Blue Hole Quest

Evans Mountain Road near Appleton, Arkansas

Up Evans Mountain, across to White Oak Mountain, and down to Hurricane Creek

Winding north out of Appleton, the road quickly deteriorated, first to gravel, then packed earth, with a smattering of gravel here and there. A lonely road grader had been hard at work fixing the situation, so it proved no worse than driving on a slushy winter road.

Lush green of surrounding forest consumed the view on all sides. Enhanced by fog that increased with altitude, the scene stood reminiscent of the Great Smoky Mountains.

In this part of the world, signals are often blissfully lost for hours. A good atlas is a requirement, as road signs can be somewhat suspect, but sometimes offer just a bit more detail than the map.

Entrance to Blue Hole Road near Appleton, Arkansas

Blue Hole Road appeared quite the quagmire, having been the benefactor of so much rain the previous day. The 5 km descent to Hurricane Creek begins here, and the sloppy red clay mud quickly gave way to a relatively suitable gravel path through the forest, only occasionally rutted from prior use.

Field of poison ivy along Blue Hole Road

The cool and damp Ozark mountain air enabled movement at a decent clip. However, the finest crop of the evil Toxicodendron radicans ever witnessed deterred any thoughts of wandering off the trail.

Other less noxious species poked out the Sea of Itch only occasionally, adding some charm to the environment. Against a backdrop of the drip and trickle of water, coupled with morning birdsong, were the only signs of life.

Most of the forest bolts straight for the sky, competing for any scant touch of sunlight successful enough to pass through the thick green canopy. Some contort into odd sculptures to heighten advantage; or perhaps, simply for the sake of amusement, to pass the time. Trees can be great deceivers. Indeed, in collusion with the wind, they often trick a mind into believing one is nearer to rushing water than is actually true.

Blue Hole Cascades near Lost Corner in Arkansas

In appropriate range of the situation, the sound of water cascading across rocks and rippling down downstream is unmistakable. Arrival at the primary spectacle of waterfalls along Hurricane Creek required very little effort. The uncomplicated trail descent consumed roughly 90 minutes of relatively non-perilous foot travel.

What goes down must come up though. A continuous ascent of 5 km mocks any expecting to make the same progress as preceded their arrival, opening the 500 meters with a steep and and arduous climb out of the creek bed. The sun emerged halfway along to facilitate things, ensuring steamy conditions.

Lost Mountain, Arkansas

Surfacing from the forest, fluffy white clouds sailed from tree top to tree top against a canvas of blue skies. The journey down and back had been worth every moment, and the return to home base slipped by as quickly as the potential precipitation raced across the sky.

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Further Reading

Blue Hole Road

AllTrails.com