Thunder Canyon Falls via Cecil Cove Loop in Buffalo National River, AR

Hike Thunder Canyon Falls via Cecil Cove Loop Buffalo National River, AR

Class 1 6.8 miles 700 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Aug 8, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Thunder Canyon Falls via Cecil Cove Loop GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

The first half (northern half) of the Cecil Cove Loop was really pretty as it crossed Cecil Creek multiple times and included a detour to the ridiculously cool Thunder Canyon Falls. The social trail leading to the falls isn't obvious to locate at first, but is easy to follow once on it. After Thunder Canyon Falls, the trail continues along Cecil Creek, passing historic rock wall ruins and the Jones Cemetery before becoming somewhat uneventful for the rest of the way. The trail ends back on Old Compton-Erbie Road, which I followed east back to the trailhead. Expect a million spider webs in summer.

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!

Starting on the Cecil Cove Trail.
Starting on the Cecil Cove Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Pretty cascade along the Cecil Cove Trail.
Pretty cascade along the Cecil Cove Trail.
The Cecil Cove Trail parallels Cecil Creek, crossing it occasionally.
The Cecil Cove Trail parallels Cecil Creek, crossing it occasionally.
Image 4 from gallery
A crossing of Cecil Creek.
A crossing of Cecil Creek.
Image 6 from gallery
Starting up Thunder Canyon.
Starting up Thunder Canyon.
Image 8 from gallery
Beautiful water-carved crack.
Beautiful water-carved crack.
The trail stays out of the watercourse.
The trail stays out of the watercourse.
Looking back at the pretty water-carved sandstone section.
Looking back at the pretty water-carved sandstone section.
Approaching Thunder Canyon Falls.
Approaching Thunder Canyon Falls.
Thunder Canyon Falls.
Thunder Canyon Falls.
Image 14 from gallery
Looking back into Thunder Canyon.
Looking back into Thunder Canyon.
Thunder Canyon Falls.
Thunder Canyon Falls.
Image 17 from gallery
I took too many photos of Thunder Canyon Falls. It was so pretty.
I took too many photos of Thunder Canyon Falls. It was so pretty.
Back on the Cecil Cove Trail, headed northwest.
Back on the Cecil Cove Trail, headed northwest.
Cecil Creek.
Cecil Creek.
Some old stone wall ruins along the way.
Some old stone wall ruins along the way.
Eventually the Cecil Cove Trail leaves Cecil Creek, working west up a hill.
Eventually the Cecil Cove Trail leaves Cecil Creek, working west up a hill.
The trail is less well-maintained, and I got a bunch of ticks and countless spiderweb hassles.
The trail is less well-maintained, and I got a bunch of ticks and countless spiderweb hassles.
Historic Jones Cemetery.
Historic Jones Cemetery.
Overflowing creek crossing.
Overflowing creek crossing.
Not much of note on the southern half of the loop, just lots of forest.
Not much of note on the southern half of the loop, just lots of forest.
A short view along the southern half of the Cecil Cove Loop.
A short view along the southern half of the Cecil Cove Loop.
Image 28 from gallery
I followed the Old Compton-Erbie Road back to the trailhead.
I followed the Old Compton-Erbie Road back to the trailhead.

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!