In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Reward.”
After hiking in the snow today, I was reminded of what a “reward” a warm campfire is at the end of a cold winter’s day.
Pasta dinner.
A hot dinner cooked over the fire is one of life’s simple pleasures and a just “reward” for miles traveled.
Time with friends around the campfire is a great way to end the day on the Ozark Highlands Trail.
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Photo Challenge: Scale
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Scale.”
Bluff in the Buffalo River area of Arkansas.
On a recent hike to Hawksbill Crag in the Buffalo River region I was fascinated by a smaller bluff close by. The young lady peeking around into the valley added a sense of scale to the stacked rocks on the bluff.
Little rock in the Grand Canyon
Playing with a small rock in the Grand Canyon.
This photo was from a backpacking trip into the Grand Canyon. I couldn’t resist sharing this older photo because it is another example of imposing human scale into the natural landscape.
I photoshopped my hiking buddy out from under the rock in the first version just for fun. Did the addition of human scale influence your perception of the size of the rock from the first photo to the second?
The Snow that Wouldn’t Stay
Leaning rock next to the Lake Alma Trail.
Hiker-dog and I could almost feel the snow melting under our feet this morning. We walked from home to the trail rather than driving on snow. The little shaded road to my house was almost completely clear after our hike around Lake Alma.
This reminded me of the chorus to a song I wrote with kindergarten students years ago in south Arkansas after one of those rare snow flurries that were just enough to get excited about, but not enough to make a snowball for throwing.
What do you think about that?
Snow melting on my hat.
We went out to play, but the snow wouldn’t stay!
What do you think about that?
Ice flower
Since snow was fleeting, we watched for interesting ice. I had seen frost flowers, but never an ice flower quite this shape. Splashing water from the creek froze in this bell or flower shape. It was about two inches across.
McWater Falls
The falls were barely flowing but the ice formations added something special.
Ice on the bluff at McWater Falls.
Hike-dog checking out the Hexagon House.
Here’s closeup of the ice flower. Ice formations can surprise you sometimes.
Ice flower
This afternoon as I import these photos, the snow is mostly gone. The snow that wouldn’t stay was special for the few hours it was here. I’m glad we got out and enjoyed it.
Photo Challenge – Rule of Thirds with Water and Dog
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Rule of Thirds.”
I looked at photos from a hike into Lynn Hollow last Saturday for evidence of the “Rule of Thirds” and found it in use for the following photos among others.
Blue-green swimming hole in Lynn Hollow.
Placing the active movement of water using the rule of thirds is a useful tool.
Small cascade in Lynn Hollow, Ozark Highlands Trail
Hiker-dog heard something in this dead tree that she wanted desperately. The last photo shows the use of “Rule of Thirds” to place Hiker-dog’s rear for a balanced, and humorous depiction of typical K-9 behavior.
Hiker pausing from her digging into the trunk of this dead tree.
Hiker-dog doing what dogs do.
Rock House on the Ozark Highlands Trail
Rock House
The Rock House is one of my favorite landmarks on the Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT). It’s easily accessed, but most drive Highway 23 unaware of the history perched under a bluff a mere quarter mile walk from the road. As the crow flies, the distance is much closer and during the winter it’s easy to see the highway down below. Don’t let the roundtrip 0.5-mile by trail deceive you. It’s a steep climb on the Ozark Highlands Trail and a short spur trail to the structure. If you walk to see Rock House, wear sturdy walking shoes and carry some water.
The Rock House was probably built as a shelter for loggers sometime during the 1890s to 1920s when the area was heavily logged for white oak, in high demand because of the expansion of railroads across the country. By the 1930s, the old-growth forests were pretty much exhausted. It still makes a good shelter today in spite of some shifting of the ground that has caused a separation between the wall and bluff. It has a rough concrete floor, and a small spring located in the back of the single room.
The short hike to Rock House begins at Cherry Bend Trail Head, located approximately five miles north of Cass on AR 23 (AKA Pig Trail). This is a popular trailhead for accessing the OHT. Watch for fast traffic when crossing the highway as you begin your walk.
Cherry Bend Trail Head
A spur trail leads to a nice view behind the trailhead sign, but to access the OHT and Rock House, you’ll cross the highway on a short trail marked with blue blazes.
Lost sole…
There is a thru-hike trail register at the intersection with the OHT. We’re going to turn left onto the OHT and head sharply uphill following white blazes. I only saw one “lost sole” on my hike up to Rock House. You’ll often have the OHT all to yourself, but you might encounter thru-hikers and enjoy a short visit about their time on the trail.
Sign indicating spur trail to Rock House blue blazes marking the spur and white blazes marking the OHT
Front door facing the approaching spur trail
On a thru-hike of the Ozark Highlands Trail in December of 2013, a hiking buddy and I spent a cold night in the Rock House sheltered from the rain. Seeing car lights below made me want to rush down and beg someone to bring pizza from Clarksville, but staying warm in my sleeping bag won that short mental argument.
Today as I revisit the Rock House, it’s sunny and mild for February. The views of the Ozark Mountains to the east are enticing. I feel the desire to load my pack and head out for a multi-day hike over Hare Mountain and through the Marinoni Scenic Area to Lick Branch.
Hiker and spring in the back of the Rock House
Hiker attempted to drink from the spring in the back corner but the water was a couple of feet below the edge, and she didn’t couldn’t reach it. The water from this spring needs to be filtered. The single time I filtered water here, it wasn’t the best. It would be good water if you’re in a bind or have time to filter it through cloth before using your water filter.
Inside the Rock House
You can see the toll that time has taken. The separation of the rock walls from the bluff ceiling are evident as well as the loose rocks around doors and windows. Please leave this fragile structure as you find it. The Rock House is a little historic treasure we’ll want our children and grandchildren to see for years to come!
Note: I’ve enjoyed sharing a glimpse of the rich history surrounding the Ozark Highlands Trail. If you know of other structures in the Arkansas or Missouri Ozarks, please share them with me on my feedback page or comment on this post.
Route from Hwy 23 to Rock House
Cherry Bend Trail Head GPS: N35 44.554 W93 48.799
Cherry Bend Trailhead is located approximately 5 miles north of Cass on Arkansas Highway 23. The second waypoint on the above map is the intersection with the OHT. The OHT route showing on this web map is an approximation. The last waypoint on the east side of Highway 23 is the Rock House.
Back door of the Rock House
Ozarkmountainhiker 