November 2017 CottonOVERLand in the Ozarks (1 Viewer)

[wngrog]

Lou and I decided to run up to the Ozarks before December hit us both in the face. For both of us, this was likely our last opportunity to camp before 2018.

Initially the plan was to leave Sunday and return Tuesday.....then life got in the way and we pushed it up to Saturday, returning on Monday. A quick trip, but way past due.

After gorging on Turkey, I spent the day on Friday packing up my 100. Due to the temperatures we were looking at, I decided to drag my trailer with my nice warm tent on it.

In the mean time, Ron told me he was going to the mountains and I got him on board. JT Uranium was contacted since he can usually peel out at the last minute as well.

Friday night I finished packing and ran to the tractor shop for Phat Pine and deer sausage. When I got back to my shop and closed it up, I went to pull my 100 to the house and it would not start. This never happens and it was dark and cold so I decided to punt for the night and just leave that s*** pile at home and take the FJ-60.

I packed up early the next morning and Lou rolled up about 7:45 and we took off.

The Delta was beautiful and quiet as we poked across the flatlands

We intersected Ron and Joseph around Greenville and we all crossed into Arkansas

 

[wngrog]

Saturday Destination: Buffalo National River at St Joe. It was about 300 miles away and with an hour stop at David's Burgers in Little Rock, we rolled into Richland Creek about 7 hours later.

The creek was low. I shot some Drone footage of our crossing and we pressed on to make camp before dark.

First things first, we had to hike up to the Nars......this is one of the coolest things ever. It is a narrow ridge along the Buffalo River with a cool camp spot on the crest.

We spent about 45 minutes hiking and flying the drone before hitting the trail again.

The river was low and the trail into camp was well worn.

We made our way as far down river as the bank allowed and set up shop

Skottles were broken out and Ron whipped us up some Tacos......

 

[wngrog]

So, yeah. It was cold.

My 60 does great on the road now with the AFI Fuel injection, but I was a bit leery of towing my trailer with it on the rocks with 3.70 gears so I gathered my cold-weather Eno setup.

I forgot my rain fly which would have helped with the frost.....I was warm but that midnight pee was a cold cold experience

JT Uranium had the full EXO setup.....

Ron, the only smart one, just slept in his truck.

JT U got a great shot of breakfast in the Skottle

Lou was a barrel of laughs as he manned the not so flat top.....

 

[wngrog]

We took it easy and left camp around 9:30 am. Our goal for the day was about 30 miles away as the crow flies but would take all day. With Ron in the lead, we took off. Photo by JT U......

It is so dry up there.......I ate dust day 2 after dishing out dust on day 1

Richland Creek. My last crossing the water was about 2 feet higher.....

 

[wngrog]

I caught some cell service and rubbed it in to Dave Lay the we were headed to his secret campsite and that we had an extra steak with his name on it.

A few minutes later he told me he had arranged a kitchen pass and was headed our way.....

The road across the Ozarks that we chose was fairly direct but it got pretty rough. Ron did a superb job putting us on some challenging yet beautiful trails.

Photo by JT U

We ran into a little mud.......

JT U photo

We got across the next creek and peeled out for camp

JT U.....

 

[REKCUT]

Your first night at woolum?

 

[wngrog]

We topped out of the trail and met up with Dave and started into the camp

The official trail chef showed out with this dinner.....

Another cold but great night....

 

[wngrog]

The next morning we grabbed a quick Skottle breakfast and picked our way out of the trail. This trail is nicely technical and with the leaves off the trees, the views were superb.

Dave lead us into civilization and we parted ways. The four remaining took the slow route down Hwy 7 through Hot Springs and back to Mississippi. JT U split off at Greenville and the rest of up slid home through the Delta.

800 miles in 3 days. No mechanical issues. Lots of great trails and backroads.

Maybe JTu and Ron will toss in some pro photos......

 

[wngrog]

If you missed it....here is the video summary of the trip.

 

[OGBeno]

Everyone is definitely being #EAF

Solid.

 

[fountainhead]

Happy with the 60's new heart?

 

[wngrog]

Happy with the 60's new heart?

Thrilled. I would not change a single thing.

 

[DirtRoads]

Awesome pictures, looks like an awesome time. Do you have a sharable GPS track of the route? I would love to spend more time exploring the Ozarks, I just don't even know where to begin without a tour guide.

 

[wngrog]

I don’t use GPS. Just grab the paper maps of the Ozarks and drive around unless I’m following someone

 

[WharfRat]

Is there a way to “like” the whole thread? #jealousasfcuk

 

[Papalud]

I naved the whole day on an old paper map. There are so many good routes up there, just pick a few and roll. We passed at least 5 solid campsites that day and I'd bet there are easily 100 worth checking out. If all else fails, hit up @slacker24-7 He's the Gandalf of the Ozarks.

 

[Papalud]

 

[Papalud]

 

[OGBeno]

JT Uranium pimping the Kuhls and Chacos with socks in the mud.

Pure #EAF

 

[wngrog]

When Ron posts pics I mentally hear the “tink” of an aluminum bat hitting a home run.