OT: Hiking to Glory Hole

[nike54_la]

I'm confused by my search for Glory Hole. When I google it, I come up with two "Glory Holes". One in the Ozark National Forest and one in the Buffalo National River area. Which of these is the one that you see pictured most? Are they the same thing?

What are the directions to either of these spots?

Hopefully you can unconfuse me. Thanks.

[Eric Esche]

The one we went to Sunday with Richard McFadden is located off of HW 16/21 between Boxley and Fallsville. 31 feet tall. 2 mile round trip, although the graffitti on the sign says it is a 20 mile return trip, as it is a tad steep. Might not be where you take grandma if she is cardio, respiratory, or mobilty challenged. ( I have 45% remaining heart function, had knee surgery when I was 16 and never went back to do the other knee, and I have a sinus infection) I wheezed my way up the hill and politely stood to the side to let families who were coming in go by us on the trail, grateful for the rest break. It is a pretty place and the 2 inches of rain they got last week had things trucking.

As you come out ot Fallsville on HW16/21, go 5.7 miles. You will see a barn on your left to the north with a big "E" painted on the side facing the road. Go 1/2 mile farther on HW 16/21 and park on the right shoulder of the road where an entrance drops down to the right, opposite an older house with a gate in front of it that says no parking. Follow dirt road to south 1/4 mile to trailhead where there is an information board. Steep enough trail to make having a walking staff nice. Slick too in spots, particularly after a heavy rain for days. 4 wheel drives can risk driving down to trail head, 2 wheel drive vehicles shouldn't. Richard did just fine in his Subaru after I moved two tree limbs. Directions and description is on page 42 of the time Ernst book "Arkansas Nature Lover's Guidebook - How to find 101 scenic areas in the "Natural state"" published by Cloudland.net Publishing. Copy right 2006

You might reference Ozark National Forest 870-754-2864 or try http://www.fs.fed.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's on Dismal creek and there are some side creeks that have little drops on them on the hike in.

Slacker that I am, I haven't loaded the waterfall shots from Sunday on a webpage yet but I can send you some if you like. Or you can do a google Image search and there are a whole slew of photos there.

We talked about the "other Glory hole" some this weekend. We all had heard there was one, but no one knew where it was, or if it really existed.

Eric Esche

[Clif]

Road turn off/parking here
N 35 49.708 W093 23.426

This is a cache just up the hill from the top, but not far.
N 35° 49.353 W 093° 23.606

can you see THIS? There are some pics at the bottom of the page. Pics don't do it tho..ya gotta get down there.

[nike54_la]

Thanks guys! We are heading out there tomorrow.

[Cowper]

Your hike should now be history, but I'd like to add a comment that may help you or others in the future:

Even if you're not a GPS user, coordinates like the ones Clif gave can be very useful.
Simply cut-and-paste them into Google Earth. So paste "N 35 49.708 W093 23.426" in the "Fly to" box on the left side of the screen. Depending on your defaults, you may see a "fly to" tab, have to hit that, then find the box, but it should be there.
Then hit "enter", and it will take you straight to an aerial view of your desired goal, with cross-hairs clearly marking the spot. You can then zoom in or out as desired to pick out landmarks to help you find it, or hit "File, view in Google Maps", and then work out your driving directions from there.

I especially like that the fact that the Google Maps software is sophisticated enough to recognize and use several different GPS formats. So if Clif gives you "N 35 49.708 W093 23.426", but I give you the numbers as "35.828467 -93.390433" or "N35.828467 W93.390433" or something else, which is the same location just given in a different coordinate system, you don't have to know squat about GPS or what I'm even talking about, all you have to do is faithfully cut-and-paste the numbers into Google Earth, and it will take you to the correct location.

[Richard]

In this video, Alf Carter mentions one on the upper Kings and another on the lower Buffalo. In the past I have emailed AETN about them with no response. Last night I emailed Alf Carter hoping to find the little Glory Hole on the lower Buffalo. Too early yet but no response so far.
"Glory Hole Waterfall in the Ozarks - Exploring Arkansas (AETN)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXDan7uJNK0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You will note from the topo that the watershed (outlined in red) is very small. No more than 100 acres. So you have to be there right after a good rainstorm to get the best view. We had that Sunday. It was better than I have ever seen.

[scott yarbrough]

Don't stop at the Glory Hole. All of Dismal Creek is beautiful, full of waterfalls, bluffs, Indian shelter caves and weirdo rock formations. Hike down another mile and check out the first three hollows on river right.

[Clif]

Thanks, Scott. We were looking at bringing some friends down there. At my son's suggest, were considering just that. First time we went he wanted to go on down. With your advice, I believe we will. Might oughta wait for a rain tho. Or the falls will be drips or trickles.

[Richard]

Don't forget, the hike back is all up hill. And a bushwhack below Glory Hole.

[scott yarbrough]

Cliff, Between the first and second Hollow on river right(I think) is a crack in the rock very similiar to a slot canyon. Shoulder wide about 50' deep and 100' back into the rock. It is on the elevated bluff line, not down in the creek. Very neat place. Richard is right, there is no hiking trail down Dismal Creek, it is pure bushwacking.
There will be some water draining out of those hills right now, but not much.

[Clif]

Dawn worry, Richard. Bushwak is my middle name.. well not really... but anyway. I'll bring my gps so I can find my trail back home.