The East Fork Wilderness in Arkansas is a remote and rugged area characterized by dense forests, rocky bluffs, and scenic river valleys.
1. Eagle Creek Trail: This popular hiking trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and streams. Hikers can enjoy spotting wildlife and exploring the lush forests along the way.
2. Shining Rock Wilderness: This area is known for its unique rock formations and expansive views. Hikers can climb to the top of Shining Rock for a panoramic vista of the surrounding landscape.
3. Cold Mountain: Made famous by the novel and movie of the same name, Cold Mountain offers a challenging hike with rewarding views at the summit. The trail is a favorite among experienced hikers looking for a strenuous trek.
4. Waterfalls: The East Fork Wilderness is home to several beautiful waterfalls, including Schoolhouse Falls and Courthouse Falls. These cascades are popular spots for picnicking and photography.
5. Black Balsam Knob: This iconic peak offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Hikers can enjoy a relatively easy trek to the summit, making it a popular destination for all skill levels.
6. Camping: The East Fork Wilderness offers several designated camping areas for visitors looking to spend the night in the great outdoors. Campers can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and starry nights in this remote wilderness area.
Description: American beech forest along the East Fork Martins Creek, Northampton County, within the Minsi Lake Wilderness Area. Beeches retain much of their dead foliage through the winter, adding much-appreciated texture and color to the otherwise barren woods. The leaf colors range from pale yellow-orange to deep orange.
Image by Nicholas A. Tonelli from Northeast Pennsylvania, USA – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Mixed hardwoods (mostly American beeches and sweet birches) along the East Fork Martins Creek, Northampton County, within the Minsi Lake Wilderness Area. Beeches retain much of their dead foliage through the winter, adding much-appreciated texture and color to the otherwise barren woods. The leaf colors range from pale yellow-orange to deep orange.
Image by Nicholas A. Tonelli from Northeast Pennsylvania, USA – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Fork in Wilderness Lane Wilderness Wood is to the right.
Image by Jonathan Billinger – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Road fork and 'fault' on Wilderness Lane
Image by Dave Spicer – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: The Blitzen River Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is located 60 miles south of Burns (less than 1 mile south of Frenchglen), in Harney County, Oregon. The northwestern edge of the WSA is adjacent to Oregon State Highway 205. The WSA is irregularly shaped and contains 31,902 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The area is approximately 10 miles from north to south and 7 miles from east to west. The WSAs boundary line is formed by a variety of features. On the north, most of the boundary line is formed by the northern portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road which is a high standard gravel road. Private land, a portion of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and a small segment of Oregon State Highway 205 form the remainder of the northern boundary line. A portion of the eastern boundary line lies adjacent to private land and public lands. The Steens Mountain Wilderness boundary, which coincides with the Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River corridor boundary also forms part of the eastern boundary. On the south, the boundary line is formed by the southern portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road, several other BLM roads, and several parcels of private land. The western boundary line generally follows a powerline, although a parcel of private land also occurs on this side of the area. All boundary roads, with the exception of the Steens Mountain Loop Road and Oregon State Highway 205 are low standard roads. The WSA is a rolling, sloping, high desert plateau. The area contains a variety of topographic features, ranging from the dominant features of the Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River Canyon, to the rolling open grasslands on the western side. Wild horses seen in this WSA are from the South Steens Herd Management Area. The WSA was initially studied under Section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). Lands added after the wilderness inventory were studied under Section 202, also of FLPMA. These areas were included in the final Oregon Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement filed in February 1990. <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-washington" rel="nofollow">www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-w...</a>
Image by Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington from Portland, America – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The Blitzen River Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is located 60 miles south of Burns (less than 1 mile south of Frenchglen), in Harney County, Oregon. The northwestern edge of the WSA is adjacent to Oregon State Highway 205. The WSA is irregularly shaped and contains 31,902 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The area is approximately 10 miles from north to south and 7 miles from east to west. The WSAs boundary line is formed by a variety of features. On the north, most of the boundary line is formed by the northern portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road which is a high standard gravel road. Private land, a portion of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and a small segment of Oregon State Highway 205 form the remainder of the northern boundary line. A portion of the eastern boundary line lies adjacent to private land and public lands. The Steens Mountain Wilderness boundary, which coincides with the Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River corridor boundary also forms part of the eastern boundary. On the south, the boundary line is formed by the southern portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road, several other BLM roads, and several parcels of private land. The western boundary line generally follows a powerline, although a parcel of private land also occurs on this side of the area. All boundary roads, with the exception of the Steens Mountain Loop Road and Oregon State Highway 205 are low standard roads. The WSA is a rolling, sloping, high desert plateau. The area contains a variety of topographic features, ranging from the dominant features of the Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River Canyon, to the rolling open grasslands on the western side. The WSA was initially studied under Section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). Lands added after the wilderness inventory were studied under Section 202, also of FLPMA. These areas were included in the final Oregon Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement filed in February 1990. <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-washington" rel="nofollow">www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-w...</a>
Image by Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington from Portland, America – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The Blitzen River Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is located 60 miles south of Burns (less than 1 mile south of Frenchglen), in Harney County, Oregon. The northwestern edge of the WSA is adjacent to Oregon State Highway 205. The WSA is irregularly shaped and contains 31,902 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The area is approximately 10 miles from north to south and 7 miles from east to west. The WSAs boundary line is formed by a variety of features. On the north, most of the boundary line is formed by the northern portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road which is a high standard gravel road. Private land, a portion of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and a small segment of Oregon State Highway 205 form the remainder of the northern boundary line. A portion of the eastern boundary line lies adjacent to private land and public lands. The Steens Mountain Wilderness boundary, which coincides with the Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River corridor boundary also forms part of the eastern boundary. On the south, the boundary line is formed by the southern portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road, several other BLM roads, and several parcels of private land. The western boundary line generally follows a powerline, although a parcel of private land also occurs on this side of the area. All boundary roads, with the exception of the Steens Mountain Loop Road and Oregon State Highway 205 are low standard roads. The WSA is a rolling, sloping, high desert plateau. The area contains a variety of topographic features, ranging from the dominant features of the Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River Canyon, to the rolling open grasslands on the western side. The WSA was initially studied under Section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). Lands added after the wilderness inventory were studied under Section 202, also of FLPMA. These areas were included in the final Oregon Wilderness Environmental Impact Statement filed in February 1990. <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-washington" rel="nofollow">www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-w...</a>
Image by Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington from Portland, America – Public domain – Wikimedia