OZARK MOUNTAINS WHITE & BUFFALO RIVER ADVENTURE

Overview

Nestled deep within north central Arkansas’ wild heart, you’ll find a rising star in the mountain bike cosmos. Recently, the 1.2-million acre Ozark National Forest introduced what’s known as the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail System.

Composed of 95% singletrack, the 50-mile long Syllamo Trail offers one of the best mountain bike circuits in the entire Southeast. On top of that, there’s nothing quite like the unique Arkansas wilderness experience.

Surrounded by temperate rainforest, the Ozarks symbolize the most extensive highland region between the Appalachians and the Rockies. They have long been cherished by all manner of users: from thru-hikers to traditional outdoor folk. Impressive spring-blooms, wide-spanning limestone caves, and abundant wildlife have drawn many to the region.

West of Mount Olive and the White River, we put knobby tires to rolling razorback hills. We climb beneath lengthy-dense canopies of oak, hickory and pine. Gaining 958-ft of elevation, we peak out at 2100-ft, afforded impressive panoramas from atop the backbone of the Southeast. But that’s only half the payoff. The Syllamo gives and gives, offering refreshing breaks in swimming holes ever present along the 300-mile long White River. Big springs, chalky white bluffs and rolling water give way to sweet offshoots: 11.8 mile Scrappy Mountain, so named for its 18% maximum grade of ten-degrees, steep pitches and tiers of granite chock a blocks.

Riding the lush and misty mountains of central Arkansas is only the first act in a narrative defined by grand adventure. Once the bikes are stowed, we haul out the canoes. Taking to the White River, we paddle beneath limestone highlands and interpret the splendor of dense green canopies on America’s very first national scenic river.

Then we go underground, exploring the world-renowned Blanchard Springs Caverns. An elaborate three-tiered cave system, Blanchard is named for the source that feeds its lengthy drips and wide seeps. A Forest Service guided tour takes us through this fantastic, mineral-rich netherworld.

After embracing our inner spelunker, honing both canoe and cycling skills, we enjoy the delightfully down-home hospitality of Mountain View, the folk music capital of the world.

Day 1: After a meet-up in Little Rock, the state capital, we shuttle two hours to Mountain View: the “folk music capital”. Set deep in the highlands of Northwest Arkansas—part of the Ozark Plateau—Mountain View (pop. 2800) represents the cradle of Ozark mountain culture: from traditional-rural music to BBQ to river life. Founded in 1870, much of Mountain View’s original structures were built with local stone from the nearby Blue Mountains. As the evenings warm, local musicians gather in the town square, performing folk and bluegrass long into the night. After lunch in Mountain View, we commence a short shuttle to The Syllamo Trail System. Just south of Mount Olive, within the 130,000-acre St. Francis-Ozark National Forest, Syllamo encompasses 50-miles of networked singletrack. Now consider the touts. Arguably the premier mountain bike trail system in the Southern U.S., Syllamo was named one of Outside Magazine’s Top 20 Outdoor Destinations. Moreover, Syllamo can also lay claim to IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Epic Ride status, one of only 37 trails to gain the designation. Kicking it off, we lock onto the Bald Scrappy Loop. As Mountain View offers a lively if unparalleled introduction to mountain culture, Bald Scrappy does likewise to backcountry Ozark cycling. From the trailhead at Green Mountain, we’ll range seven-miles over moderately challenging if lightly traveled backwoods singletrack. Climbing 927-ft while descending 916-ft, 22% of Bald Scrappy is raked at 12-degrees. A la the gripping drama seen in recent Ozark noir films and TV series, expect some Southern Goth type technical stretches mixed with fast and short downhill and buffed-out straights. In terms of atmospherics or extracurricular, all throughout we’re immersed in the gorgeous visage and soothing vibe of the White River. Further contrasts on Bald Scrappy are lent by wildflowers, giant mushrooms, Cedar and Loblolly Pine. The latter, also known as Indian, North Carolina or Arkansas pine, can reach 115-ft. One Arkansas Loblolly is thought to be 300-years old. Apollo 14 astronauts brought Loblolly seeds to the moon; then planted them at different undisclosed locations upon their return. Closing out our first taste of the Ozarks on this cornerstone trail, we double back to Mountain View. Then settle in to a mountain music jam session at the town square.

Day 2: The deeper you go, the greater the experience. That’s the animating notion behind today’s enterprise, locking onto the Branch Loop. An all-day classic, Branch Loop covers between 19.5 and 23-miles (depending on tack-ons’ and detours). Half pleasantly agreeable/non-technical, Branch Loop’s other half personifies the term rock and roller. Reaching 990-ft at its zenith, Branch Loop’s profile climbs 2372-ft, contrasted with 2454-ft of descent. Fast and dense, lush and misty, this is where local razorbacks and discerning bikers from all over the South come to get their groove on. Today we’ll carve out three connecting loops: a trifecta of scintillating singletrack. With each ascent, the views of the Blue Mountains, a sub-range of the Ozarks become ever more profound. Of course you can do as little or as much riding as you wish with your two highly experienced Escape adventures trip leaders leading the way. Departing the trail, we retire to Mountain View. Time permitting; we stop for a dip in the White River, soothing limbs and joints in no less than a world-class trout fishery. Browns north of 30-lbs, as well as 18-19-lb Rainbows loom beneath the 720-mile long White River’s towering limestone bluffs.

Day 3: Today it’s a swap of pedals for paddles. After a 75-minute shuttle to St. Joe, Arkansas, a real charmer of a recreation destination, we reach the dazzling Buffalo National Scenic River. A 95,00-acre expanse of undammed river—among a rare few in the Lower 48—the 120-mile Buffalo provides habitat for elk, deer and Black bear. Its whitewater and calmer stretches sweep past canyons layered in sandstone and limestone, only to pause in contemplative sections: those defined by natural springs, caves and natural bridges. Passing great stands of Willow, Sycamore and River Birch, we’ll canoe the section between Baker Ford and Gilbert, a 19^th century settlement turned Arkansas’ smallest municipality (pop 28). This 10-mile paddle trip is as easy on the eyes as it is feature rich. From the water, we’ll take in and interpret historical structures, unique landscape features, not to mention regional artifacts. At Tyler’s Bend—a wonderfully low-key National Park Service visitors center—you can choose to kickback and sunbathe on the riverbank, or indulge in a two-mile hike. Reaching a 440-ft bluff overlooking the Buffalo River, the trail opens onto the truly picturesque Collier Homestead. Closing out a four-and-a-half to five-hour cruise, our day on the water ends at Gilbert. Founded in 1902, Gilbert answers to “best location on the Buffalo River”, by virtue of its broad sand and gravel bar beyond town. Town being a general store, its façade faded red brick over a corrugated tin, plus a sweet, honky tonk café. In lieu of a valet, or parking attendant, we’re met instead by any one of Gilbert’s local dogs, resting in the shade. Shuttling back to Mountain View, we’ll enjoy a dinner that showcases authentic Arkansas cuisine.

Day 4: Returning to the saddle today, we’ll engage the northern end of 1047-ft Scrappy Mountain. From a variety of vantage points, the aforementioned trail lends great optics onto the North Syllamo Creek Valley. The majority of those riders who’ve posted rate Scrappy 4.5-5-star quality. From Meta to not quite micro, while a fair portion of the 11.8-mile trail is punctuated by small to medium-sized rocks, one can expect more than a number of outcroppings; the type with which to hone skills, or navigate for thrills. Forasmuch, those who like it on the rocks will absolutely dig Stairway to Heaven: something of an earthen escalator characterized by staggered capstone or thick slabs. Peaking out at 935-ft, the Scrappy Mountain trail gains 1324-ft of elevation with 1322-ft of drop; about 18% of which is pitched at a ten degree maximum grade. Considered the most technical asset in Syllamo’s portfolio, this standout singletrack nonetheless packs rather reasonable climbs into a succession of rippin’ descents as well as offers the less technically inclined ridders optional riding on tamer trails. After a hearty trailside lunch, the rest of the day is yours to: I) continue riding; II) take five in Mountain View; III) or swim the White River.

Day 5: Just as the White River represents a little-known if magnificent trout fishery, so does the Blanchard Springs Cavern system meet the measure of world-class spelunking. Located 14-miles north of Mountain View, within the Ozark National Forest, the Blanchard Springs Caverns were shaped, and continually altered, by a mountain spring. The latter pours forth—at a constant 58-degrees—from Mirror Lake, called “the prettiest three acres in all of Arkansas”. In a gorgeous thrush, the water cascades from the trout pond-sized lake, over the top of a low dam: an equally humble if handsome stone catchment built by the CCC in the 1930s. Prior to our subterranean experience, we’ll take in a short film. Matching the array and feature options of the aboveground Syllamo network, Blanchard Springs offers three different underground realms. Though the degree of intensity varies from one to the other, the constant is fantastic, truly out-of-this-world formations: from mesmerizing stalactites and stalagmites, hollow soda straws up to massive flowstones. One cavern, the size of three football fields, is believed to be 350-million years old. Today, you can go with either the less strenuous Cave Tour, or scale up to the Wild Cave Tour. The all-inclusive Cave Tour features dramatically lit sections that ultimately resolve into smaller rooms, then XS caves; all skill levels welcome. Conversely, The Wild Cave Tour comes as advertised: three to four hours of climbing, crawling and pushing through an undeveloped cavern section. If you relish the intimacy of tight spaces, and a red clay mudslide, meet your match. Bear in mind, this tour has certain protocols: I) good physical shape; II) sturdy boots; III) no dirt issues or aversions; IV) age ten and up. Spoiler alert: The Wild Cave tour climaxes at The Titans, an assembly of slender columns, as tall as they are spectacular. Leaving the fantastic underworld beneath the Ozarks, we shuttle back to Little Rock. En route we might cite our favorite song by an Arkansas native son: be it Johnny Cash, Glenn Campbell, Charlie Rich, Al Green, Conway Twitty, Sonny Burgess to Sonny Boy Williamson.

Activities

This Trip is Rated Fitness Levels 2-4 and Technical Levels 2-5

Daily Activities

Day	Activity	Easy		Moderate		Seasoned
		Miles	Feet Gain	Miles	Feet Gain	Miles	Feet Gain
Day 1	Mountain Biking			Moderate: 7.4 Miles	954 Ft. Gain
Day 2	Mountain Biking	Easy: 1.9 Miles	370 Ft. Gain	Moderate: 7.6 Miles	980 Ft. Gain	Seasoned: 23 Miles	2350 Ft. Gain
Day 3	Canoeing	10 Miles
	Hiking	2 Miles
Day 4	Mountain Biking	Easy: 2 Miles	332 Ft. Gain	Moderate: 16.8 Miles	2164 Ft. Gain
Day 5	Caving	4-5 Hours