352
Upper Buffalo Wilderness AreaLovell Hollow hike of damnation to the Buffalo river with included action
11/16/19
Breakfast was had at 2:45 a.m. at Ihop in Russellville. I then arrived at the rendezvous point on the outskirts of the wilderness. There, I met up with a team of wildland creatures and we proceeded to throw down. Assorted squirrels, possums, beavers, wolverines, raccoons and coyotes came at me hard. In turn...they all went down hard. Leaving the pile of carcasses behind, I continued into the forest. No more challenges were attempted from then on. My target elevated promontory was mounted a good 45 minutes prior to sunrise. This was near where Lovell Hollow merges with the Upper Buffalo. Skies were quite clear and the temp was 28°. No wind blew. No fog wafted. All was quiet. The sun did rise on up and provided much beauty for my enjoyment. After a period there, I proceeded into the valley. The river flowed with a subtle sound of gurgling and bubbling. I paused and listened intently. An otter eyed me from the far bank, then turned and fled. No doubt, my earlier encounter had spread throughout the animal kingdom...my kingdom now dammit.
The Buffalo was traced downstream for a distance of some extent. Many wonders were noted along the way. The terrain was perilous, but typical for this valley. Pass through here with caution, my friend. Few enter, but most that do, exit not. Lunch was taken by a rapid with boulders of dolomite. The sun was warm upon my ass as I did lounge against a tree of the woods. My ham and cheese sangwich provided me with much needed succor...as did my corn chips of generic origin. After the resting at this waterside picnic area, the hill to the east was noted to be calling me upward. I heeded the call and moved up a small creek with many small falls. At bluff line level, a large fall was happened upon. This was Squibnibbler Falls. It dropped and cascaded over the hardened surface for a distance of, maybe 127 feet. Nice. The bluffs were surmounted and the long incline through the shrubbery was climbed until the road of the parking was in view once more. Here, my vehicular unit was used to take me homeward. This hike was 3.6 miles or so...maybe 8 miles...not sure. It was still quite sunny with a temp of 55°.
