>>> WHILE EXPLORING ARKANSAS I HAVE ALL BEEN ASKED WELL WHAT ARE MY FAVORITE PLACES IN THE STATE?

I'M GONNA SHOW THEM TO YOU.

MY TOP TEN FAVORITE PLACES IN THE STATE BEGINNING HERE IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER IN GENTRY AS WE TAKE YOU THROUGH THE WILD WILDERNESS DRIVE-THROUGH SAFARI.

IF YOU CAN'T GO TO AFRICA ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI, THEN THIS IS THE NEXT BEST THING.

♪ THIS FIVE-MILE SAFARI ROUTE WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH 180 ACRES OF NATURAL LANDSCAPE THAT EVEN LOOKS LIKE AFRICA.

YOU'LL GET TO EXPERIENCE 85 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF EXOTIC ANIMALS, MANY OF WHICH ARE FREE ROAMING, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL TO SAY A BISON.

YEAH.

KIND OF STRANGE FEELING HOW YOU COME UP HERE IN THE WINDOW.

AND TO THINK THAT ALL OF THIS BEGAN AS A SMALL FAMILY DAIRY FARM.

ROSS WILMOTH JUNIOR TOLD US THE STORY OF HIS PARENTS FARM.

>> LATE '50s THEY OPERATED A DAIRY.

AND THEY HAD ALSO HAD BULL DOZERS.

AND IN THE EARLY '60s MOM BOUGHT DAD A PAIR OF BUFFALO FOR CHRISTMAS, AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

AND I GUESS THAT GAVE HIM THE FEVER.

THE FEVER FOR WILD LIFE.

HE ALWAYS ENJOYED CHICKENS OR FARM ANIMALS, BUT AFTER THAT, BOUGHT SOME ELK AND THEN MORE BUFFALO.

FIRST THING WE KNEW HE HAD THEM.

THEN WE GOT SOME TIGERS.

THEN IN THE LATE '60s HE HAD MESSED UP AT THE EXPENSES OF TAKING CARE OF THEM.

WE HAD TO OPEN UP.

AND LATE '60s, RIGHT AROUND 70, WE HAD AN HONOR SYSTEM.

JUST PUT A CAN OUT THERE AND IF PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY HAD A GOOD TIME, THEY DROPPED IN A FEW QUARTERS OR DOLLARS, WHATEVER THEY FELT LIKE THP PEN AS IT GREW, WE KIND OF HAD TO MAKE A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS OUT OF IT.

BUT, THEY JUST KEPT ADDING ANIMALS.

RIGHT NOW WE BUY VERY FEW ANIMALS.

WE RAISE NEARLY EVERYTHING HERE NOW.

AND WE CONTINUE TO RAISE EVERYTHING NOW.

>> ROSS SAYS THERE'S NO TELLING HOW MANY ANIMALS ARE ON THE 180 ACHERS.

HE ESTIMATES BETWEEN 4,000 AND 5,000.

>> ALL THE MIDDLE ANIMALS AND THERE'S SEVERAL KANGAROOS.

BETWEEN 4,000 AND 5,000 ANIMALS AT ALL TIMES.

IT'S 24/7 JOB.

WE TAKE REAL GOOD CARE OF THE ANIMALS.

YOU CAN GO ANYPLACE OR ASK ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ANIMALS, OUR ANIMALS ARE ALWAYS FAT.

AN OLD COW MAN TOLD ME ONE TIME THAT YOU CAN'T STARVE A DIME OUT OF A COW.

THESE ANIMALS ARE THE SAME WAY.

YOU GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> ON THIS SAFARI, YOU'LL SEE ALMOST EVERY KIND OF ANIMAL THAT YOU FIND ON AN ACTUAL AFRICAN SAFARI.

>> WE BASICALLY GOT EVERYTHING EXCEPT AN ELEPHANT, AND HERE PROBABLY STARTING OCTOBER WE'LL GET LOT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS IN SOME KIND OF PHOTO CLASS OR SOMETHING THAT WE GET.

IT'S NOT GREAT SKILL OR HIGH SCHOOL.

WE DO A LOT WITH THE U OF A AND THEIR STUDENTS COMING OUT.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING FOR A PICTURE OR PROJECT OR SOMETHING.

>> ANY DAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TAKE THE WILD WILDERNESS DRIVE THROUGH SAFARIES IF IT'S OPEN EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE YEAR.

>> EVERYTHING HAS TO BE SEEN EVERY DAY.

WE'RE OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR.

WE LOOK AT ANIMALS FIRST THING EVERY DAY AND LAST THING EVERY NIGHT.

WE'LL DRIVE THROUGH OR GO THROUGH AND CHECK THE MONKEYS.

BUT WITH THIS MANY ANIMALS, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING, SOMETHING TO TAKE CARE FOR SOMETHING TO DO.

>> WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE?

>> THE BLACK BUCK ANTELOPE WOULD BE MY FAVORITE ANIMAL.

REAL ATHLETIC.

THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF GRACE, WHETHER THEY'RE JUMPING OR RUNNING.

MY LEAST FAVORITE IS THE MONKEYS.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE SMARTER THAN ME, A LOT OF THEM.

I LIKE THAT.

>> AND I LIKE MONKEYS.

ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL.

COME SEE WHAT YOU LIKE AT THE WILD WILDERNESS DRIVE THROUGH SAFARI IN GENTRY.

NUMBER NINE ON OUR LIST IS WAR EAGLE MILL AND WAR EAGLE BRIDGE EAST OF RODGERS IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS.

COMING HERE IS LIKE STEPPING INTO THE PAGES OF A STORY BOOK.

IN FACT I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF TOM SAWYER AND HUCK FINN CAME WALKING DOWN THE BRIDGE AT ANY MOMENT.

THINGS ARE STILL DONE HERE THE WAY THEY WERE DONE ABOUT 170 YEARS AGO.

DRIVING ACROSS THIS OLD STEEL BRIDGE IS LIKE ENTERING A PORTAL AND GOING INTO A TIME WARP.

>> THINGS ARE STILL DONE THE SAME WAY.

THEY'RE STILL VERY MUCH A HUB OF OUR WAR EAGLE COMMUNITY.

STILL A GATHERING PLACE.

WE ARE CENTRAL HUNDRED, JUST AS IT WAS 150 YEARS AGO.

>> WHAT YOU WILL FIND WHEN YOU VISIT WAR EAGLE MILL IS THE PIONEERING SPIRIT OF OUR FOREFATHERS AND THE MILLERS WHO BROWN THE GRANGE FOR THE DAILY TABLE DURING THE 1800s.

ACCORDING TO LEGEND THE EARLIEST SETTLERS DECIDED TO NAME THIS BEAUTIFUL STREAM AFTER THE SON OF A CHEROKEE CHIEF WHOSE NAME WAS WAR EAGLE AND WHO DIED ALONG THE RIVER BANK.

SYLVANUS AND CATHERINE BLACKBURN FOUNDED WAR EAGLE AFTER HOMESTEADING 160 ACRES HERE IN THE EARLY 1830s.

BY 1838 THEY BUILT THE FIRST MILL.

>> IT OPERATED FROM TEN YEARS.

IT WENT, THE MILL AND THE MILL DAM WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS THERE.

EVERY BIT OF IT WASHED AWAY.

IT HAD BEEN VERY GOOD TO MR. BLACKBURN.

CAME IN PROMPTLY AND REBUILT.

SECOND MILL LASTED UNTIL THE CIVIL WAR.

IN 1862, THE ARMY DESTROYED IT, BURNED IT.

THE UNION ARMY USED IT.

HIS YOUNGEST SON, WHO HAD BEEN A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER, CAME BACK AFTER THE WAR IN 1873.

HE REBUILT THE MILL AGAIN.

THIRD PERSON.

HE INSTALLED A WATER TURBINE INSTEAD OF A WATER WHEEL.

AND IT PROVIDED ENOUGH ADDITIONAL POWER THAT AS WELL AS OPERATING THE MILL, HAD A SAW MILL OUT THERE.

THE PARKING LOT TODAY WAS ALL PART OF THE SAW MILL.

AND THAT MILL WITHOUT ANY FLOOD AR WAR LASTED 51 YEARS AN BURNED IN AN ACCIDENTAL FIRE IN 1944.

>> THE CURRENT MILL IS A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE 1873 MILL.

THE PROCESS ITSELF IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS FLIPPING A SWITCH.

>> THE FIRST THING WE DO IN THE MORNING, REASSEMBLE THE MILL, CLEANING IT, BUT NOT BEFORE.

IF WE OPEN OUR CONTROL GATE OUTSIDE, TO ALLOW WATER IN TO START ROTATING THE WATER WHEELS.

WE LET THAT RUN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO WARM UP THE BASEMENT.

THAT BELT IS ABOUT 20, 24 FEET LONG, ABOUT A FOOT WIDE.

GETS HALF OF IT STAYS ALL NIGHT AND GETS REALLY COLD.

SO WE HAVE TO WARM IT UP BEFORE WE TRY TO GET THE WATER THROUGH THE WATER WHEEL OR THE BELT WILL SKIP AND SPIN.

KNOCK THE STUFF OFF THE SHELF UPSTAIRS.

SO WE WARM IT UP EVERY MORNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

THEN WE ENGAGE THE HAND CLUTCH OVER THERE.

ACTUALLY ENGAGES THE MILL THROUGH THE WATER WHEEL.

AGAIN, YOU DON'T JUST SNAP THAT IN.

YOU HAVE TO SLOWLY APPLY PRESSURE AND LET THE MILL START TURNING.

HAVE TO GET UP ALMOST OPERATIONAL SPEED BEFORE YOU CAN ACTUALLY SNAP IT IN.

AND THEN WE'RE READY TO GO.

AT LEAST WE GOT POWER AND GOT OUR MILL RUNNING.

>> THIS ENTIRE SETTING, WITH THE MILL, THE RIVER AND THE BRIDGE IS A SPECIAL PLACE TO MANY PEOPLE FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

>> I SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT WAR EAGLE.

PAINTED.

PAINTED THE MILL FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE.

COME HERE TO EAT QUITE A BIT.

AND THE WAR EAGLE FAIR ONE YEAR.

THEN WE MADE A BIG LIFE DECISION ON THE BRIDGE LAST YEAR, THAT WE WERE GOING TO START A PUBLISHING COMPANY.

THEN WE CAME BACK TO COMMEMORATE THAT WE ACTUALLY PUBLISHED A BOOK THROUGH THE YEAR.

IT'S KIND OF A SPECIAL PLACE FOR US.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> AND THEY HAVE THE BEST PECAN COBBLER IN THE WORLD.

LIKE LIQUID PECAN PIE ON A BISCUIT.

>> WHICH BRINGS US TO THE RESTAURANT ON THE MILL'S THIRD FLOOR.

BY ALL MEANS, BEFORE LEAVING, YOU'VE GOT TO TRY AT LEAST ONE OF THE DISHES ESPECIALLY THE BEANS AND CORN BREAD.

>> DEFINITELY STICK TO YOUR RIBS HOME COOKING.

MIGHTY FINE.

WAR EAGLE MILL AND THE 21st CENTURY, WE ALL NEED TO VISIT A PLACE LIKE THIS.

>> IT'S SO PEACEFUL.

JUST HAVE A NICE FEELING HERE.

PRETTY INDESCRIBABLE.

>> BACK WHEN THE LAST RAIL ROAD SPIKE WAS HAMMERED INTO THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAIL ROAD ARCH DREAM CAME TRUE FOR MANY FOLK.

FINELY THE EAST COAST WAS CONNECTED TO THE WEST COAST AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF RAIL WAY TRAVEL WAS BORN WITH THE IRON HORSE.

AND THEN LATER TO ACTUALLY DINE ON THE RAILS WAS A TRULY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

AND THAT IS WHAT LIVES ON HERE AT THE EUREKA SPRINGS NORTH ARKANSAS RAILWAY.

IT WAS IN 1882 WHEN THE ORIGINAL EUREKA SPRINS RAIL WAY WAS CHARTERED GOING FROM SELIGMAN TO EUREKAN.

THEY BROUGHT TOURISTS TO ENJOY THE HEALING SPRINGS IN EUREKA SPRINGS.

THE KURNTS DEPOT IS THE SECOND ONE THAT WAS BUILT HERE IN 1913 AND WHERE TOURISTS STILL COME FROM ALL OVER TO EXPERIENCE THAT GOLDEN ERA OF PASSENGER TRAINS.

AFTER THE RED CARPET IS ROLLED OUT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

THIS IS THE FIRST CALL BY THE EUREKA DINING CAR.

PLEASE HAVE YOUR BOARDING PASS READY AS YOU BOARD.

ALL ABOARD.

>> THE EUREKA SPRINGS AND NORTH ARKANSAS RAIL WAY COMPANY OPERATES A REGULAR EXCURSION TRAIN, A LUNCH TRAIN AND THE ALL POPULAR DINNER TRAIN WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR CHOICE OF CHEFS PRIME RIB, CHICKEN EUREKAN OR THE RAINBOW TROUT ALMONDINE.

FOR STARTERS THERE'S THE CHEF SPECIAL SOUP AND SALAD.

>> DELISH.

DELISH.

>> CAN'T WAIT FOR THE PRIME RIB.

>> PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE AN ANNIVERSARY.

>> WE'VE BEEN HERE THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS NOW.

TRAIN RIDE.

WE'RE GONNA DO A COUPLE TRAIN RIDES.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND MANY MORE HAPPY YEARS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU TAKE THIS DINNER TRAIN.

EACH TIME IS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

>> WE'VE BEEN HERE LITTLE OVER 15 YEARS AND SO WE'VE ENTERED FROM TIME TO TIME.

IT'S SO UNIQUE.

I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT IT LIKE BEING IN A RESTAURANT IN A REVOLVING RESTAURANT.

GO ANYWHERE.

SORT OF WHAT THIS IS.

IT'S SO DIFFERENT.

IT'S NEAT.

WE WORK ON THE VERY FIRST ONE.

AUGUST 14th, 1984.

I HAD PRIME RIB.

IT WAS DELICIOUS THEN.

IT WAS DELICIOUS TONIGHT.

I DON'T THINK IT GETS ANY BETTER THAN THIS.

GOT A GREAT TRAIN RIDE.

GREAT CITY.

IT'S JUST A GREAT EXPERIENCE EVERY TIME WE DO IT.

BORN AND RAISED IN EUREKA SPRINGS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE NICER THINGS.

WE'RE GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> REALLY IS.

GOLDEN AGE OF TRAINS TO PEOPLE THAT MAYBE HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A TRAIN.

>> GOOD THING.

PERFECT.

>> UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

THERE AREN'T MANY PLACES THERE.

ONE TIME I WANTED TO TAKE MY TRAIN ON AMTRAK.

I WOULD LOAD THEM UP AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING TO LOAD THEM ON.

HERE YOU CAN COME TO EUREKA SPRINGS AND RIDE A TRAIN ANYTIME.

NOT MENTION FOOD HERE.

THAT'S EVEN A STEP UP.

IT REALLY IS DELICIOUS.

IT'S WONDERFUL.

YOU MEET NEW FRIENDS ON THE DINING CAR AND IT'S JUST -- ONE OF THOSE EXPERIENCES YOU CAN'T HAVE VERY MANY PLACES.

IT'S A TREASURE.

IT'S A TREASURE AMONG THE AT TRACKTIONS OF EUREKA SPRINGS.

TREASURE AMONG THE ATTRACTIONS OF ARKANSAS.

AS YOU WELL KNOW.

>> THIS RAIL ROAD TREASURE WU BROUGHT TO EUREKA SPRINGS FROM SCOTT IN 1981 BY THE LATE ROBERT DORTCH JR. AND HIS WIFE MARIANNA WITH A HOSTESS ON THE TRAIN.

>> IT'S A THING OF THE PAST, REALLY.

YOU STOP AND THINK HOW FAR YOU HAVE TO GO TO RIDE THE TRAIN OR TRANSPORTATION.

OF COURSE, I WAS TELLING SOMEBODY ABOUT WORLD WAR II WHEN THE TRUTH COMING THROUGH WHERE I LIVE.

WE ALL GO SEE THE TROOPS.

THEY CAME THROUGH EVERY NIGHT.

MY DAD WAS MANAGER OF WELCH'S GRAPE FRUIT COMPANY AND MADE ALL OF THE TONS OF ORANGE MARMALADE THAT THEY SHIPPED OUT TO THE ARMY.

WE WERE THERE ALMOST EVERY NIGHT TO SEE THE TROOPS TRAIN.

AND THEN THEY VANISHED, THEY BANNISHED JUST ABOUT ALL THE SMALL TOWNS.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL THAT YOU'RE STILL CONTINUING IN EUREKA AND ESPECIALLY ON THIS DINING EXCURSION.

WONDERFUL ROAD.

>> QUITE A BIT TO EAT, ISN'T IT?

IT'S TOO MUCH FOR ME.

SOME PEOPLE EAT IT ALL.

THEY DO SEEM TO APPRECIATE IT.

WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE WITH OUR COOKS AND WAITRESSES AND EVERYBODY GETS IN.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB THERE.

>> AND THEY DO AN ESPECIALLY GOOD JOB WITH DESSERT, BAKED ALASKA INTRODUCED OF COURSE IN THE SHAPE OF A LOCOMOTIVE.

>> WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

THE TRAIN JUST ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S JUST BRINGS HISTORY BACK FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THIS BEFORE.

AND TO SEE ALL THE DETAIL AND ALL OF THIS IN HERE.

THIS IS HISTORY OF HOW THINGS USED TO BE BACK IN THE PAST.

AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE.

THE FOOD WAS JUST INCREDIBLY, TO TOP IT ALL OFF.

ALONG WITH THE ATMOSPHERE.

>> SO COME AND EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF THE WAY AMERICA WANTS TRAVELED AND DINED ON THE RAILS.

>>> THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO EXPLORE THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA REASON.

AN EXCELLENT WAY IS TO TAKE A DRIVE ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD NATIONAL SCENIC BYE WAY, WHICH IS MARKED BY THESE GREEN AND WHITE HIGHWAY SIGNS WITH THE STEAM BOATS PILOT WHEEL.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO NOT ON EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLES ALONG THE WAY, BUT THE DIFFERENT LANDSCAPES AS WELL.

THE GREAT RIVER ROAD NATIONAL SCENIC BYE WAY ACTUALLY BEGINS AT OLD MAN RIVER SOURCE IN THE UPPER SECTION OF MINNESOTA.

IT THEN SPANS 2,070 MILES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOWER SECTION OF MISSISSIPPI, INCORPORATING RIVER SIDE ROADS THROUGHOUT EACH BORDER STATE.

THE ROUTE IN ARKANSAS BEGINS AT BLYVILLE AND EXTENDS FOR 362 MILES DOWN TO UDORA.

THIS ENTIRE BYE WAY ALLOWS TRAVELERS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO ENJOY BOTH THE MIGHTY RIVER AND ITS LEGACY OF SHAPING LANDSCAPES AND LINES ALONG ITS PATH.

THROUGHOUT MUCH OF ITS LENGTH IN ARKANSAS, THE GREAT RIVER ROAD INCLUDES AGRICULTURALLAL LANDS PASSING BY REMNANTS OF ORIGINAL WETTELANDS AND PENETRATING WOODLANDS SUCH AS THE ST. FRANCIS NATIONAL FOREST SOUTHEAST OF MARIANNA.

WE PICKED UP THE ROUTE JUST SOUTH OF MARIANNA ALONG HIGHWAY 44, TAKING US INTO THE ST. FRANCIS NATIONAL FOREST, WITH THE FIRST ATTRACTION BEING BEAR CREEK LAKE.

THIS 625-ACRE LAKE, WITH ITS 30 MILES OF SHORE LINE, OFFERS A WONDERFUL OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE FALL COLORS.

HERE YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH BASS, CRAPPIE, BRIM OR CATFISH OR JUST ENJOY THE SCENERY.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE SMALLEST NATIONAL FORESTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE ONLY HAVE SIX EMPLOYEES.

AND I STARTED A GROUP AROUND 12 YEARS AGO CALLED THE FRIENDS OF THE ST. FRANCIS TO HELP DO SOME UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK AROUND THE RECREATIONAL AREAS THAT WE HAVE.

PEOPLE HAVE DONATED MONEY AND FEED, TIME AND LABOR TO DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS OUT HERE FROM NEW PICNIC TABLES TO NEW GRILLS, FOOD PLOTS.

WE ALL GET THE STATE PRISONERS FROM THE EAST ARKANSAS REGIONAL UNIT OUT.

THE FRIENDS PAY FOR THEIR LUNCHES AND THEY COME OUT AND DO A LOT OF CLEANUP A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR.

>> THAT'S A NEAT AREA.

FOLKS PASSING THROUGH MAY WANT TO JUST TAKE A COUPLE HOURS AT LEAST.

>> IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BRING YOUR FAMILY AND HAVE NEW MEMORIES WITH YOUR KIDS, HAVE A PICNIC, GO FISHING AND IT'S JUST A BEAUTIFUL AREA TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE FLORA AND FAUNA, AS THEY SAY.

WE HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL FALL FOLIAGE.

WE HAVE THE GREAT ROAD AND THE BYE WAY.

AS YOU SEE BEHIND ME, THERE ARE BEAUTIFUL LEAVES CHANGING ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREES ON THIS FOREST DO NOT NORMALLY GROW TOGETHER, WHICH THEY SAY IS PARTLY THE REASON FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CHANGING COURSE.

>> AN EXCELLENT WAY TO OBSERVE ALL THE DIFFERENT HARD WOODS THAT THIS FOREST HAS TO OFFER IS TO TAKE THE BEAR CREEK LAKE NATURE TRAIL.

ALONG THIS ONE-MILE HIKE YOU'LL ENCOUNTER 18 DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF HARD WOOD TREES, WHICH IN ITSELF IS QUITE RARE.

GETTING BACK ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD, IT WILL TURN INTO GRAVEL ALONG PHILLIPS COUNTY ROAD 239 AS YOU CONTINUE TO TAKE IT THROUGH THE ST. FRANCIS NATIONAL FOREST.

EVENTUALLY, YOU'LL REACH HELENA.

IN HELENA THE GRAVEL ROAD TURNS TO BRICK AND WITH THE VICTORIAN HOMIOUS WILL BE AMAZED AT THE PICTURE POSTCARD PERFECT SCENES THAT THIS RIVER TOWN HAS TO OFFER.

SO TAKE A WEEKEND AND TAKE A DRIVE FOR YOURSELF ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD NATIONAL SCENIC BYE WAY AND EXPERIENCE THE SIS MIP PI RIVER AND THE DELTA UNLIKE ANY OTHER WAY.

WINTERTIME IN THE NATURAL STATE DEFINITELY TURNS INTO A PICTURE PERFECT POST CARD.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO GO DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR IS MOUNT MAGAZINE IN WEST ARKANSAS.

THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE STATE AT 2,753 FEET.

ALONG MAGAZINE'S SCENIC BUY WAY, THERE ARE SEVERAL OVERLOOKS SUCH AS THIS THAT WILL ABSOLUTELY TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY.

SO LET'S GO FOR THE DRIVE AND THE VIEW.

MOUNT MAGAZINE DESIGNATED 5 MILES OF STATE HIGHWAY 309 THAT IS WITHIN THE O'SARK NATIONAL FOREST BETWEEN THE TOWNS OF PARIS TO THE NORTH AND HAVANA TO THE SOUTH.

MOUNT MAGAZINE IS ACTUALLY THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN BETWEEN THE ROCKIES AND THE APPALACHIANS.

IN FACT, UP HERE IT'S ALMOST LIKE BEING IN THE ROCKIES ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTERTIME.

ON A CLEAR DAY, YOU CAN LITERALLY SEE FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES.

BEING UP THIS HIGH AT MORE THAN 2750 FEET, MOUNT MAGAZINE HAS ITS OWN CLIMATE.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IS USUALLY 10 TO 15 DEGREES COOLER THAN IN THE VALLEY BELOW, WHICH MEANS IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR THE MOUNTAIN TOP TO GET SNOW WHILE THE REST OF THE STATE MAY NOT GET ANYTHING.

>> MOUNT MAGAZINE BEING THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN ARKANSAS IS, COURSE, HAS SOME REALLY EXTREME CONDITIONS DURING WINTERTIME.

AND SOMETIMES IT CAN BE JUST DOWNRIGHT BEAUTIFUL IN ALL ASPECTS AND IT CAN BE TREACHEROUS AS WELL.

BUT I ACTUALLY LOVE HIKING OUT HERE ON MOUNT MAGAZINE DURING THE WINTERTIME BECAUSE YOU SEE SO MUCH MORE TERRAIN AND ROCK STRUCTURES AND EVERYTHING.

AND VARIOUS KINDS OF ICE.

>> DON'T DESCRIBED TO US THE VARIOUS TYPES OF ICE THAT CAN OCCUR ON MOUNT MAGAZINE.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE GETTING SOME SLEEP.

EVERYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

THERE'S A LITTLE MIX WITH THAT.

WE ALSO GET A LOT OF WHAT WE CALL FROST, FROZEN FOG.

THAT CAN BE REALLY BEAUTIFUL WHEN ALL THE TREES ARE JUST COATED WITH THE WHITE GLAZE.

OF COURSE, WE'LL GET FROZEN RAIN.

AND IT'S NOT QUITE AS PRETTY.

THAT'S LITTLE MORE TREACHEROUS.

BUT SOMETIMES WE GET FROST ON TOP OF THAT ICE.

I CALL THAT POPCORN ICE.

POPCORN ALL OVER THE TREES.

>> I GUESS YOU'RE GOING ALONG SCENIC BYE WAY UP HERE.

GOT THE VARIOUS OVERLOOKS AND THIS VIEW RIGHT HERE, I MEAN, IT'S JUST -- JUST AWE-INSPIRING.

>> YEAH.

AND PLACES ON THE MOUNTAIN THAT PEOPLE DON'T GO TO BECAUSE THEY ARE FAR TO WALK.

THIS ONE, RIGHT OUT HERE, BOTTOM.

THEY DURING REALLY COLD WEATHER LIKE THIS, I DON'T EXPECT ANYBODY TO DO THIS.

THIS IS NOT FOR WIMPS.

THIS IS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGAZINE.

BUT THERE ARE SOME FANTASTIC SCENIC SITES LIKE THIS ONE.

IT'S SHORT AND IT'S GOT LOT OF PON ENERGY AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> YOU NAME IT AFTER YOUR WIFE.

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS A SPECIAL PLACE HERE ANY TIME OF THE YEAR.

>> TRUE.

>> ESPECIALLY IN THIS FROZEN WINTER WONDERLAND, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER WORD.

>> IF YOU DO DECIDE TO COME UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP DURING THE WINTER, HAVE NO FEAR.

JUST IN CASE YOU DO GET TERRIBLY SNOWED IN.

ONE OF THE PREMIERE LODGES IN THE COUNTRY HAPPENS TO BE ON THIS MOUNTAIN.

OR IF YOU PREFER, YOU CAN STAY IN ONE OF THE 13 FULLY EQUIPPED CABINS.

EITHER WAY, YOUR STAY HIGH ATOP MOUNT MAGAZINE AND TAKING THE DRIVE ALONG THE SCENIC BYE WAY WILL LAST YOU A LIFETIME.

>> LOST VALLEY NEAR PONCA IS ON OUR LIST LOCATED UPPER PORTION OF THE BUFFALO NATIONAL WILDERNESS REGION.

THIS AREA WAS VISITED IN 1945 BY A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER AND THEN ARKANSAS PUBLICITY DIRECTOR BUD GREEN.

GREEN IS THE ONE WHO NAMED THIS AREA LOST VALLEY BECAUSE OF HIS EXTREME REMOTENESS WHICH YOU'LL FINE HERE ARE PLENTY OF WATERFALLS, A NATIVE AMERICAN SHELTER AND A CAVE AT THE END OF THE TRAIL WHICH YOU CAN ALSO EXPLORE.

IT'S A ABOUT A TWO MILE ROUND TRIP HIKE SO LET'S GO.

EVEN THOUGH THE GARDEN OF EDEN WAS SUPPOSEDLY LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE EAST, IT COULD HAVE VERY WELL BEEN HERE.

LOST VALLEY IS LOCATED ONE MILE SOUTH OF PONCA OFF HIGHWAY 43.

REALLY A VALLEY, BUT MORE OF A RAVINE OR GORG.

IT'S NOT REALLY LOST BUT IT IS TUCKED AWAY IN THE BUFFALO REGION WHICH MAKES IT PART OF THE NATIONAL PARKS SYSTEM AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

THE AREA NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> HIKING ALONG CREEK, YOU'LL COME UPON A SMALL WATERFALL FLOWING FROM UNDER A NATURAL BRIDGE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE HOW THROUGHOUT THE AGES THE STREAM HAS MANAGED TO CUT THROUGH ABOUT 50 FEET OF LIMESTONE TO CREATE THIS, MOST IMPRESSIVE SIGHT.

IF YOU MAKE THIS HIKE DURING THE SPRING TIME, WHICH IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN ALL THE WATER FALLS WILL BE RUNNING AT THEIR PEAK AND ALSO WHEN ALL THE REALLY NEAT WILD FLOWERS WILL BE OUT.

SUCH AS THE COLUMBINE.

FURTHER UP THE TRAIL, YOU WILL EVENTUALLY REACH THE MASSIVE NATIVE AMERICAN SHELTER KNOWN AS COBB CAVE BECAUSE OF ALL THE ANCIENT CORN COBS LEFT BY THE ANYWAY TIFB AMERICANS 1,000 TO 2,000 YEARS AGO.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO PORTRAY ON VIDEO THE ENORMOUS SIZE OF THIS SHELTER.

150 FEET DEEP, 50 FEET HIGH AND 260 FEET FROM END TO END.

NOT QUITE THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT CLOSE TO IT.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT DURING THE LATE 1800s, THIS SERVED AS A SUNDAY MEETING PLACE WITH ALL DAY SINGING.

AFTER ALL, THE SHELTER DOES FORM THE PERFECT BAND SHELL.

PAST COB CAVE YOU'LL THEN COME TO WHAT'S PROBABLY THE HIGH LIGHT OF THIS ENTIRE HIKE, EDEN FALLS.

THIS MAGNIFICENT THREE TIER WATERFALL IS ONE OF THE REASONS THIS AREA IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS LIKE TAKING A TRIP INTO PARADISE.

IF YOU CONTINUE THE HIKE UP FROM EDEN FALLS YOU'LL REACH EDEN FALLS CAVE WHICH MAKES FOR QUITE A NEAT LITTLE SIDE VENTURE.

IF YOU DO PLAN ON ENTERING THIS CAVE, BRING ALONG MULTIPLE SOURCES OF LIGHT IN CASE ONE OR TWO FAIL.

AND PLEASE TRY NOT TO DISTURB THE RESIDENTS INSIDE SLEEPING.

LOST VALLEY EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF.

>>> I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THE BEAUTY OF THE O'ZARKS IS AS BREATH TAKING UNDERNEATH AS IT IS.

ONE OF THE WILD SAVE EXCURSIONS IS HERE AT BLANCHARD SPRINGS KARCH.

IF YOU LIKE IT WILD AND AWESOME, COME ALONG WITH US.

AT FIRST YOU MAY ASK YOURSELF WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?

BUT THEN AS YOU GO FARTHER AND FARTHER ALONG, YOU WON'T REGRET IT.

>> LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WHAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO.

THEY THINK IT'S PRETTY COOL.

ONCE YOU GET STARTED, BY THE END I NEVER HEARD ANYBODY SAY THEY DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD TIME.

IT'S CHALLENGING.

WE JUST DREW A BUNCH OF HOLES AND LET YOU WALK ON EVERYTHING.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST RHETT ACTION WHEN YOU CAME THROUGH HERE?

>> MY VERY FIRST TIME I WAS SCARED.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER DID ANY CAVING AT BLANCHARD SPRINGS.

ONCE I STARTED I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

I LOVE IT EVERY TIME I COME DOWN THOUGH.

>> I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE IF I GO INTO AN ALIEN WORLD WITHOUT LEAVING EARTH.

>> I KNOW.

THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY COMING DOWN SAYS.

IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

>> AN AVERAGE 250 PEOPLE A YEAR PARTICIPATE IN THIS WILD CAVE TO BLANCHARD.

YOU MUST BE AT LEAST TEN YEARS OLD AND IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE.

IT'S NOT EXACTLY AN EASY CHORE.

ARE YOU FIT ENOUGH?

WE'LL MAKE IT THROUGH.

WE CAN CUSTOMIZE THE TOUR.

JUST BE AWARE.

>> JUST KIND OF PULL YOURSELF UP.

THERE WE GO.

ONCE YOU GETS UP HERE.

I KNOW A LOT OF REALLY COOL PEOPLE.

AND SO, IN MY APARTMENT.

LOT OF THEM STAY IN TOUCH.

PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

>> FIRST TIME I CAME THROUGH I WAS 15 YEARS OLD.

CAME WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER.

I REMEMBER EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.

I KNEW RIGHT THEN I WANTED TO COME BACK.

HERE I AM GOING THROUGH.

IT'S DIFFERENT EVERY TIME .

JUST LIKE THIS.

EARLIER, NOT EXACTLY A CAKE WALK.

LITTLE TIGHT SQUEEZE.

>> IT'S BEEN A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE.

LITTLE TOUGHER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

FEW TRICKY SPOTS.

FEW TIGHT SPOTS.

GREAT TIMES.

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME, RIGHT?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING.

I'M SURE GLAD I HAD KNEE SURGERY A WEEK AGO.

>> I'M HAVING A BLAST.

>> YOU SPOT THERE, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT.

>> ALL IN ALL WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

>> ALL YOU'RE GONNA DO IS SHUFFLE YOUR FEET.

GOT IT?

YOU'LL LOVE IT.

>> OKAY.

AND THAT YOU WILL.

THE BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS WILD CAVE TOUR.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE.

>> CENTER POINT IS PROBABLY THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED AND THE MOST VISITED WATERFALL IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

IT'S ABOUT A TWO MILE ROUND TRIP HIKE.

TAKES A COUPLE HOURS.

DIFFICULTY RATING IS MODERATE TO HARD.

SO, LET'S HAVE AT IT.

THE CEDAR FALLS TRAIL HEAD IS ACTUALLY BEHIND MATHER LODGE FOLLOWING A PATH WAY DOWN TO THE LEFT, LEADING DOWN THE HILLSIDE.

THE FIRST HALF MILE OF THE TRAIL DESCENDS MORE THAN 200 FEET DOWN STEPS WHICH WERE CUT FROM THE ROCK BY THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS WHEN THEY BUILT THIS, THE FIRST STATE PARK IN ARKANSAS FROM 1933 TO 1941.

THE CCC WAS DESIGNED BY PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT TO PUT MEN TO WORK DURING A GREAT DEPRESSION.

THEIR MISSION WAS IN PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCE AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED WAS PHENOMENAL.

ALL THE WORK WAS DONE BY HAND WITH SHEER BRUTE FORCE.

POWER TOOLS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WERE SCARCE.

IN MOST CASES NONEXISTENT.

SO, AS A RESULT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE CCC'S LABOR, MANY OF OUR NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS CAME INTO BEING.

IN FACT MUCH OF THE CCC'S WORK STILL STANDS AND IS IN USE TO THIS DAY.

WHEN THE CCC BUILT SOMETHING, THEY BUILT IT TO LAST.

ANYWAY, BACK TO OUR HIKE, WHEN YOU FINALLY MAKE THE DECENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF CEDAR CREEK CANYON, YOU'LL THEN CROSS CEDAR CREEK BY WAY OF A FOOT BRIDGE.

THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE THE TRAIL WILL LEAD YOU ALONG BEAUTIFUL CEDAR CREEK FOR ANOTHER HALF MILE OR SO.

EVENTUALLY YOU'LL START TO HEAR THE ROAR OF CEDAR FALLS, PROVIDING YOU MAKE THE HIKE IN THE SPRING TIME, WHICH IS THE BEST TIME TO EXPERIENCE CEDAR FALLS AND ALL OF ITS FULL RUNNING GLORY.

THE SITE IS SO SPECTACULAR HERE THAT I DON'T CARE HOW MANY TIMES YOU MAKE THIS HIKE, EACH TIME YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE.

3 YOU'LL JUST WANT TO SIT AND TAKE IT ALL IN.

MY SUGGESTION IF YOU MAKE THIS HIKE IS TO PACK A SACK LUNCH AND, IF THE WEATHER IS HOT, TAKE PLENTY OF WATER.

AND BY ALL MEANS, BY ALL MEANS, BRING A CAMERA.

SITTING AND SOAKING IT ALL IN IS FINE, BUT YOU'LL ALSO WANT TO HAVE SOME LASTING PICTURES OR VIDEO.

BY THE WAY, MORE THAN 300,000 PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER MAKE THIS HIKE TO CEDAR FALLS EVERY YEAR BECAUSE IT TRULY IS ALMOST LIKE BEING IN HAWAII WITHOUT LEAVING THE COUNTRY.

>>> MY NUMBER TWO SPOT IS A HIKING TRAIL KNOWN AS THE GOAT TRAIL WHICH MEANDERS ALONG BIG BLUFF IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER.

AND THIS ACTUALLY COMES IN AS A TIE WITH MY NUMBER ONE PICK, WHICH IS ALSO IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA.

AND IF YOU WANT ANY MORE SPECTACULAR SIGHTS THAN THESE, WELL, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO GO TO THE ROCKIES.

COME ALONG WITH US AND WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

TO REACH THE GOAT TRAIL, YOU FIRST HAVE TO START AT THE CENTER POINT TRAIL HEAD NORTH OF PONCA.

AFTER A 2.7 MILE HIKE, YOU'LL THEN VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT ON TO A SMALLER TRAIL WHICH WILL TAKE YOU TO BIG BLUFF.

THE VIEWS FROM BIG BLUFF OVERLOOKING THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.

JOINING US ON THE HIKE IS RICK DAVIDSON WITH THE BUFFALO OUTDOOR CENTER IN PONCA.

>> RICK, YOU'RE ONE OF THE FORTUNATE ONES THAT YOU ACTUALLY GREW UP IN THESE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> YES, I DID.

LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT.

LIVING HERE THE WAY I GET TO LIVE HERE, IS ACTUALLY A REWARD.

LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT HAVE LIVED HERE FOR MANY YEARS.

AS I GREW UP HERE, AND THEN MOVED AWAY, CAME BACK AFTER MANY YEARS.

I REALIZED REALLY WHAT I HAD LEFT.

THE RIVER HERE GOT A LOT OF HISTORY IN ITSELF.

AGAIN, JUST BEING ABLE TO LIVE IN THESE MOUNTAINS IS ACTUALLY A REWARD.

EVERY DAY WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, THE SUN RISES OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE AND HARD TO BEAT.

SO, YES, I ENJOY EXACTLY WHERE I LIVE.

>> YOU WERE TELLING ME HIKING ALONG THE GOAT TRAIL, YOU'RE FINALLY KIND OF REALIZING WHERE YOU LIVED.

>> YES, DEFINITELY.

AGAIN, THE GOAT TRAIL TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, PEOPLE TRAVEL FROM MANY MILES FROM AROUND SPACES WIDE TO COME HERE AND LOOK AT THE GOAT TRAIL AND TO BE ABLE TO WALK UP ON IT AND TO BE ABLE TO GET UP HERE LIKE A KID REMINISCENT PLAYING, BIG PLAYGROUND FOR ME.

SO, AGAIN, BEING HERE IS A REWARD ACTUALLY.

AND REALLY LOVE IT.

>> I GUESS AT ONE TIME GOATS DID ACTUALLY GO ACROSS THIS TRAIL.

>> YES.

THERE WAS AN OLD GUY.

HIS NAME WAS WILLIAM PARKER.

HE RAN GOATS OVER IN THIS AREA.

THEY WOULD COME ALONG THIS TRAIL.

THAT'S HOW IT GOT ITS NAME, WAS WILLIAM PARKER AND SURROUNDING PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY KNEW WILLIAM SAID THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE CALLED THE GOAT TRAIL BECAUSE GOATS WOULD COME OUT ON THIS POINT AND WALK ALONG THE EDGE OF THE BLUFF.

THAT'S HOW THE GOAT TRAIL ACTUALLY GOT ITS NAME.

IT'S GOT THE TWO DIFFERENT NAMES.

LOT OF PEOPLE KAILT BIG BLUFF BECAUSE OF THE 500-FOOT ON THE INCLINE OF IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GOAT TRAIL BECAUSE OF WILLIAMS MAINLY.

SO WILLIAM PARKER WAS ONE OF THE GUYS THAT RAN THE GOATS.

>> I GUESS YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME A LOT TO FLOAT THE RIVER, AND THOSE THAT COME HERE FOR THE HIKING OPPORTUNITIES.

>> YEAH.

THERE'S SOME PEOPLE THAT WILL GET ON THE RIVER AND THEY ACTUALLY WILL TAKE A TEN DAY CANOE TRIP OR TEN DAY HIKING TRIP.

BEST TRIPS THOUGH AREN'T NECESSARILY IN MILES AND DISTANCE.

IT'S BEING ABLE TO COVER A SHORT DISTANCE AND BE ABLE TO EXPLORE AND LOOK AT THINGS LIKE THIS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL MISS.

>> ALONG WITH THE BREATHTAKING VIEWS, YOU'LL ALSO ENCOUNTER SOME UNUSUAL CYPRUS TREES ON THE FACE CLIFFS WHICH ARE ESTIMATED TO BE CENTURIES OLD.

>> THE TREES, THEY GROW, IF YOU'LL NOTICE, THEY'RE REALLY TWISTED.

THEY ARE CENTURIES OLD.

HOW MANY CENTURIES IS ALL UP TO THE SCIENTISTS.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW.

THEY TAKE A LONG TIME BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WATER AND DIRT THAT THEY HAVE FOR NUTRITION.

SHE'S LITTLE, SO IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR A TREE THIS SIZE TO BE ABLE TO GROW IN HEIGHT AND BE ABLE TO EVEN MAKE IT.

THE TREE IS NOT GOING TO DIE OFF.

PART OF IT IS DYING OFF BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE AS MUCH NUTRITION.

IT'S AMAZING TO KNOW A TREE THAT SIZE WOULD BE ABLE TO GROW OUT OF A SMALL CREVICE.

THAT IS A STORY ITSELF.

>> IT'S AN AMAZING HIKE ALONG THIS, THE POPULAR GOAT TRAIL ON BIG BLUFF IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER.

MY ALL-TIME NUMBER ONE FAVORITE SPOT IN THE NATURAL STATE IS HEMMED-IN-HOLLOW FALLS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER.

AT 204 FEET IT'S THE TALLEST WATERFALL IN MIDAMERICA.

THERE ARE TWO ROUTES YOU CAN TAKE TO GET TO HEMMED IN HOLLOW FALSE.

THE HIGH ROAD OR THE LOW ROAD BY WAY OF BUFF BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER.

WE OPTED FOR THE HIGH ROAD AND THE MORE GRUELING WITH PARK RANGER LINDA BISHOP BY TAKING THE TRAIL THAT LEADS OUT FROM THE COMPTON TRAIL HEAD NEAR COMPTON.

IT WILL TAKE YOU ABOUT SEVERAL HOURS TO EVENTUALLY REACH THE FALLS.

ONCE YOU DORK YOU'LL BE REWARDED WITH ONE OF THE MORE MAGNIFICENT SIGHTS IN MIDDLE AMERICA.

>> IT IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.

NOT JUST THE RIVER AND THE WATER ITSELF, BUT THESE BOX CANYONS THAT LEAD TO BEAUTIFUL WATERFALLS.

TODAY WE KNOW WE ARE SITTING AT THE BASE OF THE HIGHEST WATER FALL.

IN ALL OF MID AMERICA, THIS IS THE HIGHEST WATERFALL.

IT'S WHAT WE CALL A WEST WATERFALL.

DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR THERE WILL BE A MASSIVE BEAUTIFUL LONG 200 FOOT HIGH WATERFALL WHICH OTHER TIMES OF YEAR WHEN THE RAINS QUIT AND THE WATER FALL IS THERE.

AS A FREE FLOWING WATER FALL, WE KNOW IT CAN VARY AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR.

TODAY WE GOT IT AT A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

BEAUTIFUL SPRAY OF WATER COMING OVER THE BLUFF LINE.

ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL TODAY WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT GREENS AND THE TREES SURROUNDING US.

AND TODAY WE CHOSE HEMMED IN HOLLOW BY TAKING THE TRAIL AND THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF ALL.

WE DECIDED TO START AT THE COMPTON TRAILHEAD.

FOR THOSE COMING OUT WANTING TO SEE IT, THEY DO NEED TO CHECK AHEAD OF TIME AND ABOUT THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR THE TRAIL THEY'RE USING TO GET TO THIS POINT.

WE DID CHOOSE THE HIGHEST, MORE STRENUOUS CHALLENGE TRAIL TODAY TO GET TO THIS POINT.

WE'VE HIKED ABOUT 2.5 MILES TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND WE HAVE STARTED OUT IN ELEVATION LITTLE OVER 2,000 FEET.

NOW WE'RE DOWN TO THE 1,000 FEET.

SO WE DROPPED IN ELEVATION 1,000 FEET.

WE KNOW THAT AT THIS POINT, WE ARE GOING TO HEAD BACK TO THAT TRAILHEAD, WE HAVE DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE AHEAD OF US.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK UP THAT 1,000-FOOT LOSS IS OUR GAIN NOW AS WE GO BACK UP THE MIDTRAIL.

BUT LOT OF FOLKS THAT REACH THE POINT ARE CANOEING.

EVEN FOLKS LAUNCHING THEIR CANOE, THEY'RE CANOEING DOWN RIVER.

THERE'S A BIG PULLOFF WHERE THEY ARE PULLED OFF ON TO A GRAVEL BAR.

THEY CAN HIKE UP TO THIS POINT WHICH WOULD BE A ONE-MILE HIKE.

>> IF YOU DO DECIDE TO MAKE THE FIVE-MILE ROUND TRIP HIKE TO HEMMED IN HOLLOW INSTEAD OF FLOTDING THE RIVER, MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY FOR IT.

>> THEY WANT TO PREPARE AND PLAN AHEAD AND AT THE MINIMUM, GOOD HIKING BOOTS AND I ALWAYS RECOMMEND, YOU KNOW, A BACKPACK WITH PLENTY OF DRINKING WATER, SOME SNACKS.

GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A MAP.

CERTAINLY YOU SHOULD HAVE SOMEBODY WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO HIKING AND LET OTHER FOLKS KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE THAT DAY AND WHEN TO EXPECT YOU BACK OR WHEN THEY WILL BE HEARING FROM YOU.

FANTASTIC AREA.

WE HAVE MANY, MANY MILES OF TRAILS TO CHOOSE FROM.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF OUR TRAIL SYSTEM.

MAJORITY OF OUR TRAILS HAVE BEEN BUILT RIGHT HERE IN THE '80s HAS BEEN BUILT BY VOLUNTEERS.

SO WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF OUR TRAILS.

WE ALWAYS WANT TO THANK THOSE VOL UNTEERS.

ONE PERSON COMES OUT AND HIKES IN THE AREA, THEY'LL SEE WHAT A CHALLENGE IT IS, NOT ON TO HIKE IT.

THEY WILL HAVE THE APPRECIATION OF WHAT THE VOLUNTEERS WILL SACRIFICE TO GIVE THEM THEIR TIME TO BUILD THE TRAIL SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE HERE.

>> SO PLAN TO VISIT ONE OF THE PREMIERE SPOTS IN ARKANSAS, HEMMED-IN-HL LOW FALLS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER DURING THE WET WEATHER SEASON AND YOU'LL EXPERIENCE IT AT ITS FINEST.

SUCH AS CAPTURED IN THIS PAINTING BY OUTDOOR ARTIST ERNIE KILMAN.