Buffalo National River Oct 17/18 2015

Every year in October we try to get a backpacking trip to the Buffalo National River located in the great Ozarks of north Arkansas. On the weekend of Oct 17/18 my teenage daughter and I headed off for our annual trek. We started our journey at Kyles Landing and headed upstream.

At 1/2 miles we stopped by our first backpacking spot called Gray Rock. We love this place so much and it holds a special meaning for our family. This is where we first introduced the family to backpacking. We have spent many days and nights camped just across the river from this spot.

Here you make your first water crossing and head straight into the forest for just a bit.

Soon you walk by a old homestead that is called Arbaugh House. It’s a standing home, neat old structure.

Here’s Lockhead Barn you will pass a little more than a mile later.
Here’s the view behind the barn.

Here’s a walk in the forest.
One of the five crossings.

Here’s Granny Henderson cabin that was at the furthest part of the trek. Somewhere around 2 1/2 miles in.

Here’s Hemmed In Hollow. At 209ft this is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians. There were a few drops coming over the edge, but we’ve had a pretty dry summer.
You can see us as a tiny little pink speck near the base of the waterfall.
Here was our campsite for the night.

On our way back home, we drove down to Steel Creek and walked down the river a bit. Such beautiful bluffs to take in.

We had such a great overnight trek. The weather was so nice.