I rate the difficulty of this hike as moderate (3 of 5). The trail goes through a split rock formation here. (Photo: Mike Newman, 8-8-2015.) Stone steps on the BRT near Steel Creek Campground. (Photo: Mike Newman, 8-8-2015.) One of the bluff areas along the Buffalo River Trail between Ponca Low Water Bridge and Steel Creek Campground. Seasonal waterfall/cascade area on the Buffalo River Trail. (The net elevation change between the low and high points is about 320 feet.) Note: the initial climb out of Steel Creek on the way back is easily the steepest and most challenging of the hike. It’s another 2.2 miles back (and another 600 feet of elevation gain). When you’re done here, you can turn around and head back the way you came. Steel Creek Campground is a great area along the river that is heavily travelled and includes a horse trailer parking area. You can continue across the road to head to Kyles Landing, or walk down to Steel Creek and check out the valley and Roark Bluff. Roark Bluff at Steel Creek area Roark Bluff with fall foliage.Īt this point, you’re at 2.2 miles. It goes to the campground and the campground bathroom (and running water).Ĭontinue straight ahead for a few hundred yards, and you will eventually cross the paved road that heads from the highway to Steel Creek. At one point, there is a short spur off to the left. A bluff line along the trail.Įventually, you’ll head back down the hill again through some really nice rock bluffs and features.Īs you get to the bottom of the hill, you are near the Steel Creek Campground. During late spring and summer, the leaves will block most of the great views. During leaf-off, there are some spectacular views from up here. Overlook on Buffalo River Trail - from high above the river.Īs you head out across the higher part of the trail, you are inward from the bluff line a bit– high above the Buffalo River. There is one water flow that we are looking forward to checking out after a hard rain. None are challenging or wet crossings, but they make some interesting water features during high water. There are also a few small streams to cross over here. (The cumulative elevation gain on this 2.2-mile stretch is a little over 600 feet.) There is about a 200-foot elevation change here, so it’s a pretty significant trek up. During high water, this is one of several cool water features along the route.Īs you continue on the trail, it eventually turns to the right a little and heads up the hill. (Michelle and I had an epic wipeout at this turn a while back.) So when the water is up and canoeists are on the upper Buffalo, it’s fun to watch people go through here and share in their joy as they make the corner. This is also a challenging stretch of the river for canoeists. This is a great view with the river making two turns in front of you and a bluff in the background. I usually take these spurs just as a method of exploring.Īs you continue up the hill a bit, you will get to yet another overlook. There is another spur off to the left that again heads down to the river. Right at the spot where you cross under the highway bridge there is a little trail that leads down to an overlook on the river - a very nice little view.īack on the main trail, it continues along the river for a while. The trail starts off right along the Buffalo River and after a short stretch goes under the new highway bridge that crosses the river. This is a great spot for watching canoeists on warm spring days when the water is up. GOOGLE TRAILHEAD DIRECTIONS Kayaker on the Buffalo River.
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