Hike of bluff and creek action on the Danger Fork of the Little Buffalo
7/20/21
Arkansas has many wilderness areas. There are also areas located inside the Ozark National Forest that are worthy of that status, but alas...are not. The East Fork of the Little Buffalo watershed is one of those that has the beauty and character to be included therein. The land here is mostly undisturbed. Many times I have journeyed here to explore the rims and depths found within. On this day...being Tuesday...I returned for action. Breakfast was placed into face at Waffle House in Russellville. It was decent. Then...it was straight up the map to a rugged backroad wrought with deadly surfaces wet from rain the night before. My all-wheel drive OTU (Outdoor Transportation Unit) delivered me to the zone of entry with ease. I then entered.
It was 4:50 with 68°. The forest dripped from remnant water droplets clinging to the canopy. Related moisture coated the understory as well. Fog soon became an issue, but I pressed on. A woodland creature revealed itself with its reflective eye holes. I charged it to indicate a challenge to wrestle, but it declined and fled. Soon, the bluff's edge was before me. I mounted it and began my wait for fog clearance. This was not to be...any time soon, to be sure. The decision was made to begin the descent into the valley. The bluff line was breached and in a matter minutes, the river was before me. The water level was decent for late July. The scent of creek water was satisfying as it flowed past my snort holes. The sound of the flowing water soothed my throbbing loins. I headed downstream.
I was amused as a squirrel hopped from rock to rock in an attempt to cross to the other side. Stupid squirrel. I would have been happy to oblige him and toss him across...but squirrels are bastards. A bedrock section presented itself just beyond the rodent ford. I covet the bedrock creek beds. There was also a waterfall there known as Jim Bob Eastfork Falls. Jim Bob inhabited this bottom land in the late 1830's. He and his wife, Susie built a small cabin near the river. They spawned no children. They did have two dogs...Chumsquat and Beaverchig. They feared that bringing children into a world wrought with the perils of a normally oscillating climate was just too much to ask in the early 1800's. Their name died with them. To this day, no Eastforks reside in the state. Westforks are in abundance, sure...but who cares.
I lounged on the cool rock surface while eating lunch. This lasted for some time, as it was quite a serene spot...aside from the roar of whitewater. Clouds came and went. The temp was a comfortable 70°. Nice. Then...I moved upwards and eventually crossed back into the land above the bluff line. By 11:30 with 72°, my hike was done. The distance covered was just over 4 miles.
