Sylamore Creek

Yesterday Sue and I took a little hike North Sylamore Creek Trail in the Ozark National Forest. This is undoubtedly one of the best hiking routes in Arkansas. We took only a leisurely amble up the trail for about 1.6 miles from the Gunner Pool access point, but that gave us lovely views from the top of two high bluffs as well as sections through lush green forest and other sections right along the creek itself.

Topo Map of the Sylamore Creek Trail from Gunner Pool to Barkshed

 When we got back to the car, I wanted to do a bit more exploring so we drove down to the Blanchard Caverns area and hiked up the short, paved path to the Blanchard Springs Waterfall. The images below are of the Blanchard Springs hike.

While I was exploring the rocky area around the outlet, I found a huge flat boulder with the inscription "Half-Mile Cave Registry Shelter"--from which I conclude that there was once some sort of log book there to record who crawled into the cave from lowest point. Access from that area is now prohibited, but the guided cave tours descending into the cave by elevator from above are spectacular. The "wild caving" is a day-long adventure that is not to be missed by those with a tolerance for mud, mild danger, darkness, tight spots, and spelunking splendor.

Back at the cabin it was time for my first swim of the year. The lake warmed up early this year so it would have been possible for me to start swimming by mid-April. The water temperature yesterday was a balmy 72 degrees--just right! I swam out to the crib to visit with the various bass in residence. Last year at this date the lake was very high and my crib was perhaps thirty feet down in deep darkness. This year the level is normal. The gravelly beach is just right for sitting in the sun. There is even a big open area where I will be able to set up my 8-inch telescope if we get clear skies at the time of the next new moon.