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The Bluff Line of the UnknownHike to an undisclosed ridge and bluff line, Ozark national Forest
6/1/19
My search for locations yet to be explored is ongoing. On occasion, one is found where I may be without proper clearance for passage. Its identity is therefore better concealed to protect the innocent...me. This particular area of interest is within the Ozark National Forest and is near the headwaters of a major river within this state. After a manly breakfast at Denny's in Russellville I made my way to the undisclosed location of interest. Just before 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the leafy barrier of the forest was pierced with surgical precision and entered with great stealth. The destination was at elevation, so a hefty climb was required. About half way to the top, a pause for a rest was needed. In the quiet of the morning a raspy cry was heard close by and above ground. Typically the source would be a possum or raccoon, but as my headlamp hit the tree to my left a very still bear cub was looking in my direction at about eye level. I am not sure of the distance, but it was quite close. I turned right and moved in the other direction and up the hill. After what seemed to be a safe distance, a scan up and to the left revealed two glowing eyes that were much closer together than the average deer's pupillary spacing. I continued up the slope until the eyes, which followed my progression, were no longer visible. This was most likely another bear cub or mommy. My right hand now carried a hefty staff just in case some nose pounding was required. Soon the semi-flatness of the top of the ridge was before me and I crossed it to the easternmost edge. Here, my target bluff was located just shy of sunrise time.
It was now around 65° at this elevation, but when I left the car at valley bottom, it was 56°. This was quite pleasant for this time of year even with the high humidity. The sun became visible above the next ridge over and illuminated the mostly forested valley before me. Assorted fields and dwellings were scattered occasionally down there. Quite lovely...yes. After some tarrying, my direction took me to the north along the bluff line until the ridge ended in a point. We'll call this the Point of Non Disclosure. Here, the view was more broad and more pastoral...but still filled with beauty and goodness. After time here, it was back towards the south along the western edge which also overlooked a broad but mostly forested expanse of shrubbery. This was the land of the bears. After eating lunch at 9:00 (breakfast was at 3:00) on the last decent bluff with a view, it was down the hill and into the dark territory that was still in the shade of the mountain. Here, the bear family would most likely be lying in wait to ambush me and feast upon my loins and nether regions. But alas...this was not to be! My superior intellect...to bears at least...defeated their plan as I exited at a different location from my entry. The fools! I returned to my vehicular device at 10:15 with 72° and sun brightened skies. I then drove east then south then east then south and was home by 1:00. Total mileage was a mere 3 or so.
