Lost Valley Trail

Brad

Brad

The Lost Valley Trail in Ponca, Arkansas is a beautiful short hike. It’s not strenuous and worth the trip. The well maintained trail will lead you to Cob Cave. If you follow the trail a short distance further, you can enter Eden Cave, and follow it back to Eden Falls. Since it’s January and we haven’t had a lot of rain or snow the waterfall wasn’t impressive. But, the rocks and bluffs are very cool. It would be a nice hike to revisit in the Spring.

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The trailhead was a little over 100 miles from our house. It was a nice escape for our Saturday.

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Our Poison Spyder Bumper made a perfect trail table for lunch. A pavilion, tables and grills are present on the grounds, but this was just as good.

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The Natural Bridge falls (more of a trickle this time of year) shoots out of a tunnel into a reflecting pool (shown above). The water typically cascades in the creek and in a couple of small canyons on the south side of the trail. The creek was dry, but we had fun climbing through the rock bed.

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In wet season, this location isn’t accessible. It shows Melissa in the Natural Bridge.

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The name, “Natural Bridge” make more since when you’re able to cross like we did here.

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Melissa is just north of the Natural Bridge. In wet season this would be completely underwater.

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There are a number of benches for resting and watching the wildlife. The park service estimates the round trip for a leisurely visit to be 2.5 hours for the 2.3 mile round trip. We are over prepared, but that’s how I roll.

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The trees and bluffs were breathtaking.

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We were surprised to see this much vegetation in the middle of January. Just a reminder that Spring is just around the corner.

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The Boxley Valley elk herd can be seen down the road from the trailhead.

Lost Valley Trail Directions

Head south out of Ponca, Arkansas 2 miles and follow the signs.

GPS

36.00787, -93.36625

Activities

Hiking, photography, wildlife watching. Camping was closed May 2011.

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