Branson Hillbilly Conservation

Lacking any sort of plan for the morning and looking to get out in the sunshine a little, a trip out of the melee known as Branson led to a trip across a nearby glade.

It had been noted the previous day, having stopped at the overlook for a moment, to gaze out across this 1,534-acre establishment of oak and hickory.  Further research uncovered a few trails of interest, in particular a 3 km jaunt across associated glades, down into the dry bed of Roark Creek and back again.

The hike across the glade is relatively easy but could become quite hot in the summer months, with little cover beyond that offered down in the creek bed.  This spring morning it warmed up considerably, even though temperatures were only around 15 °C.  A return trip later in the evening found similar temperatures along a paved path leading to the lookout. 

The glades and other features within the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area are forever preserved in literature through the Harold Wright book, "Shepherd of the Hills."  However, American TV producer and screenwriter Paul Henning and his wife Ruth took things a step further, ensuring preservation for all those that came after, establishing this conservation area just on the outskirts of Branson.  His creation, the Beverly Hillbillies, and associated work on Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction likely inspired the effort too.

... Further Reading ...

Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area

Missouri Department of Conservation

The Branson Wilderness

Spring cooled down only a little over Branson, offering up some of the best weather for a hiking.  It is unusual to find a remote spot like Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area buried in the middle of any town.  This is especially true in this weird little anomaly standing at the crossroads of entertainment district and carnival.

The 140 acres associated with this space offers escape for those less interested in the uproar occurring on and around Missouri Highway 76. Approximately 8 kilometers of trails pass through the surrounding bluff that doubles as a sound barrier, down next to Lake Taneycomo and adjacent bottomlands.

An array of colors splash across an otherwise empty hardwood landscape, prior to its filling in with foliage for the season.  Conversely, in the depths of late summer into fall, it is likely a poison ivy laden brothel for ticks and other similar enemies of the state.

While generally an easy hike, it is important to understand that if 315 steps of the stone staircase is not addressed immediately, they wait patiently for the end of any journey.  The only option is return 3 kilometers back along the path accessing this point.

This little stroll through the forest is only occasionally disrupted by refuge marking the passage of less considerate humans.  That is to be expected this close to the parade route.  Intersecting a few minor caves, a waterfall that was bone dry on this date, the trail eventually leads to a resurrected 1934 homestead built with some of the same fieldstones as the staircase.  Apparently, they had more than enough.

... Further Reading ...

Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area

Branson Parks & Recreation

A Glade Top Diversion

Blue skies dominated cooler temperatures than had been experienced in the last several days the first day out on the road today.  The main goal would take as long to reach as it would to travel straight through to the final destination for the evening.  However, it offered an infinitely more interesting view of the world.

Very little has changed on the Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway since the Civilian Conservation Corp constructed this gravel road back in the 1930s. Tracing ridge tops as high 150 meters above the Mark Twain National Forest, it offers up some spectacular views of southern Missouri.

Previous journeys passed by the western most terminus of this trail several times, continuously building interest in traversing said route.  There never seemed to be time to make the 37-meter trek though, or the transport was not well-suited to the occasion.  All seemed well-planned for in this particular investigation, excepting a faulty camera mount.  That one point proved sufficient to completely foil the attempt to capture an uninterrupted view of the route.

It did not stand sufficient to disrupt the intent of this diversion though. Monster trucks hauling their payload through the route almost achieved that goal.  However, peace and a little walkabout at Wolf Junction set things in perspective.  The remainder of the journey unfolded without incident, ending abruptly at the trailhead where we first met.

... Further Reading ...

Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway

US Forest Service - USDA

Back to the Snow

Out and wandering about the woods again today with the old camera.  It seems to take much better photos than the phone, even though they are technically the very same megapixel.  It just not the same.  Photos on the phone always seem to lack a certain clarity.

That was not the goal today though.  The primary objective was to simply get out and crunch through the fresh snow, listen to it and the ice crunch underfoot.  Included in that, a little slogging through the mud.  Even that was ok.  Above is the only evidence of the adventure.

Tao Verse 3

Putting a value on status will cause people to compete.