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.
The trailhead was a little over 100 miles from our house. It was a nice escape for our Saturday.
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.
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.
In wet season, this location isn’t accessible. It shows Melissa in the Natural Bridge.
The name, “Natural Bridge” make more since when you’re able to cross like we did here.
Melissa is just north of the Natural Bridge. In wet season this would be completely underwater.
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.
The trees and bluffs were breathtaking.
We were surprised to see this much vegetation in the middle of January. Just a reminder that Spring is just around the corner.
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.
