262
Buffalo National River
Hike down Big Creek to the Buffalo River to Killingsworth Bluff in Marion County Arkansas
7/1/17
The best I could do for breakfast on this fine morning was one of the Waffle Houses in Conway. After that it was up Hwy 65 to the community of Cozahome just north of Harriet Arkansas. If you've heard of neither that would be the norm. At 5:00 a.m. a horse trail was followed down to the base of the valley where water was found to reside. The air temp was an enjoyable 70° with rain off and on. Judging by the appearance of the ground this area got a fair amount of rain just preceding my arrival. Spidra webs covered all openings betwix the trees and shrubberies. Stepping into the creek was a welcome change from spidra silk covering my visage.
At this point my path turned downstream and in a general northerly direction. As the name describes, this is a big damn creek. Gravel bars abound at every turn with the occasional bluff as well. Kingfishers and blue herons guided me down the rain dimpled pools interspersed with riffles. No boulders choke this creek for the bluff action is on the sparse side. I had planned to fish and wade but, alas, my compact and ultra super light-weight spinning gear was left behind. Please keep in mind that this tackle is very expensive and comes from the finest of outdoor sporting purveyors only found in large cities, typically coastal ones. I was actually glad I did not bring it for it would be a shame to get it wet.
By 7:30 or so the skies began the procedure of clearing the clouds and replacing them with blue patches. This is always a delightful change to observe. Not long after, the broad expanse of the Buffalo was before me and I did partake in its beauty. The clear waters bathed my tick infested legs with their tick reduction action. Actually, no ticks were encountered on this hike, but if they had been the swirling venturi forces hidden beneath the surface would have healed me for sure.
I waded downstream and, with great difficulty, grappled and clawed my way through the underbrush above the crumbling bank. The ground there had been plowed asunder by oh so many wild hogs that frequent the area in search of whatever they are in search of. Many a porky was encountered and wrestled en route to Cold Spring. This spring is indeed cold, complete with a light layer of mist lying just above the tiny creek. This was refreshing to me after struggling with the constant onslaught of porcine bastards left in heaps behind me. From here a trail led up the hill to the bluff called Killingsworth. I thought "how appropriate" after my near death battles with the piglets that thought this land was theirs.
The top of the bluff was flat and had an almost Arkansas shaped layer of rock with a pleasing surface. The view was affording in both directions with the upstream angle being best. Some leisure time was spent here with much relaxation and lounging. After this, the trail took me back to Big Creek where it was crossed and lunch was had at 10.00 a.m. By now the blue sky to cloud ratio was around 50/50. An aquatic turtle was observed on the stream bottom and quickly dispatched and eaten for lunch using advanced bushcraft techniques...not. The turtle was eaten raw. After a time the top of the valley was achieved and a rock formation called Tilting Rock was visited for a second time. In darkness is was passed earlier. This is an unimpressive pile of sandstone that truly deserves no name. By 11.00 I was back to Log Wagon Gap with 77° and no sign of rain. The total hike distance was 7.3 miles of pig riddled hell. Living to give this account makes me feel very fortunate. Please visit this area at your own risk.
