Ozark National Forest
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I was interested in seeing the Ozark Highlands Trail. It has a reputation of being rugged, difficult, and beautiful. On a beautiful, sunny, Saturday morning, I started from Lake Ft. Smith Park. Shortly into the hike, I had to cross a very swollen and ragging Frog Bayou. Judging the typical shape and flow of the river afterward, it must have rained significantly prior to my arrival. The stream crossing was challenging, but I was careful and deliberate. By lunchtime, I arrived at the Jack Creek. Ordinarily, this tributary is but a trickle. However, on this day it was a well flowing creek into Lake Fort Smith. Already, there were many mosquitos flying about in the forested area. The rocky, open space of the creek bed was a nice relief. At this point, I thought of my options. I could camp at the creek bed with abundant water and sit around the rest of the afternoon. Or I could head further inland on the Ozark Highland Trail. My campsite further inland would be dense with mosquitos, and I would spend most of the late afternoon and night in my tent. Considering these, I chose neither and returned back to my car and a future BBQ dinner.