Hike A Devil Of A Climb
TRAIL WINDS HIGH ABOVE STREAM OFFERING MANY GREAT VIEWS
Thursday, December 6, 2012
If you can stand the heat, step into the kitchen - the Devil’s Kitchen trail, that is.
It’s not too warm, not too cool this first part of December to explore this outstanding 1.5-mile hiking trail at Roaring River State Park, the Missouri troutfishing park northeast of Seligman, Mo.
Photo Gallery
Fly fishing
Anglers can catch all the trout they can hook at Roaring River State Park — as long as they let 'em all go. That's the rules during the fall and winter catch and release fly fishing season at the state park northeast of Seligman, Mo. Fishing is allowed Fridays through Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from mid November to mid February. Flies only are permitted. Russ Tonkinson of Rogers had the hot hand during a visit to Roaring River on Nov. 16. His catch included a 21-inch rainbow trout. Staff photos by Flip Putthoff
As you can see in the story, Russ Tonkinson of Rogers and I enjoyed a great day of fl y fishing when we visited Roaring River on Nov. 16.
Fishing was so good I went back on Friday for more trout fishing and a hike along Devil’s Kitchen.
The fish were way more finicky on Friday than our last visit. I didn’t catch a single trout until another angler mentioned marabou jigs, which I hadn’t tried.
I tied a tiny brown and orange PJ’s Finesse Jig, made in Fayetteville. The fi rst cast, bang! A foot-long rainbow nabbed it. That trout did two leaps and a cartwheel before I landed the fish and let it go.
After a workout for the arms catching trout on a limber fly rod, it was time for a lunchtime hike on the Devil’s Kitchen trail.
There are all kinds of tables by the stream for a nice picnic, but I stuff ed my lunch into a daypack for fi ne dining midway into the hike.
Devil’s Kitchen trailhead is across the road from the trout hatchery. The kiosk at the start doesn’t really tell what’s in store. Maybe that’s good.
Right off the bat, the route goes uphill for a pretty good way. At the fork in the road go right and the trail maintains its ascent.
If this rise isn’t to yourliking, better turn back. After some level walking, it’s one wheezer of a climb to the top of a high ridge.
It’s good to stop, catch your breath and take in the lofty views of the park through the leafl ess trees.
At the summit, the trail drops quickly downhill for a descent that’s longer than the climb you just made.
Here the trail follows a bluff line that beckons to be explored at every step.
Devil’s Kitchen is a great trail for kids. There’s a wealth of bluff shelters to explore and rock gardens to climb.
One formation is the Devil’s Kitchen itself, which was once sort of a rock shelter that, park lore says, was a hideout during the Civil War. It has since collapsed.
This is a great lunch spot with rocks for sitting and all kinds of nooks and crannies in the bluff to explore.
A sandwich and swig of water at the Devil’s Kitchen never tasted so good.
It’s an easy walk from here back to the trailhead, with bluff scenery all the way.
Heat or not, I’m going to hike the kitchen, Devil’s Kitchen, next time I fi sh at Roaring River.
FLIP PUTTHOFF IS OUTDOORS EDITOR FOR NWA MEDIA.
FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER AT TWITTER.COM/NWAFLIP.
Outdoor, Pages 7 on 12/06/2012