Exploring the Beauty of the Buffalo River
A Scenic Hike on the Ozark to Pruitt Trail
On this beautiful autumn day, we hiked the Ozark to Pruitt Trail, a moderate and popular part of the Buffalo River Trail. The Buffalo River is a national river that winds its way through the heart of the Ozark Mountains. It’s part of the National Park Service, preserving one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers and protecting the Ozark Mountains’ deep valleys, high bluffs, wilderness, and authentic landscapes.
We parked near the Pruitt Ranger Station and hiked towards the Ozark camping ground. We enjoyed the beautiful views of the Buffalo River with magnificent huge bluff lines, scenic overlooks, woods, rocks, a pond, and small wildlife. The colors of fall are beginning to show. We picked the perfect season to be in the colorful Ozarks.
And Exploring Lost Valley with Its Autumn Colors
The next day, we returned to Buffalo National River and hiked one of its most popular hikes, the Lost Valley Trail. We followed the Clark Creek upstream to the end, where we found Eden Falls and Cobb Cave.
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We again saw impressive bluffs and caves—no falls, though. This is to be expected at the beginning of the fall season. However, the gorgeous colors of the leaves made up for the lack of water.
Boxley Valley, Preserving a Way of Life
On our last visit to Buffalo National River, we drove to the Boxley Valley to catch a glimpse of the elk reintroduced in the 1980s after they became extinct in the 1840s. The visitor center informed us that the elk were most active at sunrise and sunset. We were here around noon but continued our drive, wishfully hoping to spot these stunning animals.
At the end of the valley, we took a short walk through an abandoned area. The sight of the decaying barns was, as always, bittersweet. Today, locals within the borders of Buffalo National River continue traditional farming and are committed to preserving their cultural heritage and history. Boxley Valley is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
We stopped at the viewpoint on our way back, but the elk kept hiding. So, unfortunately, I only got a picture of a stuffed elk I had made at the exhibition center.
Date
October 6, 2022
October 7, 2022
October 11, 2022
Distance
6.21 mi
3.00 mi
2.17 mi
Moving Time
2:41:21 hrs
1:16:24 hrs
0:38:53 hrs
WEATHER
63-77 °F
sunny
light breeze