About Mount Magazine State Park:
(From Mount Magazine's Website):
At 2,753-feet, Mount Magazine is Arkansas's highest mountain, rising dramatically above the broad valleys of the Petit Jean River to the south and the Arkansas River to its north. Graced with timeless natural beauty, this plateau-a remnant of an ancient sea floor-runs east-west stretching six miles long and up to a mile across. Rugged, isolated, and rich in natural resources including rare and endangered species, Mount Magazine has long lured explorers, adventurers, scientists, and naturalists.
Settlers came to the mountain in the 1800s and farmed here. Later cabins and lodges were built atop Mount Magazine to attract and accommodate the travelers who journeyed to the mountain for recreation, relaxation, and the escape from the heat in the lowlands below that the summit's cooler temperatures afforded.
Arkansas State Parks has developed Mount Magazine State Park in the Magazine District of the Ozark National Forest on 2,234 acres of national forest lands atop the mountain through a special use permit from the USDA Forest Service. Mount Magazine is one of Arkansas's 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Here at Mount Magazine, the combined resources of the Forest Service and Arkansas State Parks ensure the protection of the mountain's natural resources while providing outstanding recreational offerings and lodging facilities for visitors. Mount Magazine State Park is a microcosm of why Arkansas-The Natural State is such a special experience for those who seek quality outdoor experiences.
Brochure and Map:
April 18th Excursion:
I left the Cossatot River State at 10:20 am and drove south to HWY-278. I headed east towards Wickes, my plan to visit Queen Wilhelmina State Park and Holla Bend NWR, and stopped at the Cossatot River State Park Visitor's Center to check the weather and ask for advice.
I was the only person (other than the rangers) at the visitor's center. I checked some of the bulletin boards outside the building and found an informative brochure about areas to bird in Arkansas., as well as a small pamphlet about It was raining steadily, so I decided to head inside and see if I could get a weather update.
The visitor's center featured a small touch-screen computer to be used to navigate the fantastic Arkansas State Parks website. I was able to look at directions, facilities, and weather for any of the State Parks or Recreation Areas in Arkansas. I spoke with the ranger, who suggested I visit Mt. Magazine State Park if I was interested in birds, and decided to head toward Mt. Magazine.
The total drive took around 2.5 hours, mainly due to the rain and lower speeds allowed on the winding roads. As I neared the mountain (between Blue Mountain and Waveland) I noticed a sloping landscape that led into the clouds. I eventually realized that the peak of Mount Magazine was in the lower-lying clouds, making for a picturesque drive.
Once I reached the town of Havanna I took HWY-309 north to head up the mountain. HWY-309 is designated a Arkansas Scenic Byway (as are most of the roads I drove on this trip), so the road that lead into the mountain was flanked by mammoth pines and numerous scenic overlooks. I arrived at the Visitor's Center around 2:30 pm, paid for my campsite, picked up some pamphlets, and planned a hike for the evening.
The campsite I was assigned was a picnic area in which one could camp if the RV sites were full (which they were). Only one other group of campers were present in the picnic area, so I was able to find a campsite near the treeline quite easily. Once I had hung the tarp over my intended campsite I gathered my birding equipment and consulted the hiking brochure about trails in the area. I decided to head over to Cameron Bluff to take some pictures and then follow the Signal Hill Trail to the summit of Mt. Magazine. As I left the campground I could hear the metallic cry of a Blue Jay coming from the dense forest.
I spent 15 minutes taking photos of the surrounding landscape from Cameron Bluff, though the clouds quickly returned, ending my photographic opportunity. I walked south from Cameron Bluff to the Signal Hill Trailhead, close to the RV Campground. By this time the clouds had grown much thicker and it was difficult for one to see further than 20 yards in any direction. This made bird-watching somewhat frustrating since many different sounds and calls could be heard, but few could be observed or confirmed. The ascending calls Black-and-White Warbler and Ovenbird could be heard echoing across the landscape, thought they rarely showed themselves. However, the clouds flowing through the forest made for some great photos, many calling to mind the oft-used special effects for horror movies.
The Signal Hill Trail was an easy hike, the grade was slight and the path well marked, and I arrived at Arkansas' highest point well before 6 pm. At the summit several benches, a placard, a USGS seal, and a small box containing a clipboard and pen. The clipboard was for guests to write their name, address, and a brief message so as to record their visit to the summit. Most of the guests were from Arkansas and the surrounding states, though several parties hailed from New England. Realizing I had more time to hike than expected, I consulted my map and decided to head south to the Mossback Trailhead and make a large loop around to the visitor's center.
While strolling along a dip in the Mossback Ridge Trail I noticed a rather interesting rock and paused to take a picture of it. As I stepped closer to the rock a Wild Turkey male burst from his hiding spot and flew swiftly down into a nearby hollow, away from my position. I admit that the encounter surprised me and I was unable to take a photo of the turkey because I was too engrossed with watching such a heavy-looking bird fly so swiftly.
At an intersection of trails, I opted to take the Greenfield Trail which connects the Mossback Ridge trail to the visitor's center. I reached the visitor's center and spoke with a local ranger for some time about Mt. Magazine, bears, and the erratic driving of some visitors. He informed me that the lodge found south of my campground offered numerous services, such as bike rentals, a restaurant, and Internet access for visitors.
I returned to my campsite via the North Rim Trail at around 8:30 pm, slightly later than I had anticipated. I prepared dinner, setup my groundcloth and sleeping bag, and settled in for the evening.
Location: Mount Magazine SP - Cameron Bluff/Signal Hill Trail - Corley,AR
Observation date: 4/18/09 Number of species: 9
Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo 1
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2
Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 2
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 2
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 12
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 2
Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis 1
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1
Photos (Numbered from top to bottom):
1) A view of the Scenic Byway (HWY-309) leading up Mount Magazine.
3) The campground I was assigned to.
4-6) Various photos of the overlook at Cameron Bluff.
7-10) Some photos illustrating the eerie hike along the Signal Hill Trail as well as a photo showing the summit.
11) Another photo illustrating how dense the clouds were over Mt. Magazine State Park.
12-15) Various photos taken along the North Rim Trail.
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