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Spadra CreekHike from hell above and on Spadra Creek, Ozark National Forest
3/16/19
Breakfast was had around 3:00 a.m. at Ihop in Russelville. I slipped away, check free while Susie was out back smoking. It was then north from Clarksville to Ozone, then west...then south...then into the woods. It was 5:15 with 34°, clear skies, no wind and the promise of a fine day ahead. But then came the hell. My target bluff line was quite a bastard. A fine one, yes, but difficult to trace. Darkness was no help. Neither were the killer woodland creatures that stalked me with silent stealth action. I did manage to lose them, save for one that was easily kicked over the edge into the crevasse below. Loser. By 7:15 a lovely bluff was occupied and the sun came forth. The valley was quite manly in nature. At 9:00 I was beckoned forth so the call was answered.
The side creek below my bluff was hit after a treacherous decent with many near death maneuvers. It was not long before this creek combined with the mighty Spadra Creek. It was here that my direction turned north. My course led me passed the old Jim Bob Spadra place, where he and his wife Susie Jenny Spadra lived with him from 1846 till 1852. They were both eaten raw by local wolverines. These evil creatures were hunted to extinction in Arkansas due to their ravenous nature. Spainhour Falls soon came into view and it was a nice one. Named after Jimmie Chuck Spainhour, this moderately massive ledge of rock has endured time and the onslaught of all-terrain vehicles that drive to it on the dirt trail that comes in from the south. I chose the manly way in from the northwest with legs that are built into my body...they work well. After lunch on the rock slab, my attention turned to climbing out. The steep grade was challenging but no match for two-leg drive that comes standard on all humanoid creatures. At 12:55 with 55°, my point of origin was met. It was here that my gear was loaded. Also from here I drove away and ultimately to home, where I live. Five miles was the distance that was traveled. Fine was this hike...though hellish it was.
