Some Hiker Dude Along Toney Bend on the Buffalo River
Zina Hall–October 6, 2011
Having posted not one thing since mid-September, one could easily develop the impression that hiking has not been happening in this neck of the woods. Oh, but it has! In October, Tom and I managed no less than three dayhikes down into where else but Leatherwood.
Bald-faced Hornet’s Nest
Tom Walden–November 13, 2013
In November, the pace did not slacken and even included an overnighter for the two of us. Then came turkey day when most everyone feasts themselves into oblivion. In a departure from the ordinary, Thanksgiving Day marked the start of a four-day solo journey for me into, once again, Leatherwood Wilderness.
So, one might ask, what on earth is it that motivates Tom and I to journey repeatedly into that particular wilderness area? The answer is simple: Our goal has been to explore Leatherwood up and down, side to side. And to this point, we have barely made a dent on the North and South Prongs of Middle Creek. Even more, we have yet to leave a boot print in the Short Creek and Leatherwood Creek sections, but you can rest assured, the day is a coming.
Tom, Lost on the Farris Ridge Trail
Tom Walden–November 13, 2013
One of the things that never fails to awe me about the Arkansas woods is how the leaf on and leaf off seasons affect the senses so very differently. This year, finally, I had the good fortune of experiencing each season and the transition between the two more so than I have in a several years. Without a doubt, it was exhilarating to witness the green of summer’s flora as it transformed into the stunning colors of fall. For me, however, Leatherwood reveals it’s most stunning scenery when the hardwoods bare it all. Once all the leaves have hit the turf, the curtain opens on magnificent vistas and the boldness of the bluffs that line every creek and hollow.
Farris Ridge Trail
Tom Walden–October 13, 2013
With the departing of the green, one learns just how secretive mother nature can be. For instance, Tom and I hiked into Leatherwood via the Farris Ridge trail numerous times during the past few months. Nonetheless, we had no idea until after the leaves dropped that we had walked time and again within just a few feet of the large, gray, paper nest of what, based on my research, I believe were Bald-faced Hornets—dolichovespula maculata. What I do know is that I’m probably fortunate to have been stung only once on all the hikes we’ve taken in the past three months.
Turtle Time Along North Prong in Leatherwood
Tom Walden October 13, 2013
Certainly, Tom and I ran across a group of horse riders about a month and a half ago, and they told us that on a ride they took a day or so earlier, some of the riders and their horses were stung. I had the good fortune of getting to talk for about an hour with the leader of that group of riders on the second morning of my Thanksgiving holiday four-day solo journey, and she confirmed the occurrence of the stings and noted that her horse didn’t enjoy the experience one bit.
Well, enough about the wasps and on to all the other things we’ve encountered on our hikes. Of course, the fungi continue to amaze. They come in all colors, shapes, and sizes, and I am still unable to wrap my mind around how something so seemingly delicate can grow itself right out of the trunk of a dead, fallen tree or up through the dense pack of leaves, twigs, and pine needles on the forest floor.
The Dead Yielding Life on Griffin Ridge in Leatherwood
Tom Walden–October 6, 2013
Of course, fungi are not all there is to the biota of the wilderness. There are insects of all sorts along with their eggs or nests. In addition, it is not all that uncommon to encounter a snake, and of course, birds, deer, bears, fox, bobcats, coons, skunks, armadillos, wild hogs, and spiders—many spiders of all sorts—to name just a few members of the fauna. Strangely enough, there have been very few webs built up high enough for one to get a good taste of them while hiking this year. Certainly, I’ve never seen anything like it during previous seasons. Typically, hiking through the Arkansas woods in the summer and early fall yields a steady stream of web events, and no, webs do not taste like chicken. As for the constructors of those webs, I am glad to say I have not had the inopportune experience of savoring their flavor.
View of Farris Ridge from Griffin Ridge in Leatherwood
Tom Walden–October 6, 2013
Getting back to last weekend’s four-day event, I had the wonderful fortune of hearing the choruses of geese as they flew overhead at all times of the day and night. Those were not the only vocalizations, though. Each night, usually more than once a night, the coyote choir struck up in crystal clear fashion. The first night out, it started with what sounded like a dog barking not far from camp. But after a few sharp yips, the canine calls turned into the distinct howl of a coyote. In seconds, the whole valley lit up with howls from every direction. If you have never had the good fortune to partake of such an experience all alone at night deep in the forest, I highly recommend getting out there and introducing yourself to it—it is spectacularly eerie to perceive.
In Awe of the Fall Along Near Harrington Knob in Leatherwood
Tom Walden–November 3, 2013
While I’m speaking of the sounds of the forest, I was sitting in camp drinking my tea and reading during my final morning out last weekend. Suddenly, from off in the distance I started hearing the clucks, putts, gobbles, cackles, yelps, and purrs of wild turkeys. Repeatedly, I scanned the area around me, but the fowls producing the sounds never showed themselves. As time rolled by, though, it was clear they were moving ever closer. Suddenly, in the woods across the creek from where I sat—and still out of sight—erupted the loudest simultaneous display of turkey talk I have ever had the good fortune of experiencing. It was truly a cacophony to behold. Unfortunately, in what was probably a little less than a minute, it ceased abruptly. The quiet of the woods prevailed.
Bird Condos for Let Near Harrington Knob in Leatherwood
Tom Walden–November 3, 2013
Oh, yes, before I forget, did I mention I was stalked? Don’t know what it was, but I’m pretty sure some critter not very large in size was piqued with curiosity about the new addition to the area. It was my first night out, the clock showed about 5:30 in the evening, yet it was dark as could be. I had just nestled into the warmth of my sleeping bag when the silence of the night was broken by the faint crackle of leaves a few yards from my tent. At first I thought I was hearing things, but after laying as quietly as possible for a few seconds, there was yet another similar sound followed in seconds by another and then another. Slowly but surely, something was closing in on my humble abode. For a few moments, I thought it would be really cool to wait till whatever it was got right up to my tent to turn on my headlamp in hopes of getting a close-up view of the visitor. My mind searched for explanations of which animal could be making the sounds. Could it be a fox, a coon, a bobcat, or, oh no, a skunk?! With that image, the excitement vanished, on flicked the switch of my headlamp, and out of my tent I flew. Whatever made the sounds, I will never know, because I could see nothing and could only hear the culprit fleeing in leaps. With the adrenaline rush dissipated, back into the bag I crawled. Within a few moments, sleep left me oblivious to everything but the action of my dreams.
Golden City of Fungi near Harrington Knob in Leatherwood
Tom Walden–November 3, 2013
So, there it is. Kind of a potpourri of experiences from the treks. Hope you’ve enjoyed the pics and all, and I’ll be posting again when there’s more to reveal. Happy hiking till then!