Buffalo River Trail: Difference between revisions
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====Eastern Section==== |
====Eastern Section==== |
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The Woolum Ford to Tyler Bend segment was completed in 1991 <ref name=BuffaloByFoot2007/> and the South Maumee to Hwy 14/Dillards Ferry segment was completed in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ernst|first1=Tim|title=Cloudland Journal Archives October 2010|url=http://www.timernst.com/JournalArchives/october2010journ.html|website=Tim Ernst|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref> |
The Woolum Ford to Tyler Bend segment was completed in 1991 <ref name=BuffaloByFoot2007/> and the South Maumee to Hwy 14/Dillards Ferry segment was completed in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ernst|first1=Tim|title=Cloudland Journal Archives October 2010|url=http://www.timernst.com/JournalArchives/october2010journ.html|website=Tim Ernst|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref> |
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"The Ozark Highlands Trail Association built a 20′ bridge across a gulley for the Middle Buffalo River Trail near the Grinders Ferry trail head."<ref name="CompulsiveHikerDec2015">{{cite web|last1=Reed|first1=Michael|title=Building a Bridge Beside the Buffalo - December 5, 2015|url=http://compulsivehiker.com/2015/12/05/building-a-bridge-on-the-buffalo/|website=Compulsive Hiker|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref> |
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==Features== |
==Features== |
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Revision as of 19:44, 5 February 2016
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The Buffalo River Trail is a hiking and backpacking trail that follows the path of the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. It is consists of two separate sections that are referred to as the Western and Eastern sections. The Western Section is from Boxley Valley to Pruitt. The Eastern Section is under development with completed segments from Woolum Ford to Highway 65 bridge at Tyler Bend and South Maumee to Highway 14 (Dillard's Ferry). The Ozark Highlands Trail joins the Eastern Section of the Buffalo River Trail at Woolum Ford so it is officially designated the Buffalo River/Ozark Highlands Trail.[1]
Course
The trail follows the path of the Buffalo National River in Arkansas and traverses the rugged Buffalo River country. The route stays on the south side of the river to avoid river crossings.
Western Section
- Mileage: 37 miles
- Trailheads: Boxley Valley (western terminus), Ponca, Steel Creek, Kyles Landing, Erbie, Ozark, and Pruitt(eastern terminus).
Eastern Section (under development)
- This section is also extension of the Ozark Highlands Trail.
- Segments:
- Woolum Ford (western terminus) to Tyler Bend. 15 miles
- U.S. 65 (Tyler Bend or Grinder's Ferry) to Zack Ridge Road. 5.3 miles.
- Zack Ridge Road to Red Bluff Road.
- Red Bluff Road to South Maumee Road (Under development. Not open for pubic use!)
- South Maumee Road to Spring Creek Road. 4.9 miles
- Spring Creek Road to Highway 14/Dillard's Ferry (eastern terminus). 6 miles.
- Trailheads: Woolum Ford, Tyler Bend, Grinder's Ferry, South Maumee, and Highway 14/Dillard's Ferry
Development
The trail is being developed as a cooperative effort of the NPS and volunteers. Kenneth L. Smith is the trail building volunteer coordinator. Spring work season is mid-March through early April. Fall work season is mid-October to early November.
History
Western Section
Construction began on the Western Section in 1980 and by 1994 half of the 37 miles were completed.
Eastern Section
The Woolum Ford to Tyler Bend segment was completed in 1991 [1] and the South Maumee to Hwy 14/Dillards Ferry segment was completed in 2010.[2] "The Ozark Highlands Trail Association built a 20′ bridge across a gulley for the Middle Buffalo River Trail near the Grinders Ferry trail head."[3]
Features
Sites on the trail include expansive views from atop bluff cliffs, abandoned homestead sites, vestiges of Civil War-era mining and logging activities and a wide variety of Ozark flora and fauna.
Guidebooks
"Buffalo River Handbook" by Kenneth L. Smith, University of Arkansas Press.
"Buffalo River Trails" by Tim Ernst, Cloudland Publishing.
Access
The Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca, AR offers a vehicle shuttle service for point-to-point hikers.
35°56′45″N 93°23′54″W / 35.94596°N 93.39837°W
References
- ^ a b Smith, Ken. "Buffalo by foot". Arkansas Online. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ Ernst, Tim. "Cloudland Journal Archives October 2010". Tim Ernst. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
- ^ Reed, Michael. "Building a Bridge Beside the Buffalo - December 5, 2015". Compulsive Hiker. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
External links
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