THE FLIP SIDE

Yellow Rock Trail offers hikers a view

Three-mile loop popular at Devil’s Den

There’s lots to like about the Yellow Rock Trail at Devil’s Den State Park, including a lofty view that’s one of the most scenic in the Ozarks.

It’s an easy to moderate 3-mile hike along one of the most popular trails at Devil’s Den. We took a stroll around the Yellow Rock Trail in April during a break from pedaling at the 27th annual Ozark Mountain Bike Festival.

That Saturday morning brought perfect hiking weather, cool with nary a cloud in the sky. Greenup was just starting. Trees were that bright green that only lasts a week or so when things start to bloom.

The trailhead is at campground A, close to the highway bridge over Lee Creek in the heart of the park. A full parking lot meant we’d have plenty of company on the hike. It’s mostly a loop trail, with the scenic vista about midway through the hike.

Yellow Rock gets right down to the business of exercise by heading uphill for the first half mile or so. It’s two-way traffic during this climb. Along the way, hikers come to the proverbial fork in the trail. We always go right at the fork for a counter-clockwise hike. From here, it’s easy to see the scenic overlook off to the right. Hikers reach the promontory in another half mile.

The view is stunning. Acres of hill country with unbroken forest are a sight to behold. Lee Creek is a shimmering ribbon flowing below. On our hike, 10 or so people were enjoying the view. Some lounged on the rock that’s like a huge patio warmed by the sun. Talk about the perfect lunch spot. The overlook is a fine place to refuel for the rest of the hike.

From the overlook, the trail heads north, back into the hardwoods and pines on a gentle ascent. Not long after it levels off, hikers cross a little creek where the flow has worn some unique patterns into the slabs of rock.

The route is a nice walk through the woods to a T intersection. Go left for the main trail. Go right for a side hike to another overlook and shelter house that can be reached by car from Arkansas 170 on the way to the park from West Fork.

Views of the camp - grounds start to unfold in the last mile or so. A gentle descent takes hikers back to that fork in the trail where the path becomes a twoway route.

One eye-catching feature is a small cave entrance near the start or end of the hike. It only goes back a few feet, but it’s a great spot for kids to crawl into and explore. No telling how many youngsters have slithered back there since the 1930s when the park was built.

If Yellow Rock Trail only whets your hiking appetite, there are dozens more miles of trail to explore at Devil’s Den State Park. Some, like Yellow Rock, are for feet only. Others are open for mountain biking and horseback riding. There’s lots to like on every path.

Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip

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