One of the myths in the world of outdoors is that summer isn't a good season to set out on your favorite trail.
It's too hot, too humid. You might get a tick.
Flip Putthoff is outdoors editor for NWA Media.
Truth is, most of our trails that meander through a forest are shady even at midday. Hiking or mountain biking may not be cool in mid-July, but it's more comfortable than out in the open sun. Ticks? Stay on the trail tread and you'll likely emerge tick free.
These were thoughts to ponder on Monday when I hit the trail at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area for a bike ride on the park's Hidden Diversity Multiuse Trail. It's open for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The 4-mile Bashore Loop of the trail is ideal for an easy summertime ride or hike.
It's mostly level and a offers a nice hike or bike ride through the woods. The park staff recommends the Bashore Loop for first-time hikers or off-road bikers.
To reach the trailhead, follow Arkansas 12 east from Rogers for about 15 miles to Piney Road. Turn south on Piney Road and go one mile to the trailhead and parking area.
With a bottle of ice water on my bike, I pedaled out of the sunny gravel lot and into the lovely shade created by the trail's leafy canopy. It was shady enough that I stashed my sunglasses in a pocket, hoping I wouldn't get smacked in the eyeball by a bug.
Midmorning sun beat down, but trees kept the sun at bay except for sunny patches here and there created by the big ice storm of January 2009.
Sure, it was hot. I crunched along over gravel and dirt at a mosey pace. Stopping every now and then to sip some ice water was the game plan. Breaks are a time to savor the quiet in the middle of the woods. There wasn't a breath of breeze. Birds weren't singing. I saw a half-dozen skittering squirrels and startled one deer.
The first half of the ride is mostly level or downhill. The last half brings on the exercise. Two miles into the ride, a spur trail to the Blackburn Creek arm of Beaver Lake comes into view. It's maybe 50 yards to the lake and a great spot for a swim.
Along the route I remembered when Hobbs first opened the multiuse trail years ago. It was August and I'd yet to hike it. The Little Clifty Loop, is main loop of the trail and covers 9 miles. The next morning I packed lunch and water into a day pack, sprayed my legs with repellent and hiked the loop for my first-ever look at the multiuse trail.
The shade of the forest kept me comfortable during the hike, just like the day of this summertime mountain bike ride. Both trips I came out sweaty, ready for something ice-cold to drink, but glad I went.
On that August hike I didn't see another soul on the trail. When I finished my bike ride on Monday, mine was still the only car in the lot.
Outdoors on 07/17/2014