Lingering about north-central Arkansas for the day proved mostly uneventful. It was good to rest a little, after the ordeal previously at Hemmed-in-Hollow. A brisk walk through Josh Park Memorial Trail kicked off the morning, and the day ended on the trail surrounding the Sugar Loaf. In between, a scattering of minor events, good company and good conversation.
Turning sites west the following morning, a newly discovered location begged investigation a short 60 kilometres away. Many of these sort of places are only just beginning to appear in searches, as the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission continues to improve online access to locations and conditions. More importantly, these fine folks are work hard to ensure preservation of original landscapes within the state.
Cove Creek Natural Area hosts a moderately easy 2.5 km trail winding along the the creek and up onto the ridge of sandstone it continues to cut away, then back through the forest. The overlook from the bluff is fantastic in the early spring, though probably not so much when trees are in full bloom. A fresh burn lingered in the scenery, likely part of restoration efforts to restore the glades and woodlands in this area.
On the way out, a pause to take in a view of the historic Mallet Town United Methodist Church. The single story masonry structure was built than none other than Silas Owens, Sr., a regionally prominent African-American stonemason in 1947. The stonework style is a sort of giraffe masonry, as are most in this region of the world.
Passing over Cadron Creek, a small set of falls near the road offered the opportunity to stomp through the brush and down into the muddy banks. Not noted with any other source, Mallet Town Falls seems appropriate name enough for now, being on that road and near that community.
Later in the afternoon, lurking about Searcy only yielded one point of interest, built in 1889. The two-story made of stone native structure is one of the oldest courthouses in Arkansas. Other purported points of interest the remainder of the day turned up empty promises at Riverside Park. The trails went off in so many different directions, it proved somewhat unmanageable and subsequently abandoned..
One last night on the trail wandered through the early evening of Mossy Bluff National Nature Trail. The lateness of the hour necessitated a brisker step along the splashing cascade and through this quiet bluff line forest.
A hard pack trail enabled arrival back at the trail head, before the sun completely disappeared, but not before the moon arrived on stage., above the opposite ridge. It capped a perfect little getaway in the early springtime of the Arkansas Ozarks.
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Further Reading
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
Encyclopedia of Arkansas
jusTodd - Medium.com
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