Lower Dogwood Trail

All posts tagged Lower Dogwood Trail

Hit The Trails in Hot Springs National Park All Year Round

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 15, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Clearing Fog

HSNP West Mountain Canyon Trail Fog Autumn 2010

HSNP West Mountain Trail Autumn 2010

Hot Springs National Park Trails Goat RockTrail

Hot Springs National Park Trails Goat Rock Trail

West Mountain Sunset Trail Snow

Hot Springs National Park Upper Dogwood Trail Earth Day

Music Mountain Sunset Trail Autumn Leaves

Many tourists to Hot Springs National Park never leave the Historic bath House Row. Why? The bath houses are the parks revenue source and the longer you stay there the more money they make.  Unfortunately this means many visitors never see the beautiful trails that weave across the six mountains found in the park. See the five trail maps below.

The main mountain visible from the city below is Hot Springs Mountain with its iconic tower for spectacular views. A quick hike up along the Peak Trail and you can reach the tower in approximately 20 minutes depending on fitness level.  After you have enjoyed the Hot Springs Tower view hike down to the Pagoda looking out over the valley. Then take the 1.7 mile Hot Springs Mountain Trail Loop below and then reconnect with the Peak Trail to head down the Mountain.

From the National Park campground hike up the Gulpha Gorge Trail and connect with the Goat Rock Trail on North Mountain.  Once you reach the North Mountain Overlook you can head down the North Mountain Road to reconnect with the Gulpha Gorge Trail or hike further on the Upper Dogwood Trail.  From the campground you can also take the Sunset Trail over to Ricks Pond and continue on the first section of the Sunset Trail Loop.

West Mountain can be accessed from Central Ave on the driveway next to the Mountain Valley Water Company.  The Canyon Trail takes you to the junction of the Oak Trail which connects you to the West Mountain Trail and the West Mountain Top Loop.  From there you can take in the views, continue around the mountain or head out along the Sunset Trail.

As you can see in my many past blog entries the trails have abundant wildlife and ever changing foliage including spectacular wildflowers.  I am always happy to direct my readers to photography, wildlife viewing and wildflower locations (although you must remember the wildlife does migrate freely throughout the park).   I read and reply to comments so please make contact anytime. You can see more videos at my you tube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/LeeHiller?feature=mhee

Happy Hiking!
Lee

HSNP Hot Springs and North Mt. Trail Map

HSNP West Mt. Trail Map

HSNP Sunset Trail Section 1

HSNP Sunset Trail Section 2

HSNP Sunset Trail Section 3

Happy Earth Day 2011 – Fog, Rain and Wind in Rainforests of Hot Springs National Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on April 23, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Happy Earth Day! Please enjoy these photographs taken in the Rainforest on Hot Springs and North Mountains in Hot Springs National Park. The morning was foggy, rainy and windy perfect weather for a hike on Earth Day. I hope you will enjoy the photographs of my hike through the Rainforest. The Universe has been feeding the Forest for several days and now the creeks are full so they will provide a much needed resource for the park residents.  What others see as bad weather I see as life, these storms have been a blessing.

Love the Earth!
Lee

PS:Note to Hot Spring national Park management… having staff mow down the fields of Wildflowers on Earth Day seemed an odd way to celebrate.  Tourists and hikers actually enjoy seeing and photographing the beautiful blooms and you feature them on several pages within your website (Plants, Natural Features & Ecosystems, Outdoor Activities, Sunset Trail). The many insects that pollinate the park feed from their spectacular flowers; including but not limited to Butterflies, Moths, Bees and Wasps.  Not sure if your conservation team is communicating with the park maintenance staff, but it might be a good topic to discuss.  Wildflowers are as your website states an important part of the Ecosystem.

A Colorful Hike in the Autumn Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 13, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Whether you are Democrat, Green, Independent, Republican or non affiliated please thank President Obama… why? He increased funding for national parks and forests by 10%!  No matter your political leaning don’t let you government representatives overturn this as they wrestle to control the budget.  It is a VERY VERY VERY SMALL piece of the budget pie, but is so important to preserving our environment.

Field Notes:
I hiked over to the Goat Rock Trail and finally saw a very elusive color changing lizard.  Surprisingly the Northern Green Anole allowed me see it  moved slowly among the leaves.  I was so excited to this little beauty and feel blessed to share these photographs with you. A delicate creature moving with grace.

The Autumn Leaves on the Upper Dogwood were spectacular, color was bursting forth all along the trail.  I felt like I was in the movie “What Dreams May Come” a surreal world of changing color filled with bird song.  I hope in some small way you can feel the beauty of Forest path via my images.

Purple Aster are decorating almost every trail in the Forest. They vary in size and intensity of color throughout the park. These tiny wildflowers are sprouting in single blossoms and in clusters on long stalks.  A beautiful but rare sight are multiple clusters and patches of these purple flowers.  It is amazing how their delicate petals have held up against the rain and blowing winds. The contrast of the purple petals and yellow centers are irresistible.

On the Hot Springs Mountain Trail I was excited to see the return of a favorite winter friend, a female Dark-Eyed Junco. In January to April 2010 they were constant companions during the harshest winter days when I hiked on Hot Springs Mountain.  Mid way down the Gulpha Gorge Trail I saw Male Prairie Lizard sunning it self on the side of the path.  You can see a glimmer of bright blue just below his chin.

At the Hot Spring water cascade I stood on the Tufa Terrace watching a Northern Mockingbird and Male Cardinal.  Both stood in the therapeutic water as if they were visiting a spa and drank the mineral elixir pouring over the tufa rocks to the pool below.  This is a spot I will have to spend more time as the weather cools off as it attracts those that winter in the park.

Thank You for venturing into the Forest with me.
Much Love to ALL
Lee

 

Old Friends Revealed in the Autumn Forest

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 5, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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The leaves are still falling and the sky is a perfect “Arkansas Blue” (you have too come to Hot Springs to see what I mean) that makes photos seem unreal.  They are preparing the lower park Arlington Lawn for the Holiday light show. November 23rd will be the chili cook-off and tree lighting this year.  As I head up into the park I realize it is MUCH colder now and the steam from the vents is more visible.  When I reach the Carriage Road a sweet squirrel is digging up some breakfast which it proudly displays as I move closer.  As I reach the Dead Chief Trail I look up to see a another squirrel heading across a branch to reach a large nut.

Traveling up the Dead Chief Trail I look up to see amazing red, yellow and green leaves highlighted in the first morning light.  The sunrise is spectacular as the light radiates through the multicolor leaves. I feel rejuvenated bathed in Nature’s Autumn colorful rays. Along the Short Cut trail it is silent except for the light crunch of the rust leave covering the path.  Moments later a LARGE dog rounds the bend roaming free and ahead of it’s owner (please see ongoing park dog problem).

On the Hot springs National Park Trail I hear the lovely chatting chirps of an old friend as I near the Pagoda.  Peeking at me from the side of a tree is a wonderful Carolina Wren.  In a sweet game of peek-a-boo it pops out on the side on the tree then hides for several minutes.  Autumn reveals many winged friends hidden in the lush greenery of spring and and summer.  I Love the transition of the Forest into winter.

When I reach the Floral Trail the Autumn Leaves are glowing in the late morning sun. The happy pip of a Tufted Titmouse is echoing before me.  It is a joy to spot the delightful bird in the last of the green leaves to my side.  Vibrant yellow rimmed in rust leaves are spectacular against a perfect “Arkansas Blue” sky, maybe that should be a perfect “Hot Springs Blue” sky. Its hard to keep from staring upward at the dazzling contrasting colors.  I am blessed to be on this trail to see the beauty today.

Get out and crunch in the Autumn Leaves.
Love,
Lee

The Best Of: Trails and Paths 2010

Posted by Lee Hiller on August 15, 2010
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

We have been in the grip of a heat wave in the South and I thought we could all use a cool stroll through the Forest. Please enjoy the beauty and escape of traveling down a secluded path in the Forest. Revel in the wonder of not knowing what you may see on your journey among the Trees. Loose yourself in the beauty of the Hot Springs National Park. There are many trails on which you can travel.

Much Love to All!
Lee

Hot Springs National Park Dead Chief Trail Sunrise

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Clearing Fog

Hot Springs National Park – Short Cut Trail – Foggy Wonderland

Hot Springs National Park Trails Goat RockTrail

Hot Springs National Park Trails Goat RockTrail

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Peak Trail

Honeysuckle Trail Wedding Chapel

Floral Trail

Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs Mountain Trail

Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs Mountain Trail

Lower Dogwood Trail

Hot Springs National Park, AR Upper Dogwood Trail

Gulpha Gorge Trail

Hot Springs National Park, Peak Trail – Late Autumn