The Forest opens my Heart to the secrets of spring. ~ Lee Hiller
A perfect spring day in the Forest of Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. A visit with a lovely little Summer Tanager who sang to us between catching and eating insects. Cool breezes piercing the humidity along each trail . Butterflies and Wildflowers decorating our journey across the mountains.
Love to ALL!
Lee
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Venus Looking glass
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Male Summer Tanager
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Male Summer Tanager
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Male Summer Tanager
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Male Summer Tanager
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Male Summer Tanager
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Male Summer Tanager
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Male Summer Tanager
HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Spring Leaves
HSNP North Mt Loop Daisy Fleabane
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spring
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spring
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Spring
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Phlox
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Phlox
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Oxalis
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Little Wood Satyr
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Little Glass Wing
HSNP Hot Springs Mt Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Humidity is hanging heavy in the Forest (81%), fortunately a breeze is working to relieve the heat. The haze of heated moisture shimmers causing the new green leaves and wildflowers to glow softly. Although my lungs were not appreciative of the visible liquid in the air, my lens found beauty in it light.
On a ridge above the bright yellow flower of a Prickly Pear Cactus reaches up like a delicate sun goblet filled with light. Bright pink Hairy Small-Leaf Tick-Trefoil and Ouachita Shooting Stars have begun to appear on the slopes of North Mountain. At the base of North Mountain Hackberry Emperor Butterflies cover my lens and jacket making it impossible to photograph them. In the early light beautiful Mourning Cloak Butterflies move with rapid grace between the leaves as an Orange Sulphur Butterfly samples the sweet clover flowers below.
Each hike is a new adventure in the changing Forest…
Love to ALL!
Lee
HSNP Floral Trail Spring
HSNP Floral Trail Spring Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
HSNP Fountain Street Lawn Southern Magnolia
HSNP Fountain Street Lawn Southern Magnolia
HSNP Fountain Street Orange Sulphur Butterfly
HSNP Fountain Street Orange Sulphur Butterfly
HSNP Fountain Street Tree Bandage?
HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Spring
HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Spring
HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Spring
HSNP Lower Dogwood Trail Spring Mourning Cloak Butterfly
Cedar Glades Park in Arkansas offers a variety of activities and is a perfect destination for kids of all ages. If you enter from Wildcat Road the park is highly groomed for hiking, biking, rock climbing, Frisbee golf and more. (Wildcat Road Entrance Turbulent Skies and Butterflies in Cedar Glades Park Arkansas & First Hike in Cedar Glades Park Arkansas) Entering from Cedar Glades Road you find a less groomed Nature escape with playground, wheelchair accessible trail, hiking/biking trails, creeks, steams, ponds and a hike in camping sites. Both areas are joined by the 1.2 mile green trail loop with ample parking and rest rooms at each entrance.
My husband and I entered the park yesterday from the Cedar Glades Road entrance. We discovered the North Trail loop that linked us to our destination (the black trail) is wheelchair accessible. The beautiful trail is totally immersed in the Forest and provides mobility challenged visitors a lovely Nature experience. A perfect outing location for adults with smaller children in strollers as well.
The Black Trail Loop is the longest trail in the park and the most difficult for hikers, runners and cyclists. Depending on fitness level visitors can do the entire trail or use the red trail crooked bridge cut through to reduce the distance from 4.64 miles to 2 miles. This trail that has many water features, wildflowers, mixed and Pine Forest, plus it is great workout too. Speaking of water features, don’t miss my video below. The featured swimmer will give you an incentive to improve your pond swimming skills.
Another great feature of this park is the hike in camp site. This would perfect for campers who want to get away from RVs, trailers etc. and prefer a wooded steam setting without having to hike for several hours to reach their destination. This would make a great mini family vacation idea too. There is also an emergency shelter (wooden gazebo) in case of an unexpected storm. A lovely stream and open tent pitching among the Trees makes it a great weekend get-a-away or travel stop over. Best of all it is Free!
Love to ALL!
Lee
Cedar Glades Park Arkansas Trail Map
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Box Turtle
Glades Park Black Trail Butterfly
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Hike in Camp Sites
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Hike in Camp Sites
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond Cottonmouth
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Pond Cottonmouth
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Canopy
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Creek
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Creek
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Creek
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Spring Phlox
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Venus Looking Glass
Cedar Glades Park Black Trail Venus Looking Glass
Glades Park Black Trail Bright Pink Oxalis
Glades Park Black Trail Bright Pink Oxalis
Glades Park Black Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Honeysuckle
Glades Park Black Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
Glades Park Black Trail Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly