Back and Forth Across the Buffalo

1931 Buffalo River Bridge at Pruitt

An early fall wandering through north central Arkansas

A late morning departure still provided plenty of time for wandering about the back roads, exploring a few new locations and some fantastic views.

Discovering the Harrison Visitor Center was finally open, a quick stop there enabled some minor planning for points south. It took them two years to finish that project, producing a beautiful new structure and facilities.

A change of scenery was definitely in order for this trip, and winding south on AR-7, I soon found my way to the Buffalo River. The access point I planned to visit would need to wait for a moment though, having discovered an ancestral burial ground at the same entrance.

Pruitt Access on the Buffalo River

Pruitt Access to the Buffalo River does not appear much different than any of the few others visited thus far. A high bluff immediately opposite a gravel bar on a bend in the river seems to be the norm. This particular spot did have a nice trail to the top of the bluff though.

Sulphur Mountain, Arkansas

The afternoon began to vanish and the threat of rain loomed. The only route back to US-65 from Jasper, without further delay, traveled back north and east to Western Grove. The minor backtrack was worth every minute, with beautiful wide-open views of the northern edge of the Boston Mountains.

A Mossy Bluff Cascade, Arkansas

A lot of chill time consumed the following day, just visiting and just relaxing after the journey. Late in the afternoon, I spent some time enjoying the solitude of the forest at Mossy Bluff National Nature Trail.

Collins Creek Cascade, Arkansas

After covering that trail, I dropped by Collins Creek to enjoy more quiet time, coupled with the white noise of water rushing downstream. It is easy to lose track of time there and before I was aware, the surrounding forest darkened around me.

Sunset over Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas

It was not quite as dark as it seemed down by the creek though, so I made one last stop to close out the day, sitting on the bluff, watching the sunset over Greers Ferry Lake.

Clear Creek crossing Beckett Mountain Road

Wandering back roads again the following day, there was a little more back-tracking involved again. Beckett Mountain Road suddenly and abruptly ended in Clear Creek. A hundred yards away, the intended intersection mocked me.  While most of the stream blocking the path was not very deep, the portion nearest angled and dropped what appeared to be about 15 cm. It was not worth the risk. A 16 km way around the only option.

Huckleberry Trailhead at Woolly Hollow State Park

Adding insult to injury, arriving at Woolly Hollow State Park, I discovered half of the trail I intended to travel closed until December. Covering the part of trail available, the remainder will have to wait for another occasion.

A bit of fishing consumed the next evening, after a workout, running the Tonawanda Base Trail at Sugarloaf Mountain. The 2.25 km path is not especially difficult, but does stretch the legs with a lot of rolling up and down. It was good to relax on the dock after and reel in a few.

Dillard’s Ferry Access, Buffalo National River

Up early the next morning, I quickly tired of US-65, took a right at Marshall on AR-27 then cut north along AR-14 to have a look at Dillard’s Ferry Access on the Buffalo River.

Further up the road, I encountered a relatively new Water Trail, just outside of Yellville. It seemed as though it might be a good trip to try some time, though the water there appeared to have a questionable coloration to it, and was filled with debris at this particular point.

Marion County Courthouse, Yellville, Arkansas

I paused momentarily at the Marion County Courthouse, having noticed it passing through another time. The well-cared for, Romanesque, two-story stone and concrete structure was built in 1944 and is typical of a lot of the north central Arkansas courthouses.

Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad Plate girder bridge over CR 1092 (Old US 62) and George’s Creek

Bidding farewell to Yellville, and starting down US-412, I decided it might be interesting to have look at the mid-section of bull Shoals Lake. The map indicated AR-125 loops back to AR-14, but just as I was about to turn that way, the trestle caught my eye. This 1904 structure supported the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad and later, the Missouri Pacific Railroad.

Mark Oliver Crooked Creek Access

Just on the other side of the trestle, another relatively new access point on Crooked Creek. The area is much nicer than that near town, with much less debris and clear running water. A nice wood ramp walkway leads down to a concrete pier, enabling those disabled to do a little fishing, or easy access to your favorite flotation apparatus.

Looking northeasterly from AR-125 with Bull Shoals Lake in the distance

The day was falling away fast though. I did not linger long at either of these spots, continuing on my way towards Bull Shoals Lake, which soon appeared glimmering in the distance.

South Peel Ferry Station

What I didn’t know was that I was about to run out of road again. I had not thought much about the notation on the map about Peel Ferry, assuming it was just another access point with a bridge crossing the lake. A few signs began to appear indicating otherwise.

The ferry was open and calculating the wait time from the sign and talking with a few others waiting, I discovered it would arrive in the next 20 minutes. The ride across was only half as long, and was a fantastic way to see the lake on this perfect autumn day.

Looking east into Mark Twain National Forest from MO-125

It was late in the day though and I still had another 350 km to travel, and so only made a couple of quick other quick stops. The last being the perfect opportunity to capture the expanse of Mark Twain National Forest.