Lake Catherine State Park

Lake Catherine State Park

 

   Lake Catherine has three trails, each with its own beauty. The trails can be walked separately or in various combinations. The park trails cover two steep mountains, two beautiful streams, a large swinging bridge, and an impressive (12') waterfall. The bridge is on the route to the falls on red and white loops.

   Horsethief Trail (Yellow loop) has a steep climb and great vistas on top; Falls Branch Trail (Red Loop)

follows the stream and is particularly beautiful in spring. Dam Mountain Trail (White Loop) is the most vigorous, including a steep climb to the ridge above the dam. Dam Mt Trail is across the creek. Cross above the falls; it is sometimes a challenge to cross the creek if water ishigh.

 

Planning notes:

   Red/yellow loops intersect; a good Saturday hike is up the Yellow trail to intersection and down the Red loop past falls (about 4 mi). Doing both loops is about 6 miles. The white loop is 4.5 miles and can be combined with Red Loop for about 6 mi.

   Hike is good any season. In winter (leaf-off) the views are best, particularly on Dam Mt, and waterfall is usually flowing best. In Spring the flowers and water are great; in fall, colors are good.

   This is a very good hike to break in a new hike leader.

   Could combine Sat. hike and lunch in State Park picnic area.

   This has always been a saturday hike, but all three loops would make about 8 miles and a good, moderate Thursday hike (perhaps alternate in lieu of overnight). Could lunch by the falls.

 

Access Notes:

     Trailhead at far end of camping area; restrooms at Visitor's Center a good stop prior to hike.

45 minute drive from HSV.

    From Hot Springs, take Malvern Avenue going SE, past the hospital and the country club until you get to route 128. (Sign to Carpenter Dam). Turn Right. Go about three miles; just past Garvan Gardens is intersection with route 290. Turn Left.  Go another 2 - 3 miles to route 171. Turn Left again. Go past Diamondhead and enter the state park. (About 45 minutes from HSV)

 

For additional info:

Betty Hair and Jim Gifford both like to lead this hike; know it well.

Tim Ernst: Arkansas Hiking Trails, p. 180 - 182 (includes map)

State Park Visitor's Center has brochure / trail maps (use links on trails index page)

 

Recent Hikes:

 

Nov 26, 2005    Leader: Glen & Nancy McFarlane          29 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Falls Creek Trail (counterclockwise) to falls; cross over; Dam Mt Trail (counter-clockwise); return to TH.

4.1 miles          Difficulty Rating 2       Scenic Rating 3

sss: Views of dam from overlooks on Dam Mt.               Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Cool; gray fall day. Good visibility; lots of fall color left.  Lake down; creeks and falls barely running.

 

Apr 23, 2005    Leader: Cliff & Pamela Harrison             20 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Dam Mountain Trail (clockwise)

4 miles             Difficulty Rating 3       Scenic Rating 4

sss: falls, lake, vistas                                                    Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Cliff & Pamela's first time as hike leaders. Beautiful, clear, cool morning.

Some overgrowth (brush & Briars) but otherwise an easy hike.

Hike Leader dubbed this an "Auxiliary MS Walk", earned $130 for Nat'l MS Society.

 

Nov 27, 2004    Leader: Glenn Wortham                        15 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Horseshoe Trail (Yellow) counter-clockwise until it intersects Falls Branch Trail (Red); Falls Branch down to falls.

3.5 miles          Difficulty Rating 3       Scenic Rating 3

sss: Leaf-off views of Lake from Vista on Horseshoe Trail             Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Trail in good condition; no water crossings.  Waterfall in full flow due to recent rains.

 

Apr 29, 2004    Leader: Marv Weitzenfeld                     5 Hikers             OMH bonus

Route: Dam Mountain Trail; followed by Falls Branch Trail

5.0 miles          Difficulty Rating 3       Scenic Rating 3

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Local in lieu of overnight; intended to do all three loops, but shortened due to pending rain storm.

 

Mar 20, 2004    Leader: Betty Hair                                9 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Horsethief Trail (Yellow loop) to Falls Branch Trail (Red Loop); down past falls

4.0 miles          Difficulty Rating 2       Scenic Rating 4

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Lots of water; saw a large cottonmouth beside trail below falls

 

Jan 10, 2004    Leader: Don Baggett                             33 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Dam Mountain Trail (counter-clockwise) + Falls Branch Trail

4.5 miles          Difficulty Rating 2       Scenic Rating 3

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Nice day; good flow over waterfalls; two young girls (8/11) participated.

 

Nov 29, 2003    Leader: Betty Hair                                14 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Horseshoe Trail (Yellow loop) to Falls Branch Trail (Red Loop); down past falls

4.0 miles          Difficulty Rating 2       Scenic Rating 4

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Beautiful, clear, cold morning. Waterfall running very pretty. Lake way down.

 

Sept 25, 2003   Leader: Ken Schultz                             20+ Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Red/Yellow loops

4 miles             Difficulty Rating 2       Scenic Rating 3

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Ken's first hike lead.

 

May 3, 2003     Leader: Betty Hair                                10 Hikers         OMH Saturday

Route: Horseshoe Trail (Yellow) loop to Red Loop

4.0 miles          Difficulty Rating 2       Scenic Rating 4

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Small but enthusiastic Saturday group, including two guests from Dallas. Creeks and waterfall way down from last month.

Krispy Kreme donuts from corner vendor on way down.

 

Mar 29, 2003    Leader: Jim Gifford                               18 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Dam Mountain (white loop) and Falls Branch (red loop)

4.5 miles          Difficulty Rating 3       Scenic Rating 4

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Beautiful spring day - leaf out has started; waterfall is falling; wildflowers around.

 

Mar 23, 2002    Leader: Jim Gifford                               18 Hikers             OMH Saturday

Route: Dam Mt. (white) loop followed by Falls Branch (red) loop.

4.5 miles          Difficulty Rating 3       Scenic Rating 4

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Beautiful spring day; good turnout.

 

Jul 2, 2001       Leader: Jim Langford (Chief, Trail Maint, AR State Parks)               4 Hikers        Trail Maintenance

Route: Build seawall to protect trail on Lake Catherine loops

2 miles             Difficulty:  4 hours  

Built a sea wall below Boy Scout scenic bench area, to reinforce hill and keep trail from sliding into lake. Area now identified as

"Langford Landing".  Cleared out an illegal dam below the waterfall (more rock lifting).

 

Jun 14, 2001    Leader: Jim Langford (Chief, Trail Maint, AR State Parks)             4 Hikers           Trail Maintenance

Route: Build Retaining Wall and rebuild trail section

1.5 miles          Difficulty:  4 hours  

Built 4-foot lower retaining wall and back-filled to form new, level trail coming off of suspension bridge. Re-routed trail for fifty feet

beyond bridge.

 

Jan 25, 2001    Leader: Jim Langford (Chief, Trail Maint, AR State Parks)              8 Hikers           Trail Maintenance

Route: Ice Storm clean-up / red loop

4.0 miles          Difficulty: 4 hours

Devastation was eye-watering; huge trees broken or up-rooted. 

Broke up root balls and remade trail by back filling dirt; moved a ton of dirt.

Included a beautiful four mile hike; the waterfall was definitely running !!

 

Oct 7, 2000      Leader: Betty Hair                                ? Hikers            OMH Saturday

Route: Up the Yellow loop to intersection; down Red loop to falls

4.0 miles          Difficulty Rating 4       Scenic Rating 2

Waterfall Falls Creek Falls

Waterfall essentially dry, but still beautiful.