Lake Catherine, Arkansas

[keroscene]

For vacation this year, my family and I decided to go camping. Usually we go to a metro area, beach or some place that's absolutely crowded. I've been dying to go camping as a family, and this year I got my wish. We tried several different places but most were already booked, so we ended up at Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas. This is not the best, most appealing or in-demand place in AR, but I would recommend it any day. The hiking trails were challenging and absolutely gorgeous. The waterfalls were breathtaking. And, the lake was beautiful, especially in the morning. Anyway, I will not bore you with any more rambling......here's the pictures I took on my iPhone5. These will give you an idea of the scenery, but in no way do they do it justice. Oh, and I HAD to slip in a few blade pics, of course

Enjoy!

PS, hope I landed this thread in the proper place!

 

[22-rimfire]

When I lived in the Dallas area, we would head up to Arkansas every chance we had to camp at the parks and have nice woodsy weekends or extended weekends hiking, seeing the sights, and just hanging out. My favorite was always Petite Jean SP, but I liked Devils Den too. Those days are past and now I live in that kind of area every day versus the big city life and am loving it.

Thanks for sharing and I hope you got to use your BK-9.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great Photos

Thanks for posting

 

[Aias]

Love the mist on the trees and the waterfalls, well done man.

 

[keroscene]

Love the mist on the trees and the waterfalls, well done man.

Thank you!

When I lived in the Dallas area, we would head up to Arkansas every chance we had to camp at the parks and have nice woodsy weekends or extended weekends hiking, seeing the sights, and just hanging out. My favorite was always Petite Jean SP, but I liked Devils Den too. Those days are past and now I live in that kind of area every day versus the big city life and am loving it.

Thanks for sharing and I hope you got to use your BK-9.

We want to do Petite or DeGray next time. I've heard nothing but good things about both. And yes, had to process a ton of firewood with my BK9. It handled the wood wonderfully!

-Dan

 

[22-rimfire]

I have done DeGray, but it does not stand out in my memory. Beavers Bend (I believe that is the right name) in SE OK isn't a bad camping outing. The facilities in AR is just so good unless they have not been maintaining them. Hot showers are WONDERFUL during winter campouts at Petite Jean SP and you have the whole place mostly to yourself. Still hard to find firewood, so we usually scavenge at the edges of the park and haul it to the camp site where I usually "processed" it. Usually had a saw with me for the bigger stuff. I'd haul a whole pickup load of assorted logs and so forth and often share it at the camp grounds.

 

[Bob W]

I spent plenty of time around Hot Springs, the Ouchita National Forest, and Arkansas State Parks, but never to Lake Catherine. Thanks for sharing your pictures. :thumbup:

How was the weather? I recall the entire state being mostly unsuitable for human occupation from April to October on account of the poison ivy, bugs, heat, and humidity.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way... You have a good eye for photo composition, and obviously willing to make the effort to be in interesting locations, and at the right time. But the iPhone is no substitute for an actual camera. Something to consider if you enjoy sharing your out-and-about wanderings and outdoor adventures. Even a basic Canon point-and-shoot can give you memorable photos.

 

[keroscene]

I spent plenty of time around Hot Springs, the Ouchita National Forest, and Arkansas State Parks, but never to Lake Catherine. Thanks for sharing your pictures. :thumbup:

How was the weather? I recall the entire state being mostly unsuitable for human occupation from April to October on account of the poison ivy, bugs, heat, and humidity.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way... You have a good eye for photo composition, and obviously willing to make the effort to be in interesting locations, and at the right time. But the iPhone is no substitute for an actual camera. Something to consider if you enjoy sharing your out-and-about wanderings and outdoor adventures. Even a basic Canon point-and-shoot can give you memorable photos.

The weather was a little hot but definitely tolerable. And, other than one stormy night, it was sunny. As for the bugs, they were not too bad at all, as long as I sprayed myself with a little repellent. Couldn't have asked for a better environment.

As for your suggestion about the camera, I totally agree. I really have no idea why I do not have better photography equipment. Guess I just didn't put much thought into it.....at least until I looked at the pictures from my phone and realized the lack of depth and detail. Really appreciate and welcome the feedback.

 

[lambertiana]

Nice trails to walk there, I like the creek pictures.

 

[keroscene]

Nice trails to walk there, I like the creek pictures.

Thanks. Those trails are pretty nice. The waterfall trail is pretty easy-going with plenty of gorgeous canopy to keep you occupied. However, the Dam Mountain Trail is no joke! You get pretty high up very quickly and it's over 4 miles long. Enough to wear anyone out.

 

[Bob W]

Do you ever make it farther north? I've done the western half of the Ozark Highlands Trail, from Ft Smith to Ozone. Hiked for a week and only saw a few people the entire time; most days I saw no one at all.
My favorite areas of the Ouachitas are farther west, near Mena and Talahina, if you ever get the chance to explore in that direction.

 

[draperfish]

They just remodeled the restaurant at Petite Jean and hired a new cook, the view and food are awesome.

 

[keroscene]

Do you ever make it farther north? I've done the western half of the Ozark Highlands Trail, from Ft Smith to Ozone. Hiked for a week and only saw a few people the entire time; most days I saw no one at all.
My favorite areas of the Ouachitas are farther west, near Mena and Talahina, if you ever get the chance to explore in that direction.

That was my first time since I was a kid to visit Arkansas. Only other time was as a helper at camp ozark when I was just a young pup. The area you're referring to is exactly what I would love to visit. Being mostly alone is my ideal situation. Thanks for the recommendation!

They just remodeled the restaurant at Petite Jean and hired a new cook, the view and food are awesome.

What's the name of the restaurant? Or is it the only one there? My fam wants to do Petite next time, and I always try to eat at places people recommend.

 

[Bob W]

That was my first time since I was a kid to visit Arkansas. Only other time was as a helper at camp ozark when I was just a young pup. The area you're referring to is exactly what I would love to visit. Being mostly alone is my ideal situation. Thanks for the recommendation!

I think the Ozarks are pretty busy in the Summer, especially on weekends. Even the most remote backroads are traffic jams in on fall weekends when the trees change colors. Winter is the best time for day hiking - no bugs or poison ivy. My trip on the Ozark Highlands Trail was in March. Kids are still in school, temperatures are cool enough to be generally uninviting but not absolutely freezing, and the trees haven't leaved out yet so the scenery is more open.

 

[22-rimfire]

March, April, and May are a great time if you are interested in the early wildflowers in the woods. I also like it when the leaves are not leafed out or fully leafed out. Stream flows tend to be good that time of the year as well. The fall with the leaf change is crowded, but still very nice.

I believe the restaurant is at the lodge at Petite Jean SP.

 

[keroscene]

Sounds like we just need to have a BladeForums Arkansas hiking extravaganza! Think I'll try to fig out a way to visit sometime during early spring next year. Seems like it would still be cold enough to be more secluded, but not too cold to camp/hike. Thanks for the advice fellas!

I'd bet the fishing is pretty good that time of year also