Seven Hollows / Petit Jean SP
    This trail is a loop on top of mountain;  no significant hills to climb, but some rough terrain and stepping over rock formations.  Goes through rock formations, wooded glens, and a grotto with waterfall. Petit Jean SP is different in Spring (flowers), Fall (color), and winter (views); one of our most popular hikes. Lunch at lodge followed by trip down to Cedar Falls (see) is always popular.
    Access Notes:  HSV East gate - hwy 9 to AR 154 (or) HSV West Gate - hwy 7 to Centerville AR 154
    For additional info: Arkansas Hiking Trails (Tim Ernst); Petit Jean SP

    Apr 21, 2001   Leader:  Rex Greer                           9 Hikers       OMH schedule
      Route:  Loop clockwise
      4.5 miles     Difficulty Rating - 2     Scenic Rating - 4         Where: Petit Jean State Park, AR
      sss:  The whole trail                            Waterfall:  Seven Hollows Grotto
      Nice day; Petit Jean met all expectations.

    Apr 20, 2002   Leader:  Rex Greer                           18 Hikers      OMH Saturday
      Route:  Loop trail
      5.0 miles     Difficulty Rating - 2     Scenic Rating - 4     Where: Petit Jean State Park, AR
       sss:  The grotto                                Waterfall: Seven Hollows Grotto
      This hike was a celebration of Rex' 76th birthday.  We walked the trail with funny little birthday hats (compliments of Kay) and celebrated with cake and wine (compliments of Mike Z) in trailhead after hike.

    Nov 16, 2002   Leader:  Jim Gifford                         8 Hikers       OMH Saturday
      Route:  Loop / counter clockwise
      4.2 miles     Difficulty Rating - 2     Scenic Rating - 4     Where: Petit Jean State Park, AR
       sss:  The grotto                               Waterfall: Seven Hollows Grotto
      Jim led hike for Carolyn (sick); decided to go around the loop opposite direction of prior trips. Stopped at Cedar Falls overlook after lunch (in lieu of climb down).

    Apr 19, 2003   Leader:  Carolyn Minson                      19 Hikers      OMH schedule
      Route: Once around the loSS loop, including the grotto
      4.5 miles     Difficulty Rating - 2     Scenic Rating - 4     Where: Petit Jean State Park, AR
                                                             Waterfall:  Seven Hollows Grotto
      Good crowd on a warm, but overcast morning.  Rain clouds threatened throughout, but it didn't rain on us except for some sprinkles on the last quarter mile. Lunch at   Mather Lodge, when the thunderstorm hit.  Heavy rain, lightning, and wind made us reconsider an afternoon trip down to the Falls.

    Nov 1, 2003    Leader:  Carolyn Minson                      27 Hikers      OMH schedule
      Route: Loop clockwise
      4.5 miles         Difficulty Rating - 2     Scenic Rating - 4     Where: Petit Jean State Park, AR
                                                            Waterfall:  Seven Hollows Grotto
      Big crowd for a very hot/dry hike.  Temps still in 80's; grotto falls just dripping. Lunch at Mather lodge after hike; nobody went to Cedar Falls - too dry.

    Nov 6, 2004  Leader: Don Baggett                        26 Hikers      OMH Saturday
     Route:  Split group did alternate loops.  Half went clockwise; other half went counter-clockwise.
     4.5 miles          Difficulty Rating - 2         Scenic Rating - 4   Where: Petit Jean State Park, AR
     sss:  The grotto with lots of water                              Waterfall:  Seven Hollows Grotto
     Split group and went in opposite directions; met at grotto.  Rex led second half.  Beautiful day; lots of water in the creeks;  water coming of the grotto falls.

      Apr 16, 2005   Leader: Don Baggett                     7 Hikers                  OMH Saturday
      Route: Clockwise loop
       4.5 miles         Difficulty Rating - 2               Scenic Rating - 4                     Where:  Petit Jean State Park, AR                                
         SSS:   All four (or is it five) "Hollows"; creeks               Waterfall:   Seven Hollows Grotto
       Dogwoods were in bloom.  The small creeks were flowing well but easily forded by rock stepping.  The waterfall at the grotto was barely more than a trickle.  A good  bit of poison oak/ivy was growing along the trail.  The trail needs some major work due to many large trees down.  This was both dead trees and live pines that had recently been blown over.  There were severall potentially dangerous leaners that we did not attempt to move because of their size.  In several places the trail was blocked by down trees and had to be skirted.  This was a slow hike primarily due to trail condition and conditioning of one of the hikers.  This hiker stumbled and fell several times and was given first aid due to a skinned knee.  It should ne noted that when we hiked this trail last fall we had almost 30 hikers but only 7 this time.  This day was Derby Day at Oaklawn, which could have affected the turnout.  Both cars returned directly home, with no after hike activity.