Hike To Home Valley & Tea Table Rock
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Early Saturday morning found me once again on the road, headed over to renowned hiking guide Alf Carter's place. He had invited me to take a hike with him to Home Valley Bluff, and Tea Table Rock. Alf told me many have heard about Tea Table Rock, but few know where it is. Fortunately, Alf is one of them. His knowledge of the Arkansas Ozark mountains and his expertise in finding just the right path, are extraordinary.
We started our hike around 8:30 in the morning, which made for a very nice hike. We had to bushwack our way there, since there are no formal trails to the bluff. It was mostly down in the beginning, and then leveled out for a bit. It was fun just to walk under the trees and listen to the wildlife chatter amongst themselves. I managed to get a picture of where we where hiking to (above) through the trees. |
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Once we arrived at Home Valley Bluff, Alf made straight for Tea Table Rock where he and I both climbed out and stood (Alf, since he is much braver than I) or sat (me) on the rock formation and gazed out into the Big Piney Watershed, and the valley far, far below.
Home Valley is a box-like canyon and once we were done climbing around Tea Table Rock, we took a long hike to the far point of the Bluff. It was a least a mile, but Alf knew of an animal trail that made the hike relatively easy for us. The wind was blowing quite hard once we arrived at the point, and made the stay there very nice. I am always amazed that Alf walks along the tops of the rocks, close to the edge, but then again, he is a climber also, and used to that.
Once we got there, we stopped for a break, and refreshments. Alf remarked that he had done a fair bit of rock climbing here, and even camped out on the bluff several times. Given the vertical nature of this place, I could see that it would make an ideal place for rock climbers.
Home Valley is a box-like canyon and once we were done climbing around Tea Table Rock, we took a long hike to the far point of the Bluff. It was a least a mile, but Alf knew of an animal trail that made the hike relatively easy for us. The wind was blowing quite hard once we arrived at the point, and made the stay there very nice. I am always amazed that Alf walks along the tops of the rocks, close to the edge, but then again, he is a climber also, and used to that.
Once we got there, we stopped for a break, and refreshments. Alf remarked that he had done a fair bit of rock climbing here, and even camped out on the bluff several times. Given the vertical nature of this place, I could see that it would make an ideal place for rock climbers.