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Steve’s Blog
Worthwhile day trip from ROLF to Hawksbill Crag
Boston Mountains in NW Arkansas
In September 2006, my lovely wife, Pauline (kneeling on the crag), and I went to Hawksbill Crag in northwest Arkansas. It is a solid 2 1/2 hours drive but worth every minute. The trip does entail a 6 mile round-trip hike to the rock from the trailhead; but it was a nice day with the temperature in mid-70’s. The crag is a rock that jets out over the junction of the Buffalo River and Whitaker Creek about 800 feet below.
To get there take State Highway 43 south out of Harrison, Ar, to Ponca and then right (west) on Arkansas 74 through Boxley to Cave Mountain Road (on the right). The trailhead is about 8 miles up Cave Mountain Road; parking on the right side and entrance to the trail on the left. The entire hike is on a well marked trail and it is mostly ocverd nicely by large trees; so there is lots of shade.
Click to enlarge
Do not forget to watch for elk in the Boxley valley.
Also, picture of Whitaker Creek valley from late October and a baby black bear.
This bear country. Remain alert – you don’t want to surprise one. Be sure to sign in at the Post on the trailhead for this trek. A take a bottle of water and a camera with you; of course, leave no trash.
During periods of heavy rain, this is also great waterfall country. Also, see Lost Valley; a 3 mile hike round-trip.
It might be a long day trip; but it would be a long 2-day trip from St. Louis or Kansas City; so, if the weather is not right for fishing or floating, give this a try.
Just a picture reminder to all; it is almost autumn
I love autumn on the North Fork and it should begin to show in 2-3 weeks. Signs of fall have already began. Autumn colors begin to peak in the southern Ozarks around the middle of October; some years a little later. It starts to cool down into the 50’s at night and the mornings are typically foggy in the river valley, unless there is a front in the area. Afternoons are usually sunny with a “high blue” sky and warm. Crickets chirp all day long. Sunrises and sunsets are often dabbled with spectacular colors, helped by the continuous changing of leave color. Make plans to get out: NOW. Picture from above Rainbow Springs on the upper river.
Missouri Tarantula visits ROLF
This picture taken in September 2006 (can you see the angle of the sun?), is of a beautiful Missouri Tarantula. These spiders are actually quite common in the southern 1/3 of the state. This spider is easily 3-4 inches long and is probably a female.
Courtesy MDC: “This hairy species is Missouri’s largest spider. Female tarantulas average approximately 60mm in length, the males 50mm. Body and legs are uniformly dark chocolate-brown, with reddish hairs on the carapace.
The tarantula’s large size and shaggy appearance is frightening to many people, leading them to believe it has a ferocious nature. It actually is a shy creature, quick to evade humans. Taranthulas are typically at home in areas seldom frequented by people. They appear to prefer dry, rocky glades, where they spend their days in silk-lined burrows in abandoned rodent or reptile tunnels or in other natural cavities. Like many hunting spiders, tarantulas are active at night, when they hunt for insects such as crickets. In late summer and fall, south Missourians often see these large arachnids crossing roads. This wandering phenomenon has been documented in male tarantulas in southern California, but it has not been studied in Missouri.”
