Tuesday 4-6 Summit Park Trail and 3 C's Trail

 

Get your hiking pole and let's go

When Larry woke up it was 60 degrees and it got up to 73. We had cloud covering on and off all day with a breeze. It was perfect weather for another hike.

Larry said the sunrise was beautiful, there was an open area in between the horizon and a cloud bank which gave the sun a magnificent color. He watched the sunrise from our living area window, I was sleeping.

After breakfast we went on a 2.5 hour hike for 3 miles. We hiked the Summit Park Trail, it is a self-guided trail with 12 points of interest. The trail was named after the Summit Park Motel that was built in 1889, this was the footpath people took to get to Fern Lake. Fern Lake was a man made lake the hotel visitors used to canoe and relax on. It was not deep enough to swim in.  

In order to get to the Summit Park Trailhead we walked the 3 C's Trail for a half mile. While hiking this section we saw a few deer in the trees. The Summit Park Trail is a challenging 1 mile loop, it took us about an hour and a half to complete. We stopped at each point of interest sign along the way. The first stop was at two large rocks where The CCC carved directions into the rocks, at first we didn't see them but after a couple other spots we came back to where the rocks were and found them. The second stop was a white oak tree. Third stop was Darling Spring, it was an orange color because of the iron compounds. It was known for curing illnesses. After looking at Darling Spring we crossed over a creek via a wooden bridge. Then we followed the trail up the mountainside back to the two rocks. The fourth stop was looking at dogwoods. The fifth stop was a rock slide which is common at Mount Nebo. The sixth stop was Crystal Springs. The seventh stop was a Den Tree, this wasn't too interesting. The eighth stop was Fern Lake. It was pretty little lake. As we walked around it frogs hopped into the lake. They were all over the bank. It seemed like every foot or two one would hop in the lake. There was a sign there telling the history of the lake. After resting a bit we continued down the trail. The ninth stop was an open area where there was a bench under a rock for you to rest on. The tenth stop was taking stone steps up the mountain, they were built by the CCC using hand tools and a team of mules. The eleventh stop was rocks that had bluish-grey organisms growing on them called lichens. The twelfth and final stop was a bench for you to rest on after your steep climb. There was a beautiful view of Spring Mountain. After resting we continued back to the trailhead. We hiked by Lover's Leap and over the stone bridge. We didn't hike far but it was a great workout climbing up and down the mountainside using stone step and some of the terrain was very steep. It was well worth it. 

 

Entrance to the Summit Park Trail

 

Darling Springs

Larry walking on a wooden bridge to cross a spring

Trail directions carved in a stone by a member of the CCC

Fern Lake

Larry climbing a stone staircase built by the CCC

A spring that flows under the stone bridge

Standing on the stone bridge

The Entrance Sign to the Summit Park Trail

Once back at the entrance sign we walked to Mount Nebo Visitor Center. We're suppose to get some rain tomorrow and Larry wanted to move sites and extend our stay another two nights. We were the only ones there and had no problems getting moved. Afterwards we took the Rim Trail for about a half mile back to the campground. We met a family of four and two dogs on the trail, they stopped and waited for us to pass. That was very nice. By the time we got home it was time for lunch. 

After lunch I did the Daily Challenges and the Event: Tri Peaks Mini of 5 games. It took me 11 minutes and 21 seconds, which put me in 22nd place in my group. While I played games Larry read.

After resting a few hours I decided to go on an hour and a half hike to get some of my steps. I hiked the 3 C's Trail in both directions, which was to Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. It was a total of 4 miles. It's an easy trail and is shared by bicyclist and hikers. While hiking the trail to Sunset Point from Sunrise Point I said hi to a bicyclist. When I was at Sunset Point I said hi to lady jogging. While walking through Sunset Point Park I saw a family walking around. It was a beautiful day for a hike, ride or walk. While I was hiking Larry read.

For dinner Larry barbecued sausages. After dinner Larry and I went on an hour walk to Sunset Point using the 3 C's Trail. Then we walked the Rim Trail around the point and to the Summit Park Trail sign. Then we walked around where some of the cabins are that were built by the CCC. As we walked around the cabin area there were two signs about two old CCC sites, one was the CCC Headquarters and the other one was the CCC Power. It is always interesting to learn about all the great things the CCC built. After walking around the cabin area we got back onto the 3 C's Trail and went back to the Minnie. By the end of the night I ended up doing 28,021 steps, which put me 5th place in my group.

We had a super day of hiking and enjoying the campground. Every evening families from the neighborhood come and play in the playground. It's fun watching people enjoying the facilities the state has to offer. 

  

Monday 4-5 Rim Trail and 3 C's Trail

 

Hiking is fun

The day started out with a cloud covering. In the afternoon the sun came out in between the clouds coming and going. When I woke up it was 56 degrees, by afternoon it got up to 80. Perfect weather for a hiking.

In the morning we did a 3.6 mile hike for 2.5 hours. We did the red trail (Rim Trail), which took us around Mount Nebo. During our hike we saw a cave spring, lovers leap, rock formations with caves, a stone bridge, the seasonal waterfall and rocks with the trail name and direction carved in by the CCC. The trail ranged from moderate to strenuous. We hiked up and down stone steps, through trees, over rocks, in between rocks and through and over streams. The stone bridge went over a creek that had little waterfalls. Lovers Leap is a beautiful overlook of the area and was named by the CCC. The CCC carved the trail names in rocks so you know where the trail went and what trail it was. The Seasonal Waterfall wasn't big but it was nice. Our hike was very pretty and we only saw a couple of guys towards the end. 

 

Larry getting ready to climb some steps

One of the park's cabins built by the CCC

Larry on the Stone Bridge

 

The waterfall that went under the stone bridge

 

A view from Lovers Leap

 

Rock carving for Gum Springs

Seasonal Waterfall

More carving for trails

Standing in one of the rock caves

 

Living on Mount Nebo a skeleton on the owner's porch

 

A Cave Spring

By the time we got home it was time for lunch. After lunch I did my Daily Challenges and the Event: Hard Road Mini of 10 games. It took me 1 hour, 31 minutes and 47 seconds, which put me in 15th place in my group. Larry read.

After the sun came out I did a hour hike on the Three C's Trail. The Three C's Trail goes in two different directions, one way goes to Sunrise Point and the other to Sunset Point. I took the direction going to Sunrise because it was longer, about 3.3 miles round trip. It was an easy hike through trees. The point had a beautiful view of the mountain area. By the time I got home I was hot and sweaty. Larry was sitting outside in his chair reading.

Larry barbecued hamburgers for dinner. After dinner I did another hike on the Three C's Trail going to Sunset Point. Took me about 45 minutes to hike 2 miles. It was another nice hike. Larry stayed home relaxing with a book. I did 26,000 steps, which is a great beginning for a new week in my 175,000 Challenge. We had a super day.

 

  

    

 

Sunday 4-4 Easter Day at Mt Nebo State Park

 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone. I hope you had a great day. Before we left on our camping trip Larry bought me some Easter candy, two milk chocolate candy bars made by Landmark Confections. They are a smooth chocolate and very good. 

Before we left home Larry made and mailed Easter cards to a few friends and family.

 

My Easter candy

 

Easter cards

More Easter Cards

 

Another Easter Card

 

This morning at around 8:30 we left Hot Springs National Park. We had one of the best campsites and yesterday our neighbors across the street asked if they could have our site when we left. We told him when we would be leaving and we had him put a couple of camp chairs on our site. As we were leaving he came over and started to move things over. He thanked us and wished us happy travels. You have to be quick in moving sites because empty sites are filled really fast, there are only 40 sites. We had an outstanding time at Gulpha Gorge Campground. After a week there it was time to move on.

Our next destination is Mount Nebo State Park, about 80 miles away. On the way we stopped at Walmart to replenish our supplies. Then we went across the street to Kroger to fill the Minnie with gas. The road to Mount Nebo was a two lane highway. Part of it was a mountain road. We were 30 miles away when we stopped at a picnic area on the side of the highway to have lunch. The picnic area was on both sides of the highway and a great place to stop. It had a few picnic tables, trash cans for each table and a gravel road to park on. While there four motorcyclists stopped to rest. It was very clean. 

 

Having lunch in the Minnie

 

The picnic area on the way to Mount Nebo

 The road up to Mount Nebo State Park is a very steep and curving mountain road. No RV's over 24 feet are allowed, our Minnie is 21. Larry had to navigate 11 really tight switchbacks, the recommended speed was 10 mph. He did an outstanding job of driving it. He remembered the road from the last time we were here. We drove to the visitor center to check in. Mount Nebo State Park Visitor Center is an old CCC Refectory Building. It looks over the lake and the Arkansas River. The visitor center was busy and while Larry waited to check in I took pictures.

 

Mount Nebo State Park entrance sign

Mount Nebo State Park Visitor Center

 

A view of the Arkansas River from the visitor center

 Once we found our site we setup the Minnie. Our site wasn't flat so we had to put leveling blocks under a couple of the rear tires. I had to help Larry back the Minnie in between two huge rocks. Then we put out out chairs and plugged in. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. The park was very busy with families picnicking and kids playing in the playground. It was nice watching families enjoying their Easter Sunday.

For dinner Larry barbecued hamburgers. Before he could barbecue he had to rebuild the grill because when I fell a couple nights ago I fell with the grill and it knocked the handles loose and the tray over the burners fell off the screws. Once he rebuilt the grill he barbecued and the hamburgers came out excellent.

After dinner we were just going to walk around the neighborhood but we ended up hiking the 3 C Trail to the Sunset Overview. The trail was very nice and well used by both hikers and bikers. The trail went through trees and by cabins. When we got to the Overview there was a beautiful view of the area and quite a few people were there. We started hiking back via the Rim Trail, when we got to the visitor center we climbed steps to get off the trail. We were not wearing the correct shoes for a hike. We took the road back to the campground, which was about a half mile. We walked for 2.5 miles and for an hour. When we got back we went over and took a shower. 

 

Civilian Conservation Corp Large Pavilion

 

Living on Mount Nebo

The Arkansas River from the Sunset Overview

For the last week we have been doing a lot of hiking so I have been getting my 26,000 steps done by 8:00 pm. I got spoiled by all the hiking because today I didn't finish my steps until 10:45 pm. I still did 26,000 steps, which put me in 4th place in my group with 185,823 for the week.  

      

Saturday 4-3 Last Day at Hot Springs - Hiking to the Tower

 

Camping at Hot Springs National Park

The morning was a cool 42 degrees with a cloud covering. By the afternoon the sun came out and it became a beautiful 68 degree day.

We started the day out by going on a hike. We hiked about 3 hours and covered almost 4 miles. 

We thought about taking today off from hiking. Over the last two days we hiked 18 miles and my knee was a bit sore from my fall, but tomorrow we'll be moving on to our next destination. 

Todays hike started out on the white trail (Gulpha Gorge) until it Y'd off at The Ol' Swimming Hole sign, from there we picked up the red trail (Oertel). We followed the red trail until we got to the black trail (Short Cut) and then to the blue trail which took us to the overlook shelter. and observation tower. This was our first time on the Short Cut trail and it was very steep, we had to stop a couple of times to catch our breath. There were a few people at the overlook, I think all of them had driven up. Larry helped one group of folks take a picture of themselves, they were trying to take a selfie but it was impossible to get all of them in the picture. The shelter gave a great view of Hot Springs and the surrounding area. Next we walked to the observation tower. The gift shop was open, not sure if you could take the elevator to the top of the tower or not but with coronavirus we didn't want to be in a very small enclosed space with others. On our visit back in 2013 we took the elevator to the top of the tower and enjoyed the views. I took a picture of the tower and then we started our hike back to the campground. We took the paved road from the tower to an observation turn off where we could either take the white trail (Gulpha Gorge Campground) or the purple trail (Goat Rock). We decided to take the purple trail because it was longer. We have hiked this trail a few times so we were familiar with it except I didn't remember this piece of it. As we were hiking the purple trail we saw a lot of beautiful wildflowers (yellow, purple and red). Since we have been here we have seen lots of the purple flowers but the yellow and red are just starting to bloom. We saw a few people walking the trail but not as many as we have been seeing. Probably because were were earlier than we have been. We had another super hike. By the time we got home it was almost time for lunch.

 

Larry at the tower shelter

A view of Hot Springs from the shelter

 

The Observation Tower 

 

Yellow wildflowers on the trail

At the beginning of our hike my knee hurt when I had to climb some stone stairs. As we continued hiking I could barely feel it. When we got home I showed my knee to Larry. It was swollen and bruised. He told me to take some Tylenol to help with the discomfort and swelling. It will probably take a couple of days for it to heal.

After lunch Larry read and I did my Microsoft Solitaire games. I did the Daily Challenges and the Event: World Tour Mini of 10 games. It took me 51 minutes and 23 seconds, which put me in 10th place in my group. Then I did some Sudoku puzzles. The Gulpha Gorge Creek was busy with people playing in it and walking across it. People were hiking the trails with their dogs. They were taking pictures. The kids were running around having fun. Some people were enjoying the sun. We spent the rest of the day relaxing in the Minnie. 

After dinner we walked around the campground. Then I did an evening hike for about an hour for 2.25 miles. I hiked the red trail and white trail. I saw a few people hiking. It was a very nice hike. When I got home I finished my 26,000 steps. This put me in 4th place in my group.

We have been camped at Gulpha Gorge Campground for seven days, this is the longest we have ever stayed at one campground while on a trip. During our stay we hiked all the Hot Springs Mountain and North Mountain Trails and three trails of the West Mountain Trails. The West Mountain Trails we did were Canyon, Oak and part of the West Mountain. We also did a Old Road Trail, that wasn't listed on the West Mountain Trails. We hiked a total of 45 miles.

            

Friday 4-2 Sunset Trail and I Fall

Beautiful cool day

The temperature this morning was 34 and it got up to 57. It was cool through out the day with a lot of sunshine.

Larry is still a bit sore from his fall yesterday but he thought he would be able to hike. 

We started the day by going on an 8 mile hike for 4 hours. We started the hike on the other side of Gulpha Gorge Creek at the orange trail marker (Sunset Trail to Cedar Glades Road). We hiked to the convenient store and crossed the road via a crosswalk to Stone Bridge Road. We took the road to the Sunset Trail sign. A few days ago we only went a mile before turning around because it was going to rain. Today, we hiked the trail all the way to Cedar Glades Road. The trail gradually went up hill but it was steep. The trail went through trees (hickory, dogwood, oak and elm), up and down hills and over rocks and tree roots. We crossed a creek now and then. We left the trail at Cedar Glades Road and walked it about .75 mile to town. We walked through a very nice neighborhood with cute small homes. Once we were in town we sat on a bench near the place we rested yesterday.

Larry hiking along side of a creek

 

 

Hiking Sunset Trail

 

Beautiful purple flowers growing in the trail

 After resting we walked across the road and took the same route back to the Minnie as yesterday. We followed the trail up the hill until it met up with the green trail (Lower Dogwood). We took this trail to the yellow trail (Upper Dogwood) until it met up with the purple trail (Goat Rock). While hiking goat rock we saw some people and said hi to them. People were just starting on their hikes and we're almost finished. We took this trail until it met up with the white trail (Gulpha Gorge), which took us back to the campground. We had a beautiful hike.

By the time we got home it was time for lunch. After lunch Larry finished reading his book. I did the Daily Challenges and Event: Free Cell Mini of 10 games. It took me 1 hour, 26 minutes and 14 seconds to complete, which put me in 21st place in my group. I got stuck on the last game, which was an expert Free Cell. Then I did some Sudoku games.

For dinner Larry barbecued some seasoned pork. Then we walked around the campground. When we got back Larry went inside and I did a 1.7 mile hike. I hiked the white trail (Gulpha Gorge) to the red trail (Oertel). I hiked for 40 minutes. When I got back I finished doing my 26,000 steps. This put me in 5th place in my group. 

Tonight as I was putting up the grill and I tripped and fell face forward. I was doing so well, I hiked about 10 miles today up and down rocky mountains without tripping and then walking around the Minnie I fell. Bruised my knee and scratched my face.

Thursday 4-1 Hiking at Hot Springs - Larry Falls

 

Happy April Fools Day

Happy April Fools Day!! Did you play a joke on anyone? I didn't, it was just another day. In fact it was a gorgeous day with the temperature in the high 50s. We woke up to the temperature of 36, a little nippy and our little heater was struggling to keep up. Once it got to 70 degrees it turned off because we set the control at 70. 

After breakfast we went on a 7.5 mile hike for 3 hours and 45 minutes. We started our hike with a jacket because it was cold but within a mile or two we put them around our waists. We started from the campground on the white trail (Gulpha Gorge) until we got to the red trail (Oertel Trail), we followed it to town and the Grande Promenade. We were headed to some new to us trails but the maps were not clear on where they started. We crossed the main street in town and Larry was able to find a parking lot where the trail started, there were no signs pointing it out he just kind of guessed. There was a sign at the beginning of the trail telling you how it started out in the early 1900's as a carriage trail. At this point you could follow either the yellow trail (Oak) or the green trail (Canyon). We decided to take the yellow because it had 4.2% grade and the green had a 10% grade. We hiked a mile until we intersected the blue trail (West Mountain) for about 1/2 mile. Then we picked up the green trail (Canyon). We hiked it back to the Old Road sign, which was .7 mile. We made a loop hike. We rested now and then and enjoyed the scenery. We saw a lot of trees in bloom (dogwoods). At times there were places to rest and signs about the history of Hot Springs. 

The route we took back to the campground wasn't the same route we took to town. We crossed the street to a parking lot where we found a trail. Once again there was no sign, Larry somehow figured it out. We followed the trail up the hill until it met up with the green trail (Lower Dogwood). We took this trail to the yellow trail (Upper Dogwood) until it met up with the purple trail (Goat Rock). While hiking goat rock we saw some people and said hi to them. People were just starting on their hikes and we're almost finished. We took this trail until it met up with the white trail (Gulpha Gorge), which took us back to the campground. On the way back we met a couple of dogs (poodle and beagle pup) and their masters. 

We were coming down the last incline and were close enough to the campground to see the Minnie when Larry tripped and fell. He hurt his wrist and his chest and was covered in dirt and debris. The trail was sloping downward and he fell forward so maybe that helped a bit. This part of the trail is very rocky so we were quite lucky he didn't get seriously hurt. His chest and rib area are tender but he will be fine. By the time we got back home we were tired but other than Larry falling it was a great hike.

 

A beautiful water fountain in the center of Hot Springs

A view of the Bathhouse Row from the hiking trail

A dogwood in bloom, this one looked gray in the sunlight but is actually white

Steam coming off a hot spring early in the morning

I dropped off my hiking pole and pouch and then went to pay for another three nights. I had to wait a bit because there was a line of people, four people before me and another three behind me. When I got home I made lunch.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing in the Minnie. I did the Daily Challenges and the Event: Two Game Tango Mini of 10 games (5 Spider and 5 Tri Peaks). It took me 1 hour, 25 minutes and 13 seconds to complete, which put me in 11th place in my group. Then I did Sudoku games. 

In the evening Larry and I went for a 20 minute walk around the campground. Then I went on a 50 minute hike for 2.33 miles. I did the same route as last night. During the hike I said hi to other hikers. I met a lady and her Great Dane. As I crossed the creek to start my hike I saw a chocolate lab go for a swim, it was having a great time, it stayed where the creek was deep so the water would go over its head. When I got back I finished doing my steps, which didn't take too long. I ended up doing 27,000 steps, which put me in 6th place in my group.   

                

Wednesday 3-31 Beautiful Cool Day

 Beautiful Day

Our day started out with rain but it ended up being a beautiful spring day. The rain came back last night and it rained through the night. In the morning it still was sprinkling on and off. The rain finally left around 1:00. By 2:00 the sun decided to come out. The temperature got up to 58 degrees with a breeze out of the north, which kept it cool.

I spent the day playing games. I started out doing the Daily Challenges and I solved all of games for the month, which was five per day (155 games) of five different Solitaire games. Then I moved onto the Event: World Tour Mini of 7 games. It took me 12 minutes and 51 seconds, which put me in 19th place in my group. Next I did Sudoku games. While I played games Larry read on his Kindle.

When the sun came out I looked at my Garmin Vivofit 2 and saw I only did 60 steps, my personal goal is 25,000 steps per day. I better get it in gear if I'm going to get my goal. I walked around the campground about an hour. Then after dinner Larry walked with me for another half hour. I then decided to go on a hike up the mountain by myself. I ended up hiking 2.25 miles for 50 minutes. I took the white trail from the campground to the red trail. Then I hiked the red trail until I had hiked about a mile. Then I turned around and came back. The trail was a great workout because I had to walk up and down hills and take steps. I had a great time. After I rested I did a Jazz routine for 15 minutes. Then I finished doing my steps by stepping in place. I ended up doing a total of 27,000 steps, which put me in 5th place in my group.

In the evening when I was finishing up my steps. There was a lot of activities going on: kids were riding bicycles, dads playing catch with their sons, kids running around and families sitting in front of campfires. Families were hiking the white trail. It was noisy but nice to see families having fun. 

 

Camping at Gulpha Gorge Creek Campground

We had a super day of relaxing. We will be at Gulpha Gorge Campground through the weekend so we'll be doing some more hiking. LIFE IS GOOD!!!!