Caney Creek and Buckeye Mountain Loop in Ouachita National Forest, AR

Hike Caney Creek and Buckeye Mountain Loop Ouachita National Forest, AR

Class 2 8.9 miles 1800 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Aug 6, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Caney Creek and Buckeye Mountain Loop GPX Track

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Starting from the Caney Creek Trailhead, a winding trail leads across Caney Creek and other creek runoffs for a few miles through a beautiful forest before starting the ascent to Buckeye Mountain. Shortly after leaving Caney Creek, there is a short detour leading toward Katy Falls before starting the haul up to the ridgeline. The trail stopped being fun at this point because the immense amount of overgrowth slowed me and scratched me bloody. The trail was still fairly easy to follow, and there were some nice views along the ridgeline regardless. Continue along the ridge as the trail becomes more reasonable during the descent to the Buckeye Trailhead. Follow the forest road back to the Caney Creek Trailhead for a mile.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Buckeye Mountain
2300 ft
740 rise

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Despite the rain, I decided to hike. Lots of stream crossings, but I was already drenched so whatever.
Despite the rain, I decided to hike. Lots of stream crossings, but I was already drenched so whatever.
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Caney Creek on the right. This stream you cross, like many others, leads into Caney Creek. Really water-filled an lush area.
Caney Creek on the right. This stream you cross, like many others, leads into Caney Creek. Really water-filled an lush area.
Some short cliffs along Caney Creek.
Some short cliffs along Caney Creek.
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Lunch next to Caney Creek before starting the ascent up to Katy Mountain and Buckeye Mountain.
Lunch next to Caney Creek before starting the ascent up to Katy Mountain and Buckeye Mountain.
The junction with the Buckeye Mountain Trail, leaving the Caney Creek Trail.
The junction with the Buckeye Mountain Trail, leaving the Caney Creek Trail.
Shortly after the obvious breakaway from the Caney Creek Trail, there is another split. Left seems more likely the correct trail but avoids Katy Falls, right brings you to Katy falls (ahead in this photo).
Shortly after the obvious breakaway from the Caney Creek Trail, there is another split. Left seems more likely the correct trail but avoids Katy Falls, right brings you to Katy falls (ahead in this photo).
Katy Falls.
Katy Falls.
Katy Falls.
Katy Falls.
Continuing the ascent.
Continuing the ascent.
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A really nice view along the ridge. There are many like this along the ridgeline.
A really nice view along the ridge. There are many like this along the ridgeline.
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The trail avoids the ridgeline sometimes and winds back just next to it. Thank god. The ridgeline is super overgrown with all sorts of crazy plants.
The trail avoids the ridgeline sometimes and winds back just next to it. Thank god. The ridgeline is super overgrown with all sorts of crazy plants.
You can sort of see the trail here. It's overgrown, but it gets much worse than this.
You can sort of see the trail here. It's overgrown, but it gets much worse than this.
Caterpillar nests?
Caterpillar nests?
Very overgrown.
Very overgrown.
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More great views.
More great views.
Looking back along the ridge to Buckeye Mountain.
Looking back along the ridge to Buckeye Mountain.
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After more overgrown trails, sometimes difficult to navigate, the trail begins to descend and begins to widen significantly.
After more overgrown trails, sometimes difficult to navigate, the trail begins to descend and begins to widen significantly.
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The Buckeye Mountain Trailhead.
The Buckeye Mountain Trailhead.
Follow the road back to the Caney Creek Trailhead for a mile.
Follow the road back to the Caney Creek Trailhead for a mile.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!