Tag Archives: buffalo river

Compton Trailhead Ponca Wilderness Area ~Compton, AR

trailheadWe had an extra day on our trip up to Indiana for my sisters wedding so we stopped by the Compton Trailhead in Arkansas.

We had a gift certificate for a hotel in Branson, MO that we needed to use so we planned to stay the night there after our hike.

This trail is also called the Hemmed-in Hollow Trail.

stepsIt is very strenuous.

Pretty much straight down for over two miles.

In fact my husband hurt his knees the last time we did this hike.

Since he has been doing so much better and has been doing distance running I thought he might enjoy taking it on again.

madeitHe and the boys decided we should run down.

Ouch.

views

moss

silly

signsWe went down to the falls and river.

little

upYou can tell I was little tired from the running.

Thankfully they did not run the whole time or I would have been in trouble.

hemmedinfallsHemmed-in Hollow.

rocks

fallsThe scale is just so overwhelming.

It is beautiful.

pool

boysandIThese boys are always happy to see a river.

water

atbuffaloI really enjoy the Buffalo River, it is just so beautiful.

buffalo

beach

leaves

rocksthrowing

jump

up2What goes down…

usOverall we were really sore(Nick and I at least, the boys did not even understand why they would be sore) but no injuries.

I would say we finally conquered this hike!

Although I would not mind being in a little better shape the next time so I do not feel like I am going to die going back up!

I think the total miles were around 6 since we went to the river also.

I have read that it is over 2000ft elevation change down and then of course back up again.

The boys did amazing on this hike!

They are really starting to push me!

8yr Anniversary ~Buffalo River, AR

To celebrate our 8yr anniversary (WOW! That is a long time!) we went to Branson via the Buffalo River.

We were actually just in this area for my birthday last November but I love it so much I wanted to go again!

We have never been to the Compton trailhead so it was a nice change for this trip.

We went towards Hemmed-in Falls and then over to the Buffalo so the total trip for us was around 6.5miles.

pathway

It is a beautiful trail but very strenuous.

It was a lot of downhill, then back uphill on the way back.

Lots of berries lining the trail.

The river is at a record low!

I have never seen it like this.

Crazy.

Halfway back up.

This pic makes me laugh.

Nick’s knee was hurting pretty bad (someone took him on a really hard on the knees trail) and I knew he would not be smiling so I was trying to not grin like a fool.

Apparently when I only slightly smile I look like I am mad.

I was really tired from not much sleep the night before so I will blame it on that…

We stayed at the Hilton on Branson Landing in Branson, MO.

It was a nice hotel and in a great location but everything extra (including internet and parking!) cost extra.

Nick is not a fan of Hilton Hotels because of all the extra fees.

I made Nick take my pic on the balcony.

Our balcony had a great view of the fountain show that they do on the hour.

The next day we headed back to the Buffalo to go canoeing.

We had to drive farther east then we have ever gone to get to a part deep enough.

I liked the outfitter we used, Buffalo River Outfitters.

They had good service and got us into the water quickly.

 

I LOVE this river!

It is so breathtaking.

I had Nick getting us really close to this rock so I could use it in the foreground of my shot.

I did not see the snake sunbathing on the rock until Nick pointed it out.

You would think since I live in Oklahoma and we have poisonous snakes I would watch out for these guys more…

We tried to get as close as possible to get a good pic but he hid in the rock when we got closer.

 

We followed this guy (we just happened to be going the same way) for a while at the end of our trip.

I love Heron’s they are so beautiful!

If you are looking for a place to eat while playing on the Buffalo, the Ozark Cafe in Jasper, AR was a pleasant surprise.

They had an interesting building, good food, and friendly people.

They have also been in business for over 100yrs!

There is also a zipline tour offered in Ponca at the Buffalo Outdoors Center as well as canoe trips, ect…

Lots of hiking, beautiful ozarks, and a beautiful river!

Such a beautiful place to enjoy nature!

 

Lost Valley Trail, Arkansas

Located near Ponca, Arkansas the Lost Valley Trail was one of my favorite hikes that we did on a recent three day trip for my birthday.

It is part of the Buffalo National River Trail system.

It is perfect for children and a beautiful hike.

This was the second time we have hiked in lost valley.

Here is a picture from our first hike there in 2007.

That is my OLDEST in the pack!

It is about 2.1 miles total.

This is not the trail, they just have to take the hard way.

This one has hiking boots, they were supposed to be one his feet but somehow the ever present rain boots are what made the trip.

At the end of the trail is this cave and a waterfall.

This is a smaller waterfall and cave earlier on in the hike.

I did not go in on the way out but decided to on the way back.

Water reflections on the rock.

Fall is my favorite time to hike!

Get out and enjoy it!