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ICE DAMAGE UPDATE: CLICK HERE for trail conditions by section Buffalo River area trails are back open again! PRESS RELEASE
New Outings Coordinator - contact him ASAP if you want to lead a hike in March/April - David Cagle
DAYHIKES
Afternoon hike: Saturday, Jan. 24, Lost Bridge Loop, Lost Bridge North park at Beaver Lake. The hike is five miles rated moderate with one difficult climb. The hike features nice views of the lake, a homestead and numerous bluffs. This part of the lake near Beaver Dam is home to many wintering bald eagles. Meet at the trail head at 1 p.m. The trail head is approximately one-half mile past the Lost Bridge North gate house on the right. Look for the blue sign. Unfortunately, hikers must pay a $4 per-vehicle day-use fee to enter the park unless they have an annual Corps of Engineers day-use pass. Trip leader is Flip Putthoff, (479) 925-2977.
January 31st, DIFFICULT BUSHWHACK TO BEAR CREEK WATERFALLS. This will be a difficult bushwhack hike DOWN into an incredible drainage that pours into the Big Piney River. Once we hit bottom we’ll hike along the scenic creek for a mile or so until we reach several beautiful waterfalls (see page 136-139 in the new printing of the Arkansas Waterfalls guidebook—available in February). This will be a difficult hike—there is no way out but UP a very steep grade—you have been warned! To sign up for this difficult bushwhack contact Tim Ernstvia e-mail. Subject to road conditions and water levels.
February 8th, a lazy winter DAYHIKE TO KINGS RIVER FALLS on the new trail. The trailhead has been moved and a new section of trail now connects to the old trail. It is still an EASY hike, just a little longer—less than two miles round trip to see this very scenic waterfall (pictured on the cover of the Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook). We will meet at NOON at the Boston turnoff on Hwy. 16 east for this short and sweet hike. Bring a daypack with water and a snack—we’ll spend an hour or so at the falls and explore the immediate area around it. Call the leader for more info—Tim Ernst.
Valentine's Day Hike, Saturday, Feb. 14: Tanyard Creek Trail, Bella Vista. Two miles rated easy with one moderate climb to see a waterfall if it is running. This little trail packs more for you hiking buck than most trails. Everything Ozark, including bluffs, a mountain stream, forest, springs and a waterfall, are packed into a little microcosm on this lovely 2-mile trail. There is a swinging bridge that is fun to cross. Bring your significant other for this easy, scenic hike. It's ideal for families, too. After this hike there's an optional hiking opportunity at the paved walking trail around Lake Bella Vista on U.S. 71. Meet at the Tanyard Creek trail head at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14. Directions: Follow Interstate 540 north to Bella Vista where it turns into U.S. 71. Continue north. Exit at the Highway 340 exit at the Bella Vista town center. Turn left (west) on Highway 340 and go approximately 1 mile to a sign that says Tanyard Creek Recreation. Turn left (east) into the parking lot. The trail head is at the pavilion. Trip leader is Flip Putthoff, (479) 925-2977 or e-mail [email protected].
OVERNIGHT FUN HIKES
January 10th - 11th hike I would like to do an overnight backpack on the OHT from Lick Branch Trailhead to the Hare Mt. Trailhead at Morgan Field for a total of 11.8 miles. We will hike 8.8 miles the first day, hiking through the Marinoni Scenic Area and camping at Herrods Creek. The next day we will hike an easy 3 miles, hopefully the waterfalls will be flowing as we will take the short spur trails to see the waterfalls on the way out. Call/email Kerry Coe @ 318-464-6904 to sign up and get more information.
February 21st - 22nd - Overnight Backpack on the OHT from Arbaugh Rd Trailhead to Lick Branch. Total 14.6 miles. We will hike a long first day for about 10 miles passing several waterfalls and camping at a high point with a good view of the sunset. Second day will be an easy 4.5 miles almost all downhill. Call/e-mail Kerry Coe @ 318-464-6904 to sign up and to get more information.
TRAIL MAINTENANCE
January 24th, WORK TRIP ON THE OHT, Marinoni Scenic Area. Meet Colin Berger at the Redding Campground trailhead at 9am—no experience needed and we’ll provide all the tools! Bring leather work gloves and a daypack with food and water. Call/email Colin at 479-986-9022 for info.
February 21st, WORK TRIP ON THE OHT, begin at Arbaugh Road. Meet Colin Berger at the Redding Campground trailhead at 9am—no experience needed and we’ll provide all the tools! Bring leather work gloves and a daypack with food and water. Call/email Colin at 479-986-9022 for info.
MANY SECTIONS OF OHT OPEN FOR ADOPTION. There are many sections of the OHT now open for adoption. We ask that you maintain your section twice a year and send in a report. This is open to OHTA members only. See the maintenance section for all of the new sections available!
OHTA VOLUNTEERS REROUTE TRAIL. Way to go volunteers! A hardy group of our volunteers have completed a reroute of the trail in between miles 36 and 37 (just west of Hwy. 23/Cherry Bend). This section of trail was destroyed by a mud slide last spring. It was the section of trail that visited the famous “Rock House” that is at the base of a small bluff. A spur trail will be built in the near future that will visit this historical ruins.
RICHLAND CAMPGROUND STILL CLOSED. Access to the Richland Creek area from the south via Falling Water Creek Road is still blocked by a mud slide. The campground will remain closed until further notice. Part of the OHT remains closed by this mud slide as well, but it is an easy hike around the slide so the overall trail remains open—you will know it when you get there! You may still access the Richland Creek area by coming in from the north: Take Hwy. 123 east out of Lurton. Go 1.5 miles and TURN RIGHT onto FR#1200/CR#36 (paved for a mile or so). Go 6.8 miles and TURN RIGHT onto FR#1205/CR#37. Follow this gravel road about 7.5 miles to where the road is blocked off at the entrance to Richland Creek Campground... There is not much room to park but you can access the OHT there (no official trailhead).
CLUB MEETINGS
February 8th, OHTA GENERAL MEETING. Social time begins at 7pm with our meeting to follow at 7:30 (including elections for 2009 officers—nominations are open for all positions!). Our program will be presented by brave folks from the Pack Rat Outdoor Center in Fayetteville, who will show us all about the adventure sport of ICE CLIMBING! To get to the meeting site, from Hwy. 71 B in Springdale turn EAST on Emma street, go several blocks, then turn LEFT/NORTH onto N. Main Street, then pull into the parking lot on the right behind the building (this is actually the First Security Annex Building - across from Shiloh Museum—there is a map on our web page). Call us at 870-861-5536 if you need any more info. ________
OHTA Officers Tim Ernst, President, 870-861-5536 Keiko Wilke, Treasurer, 479-927-1999 Colin Berger, Maintenance, 479-986-9022 Scott Crook, Secretary, 479-521-6340 Bobby Shepperd, Meeting Programs, 479-587-0200 David Cagle - Outings Duane Woltjen, At Large/Membership, 479- 521-7032
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