Highlands Chapter Dayhike:  Erbie Area Loop Hike (BNR)

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Name of Hike: BRT-ORT Erbie Area Loop in the Buffalo National River

Hiking Distance: 3 or 5 miles (depending on Buffalo River level)

Rating: Easy to Moderate due to some elevation gain and possible river crossings

Meeting Times and Places:  Saturday, October 31, 2026

• Meet at 9:15 am the Kings River Country Store in Marble, AR; or,
• Meet at 10:30 am at the historic Jones Farmstead just north of the Erbie low-water bridge in the Buffalo National River.  As of mid-week, the Compton-Erbie road north of the Buffalo River was drivable for a 2WD vehicle.
• For Google map to Jones Farmstead see:  5433 NC 2900 – Google Maps

Hike Description:

Starting at the Jones Farmstead, then walk to the Goat Bluff, and next the Farmer Farmstead. Then depending on the weather we might cross the river go to Cherry Grove Cemetery and loop back to the Jones Farmstead or maybe work our way to the Erbie Church and back to the Jones Farmstead.  Water shoes will be useful if river crossings occur.

Hike Leader: Terry Fredrick, terrfre37@gmail.com  479-422-7776

Comment:  Bring water, lunch, snacks, rain gear, water shoes, gloves, and wear hiking boots/shoes. Hiking poles may be helpful. No pets are allowed on any hikes, and children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian. Participants are required to sign a liability release at the trail head to take part in any Ozark Society outing. Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not

Evan J. Walden

OSHC Outings Chair

479-677-2127

See Special Meeting for March 3, 2026 at Ron Robinson Theater

Monthly meetings of the Pulaski Chapter are on the first Tuesday of the month, except no meeting in July.  Most meetings are held at Second Presbyterian Church at 7pm in a classroom on the east side of the building.  The September meeting is a potluck usually held at Pinnacle Mountain State Park at the large pavilion on the Maumelle River and the December meeting is a potluck held at a member home.

Highlands Chapter Dayhike:  Eureka Springs Trail Hikes

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Name of Hike: Passion Play Trails and Marble Flats Trails

Location:  North side of Eureka Springs AR off Hwy 23 (N Main Street)

Hiking Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 600 feet

Rating: Moderate

Type of Hike: Most of the hike is on trails, we will be on paving only briefly.

Hike Description: Several years ago bike trails were built on the Passion Play property and the adjacent Marble Flats area. These trails are mostly used by bicyclists on the weekend so we will go mid week when they typically receive minimal use. Features of the hike include the Christ of the Ozarks statue, Magnetic Spring and a chance to hike in an area few people are familiar with. This hike does not overlap with the Eureka Springs urban hike Luke Parsch will be leading in December.

Hike Leader: Sue Hubbard shubbard@redshift.com or 831-737-4792.

Meeting Time and Place:  Wednesday, November 4, 2026

• Meet at 10:00 am at the public parking lot on N. Main Street (Hwy 23) across from Music Park in Eureka Springs.  Heading north it is on the left just past Magnetic Road. The mail box across the street is 287 N. Main Street. If you see a large gnome you are in the right place. We will meet there as it is easy to find and has bathrooms. We will then drive a short distance to our trail head, consolidating cars if necessary.
• For Google Map to meeting place click on this link: Public Parking N Main St

Comment 1: Bring water, lunch if you wish, snacks, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots/shoes. Hiking poles may be helpful. No pets are allowed on any hikes, and children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian. Participants are required to sign a liability release at the trail head to take part in any Ozark Society outing. Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

Comment 2:  There is an option to eat at Sparky’s Roadhouse Cafe after the hike.

Join local history enthusiast Jim Pfeifer for a fascinating 2 mile moderate walk through South Allsopp Park! Discover the stories, secrets, and surprises tucked into one of Little Rock’s treasured green spaces as Jim brings the past to life along the trail.

But history isn’t the only thing we will enjoy in the park! Along the way The Parkstone Band, featuring Marvin Schwartz, Alan, Alverson, and Ted Williams will make a special appearance.  You never know when the trail might lead to a little entertainment!

DATE/TIME: Thursday, November 5;

12 PM to 1:30 PM

MEET-UP: Meet in the parking lot behind Pulaski Heights Baptist Church / Hillcrest Commons. ( 2200 Kavanaugh; Little Rock)  Enter the lot from Cedar Street.

MISC:  restrooms are available in the park; bring water and a snack as needed

Peter Kaestner Flyer (6)

An Evening (and a Morning) with Legendary Birder Peter Kaestner!

Talk

Tuesday, November 10, 7:00pm, Doors open at 6:00pm

Second Hall at Second Presbyterian Church

600 Pleasant Valley Dr, Little Rock

Please join us for Peter’s talk, which he describes as a poignant and humorous view of his life and his relentless quest to see 10,000 birds – he is the first person in the world to officially see and document 10,000 unique bird species in the wild! All are welcome to his bird walk the next morning at Two Rivers Park. Peter is a retired U.S. diplomat who lives in Baltimore, and an active independent birder who has spent a lifetime sharing his passion.

Many thanks to our sponsors for making these events possible:

• Arkansas Wildlife Federation
• Audubon Delta
• Audubon Society of Central Arkansas
• Central Arkansas Master Naturalists
• Sierra Club Arkansas Chapter
• Wild Birds Unlimited

Peter Kaestner Flyer (6)

Walk

Wednesday, November 11, 7am

Two Rivers Park, meet at Roundabout Statue

4468 River Mountain Rd, Little Rock

Even if you don’t get to hear Peter’s talk on Tuesday night, (which he describes as a poignant and humorous view of his life and his relentless quest to see 10,000 birds – he is the first person in the world to officially see and document 10,000 unique bird species in the wild!), feel free to join in his bird walk the next morning at Two Rivers Park.

Peter is a retired U.S. diplomat who lives in Baltimore, and an active independent birder who has spent a lifetime sharing his passion.

Many thanks to our sponsors for making these events possible:

• Arkansas Wildlife Federation
• Audubon Delta
• Audubon Society of Central Arkansas
• Central Arkansas Master Naturalists
• Sierra Club Arkansas Chapter
• Wild Birds Unlimited

BUFFALO POINT CAMPGROUND – 870-449-4311

Friday, November 13th

6:00 PM – Board Meeting, Pavilion 1.

Saturday, November 14th

• Breakfast on your own
• 9:30 AM  Meet at Pavilion 1 for shuttle to trailhead for Hill-Hamilton Preserve exploration, continuing from there to Indian Rock House.  Consider water shoes for creek crossing.  Lead: Ross Noland
• Lunch on your own, on trail or back at camp.
• 1:00 PM  Angela Boyers, Buffalo National River Superintendent, speaks to membership.  Pavilion 1.
• 2:30-3:00ish PM  Membership Meeting begins – Pavilion 1  Election of new officers.   Brian updates membership on issues and accomplishments over the past year.
• Lowell Collins gives an update on Youth Grants.
• Loring Bullard gives a short talk on low head dams.
• 5:30ish  Pot Luck – Pavilion 1   OS Sugar Creek to provide plates, dinnerware, and serving utensils.
• 7:00ish  Musical entertainment – Dave Smith

Sunday, November 15th

11:00  AM – Hike from BRT Spring Creek Road to Spring Creek, return.  4 miles.  Lead: Luke Parsch

Matthew Friant, Interpreter with Pinnacle Mountain State Park with lead this easy to moderate hike from the iron bridge on Highway 300 to Lake Vista on Lake Maumelle with birding opportunities, plant identification and lake views.

Date: Saturday, November 21

Time:  9:00 a.m. – 12:00

Distance: 4.5 miles

Meet -up Location:  Natural Steps Sports Complex (Soccer fields on Highway 300) 11101 AR-300, Roland

Bring: Water, snacks extra layers/rain gear if appropriate, trash bag

No toilets available, but visitor center is 1 mile south of starting point

Organizer: Mary Heller  macheller60@icloud.com

See Special Meeting for March 3, 2026 at Ron Robinson Theater

Monthly meetings of the Pulaski Chapter are on the first Tuesday of the month, except no meeting in July.  Most meetings are held at Second Presbyterian Church at 7pm in a classroom on the east side of the building.  The September meeting is a potluck usually held at Pinnacle Mountain State Park at the large pavilion on the Maumelle River and the December meeting is a potluck held at a member home.

Winter Solstice Celebration at Plum Bayou State Park.  A park interpreter will lead a 3/4 mile flat walk through the ancient 1,000-year-old ceremonial site to discuss the prehistoric Plum Bayou builders and their earthen calendar. The tour finishes on the mounds to observe the solar alignment and watch the winter sunset over Mound S.  After sunset, we will gather around the campfire to enjoy hot cocoa, apple cider, s’mores, and traditional story telling.  Costs $5 adults, $4 children.  Bring camp chairs.  Toilets on site.
If  you are interested in carpooling, meet at 2:45pm at Clinton School of Public Service parking lot.