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Big Shoal Creek, Gulf Creek
Hike of dual action on Big Shoal Creek and Gulf Creek, Ozark National Forest
12/14/2019
  Mt Magazine towers above the local countryside. At 2753 feet it is the highest point in Arkansas. You laugh...sure. Compared to mountains east and west, this sounds tiny. Gaze upon it from the surrounding valley and it will appear higher. Flowing down the north slope is a stream called Big Shoal Creek. Entering from the west is Gulf Creek. On this hike I view these two tributaries of the Arkansas River. Breakfast was first eaten at Ihop in Russellville. From the Subiaco community this general area was entered. Parking occurred at 4:30 a.m. By 4:45 my boots pounded the forest road, dodging mud holes as they appeared. I last hiked Big Shoal Creek south of here back in January 2019. Today the focus was Gulf Creek. As I moved at a reasonable pace towards the west rim of Big Shoal Creek, I noticed a glow ahead just down the road. It was soon revealed to me that a gang of off road hoodlums were amassed there, making ready to tear up the local terrain. I turned and sought an alternate route. 
  The edge of the valley of Gulf Creek was soon before me. The moon was near fullness and still high. The sky was essentially cloudless. A wind of 5-10 mph filtered through the pines above. The temp was now 44°, This was higher than the valley below on the way in, where 34° was observed earlier. My path took me along the bluff line until this creek merged with that other creek. A fine bluff top was secured and the wait for sunrise began. The wind had died down and all was pure loveliness. The sun came and with it, increasing cloudiness. I headed into the valley and followed Gulf Creek for a while upstream. What I saw was not impressive. The stream was eventually abandoned and the slope mounted. Upon reaching the bluff line, there was much rejoicing. A fine rock outcropping was noted and approached with great care...as it was quite perilous. Lunch was obtained here along with rest on rock action. I then moved in the direction of the car and made it back there around 12:25. It was now mostly cloudy and 48°. I then drove home at my usual high rate of speed. This hike covered 5.5 miles.

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