Buffalo National River planned hike December 4th - 7th

Trail Monkey (Eddie) and I will be heading to the Buffalo River area this weekend. We are planning on doing quite a bit of hiking this weekend following established trails, but probably making our own hikes out of portions of several trails. Tentatively, we are planning on staying in the Ozark campgrounds Thursday night, arriving there around 9 or 10 pm. We will be leaving out early Friday morning for a full day of hiking probably around Steele Creek, Beech Creek, and that whole area. Friday night, we will be camping in the Steele Creek campgrounds. Saturday, there will be another full day of hiking various locations (possible aroung the Cecil Cove Loop and Old Erbie Loop area), with a finish up of possibly hiking out to McFerrin Point and spending the night Saturday night in that area. Sunday morning we will get up and hike Round Top mountain and maybe another short trail then head on home.

The point of all of this is to see if anyone wants to join us. We would love to have some more company if anyone is interested. If you are concerned about anyone hiking too fast, don't. I am way out of shape and will likely be "providing rear security" on this hike.

Send me a PM if you are interested and I will give you my cell number and we can discuss.

Hey uh Colt.. I may be interested... let me think about it.

You better be interested! You are the guide!

Colt:
If TM is the guide, do you want me to go ahead and alert SAR now, so you won't to wait in the woods so long for help to arrive?????
UL

Might not be a bad idea, since he will be leading my fat butt up the trails. I may need an entire SAR effort just to carry me back down.

hahahaha

Just remember, my job is to make your life easier. LOL!!!
UL

I so much want to go. Amanda's girl scout troop has to march in the Christmas parade, and I would leave her with all the children. I am still begging though. She can handle them, and besides, I have to test out my new pack, dont I?

Dwight

Come on Dwight.. Man up and "TELL" her what your going to do... then DO IT.. hahahahaha.. naw seriously come on out dude.. you need to see this.. doubt we will go out to Indian Creek though.

Oh and UL.. if I get lost in that Valley.. better call the USMC. lol... they may be the only ones that can find me.. very few places I have never been up in that area.. now on the lower end.. yea but doubt it...lol

Hey TM:
You know I'll always have your six. Just give me a holler!
UL

You should come on up UL.. we could give Colt a run for his money.. hahaha

You guys trying to kill me or something?

I am at 190 now, I tried on my back loaded down, and it felt like nothing. That and all the cardio I have to do for TaeKwonDo, I am ready to hike. I have really been trying to figure out how I can go this weekend, the Friday and Saturday sound really good to me. I'll keep yall informed, and away I go to beg ( I mean bed hahaha).

Dwight

Yeah, after much talk, I am now able to go!!!!!!! I can get there Thursday and leave Saturday afternoon. That said, I have 2 church membes in the hospital, so it all depends on how they are doing before I leave for a few days. I think they will be alright. Finally, more time outside.

Dwight

Glad you are going to be able to make it. I am looking forward to finally meeting you.

TM:
I'd love to go, but I've got to work in Kansas this weekend, so I won't be able to make it.
You guys have a great time and let us know how it goes.
UL

Colt,

Is ozark campground on CR129, just off hwy 7, north of Jasper? I am trying to figure it out, and I will be there before you and Eddie

Dwight

That's the one. Going North on 7, if you hit the Pruitt Ranger Station or the Buffalo River, you have gone too far.

I saw that you called... I am in the middle of trying to get out of work so I can go home and seam seal my new Contrail Tarptent. I will call you as soon as I get to my car.

Dwight,

Forcast for Jasper, AR shows no percipitation, and overnight lows from 23 - 27 for Thurday, Friday, and Saturday night. Are you going to be hammocking?

UL.. now I got to rag on you like I raged on Preacha huh... Man up dude.. hahahah.. jk you know we would love to have you but..... lol.. er no Kilts.. or kits hahahaha

Colt, of course I will be hammocking I have hung around in the low teens before and stayed fully warm. If I get too cold though I will drop down and bundle up more , but that is not likely. I am packing right now, and hopefully I do not forget anything.

Dwight

Hey guys just wanted to post that this trip went great. I got back yesterday and had a wonderful time. Colt and TM should be getting back soon, and I am sure that they will post more. TM was great at showing me some very cool trails and places that you would never find on your own. Especially the relief carving in a rock by the old rope ridge. I need to upload some pics, but I will do that later. We had a blast and got a lot of dirt on each other, that will remain unsaid for now

None of us froze or got hurt, but we sure did throw our diets to the wind Again, thanks guys I had a blast!!!!!!!

Dwight

Glad you had a good time and everyone came out safe Preach!

I'll be watching for your pictures.

I will be posting a trip report tomorrow morning. Eddie and I didn't get back to the Memphis area until after 6:00 so we are pretty pooped out. Got some great pictures!

Dwight, I can't wait to see how your pictures turned out.