Caney Creek Wilderness

This wilderness has been around for a long time. I think 1975 (could be 74 or 76) any way I have hiked before the wilderness designation, showing my age now, and many times after. I have always loved this hike! As Tim Ernst says "This is one of the best trails in Arkansas" and I belive him. The only thing is that it does get heavy use at times. Esp. now in the Spring. Three weeks ago we drove up to check it out, this was after the heavy snows,and the Caney and Buckeye trail heads was filled with cars and trucks from TX. If you can go during the wk or during the winter you might not see another sole.

Be aware if you plan on doing any of trail hiking that there are lots and lots of down and dieing trees. The Pine bark beetle has done it's damage but that has run its course. Also the recent storms have done damage to the west end of the trail. This is from a TX hiker from BP.com

I got the following TR from a Texas hiker

Last week my family and I hiked the Buckeye Trail and the Eastern half of the Caney Creek right after the storms left. The Buckeye was in great shape. There were no washouts on the Caney Trail on the Eastern half of the trail. However from about mile 3 heading West on the Caney Creek Trail until you get to where the old saw mill is the storm knocked over a lot of large trees that are blocking the trail. Also, from about the next creek crossing after the Katy Creek to the saw mill the briars were beginning to hang over the trail.

I was told by the FS that they will send a crew in with Cross cut saws to take care of the trees but just don't know when it will happen. If you take the buckeye trail (4.6 miles) down to Katy falls (35' high) and back out to the Caney East trail head (3.9 miles) you will have a great hike. Just wait till the water has gone down!!!!!!!

The wife and have alread cleared some of the buckeye trail so there aren't as many briars. We will over time clear it all.. This is labor of love... I realy mean that! We love this place and I am full of memorys of past hikes.. By the way did you know that there was a old Zink mine up on the buckeye trial???

CU on the Trail