Natural Beauty and a few pests...

View of Arkansas River from top of Petit Jean Mountain

Except for a few trips through Arkansas and then a brief stay in Hot Springs almost two years ago when we were on our way back from the east coast, David and I have not really explored this state.  As soon as we crossed the state line we stopped at an information center to get some ideas about where we were going.  Like with all the other states we have traveled, you never realize how much there is until you start looking around.  Once again it seemed like we would not have time to do it all.

Top of Cedar Falls, Petit Jean State Park

Cedar Falls

 

Both of us were in the mood for some of that famed Arkansas ‘natural beauty’ and a few quiet, lazy days to enjoy after the past hectic months of visiting and volunteering in Texas.  So we opted for a week in Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’s first state park and a lovely mountain setting with spectacular views, waterfalls, spring fed streams and unmarred woods.

Along the Cedar Creek National Recreation Trail

A sad but sweet little story gives this state park its name.  Back in the days of the French exploration of the new world, a young French nobleman named Chavet was off to explore America.  His fiancé wanted to wed before the trip so she could accompany him, but Chavet refused fearing for her safety on the journey but promising they would wed when he returned.  The girl had her own ideas though and applied to the ship’s captain disguised as a boy.  She became a cabin boy on the voyage to America.  Her disguise was very good as no one recognized her and the sailors called her ‘Petit Jean’ or little John.

'Natural Beauty'

 

Near the end of their time in the New World, the expedition left the ship at the mouth of the Mississippi River and journeyed inland up the Arkansas River.  There they spent the summer with a friendly Indian tribe who lived atop a mountain.  As the expedition was readying to leave Petit Jean became very ill with a fever and convulsions.  During her delirium her identity was discovered.  Realizing she would not make it back to France she asked to spend her last hours on the mountain top.  She died at sundown the next day and was buried on the mountain that was later named, Petit Jean.  Many years later a low mound of earth with perfectly fitted stones atop it was found in a cove on the east point of the mountain.  It was agreed that the grave was very old and was most likely that of Petit Jean.

Davies Bridge built by the CCC

That is the story of how the park was named but the rest of the story, as with so many of our nation’s national and state parks, lies with the Civilian Conservation Corps.  The trails, several stone bridges plus most of Petit Jean’s buildings were built by the CCC including the visitor center and the beautiful Mather Lodge, named after Stephen Mather, Arkansas native and first head of the National Park service.

Natural Arch on Seven Hollows Trail

Entering the first 'Hollow' on the Seven Hollows Trail

 

Among the several hikes we took in the park, three were designated National Recreation Trails:  the Cedar Falls Trail, the Cedar Creek Trail and the Seven Hollows Trail.  The trails were lush green following bubbling streams and winding through deep forests.  We loved the verdant beauty and that wonderful green smell.  The geology was also interesting - sandstone formations crisscrossed by fractures which were later filled by quartz crystals or iron deposits.



 

We made a little excursion outside the park one day.  We just couldn’t help ourselves as there was a wilderness area only a few miles away.  A beautiful drive on a mostly dirt road took us to Pinnacle Point where the view of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains was fantastic.  We then hiked a several miles into the Flatside Wilderness on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.  The wilderness was so quiet and we didn’t see anyone on the trail, the classic definition of wilderness – a place where people are only visitors.

View from Pinnacle Point

Dayflowers

 

Alas, all was not perfect.  There was one big downside and a couple of smaller ones to all this paradise.  POISON IVY and ticks and chiggers.  Perhaps not lions and tigers and bears but fearsome all the same.  A few of the trails were so overgrown with poison ivy that there was no way to avoid it except to turn back (which we did a few times).  Poor Maya never got to be off lead and her feet and underside got a good washing every day.  So far, no one has broken out in a rash and the ticks and chiggers were found quickly and dealt with. 

Pioneer Cabin

As the week progressed, the humidity and warmer days started to be a factor adding a constant 'glow' to our hikes.  That combined with the poison ivy put a bit of a damper on our hiking mileage but then we had a little more time to read and enjoy the afternoon rains.   All in all, it was a wonderful time and Petit Jean and the Ouachita Mountains were well worth the visit.  
 

Black Rat Snake along the Cedar Creek Trail
As we came along the snake decided to go tree climbing

Snakes climb amazing well

David’s Stats:

Days Hiked:   5

Rain Days:      3  
Total Miles Hiked:   17.88  
Miles of Poison Ivy:  17.53 
Ave. Miles per Day:      3.58
Total Elevation Gain:     2,821
Ave. Elevation Gain per day:   564