Arkansas has some lovely scenery, especially during the fall when the leaves are at their peak. A couple of weeks ago Linda and I took a little outing to White Rock Mountain Recreational Area. White Rock is south of Fayetteville and is about an hour and a half from Gentry.
We took interstate 49 down to Highway 16 and went east from there. We went to the Pig Trail and followed the signs to White Rock Mountain. I must tell you that the last 15 or 20 miles are not paved. Some of the trip is really slow going as you constantly switch back and forth in your climb to the top.
The trees were at their peak, and I have to say it was a lovely day. The morning had begun with a thick blanket of fog, which I have learned usually turns into a perfect day of sunshine and bright-blue sky. That day was no different. There were a few white, puffy clouds floating in an otherwise beautifully-clear sky.
Linda and I were constantly impressed with one breathtaking scene after another. Occasionally, we would come upon a homestead set back in the trees. Envy rose up in me. Most of these places had an impressive view of the surrounding mountains. Some had a few livestock scattered over the hills. There were many picturesque scenes.
Eventually, we got to a more isolated area where there were no houses and the forest seemed a bit more primeval. This is black bear country. We had our eyes peeled for a glimpse of one but, sad to say, we never saw any.
As we climbed higher, the road narrowed and the switch backs got sharper, if that was possible. A person would not want to run off the road up here. The dropoffs are straight down and the fall might be several hundred feet. I'm sure you would hit a tree long before reaching the bottom, but somehow that was no comfort to me. Even though we have a new truck, I got to wondering what would happen if my brakes failed. Linda was sitting in the passenger seat, "oohing and ahhing" at the view. I tried to catch a glimpse of the scenery while staying on the winding road. One does need to pay attention to the road up there.
After what seemed a truly long time, we did reach the top of White Rock Mountain. There was a small house where the caretaker lives, also a small parking lot and some basic restroom facilities -- no running water, just so you know. Snacks and drinks are available for sale. There are some primitive campsites and a few cabins to rent. These cabins do have running water and some basic supplies such as dishes. You need to bring your own food, of course.
The cabins and other stone work are the work of the old Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression era. There are a number of stone buildings along the rim trail where you can rest and take in the views. As Linda and I got ready to walk the rim, we headed down the trail to the main overlook. The grade is fairly steep, at least my old knees protested on the way down. It was my heart protesting on the way back up, but that was much later. At the end of this first trail is a nice stone pavilion where you can sit and look out at some of the most beautiful scenery in Arkansas.
Inscribed into the top of the stone wall nearby are arrows pointing to the different towns in the area and how far away they are. I don't know how far you can see from there, but it seems like it could be about 35 or 40 miles. Linda and I stood there looking out at that scene, just taking in the color of the leaves and the mountains, and reveled in the natural beauty of Arkansas. I am proud to be an Arkansan or Arkansawyer or whatever. You really don't have to leave the state in order to find a beautiful place to vacation or camp or hike.
There is a trail that goes around the rim of the mountain which is called -- wait for it -- the Rim Trail. Linda and I decided to walk it. I believe this trail is about three miles or so in length. I could be wrong about that. All I know is that it was almost lunch time when we got there and we took off on this hike with nothing to eat. After about 40 minutes I was hungry and, before I got back to the truck, I felt like I was starving.
This trail has gorgeous views all along the way and goes from wild to wilder. There are signs along the trail informing hikers that this is active black bear country and to be on the lookout and what to do if one comes upon a bear. We were the only ones in the entire park that day. I felt the isolation and the wildness of the area. It was awesome, to say the least. It is also kind of dangerous since there is nothing to keep you from falling over the side. The trail has a number of lookouts that give one a perfect view of the surrounding mountains. The trees were so pretty. Linda was making the sort of sounds she usually reserves for the mountains of Colorado. It is truly a delightful hike and one which I highly recommend.
After making it back to our truck and finding we had nothing on which to snack, we headed back down the mountain to find a café or restaurant where we could replenish our empty fuel tanks. On the way out, we took a different road -- also unpaved -- that comes out at Mountainburg. This road is also a very scenic and slow drive. It winds its way in and out of the mountains and seems to take forever, but one does eventually come out to civilization, or at least to Mountainburg.
From Mountainburg, we took scenic 71 up to West Fork where we ate a very late lunch at Jake's Café. We enjoy eating at Jake's when we are in the area and, even though it was 2:45 p.m. when we got there, the parking lot was fairly full. We found a seat and placed our orders. I ordered a double burger and fries since I had expended so many calories on the trail. Linda ordered some sort of wrap. You know how these ladies are, always trying to lose weight.
I don't take a low fuel tank lightly. I try to make sure I refuel with some good-tasting, high-quality food. The burger and fries hit the spot and soon we were on our way home again. We were both tired to the bone but extremely glad to have taken our little outing to White Rock Mountain.
Sam Byrnes is a Gentry-area resident and weekly contributor to the Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 11/25/2015