Meeting times and places for hikes at Wilson Spring Preserve and Markham Hill on Saturday, January 15 are:

• Meet at 9:30 am at the Wilson Springs Preserve trailhead at the south end of the Fayetteville Sam’s Club parking lot.  See Google map at:  https://www.google.com/maps/@36.1073974,-94.1817234,92m/data=!3m1!1e3   Address for Sam’s Club is 3081 N Highway 112, Fayetteville, AR 72704.

• Meet at 10:45 am at the parking lot north of Pratt Place Inn which is the trailhead for Markham Hill Trail.  Look for sign, “Trailhead Parking.”  Address is 2231 W Markham Road, Fayetteville AR 72701.  See Google map at:  https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0677321,-94.1901488,158m/data=!3m1!1e3   Markham Hill Road is straight west of Razorback Stadium off Razorback Road.

Hike details are below.

Day, Date:  Saturday, January 15, 2022

Name of Hike:   (1) Wilson Springs Preserve Trail and (2) Markham Hill Trails

Location:  West side of Fayetteville AR within city limits.

Type of Hike:  Day-hike, trails.

Hiking Distance:  Wilson Springs Preserve, 1.6 miles; Markham Hill Trails, 2.5 miles.  Total = 4.1 miles.

Maximum Elevation Difference:  39 ft at Wilson Springs Preserve and 220 feet at Markham Hill.

Rating:  Easy, due to well-maintained trails with good tread.  Some low areas at Wilson Springs are fitted with boardwalks to reduce the chance of wet or muddy feet, especially after rainfall.

Features:  Wilson Springs Preserve, opened by the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust in 2019, is located at the south end of the parking lot of the Fayetteville Sam’s Club.  We’ll follow the trail all the way to Deane Solomon Road and then take in two spur loop trails on the return.  After Wilson Springs, we’ll drive four miles south to Markham Hill west of the UA campus.  The new Markham Hill Trail, opened by Specialized Real Estate Group (SREG) in 2020, completely encircles the historic residence/farm of the C.L. Pratt family which originally acquired the property in 1900 and which later was the location of the Pratt Place Inn and Barn.  Our hike here will also include several sections of the historic Oak Loop and Pine Loop Trails.  These two hikes are very different from each other.  Wilson Springs is a wetland whereas Markham Hill is an upland hike.  On parts of both hikes, we’ll (unfortunately) hear the traffic on I-49, but you’ll never see it.  Nevertheless, you’ll appreciate that these two hikes are so close to home for Fayetteville residents.

Hike Leader:  Luke Parsch (contact hike leader for more info).

Telephone & Email:  479-442-3817 (home landline) or lparsch@uark.edu or 479-935-0859  (mobile on day of hike).

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at 9:30 am at the Wilson Springs Preserve trailhead at the south end of the Fayetteville Sam’s Club parking lot.  See Google map at:  https://www.google.com/maps/@36.1073974,-94.1817234,92m/data=!3m1!1e3  Address for Sam’s Club is 3081 N Highway 112, Fayetteville, AR 72704.
• Meet at 10:45 am at the parking lot north of Pratt Place Inn which is the trailhead for Markham Hill Trail.  Look for sign, “Trailhead Parking.”  Address is 2231 W Markham Road, Fayetteville AR 72701.  See Google map at:  https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0677321,-94.1901488,158m/data=!3m1!1e3 Markham Hill Road is straight west of Razorback Stadium off Razorback Road.

Driving Distance:  About four miles from Wilson Springs Preserve to Markham Hill.

Comment:  Bring water, snack, lunch, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots/shoes.  Hiking poles will 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” http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet_rev4.pdf  at the trailhead to take part in any Ozark Society outing.  Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

Maps/Website:  A good map of Markham Hill Trails can be found at:  https://www.specializedreg.com/markhamhill/   Use the website to register for this private trail.  A map of Wilson Springs Preserve can be found at:  http://www.nwarkaudubon.org/Places%20to%20Bird%20PDFs/WILSON%20SPRINGS%20PRESERVE%20pdf%20version%20September%209,%202019.pdf