Northwest Arkansas

[Navaho6]

My trip started off last Saturday at the AMA Ozark 200 Dual Sport Ride hosted by the Arkansas Dirt Riders Club. We rode south of New Blaine, AR in the Magazine Mtn Ranger District of the Ozark National Forest. At the start we were under a severe thunderstorm warning as a strong cold front moved in. We waited out the 1st hour of a heavy storm then they told us to suit up and hit the trails. It was interesting to say the least. This event was rated "medium difficulty". Out of maybe 50 bikes, only a handful were over 450 cc. Grant Bryant and I were on DR650's. There were two KLR 650's, and two XR 650's. The others where 2-stroke and 4-stroke competition race bikes and a couple of DRZ400's. The bigger bikes got the job done, and I somehow managed to keep mine upright on those greasy trails.

It rained on us Saturday until noon. After that, it was a blast!!! Unfortunately, part of the loop had to be closed Saturday due to high water, and slippery conditions on some steep downhill sections. I think we rode those sections on Sunday.

I can honestly say that this was the best trail ride I've ever been on. It was a combination of steep gravel roads, rough atv trails, rocky creek crossings, and a little asphalt to get us to back to the starting line. I'll definitely be going back next year. But next year is too long a wait. I'm already planning another trip up to the OHV trails this Fall.

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Monday through Thursday:

With a truck full of wet, muddy gear, I headed up to Jasper on Monday. There were plenty of cabins available so I picked one with a nice view overlooking the Buffalo River area.

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_005.jpg

I still had time for a quick 160-mile loop from Jasper to Clarksville and back. The route was Hwy 7 south to Jasper, Hwy 74 east to Piercetown, Hwy 123 South to Lurton, Hwy 7 South to Sand Gap, Hwy 123 to Hagarville then a reverse course back to Jasper via Hwy 123 and 7. If you like sharp corners with massive hill climbs, Hwy 123 between Lurton and Mt Judea is bliss!!

Several of these 180 deg. switch backs combined with steep grades and sharp twisties made this a rollercoaster ride:

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The scenery was pretty good too:

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[Navaho6]

Tuesday, I rode to where the Buffalo River crosses Hwy 7 north of Jasper. A combination of county roads (CR80, CR57, an CR 79) took me along the north side of the river to the Erbie Campground where I crossed the Buffalo River and headed back east to Hwy 7 at the Henry Koen Experimental Forest.

The north side:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_053.jpg

Two crossings on the Buffalo River:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_055.jpg

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After a quick bite at the Ozark Cafe in Jasper, I headed west on Hwy 74, crossed the Buffalo River and went south on 43 to Boxley. Hwy 21 south took me through the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area where I looked for some of the Rocky Mountain Elk that had been implanted. I never saw an elk but the whitetail deer where everywhere, and I almost hit a few. At Edward Junction, Hwy 16 east connected to Hwy 7 and back north to another cabin overlooking the AR Grand Canyon.

Back porch views from cabin:
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http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_061.jpg

Pedestal Rock area near Hwy 16 East of Sand Gap:

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The arch at Alum Cove:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_067.jpg

The Falls overlook at Hemmed in Hollow:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_080.jpg

[Navaho6]

Wednesday was a more of the same awesome sites and riding along Hwy 74, 374, 123, 7, 43, 21, 16 and some gravel mixed in:

Haw Creek:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_046.jpg

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Smith Mountain:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_051.jpg

The Buffalo River:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_062.jpg

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This 2.5-mile hike back up to the trailhead from Hemmed-in Hollow was a workout:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_089.jpg

Luxurious "Cedar Creek Lodge" in Ponca:
http://www.cedarcrestlodge.net/about.html

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[Navaho6]

Thursday I discovered the Richland Creek Wilderness Area about 30 miles southeast of Jasper. I wish I had found this place earlier in the week. The scenery was incredible along every mile of the gravel road (FR 1205) that followed the creek. There was nice primitive camp site right on the creek.

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[weave]

Damn Nice, Looks like a great trip

[JayD]

Great report, some outstanding pics
This one is a winner
I hope you don't mind me "tweaking it" a bit as it deserved it


http://i9.tinypic.com/2rcxyx2.jpg

[nickatnite]

Guys....

THis is where I was referring to on the road trip. Mt Judea is some wonderful terrain.....

[Juice]

I think that is the new front page.....




Great report, some outstanding pics
This one is a winner
I hope you don't mind me "tweaking it" a bit as it deserved it


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[JayD]

I think that is the new front page.....

Agreed

[weave]

Agree

[Fitty]

Really, really, really nice!! Gonna have to bookmark this for future reference. Thanks

[Rocky]

Awesome report and beautiful pictures. It looks like it was a kick in the ass........

[Navaho6]

The gum trees and hickory nut trees were just starting to change color. Late October and early November should be spectacular, especially along the creeks like these:

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[Save-the-Manatee]

Nicely done dude. It has been years since I have been up that way. I do need to get back up there. Thanks for taking me along for the ride.

[scootertrash]

Kick ass Pat! Great Pics, I need to get up there soon. The chill of fall beckons us for some great riding weather. That your new bike?

[Navaho6]

Kick ass Pat! Great Pics, I need to get up there soon. The chill of fall beckons us for some great riding weather. That your new bike?

Yes. I'm real happy with the DR650. It took me to some of the best places in Arkansas where my SV couldn't go.

[Ritten]

Spectacular pictures Navaho!!! I'm so ready to do some fall riding that it's making me sick to see this report. This picture is EXACTLY what the pass I dropped the GS in Colorado looked like on the way up. I'm getting a twitch just looking at it.
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/photopost/data/500/Arkansas_Sept_2006_025.jpg


Great job and thanks for sharing!!!

[RED]

The pics are great!! WOW!!!

[lytspeed1]

Pics like those bring out both joy and sadness in us bikers......joy because you were so gracious to share the experience with us.....sadness because we didn't take the time to go ourselves......YET..! Great pics ....

[Flying Low]

very cool ride report. i'm glad you had a great time.

[scooterhose]

Fantastic report!!!Kick Ass12

Thanks.

[K2]

Extra nice photos! My favorite is the DR sitting at the top of the waterfall. Thanks12

[Shakey75]

Great pics and report!

[Dusty]

More true words have never been spoken.




"peeonu" jobs, girlfriends, mistresses, x-wives. I just want to ride. Is this to much to ask for? What did I do to deserve this solitude?


Pics like those bring out both joy and sadness in us bikers......joy because you were so gracious to share the experience with us.....sadness because we didn't take the time to go ourselves......YET..! Great pics ....

[BubbaDawg]

mmmmmmmmm...........treeeeeees!!!!

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