The easy trail at Alum Cove Natural Bridge is one of those paths that offers more bang for your hiking buck than much longer treks.
The 1.1-mile loop leads to rocky wonders at the natural bridge. The landmark span is a short jaunt downhill from a forest picnic area and trail access. Views worthy of a travel guide begin at the top of the natural bridge, but exploring from the bottom presents the big, majestic picture. Hikers may be breathless from the beauty at this natural attraction.
Alum Cove day trip
A trip to Alum Cove Natural Bridge makes a fine day out and a scenic loop through the Ozarks countryside.
To make a loop starting at Boxley, head south on Arkansas 21. Turn east on Arkansas 16 and drive to Deer. Go another mile to the sign for Alum Cove Natural Bridge and turn north.
For the return trip, go east on Arkansas 16 for a mile to Arkansas 7. Drive north through Jasper, then turn west on Arkansas 74 and drive to Ponca. Turn west on Arkansas 43 to return to Boxley.
— Staff report
Seeing the natural bridge is enough reason to make the drive to Newton County and the small town of Deer on Arkansas 16. Alum Cove Natural Bridge is two miles east of Deer, home of the Deer Antlers school sports teams. Hike a little farther and the meandering route crosses a pretty creek that gurgles over rock and gravel. Save some of that camera battery for what comes next.
A zig here and a zag there places hikers at a bluff pocked with shelter caves that are easy to enter and see. These dark and cool places, sheltered from the sun, are more fractures in the rock than actual caves. Visiting the bluff is as scenic as wandering at the natural bridge.
Putting the sights into words isn't easy.
"The only thing I can think of is, 'goll-lee,' over and over again," said Gene Williams, a hiker from the War Eagle area in east Benton County.
It was spring break on Williams' visit on March 25, a sunny Friday. That brought gaggles of kids and their parents to this natural attraction in the Ozark National Forest.
The first stop is the natural bridge. Information at the trail head says the stone arch is what's left of a quartz and sandstone cave. Erosion from wind, rain and ice created the arch. At midmoring, shafts of sunlight penetrated an opening between the natural bridge and a nearby cliff face to create a spiritual scene.
Footing was slippery on the rocks under the natural bridge, thanks to a small but lovely waterfall that pours over the cliff.
"If you were here after a real hard rain, you'd have trouble walking around down here, it would be so slick," Williams said.
The natural bridge is worth taking dozens, maybe hundreds, of photographs.
A natural playground for kids awaits across the creek along the bluff line. The crevice caves are safe and easy to explore for youngsters and adults. A gaggle of youngsters and their parents approached the bluff. The kids' laughter was delightful, heard through the forest across the creek.
The trail loops back to the stone arch, but from another way. A new perspective called for more picture-taking.
"The colors are amazing. Browns, reds, and look here. Even some cinnamon color in there," Williams said.
The uphill hike out is fine exercise. It stoked appetites for lunch in the picturesque picnic area. While others dined, another spring break group arrived. This bunch came in Jeeps and on four-wheelers. They spread a banquet of sandwiches, chips and snacks over two picnic tables. Pine trees add a pleasant scent to the area and shade for fine dining.
Williams arrived by driving through Boxley, Nail and Deer. Traveling home, he headed east on Arkansas 16 for a mile, then north on Arkansas 7 to Jasper. A left on Arkansas 74 took us to Ponca and then Boxley for a scenic loop, a great spring day immersed in the Ozarks.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip
Sports on 04/19/2016