Big
Brushy
This
trail
system, centered around Big Brushy
Campground, offers
lots of possibilities on five interconnecting trails: Brushy Creek
Trail;
Brushy Mountain Trail; Mountain Top Trail; Rockhouse
Trail; and the Ouachita Trail (m 90.2 - 94.5). The trails can be
combined for
distances ranging from 4 miles up to 10 miles. Different trail
combinations
offer climbs/descents, flat ridge-top trails, or creek bottom with lots
of
(often wet) crossings. The Rockhouse is a
really
special spot, with an open (overhang) cave, apparently used since
pre-historic
times, and a neat little waterfall/pond below it. Climbing to the
"roof" of the cave leads to an awesome view.
Planning
notes:
Winter a
good time for views and active (but not difficult) water
crossings; spring is better for water sports (wet crossings). March or
April is
best for combination of views and water.
Rockhouse/waterfall are
not
on the forest service map. They are on Rockhouse
Trail, 1/4 mile up from the FR 6 trailhead, or just below intersection
with
E16c leading to Moutain Top Trail. Big
Brushy camground to Rockhouse
is a good
Saturday hike.
Drive time to Big Brushy campground: from HS = 1:00; from HSV = 1:20
Access
Notes:
Big Brushy
Campground (1:20 from HSV). Access any
of the
trails from campground.
To start at waterfall: Use Rockhouse TH
off FR 6;
about 3 miles from campground.
For
additional info:
Ben Glazer
knows this trail system well.
USFS Map available at ONF website (see link on
trails index
page).
Tim Ernst "Arkansas Hiking Trails" (p. 141). Good overview but out of
date.
Recent
Hikes:
May 25, 2006
Leader: Cliff &
Pamela Harrison
9 Hikers
OMH Thursday
Route: Brushy
Creek campground along creek to FR 813A; up Mountain
Top Trail to OT; east to FR 6; return to campground.
6.8 miles
Difficulty
Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
sss:
This hike
loses lots of its challange
when the creeks run dry, but the climbs were tough in the high temps
(mid 80's,
light breeze, plenty of shade). One
large black snake resisted giving up his spot in the sun. Several ticks
made
their choices for tastiest hiker.
Interesting Non-Events of the Hike: Despite the Leader's forecast of a
doomsday
creek crossing, even the main creek crossing was dry. Nobody needed the
waders
we lugged for 6 miles.
Dec 10, 2005
Leader: Ben Glazer
19 Hikers
OMH Saturday
Route: From Big
Brushy campground, up Brushy Mountain Trail to OT;
OT westeward (92.6 - 91.4) to Mountain Top
Trail;
down to Rockhouse and finish on FR 106 .
4.4 miles
Difficulty
Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
sss:
Hike in
snow. Particularly beautiufl
first few hours; bridge and creek at Bug Brushy frozen.
Jim set pace; Ben swept and choreographed the car movements.
About half the crowd slid in snow down to Rockhouse
waterfall, and a smaller crowd went up to Rockhouse
cave, and a hearty few to cliffs above cave.
Apr 14, 2005
Leader: Ben Glazer
14 Hikers
OMH Thursday
Route: Started at
FR 6 going up Rockhouse
Trail, past Rockhouse and waterfall, to
Ouachita
Trail (m 90.2). East on OT to Brushy Creek Trail (m 91.4); tunr
down to creek, follow Brushy Creek Trail back to Big Brushy Campground
6.6 miles
Difficulty
Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
sss:
Good route
makes a shorter hike, with a good 2-mile climb at the
start and a visit to the Rockhouse. Followed by a mile on OT and then Brushy Creek.
Creek was
not very 'up today'; no waders necessary.
The Rockhouse is a very special place with
cave (used
by prehistoric natives) , a waterfall, and a
pond.
Jan 29, 2004
Leader: Ben Glazer
20 Hikers
OMH schedule
Route: Figure 8
path from Big Brushy camground,
up Brushy Creek Loop Trail to OT intersection, cross and down Mountain
Top
Trail to FR E16B; up Rockhouse Trail to
OT; OT east
to Brushy Mountain Trail and back to campground
10.0
miles
Difficulty
Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
Waterfall:
Lots of wet
creek crossings.
Lunch at top of hill (OT intersection); half group returned on loop,
without
doing figure eight (7 mi hike).
Part of group accessed the waterfall via Rockhouse
Trail, from below.
Rockhouse Cave
Brushy
Creek