Buffalo River NP - Road Closures

[Trismegistus]

[The original content of this post was deleted by the poster.]

[Clif]

And my kid has been REALLY trying to get back to lost valley.....

[robkanraft]

Wow. I Had no idea. Does NPS have any projections/timelines for opening the roads? I would think the "All park trails are heavily congested with downed trees and debris and are very unsafe" part of this will take a very long time to work itself out, even with human intervention. And with the major upper access roads closed, it sounds like the river is effectively closed?

[painterbob]

steel creek and kyle's landing have large soft spots in the road. the park service has worked them over pretty good and are widening what they can . as for the trails, crews are on them now working with pole saws. tyler bend put in is going under construction, but was wash-out due to high water again,the park plans to have every thing open and going as of march 15th. with the water turning back on at all camp sites. and they also have a NEW MIDWEST REGION OZARK COMMUNICATION CENTER....(MROCC) AND THE NEW NUMBER IS >>>1-888-692-1162<<< LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, SEARCH AND RESCUE. or any other thing that you need as your calls will be re- directed as needed.>> a small side note! all rangers have new radar, and the speed limits will be enforced along campground roads (15 mph.) and look for added enforcement this year!on the upper sections .... a new problem is we have some DIGGER'S OUT THERE! hikers please report( any shovel carrying folks you see!) or fresh dirt holes you come across.

[Lifejacket]

Diggers?

[Richard]

Much of the river from Pruitt down is accessable. The exceptions are those Tris mentioned. Buffalo Point has been closed because of construction projects that predated the ice storm. Access is good at Pruitt, Carver, Woolum, Gilbert, Hwy 14 and Rush for sure. Most likely several others are open as well. You just need to call first.
The damage was all at the upper elevations. Hardly noticeable at river level. The road issues have as much to do with the annual thaw after a long freeze as it does with the ice storm damage.

[mb]

Diggers...I assume people after Ginseng or other native plants. There are also graves along the Buffalo. I once came across two that had recently been "excavated."

[Shark Attack]

PB may be talking about the "tweakers" who for some reason love to dig for arrowheads etc. while high. If you start seeing unusuall scratching & small holes on the ground, use your nose & if you smell something odd, get the heck out of the area

[painterbob]

YES, artifact looters.... that's what i was told at the park service meeting, and not to hesitate to call about ANYONE WITH TOOLS!!

[Richard]

Hmmmmm, PB, what do I dig my cat hole with

[painterbob]

you show up with your metal detector again, and if that pick an axe are hangin' out of your dry bag again.... i'm call in the river swat team!!!!