Dawns Early Light On The Trail
Morning on the trail as the first light rises above the the ridge line. Autumn’s first colorful Leaves illuminated confetti sprinkled upon the forest floor. A perfect start to any day… don’t forget to go outside and play.
Love to ALL!
Lee
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 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
Dear John Muir,
I come humbled by your message and sadly late to the congregation. Although your body has passed your spirit still delivers passionate sermons among the Trees. Once heard in Natures voice your message to mankind became part of my heart forever.
In the Forest I hear a choir so sweet it often brings tears and I wonder if its song is a whisper to my Soul from the Universe. There is not a Rock or Flower that does not hold my Heart as I pause to learn its secrets. How is it I could have reached fifty plus years before knowing the intimate beauty of Nature? I am thankful my life will from this point forward move in unison with the natural world.
Thank you for being there to guide me as I hike within Natures sacred spaces.
Much Love,
Lee
As you will all probably already know my husband Rick and I believe everyday is Environment Earth Green Trails Day. Living surrounded (literally) by the Forests of Hot Springs National Park it would be impossible not to be thinking of the planet’s health everyday. Have a Happy World Environment Day, please enjoy a few sights from National Trails Day within Hot Springs National Park. Don’t forget to mark your calenders for next years International Hike Our Planet Day on March 14th!
Love to ALL!
Lee
This morning I had a guest along with me on my hike, my beloved husband Rick. I would like to say seeing my husband in the early morning hours is in and of itself a rare sighting. As he has only recently begun hiking again I felt it was brave of him to head out with me on my morning hike as I am not use to having company. Rick would say his greatest achievement today was completing the hike, I would say it was putting up with me and my cameras 🙂
We spent the morning hiking around the trails of North Mountain and saw new wildflowers, our first Fox Squirrel in the park and played hide-n-seek with a Blue Jay. I hope you will enjoy my photographs of North Mountain in Hot Springs National Park.
Love yourself, get out and play in Nature!
Much Love to ALL!
Lee
PS: Please pray for the people of Tuscaloosa their city and lives have been devastated by a large Tornado… Pray for those who have perished in the South this past week during the devastating outbreak of Storms, Floods and Tornadoes. Counting our Blessing! Lee & Rick London
Hike Our Planet - @HikeOurPlanet 