Hikes will visit Buffalo, Bella Vista
Hill ‘N Dale Hiking Club will trek to Hawksbill Crag and hike on the Buffalo River Trail at Ponca on Friday. A hike on the Back 40 Trail in Bella Vista will be on Monday.
The hike to Hawksbill Crag is three miles, moderate in difficulty. The Buffalo River Trail hike is four miles, moderate to difficult.
The Back 40 hike is five miles along the ledges trail, rated moderate.
All hikers are welcome. For meeting times and locations contact Dora Brach, 417-501-4535, [email protected]
Trip explores Goat Trail
The Ozark Highlands Trail Association will host a hike along the Goat Trail at the Buffalo National River on Saturday. The hike is five miles rated moderate to difficult.
Part of the trail goes along the face of Big Bluff about 300 feet above the river. All hikers are welcome. Dogs are not allowed. Car pooling location is the Harps store in Elkins at 8 a.m.
For details contact Mike Lemaster, 479-466-5214, [email protected].
Trout group plans cleanup
The Arkansas Trout Unlimited chapter will hold a cleanup Saturday along the Beaver tailwater. The public is welcome to help.
Meet at 10 a.m. at Dam Site Park parking area. Lunch is served to volunteers at noon. Shirts and prizes will be awarded.
Tournament boosts
basketball
A bass tournament to benefit Rogers Heritage High School boys basketball is Saturday out of Prairie Creek park on Beaver Lake.
Entry fee is $70 per boat. First prize is $1,000 if at least 30 boats are entered. Fishing is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Advance registration is available at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers or anglers may enter on tournament morning with no late fee.
Fall color tour set
The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests 56th annual Fall Color Tour is scheduled for Oct. 20 in Jasper.
The tour will begin at 9 a.m. from the Newton County courthouse in Jasper and returns at 2:30 p.m. Buses will take the tour group along a scenic route through the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests and the Buffalo National River. The cost is $6 per person. Participants will need to bring snacks or lunch, jacket, camera, and comfortable shoes.
The tour is sponsored by the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, Newton County Extension Service, Newton County Beautification Committee, U.S. Forest Service-Big Piney Ranger District and the Jasper School District.
For more information please contact the Big Piney Ranger District at 479-284-3150, or the Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum at 870-446-5122.
Naturalists seek members
Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists are taking applications for new member training.
Classes start Jan. 20 for Benton County, Jan. 24 for Carroll County and Jan. 27 for Washington and Madison counties. Benton, Washington and Madison counties classes are on alternating Saturdays. Carroll County classes meet on Wednesdays with field time to be determined.
Cost is $135 for training and materials, plus $30 annual dues. Cost is $80 for a second household members if materials are shared, plus annual dues.
Over 60 hours of instruction are offered in areas such as wildlife, watersheds, geology, native and invasive species. Most classes combine lecture and field work.
For details visit wordpress.arkansasmasternaturalists.org or email [email protected].
Park offers sunset tours
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area offers pontoon boat sunset tours at Beaver Lake through October. Cost is $10 for adults and $5, for children 6-12, plus tax.
Trips take place Thursday, Sunday and Oct. 19, 26 and 29. Departure times vary.
Call the visitor center, 479-789-5000 for reservations.
Web site offers
fall updates
Information on Arkansas’s fall color and scenic routes for best viewing can be found at www.Arkansas.com. Those interested may also subscribe to receive updates via email at http://bit.ly/ARFallColor.
Updated fall color reports are sent to subscribers and posted to Arkansas.com each Friday morning. A network of “spotters” keeps the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism apprised of the fall foliage status around the state.
Sierra Club sets meeting
The Ozark Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club will host its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Historic Ozark Mountain Smokehouse in Fayetteville, 1725 Smokehouse Trail.
The meeting will feature representatives from the Citizens Climate Lobby who will present a program on climate change.
All those interested are welcome to attend. For more information contact Tom McKinney at 479-839-8571 or email him at [email protected].