Activity

Mount Nebo Bench Trail and side trips

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Author

ar_kayaker
200 31 193
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Trail stats

Distance
5.15 mi
Elevation gain
2,641 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
2,963 ft
Max elevation
1,707 ft
TrailRank 
23
Min elevation
937 ft
Trail type
Loop
Coordinates
659
Uploaded
April 6, 2010
Recorded
April 2010
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near Mount Nebo, Arkansas (United States)

Viewed 1401 times, downloaded 6 times

Itinerary description

This track includes the main loop of the Bench Trail at Mt. Nebo state park as well as two of the connector trails between the Bench Trail and the Rim trail and also a short spur downslope to Varnall Springs. The Bench Trail itself is open to mountain bikes and horses but I've seen bikes on the trail only rarely and never horses.

Waypoints

PictographHiking Altitude 0 ft

375 Steps

The bottom of the Nebo Steps connector trail. This steep trail section consisits of 375 stone "stairs" covering more than 300' of altitude gain over less than .1 miles of trail.

PictographCampsite Altitude 1,503 ft

Campsites 1-3

Three of the "hike-in" campsites along the bench trail.

PictographCampsite Altitude 1,425 ft

Campsites 5-10

A short side loop leads to the five most accessible of the hike-in campsites between here and the fourway intersection

PictographHiking Altitude 1,359 ft

Gum Springs Connector Trail

This trail leads upwards past some impressive rock outcropings and a spledid seasonal waterfall to the Gum Springs Parking area.

PictographCar park Altitude 1,693 ft

Gum Springs Parking

The upper end of the Gum Springs trail where is it intersects the Rim Trail.

PictographHiking Altitude 1,543 ft

Four Way Intersection

The trail circling up the side of the mountain from here to sunset point is the primary access for mountain bikes and horses and the trail downhill leads back to the campsite loop for tent sites 5-10.

PictographHiking Altitude 1,615 ft

Intersection with Rim Trail

A short walk along the Rim Trail returns you to the visitor center.

PictographMountain Bike Altitude 1,716 ft

Mountain Bike Access

Entry point to the Bench Trail for bikes and horses.

PictographHiking Altitude 1,420 ft

Nebo Springs Loop

A very short side loop drops breifly below the trail to Nebo Springs.

PictographHiking Altitude 0 ft

Nebo Springs Trail

Not as steep as the Nebo Steps this is another of the Rim-to-Bench connector trails.

PictographHiking Altitude 0 ft

Nebo Steps

A steep winding "stairway" connecting the Rim and Bench trails.

PictographPanorama Altitude 1,417 ft

Overlook Parking

This pull-off is used mainly by people who stop to walk out on the deck for the veiw but can also be used as an access point to the trail.

PictographCar park Altitude 1,413 ft

Parking Area

Used mostly by overnight campers heading for campsites 1-3.

PictographCar park Altitude 1,693 ft

Summit Park Trail

Parking for the upper end of the Summit Park Trail loop.

PictographHiking Altitude 1,349 ft

Summit Trail connector

A short trail that connects to the lower end of the Summit Park Trail, a smaller loop that explores the side of the mountain and a few CCC sites.

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,323 ft

Varnall Springs

Seasonal spring.

PictographHiking Altitude 1,451 ft

Varnall Springs Connector

One of several connector trails to the Rim Trail, but the only one without parking near the upper end.

PictographHiking Altitude 0 ft

Varnall Springs Spur

Short spur trail down to Varnall Springs, another wet-weather spring ass well as a seasonal waterfall a short distance above the spring.

PictographFountain Altitude 0 ft

Visitor Center

Mt Nebo State Park Visitor Center; Food, drinks and gifts.

Comments

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