Strawberry Bluff
February 11, 2007
Cliff and I were fired up after the fun
we'd had last week Geocaching, and couldn't wait for the next
adventure. Next on the list was a location we'd recently caught
on TV on AETN's Exploring Arkansas. Of course I love that show
and record it every week.
Strawberry Bluff is located 2 miles north
of the Strawberry community, in Central Johnson County.
The weather was overcast and windy when we
arrived at the parking area, a short distance uphill of the
bluffs. A trail lead northward following the bluff line for
several hundred yards. It was pretty chilly at first, but after
15 minutes I was unzipping my jacket to let the cool air in.
We backtracked to find the geocache, which
was located near the parking area, then we explored the top of
the bluffs south of the parking area. There were some neat rock
formations there that reminded me of Pedestal Rocks, which
according to my topo maps is only 22 miles away. I wonder how
many other undocumented bluff lines with interesting rock
formations there are in this region of the Ozarks.
Cliff found a way down to the bottom of the
bluffs, with me right behind him. It was pretty rough going
down there... the wooded hillside was steep and covered with
sticker vines... but we made our way north to a small cave-like
shelter. We had to do a bit of climbing to get up into the
shelter. Cliff found the best route, then coached me on my way
up. I brought the point-and-shoot camera with me and was able
to get one shot from inside the shelter.
Strawberry Bluff is not listed on USGS
maps, nor is it in any guide books that I know of, so I am
including directions. It is located just north of Hwy 123/164
between Ludwig and Hagarville. To get there, travel on Hwy 164
(.7 miles east of the Hwy 292/123 junction, or 2 miles west of
Hagarville) until you get to a sign that says "Strawberry
Assembly of God Church". This is County Road 3651, which
heads north. After 4.0 miles you will come to County Road 4631
on the right. Take this road and the parking area is 1.0 miles.
GPS coordinates are N 35 34.108, W 093 22.219 (WGS 84,
Degrees and Decimal Minutes).
