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Upper Buffalo Wilderness AreaSpring hike down Boen Gulf Branch to the Upper Buffalo in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area
5/18/19
Numerous times I have entered this wilderness. Many areas have been explored. Some stretches of the river itself have not been traced. Saturday morning, after breakfast at Waffle house in Clarksville, I headed up Hwy 21 to a jumping off point within the Ozark National Forest in Newton County. At 5:00 a.m. and 65° mostly cloudy degrees, my way was made into the depths of Boen Gulf. The creek was followed until it abruptly ended at the Buffalo River. The numerous crossings required were not too perilous. By 10:45 the confluence of Whitaker Creek was observed on my left. Here, time was taken for lunch in the middle of the river. High velocity flow made this a terrifying endeavor, but the rock island was achieved and lunch was partaken of amidst the hellacious waves and eddies surrounding my perch. After some time eating and lounging on the warm rock's surface, I turned towards the slope standing between me and my exiting of this valley. Three separate piles of bear dooky were encountered but no bears challenged me...lucky for them. By 12:50 with 70° and continued cloud cover, the forest opened up to the road where my trusty vehicle awaited my return. 4.9 miles were covered on this hike...every one a pleasure.
