OHT to Slot Rock/Bear Skull/Sunset/Discovery Falls

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Photo ofOHT to Slot Rock/Bear Skull/Sunset/Discovery Falls

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ar_kayaker

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Trail stats

Distance: 6.65 mi
Elevation gain: 3,750 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 3,717 ft
Max elevation: 1,663 ft
TrailRank: 30
Min elevation: 940 ft
Trail type: One Way

Time: 4 hours 59 minutes
Coordinates: 1084
Uploaded: March 5, 2011
Recorded: February 2011

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near Garber, Arkansas (United States)

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Itinerary description

Depending on how much bushwacking you want to do this hike can range from moderate to very difficult.

You follow the Ozark Highlands Trail from where it crosses County Road 5671 down the side of the mountain to a logging road just before the OHT crosses a feeder for Little Piney Creek. Along the way you'll pass Bear Skull Falls and several un-named falls.

Follow the logging road upstream about 1/4 mile to Slot Rock Falls, a popular swimming hole in the heat of summer. This ends the "moderate" part of the hike.

A short distance past Slot Rock the logging road crosses the creek and you have a choice of crossing, scrambling along the near side, or bushwacking up a steep slope to get over the ridge to the next set of falls. The posted trail works along the bank before bouldering up the next valley to Sunset and Discovery Falls, returning over the ridge. Getting to the Falls involves much scrambling over loose rock on steep slopes with lots of downed trees, but can be rewarding if there have been recent rains. The track actually only includes a visit to Lower Discovery. Upper Discovery will involve finding a way to scale 15' or so of bluff or looping further around the bluff line to the Northeast and finding another way up.

Waypoints

Alt Parking and Camp

This is a small area used by campers with enough room to park several cars and a large fire-ring from previous campers. You can bushwack down to the OHT or walk down the road a few dozen yards to where it crosses.

Bear Skull Falls

The largest of the waterfalls along the feeder creeks running beside the OHT. A blue blazed spur trail leads to the bottom.

Sunset Falls

You have to scramble half-way up the hill to the base of the bluff to reach the pool at the bottom of the falls, but it's a beautiful place for a picnic.

Lower Discovery Falls

This series of cascades is very scenic and much more accessible that the Upper falls for those who've had enough of the rough bushwacking. Persons traveling onward from here should use extreme caution.