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[NWA395]

Part One: Ozark Highland Trail, Section 2, March 23-25, 2012

This trip has been planned for several months and after having just returned two weeks prior from a week in the Colorado Rockies snowshoeing, it was evident Spring had arrived in the Ozarks. The OHT runs 165 miles with two additional sections which are not currently connected but total nearly 200 miles. Someday it is supposed to connect to the Ozark trail in Missouri for nearly 1000 miles of trail

This section of the OHT was done west to east beginning at White Rock Mountain (MM18 to MM 37) and ending at Cherry Bend trailhead. Total mile with trail spurs was 20.1 Tim Ernst book was the reference. In the week prior to this hike the area had received between 6 and 10 inches of rain. I had called the Ranger Station the day prior to the hike and was advised the creeks were impassable. We knew we had at least three wet crossings and if we could not accomplish those, we were in for at least 7 additional miles of bushwacking to get around the,

The morning at White Rock started very cool at about 45 degrees and foggy



The trail again drops off to a huge bluff that you walk under until the TH spur trail meets with the main OHT



Hiking partner for the trip is for scale..



The spring rains had all the plants and grasses green and ready to bloom as you work your way toward the main trail



After a short trip the main trail comes into view



Continued

Edited by NWA395, 29 March 2012 - 08:36 PM.

[NWA395]

From White Rock (mm 18) to Salt Fork Creek (mm 20.2) the trail decends steadily with 1000' of elevation loss. Due to the rains, the cascades and pour offs were pentiful as were the blooming redbuds



Unfortunately the poison ivy was PLEANTIFUL AND ABUNDANT as well. I am experiencing a nice dose of after hike poison ivy as we speak...



the trail continues down hill as the cascades come into view





I wore my gaiters during day one as the trail and cascades often merged into one and the trail was quite muddy and rocky



But the downhill and waterfalls made this a very pleasant portion of the trail which lasts about 2 miles





The last half mile of this downhill, the cascades depart the trail as you enter the Salt Fork Creek Bottom and the creek comes into view



Continued

[NWA395]

Once you arrive at the creek (mm 20.1) the trail crosses the creek



After looking at the water level and speed, we elected to find a less hairy spot to cross and began hiking upstream. Fortunately we were both wearing compression shorts underneath as the water level ranged from mid thigh. After dropping packs



and trousers, the water crossing began. The current was not bad as long as you took your time....here hiking partner is coming across



and the view of the creek from the east side



Continued

[NWA395]

Once you cross Salt Fork, you being a 1000' ascent/climb up Potato Knob Mountain. The ascent is not bad and continues about two miles



The view of wild flowers and switchbacks and more flowers makes this a fairly easy climb










but there are some nice suprises along the trail if you look down



Continued

Edited by NWA395, 29 March 2012 - 08:39 PM.

[NWA395]

Continuing up the hill to the top of Potato Knob the switchbacks continue



A final push gets you up to the top



and at about mm 22 you begin your ascent losing about 700' over the next mile and a half as you head toward Spirit Creek

this is really a wondeful part of the trail as the cascades and waterfalls appear at every turn or ridge





At this point we were only about 5 miles into the hike and the beauty of Spring in the Ozarks was phenomenal



Continued

Edited by NWA395, 29 March 2012 - 07:42 PM.

[NWA395]

The trail continues to descent through mm 24.6 and the waterfalls large rocks and butterflys are abundant







About half way down the hill (mm23) the descent gets a little steeper



and sure enough, more cascades and waterfalls









Just a fuzz after MM 24 trail begins to level out and you get the first glimps of Spirit Creek



Continued

[NWA395]

Spirit Creek sits at about mm 24.6 on the trail (about 6.5 miles from the Whiterock trailhead). The trail turns left and follows the creek for about 1/4 mile





As you continue to follow the trail you are soon met by two large waterfalls (during the wet season)



the trail passes the base of the 1st one and if you need a shower, this is certainly the place



the second waterfall is also really nice, several tiers but much easier to stay dry if needed



As the trail continues you reach the designated crossing on the trail. The plan was to continue and make this creek crossing today and continue on for about another 1/4 mile to a very nice campsite which sits about the creek on a bluff.



As luck would have it when we got close, we saw a tent and tarp, so we turned around and went back across the creek to a sight we had seen earlier... e ended up camping within view of four separate falls.......not a bad room with a view







Continued

[NWA395]

After a night of sleep and the sound of the creek and waterfalls, day two began with crossing the creek..again... the water level had gone down a few inches



From Sprit Creek you are accompanied by another set of falls near the crossing



the trail then heads uphill for the next mile gaining about 600' over the next mile. this day would take us almost 8 miles toward and area called Fane creek




the trail gets serious for a bit as you work your way up to an old tram road which was used by loggers at the turn of the century




there is one drainage which has four cascades joining it at a large log jam. A little climbing and log walking gets you through





after putting a few miles behind us this looked like a good place to take a break and relax



Continued in part 2

Edited by NWA395, 30 March 2012 - 07:10 AM.

[John]

Woo hoo! I've camped at White Rock Mtn. 4 times and once I did the Shores Lake Loop which was on your picture of the sign. You got to see so much water! What a great report!

[HighPlainsMedic]

How does one respond sufficiently with a word, sentence.. That was incredible, the sights I was able to experience through your lens and through your descriptions.. Wonderful comes to mind.. Spectacular, Thank you so much for sharing this.. what a treasure.

[mwilson]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Love all of the waterfalls and cascades. I've heard that it has been really wet in Arkansas and that it means we will get more rain here eventually. Eventually can come anytime now, but I'm off track here. I look forward to seeing more of your pics.

[NWA395]

Glad to share the trip. The second half trip report will be much shorter as the batteries in the camera dies and I am trying to figure out how to post video...

[HighPlainsMedic]

to post video...

Windows movie maker and create a Utube account, then upload video.