Part 1 of our hike series.

We will be hiking a section of the LOViT Trail between Joplin and Hickory Nut Mountain. We will begin our hike from the parking area at the end of Forest Service Road 255 (detailed directions below). Plan on spending approximately three hours. We will move at a fairly slow pace. On average we will cover two to three miles. Even at a slow pace, you need to stay hydrated. So, bring along water and a snack/light lunch. We will take a break and have a picnic lunch/snack at Hot Dog Falls.

We will be on a section of the LOViT Trail taking advantage of Forest Service Road 255 to access the middle section of the trail. It is a special section of the LOViT Trail hiked and described by two well-known naturalists. Special areas of interest will be The Cascades, Ash Flats, Peace Knoll, and Hot Dog Falls.

The easiest and most convenient way to get there is for the group to meet at the parking lot of the Harp’s Food Store at the intersection of HWY 270W and Thornton Ferry Road between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. By carpooling from there we can reduce the number of vehicles as the number of parking spaces is limited. Please be on time. We will leave the Harp’s parking lot at 9:15. The cell phone number for Bill Randel is 501-538-8865.

From Hot Springs, travel west on highway 270W for approximately 20 miles to Joplin. At Joplin, turn right at the Valero Station onto Mountain Harbor Road. Continue on Mountain Harbor Road for approximately 0.6 miles to the concrete low water bridge. Turn right just BEFORE the bridge onto Forest Service Road 255. It appears as though you are turning into the driveway of a home but that is FS 255. After a short distance, you will pass thru the Forest Service gate. Continue for approximately 2 miles to the parking area at the end of FS 255. CAUTION! There will be numerous mud holes to pass through and the road is rough. However, the road is passable in a passenger car.