnight setting up my computer gear so I could work today but then had to move it all this morning because of glare from a window.  😦

My house in KC is expected to be officially on the market on the 16th after some interior painting and re-flooring is done.  I hope it sells quick.

It’s been over a month now since I’ve been out hiking and I’m itching to go, but with temperatures near 100 here I think I will have to wait a bit longer.  This sure would be a good time to be in the Rocky Mountains.

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Status update

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Michael R

The blog will probably be pretty quiet this summer.  Since signing the lease Memorial Day weekend I’ve spent parts of two more weekends at my apartment in Fort Smith.  It’s now equipped with the necessities so I could live and work there if I didn’t still need to get the house in Kansas City on the market, which I hope to accomplish in 2-3 weeks.

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King’s River Falls

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Michael R

Located well off the beaten path but worth a visit is King’s River Falls.  The trail is probably about 2 miles round trip.

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