Camping near Hawksbill Crag

[Butch Crain]

Any suggestions?

[Barrett]

If you are looking for actual camp sites, I would think the closest park service site would be at Lost Valley and then next closest at Steel Creek. I am sure there are a lot of other non park service options that I am not aware of.

[Fish]

Dixon Ford. Put in for the Hailstone - has a few primitive sites, with the one in the cedars on the high creek bank on river left being a spectacular place, imo.

- Fish

[okieboater]

In the days before internet gauge reading, internet weather reporting and cell phones - We used to take a guess on Friday from the TV weather reports, gather up some paddling buds and head out after work with the Hailstone being one of our favorite all day start early finish late runs.

Hitting the Hailstone is always a matter of luck, more so in the early days.

cannot count the number of times I have camped at Dixon Ford hoping to wake up with bunches of water but finding none.

On the other hand, as Fish states, it is a wonderful place to camp.

We normally took along oatmeal plus bacon, sausage, eggs, coffee etc. If the creek was running it was instant oatmeal and hit the shuttle early as possible.

If no water - cook up a big tasty breakfast, set around enjoying same and either spend the day hiking side creeks or sight seeing in the area.

Dixon Ford before the road upgrade used to be the place to be for a wilderness camp if you had 4WD. Been a few years for me, but my bet is it is still a good place to enjoy a weekend AR camp experience.

Go for it Butch and give us a trip report!

[Butch Crain]

Hoping to bail after dropping off the grandson manana.

Is Dixon ford pickup truck or alternative fuels vehicle access?

[okieboater]

They did a road upgrade some years ago and you could drive any vehicle to the ford.

Not sure of current conditions but there used to be some camping at the top of the river gorge that was easy to drive to.

[Fish]

The only catch with trying to get to the camp in a low clearance vehicle is that if you want to camp river left, you either have to 4WD across the creek from the normal access, or you have to park on river right and ford the creek with your camping stuff. None of that's a problem for camping river right, and last time I was there a 2wd car could make it down in there and out just fine as long as it wasn't really muddy. If you have good 4WD it's possible to come in to the river-left spot from off of Cave Mtn Rd. (which you drive to get to Hawksbill Crag). However, the last time I tried that, it was all I wanted in my Trooper, so who knows how it looks now...

- Fish

[Crane]

personally, I'd call Mike Beebe (the El Dorado one) and see if he and Susan will be at their cabin, which I think is within 1/4 mile of Hawksbill Crag... Just a thought... Crane

[Butch Crain]

Streets & Maps is trying to route me thru Harrison & then down 43 to Ponca/Boxley.

Any reason why I can't go up 21 from Clarksville?

PS - Larry, I've only met Mike one time, a couple of years ago, wouldn't want to impose.

But I've been to your house Bud. I could bivouac in the yard, set up the PETT out behind your shed...

[MikeBeebe]

Butch, if you need any info, etc., just give me a call at eight 70 - nine one 8 - 8 two one 2. We're about 4 miles from the Crag. Sorry that I haven't noticed this post before now.

Mike

[Crane]

Butch, you know you're always welcome! We might even let you sleep inside... the shed:)

[okieboater]

Hey Crane,

Butch has been known to bring and share some great micro brews in his river tripping cooler. Might be good for your thirst to bring him inside the house!

Good man to swap stories with as well.

Dave

[Butch Crain]

Thanks everyone for the info.

Especially Mike & Susan - really nice & gracious folks.

I'm ready when you want to do that backpack trip, Mike.

[MikeBeebe]

Butch, it was great having you and many thanks for helping me unload the trailer as well. You've got to always appreciate a guy who brings food and drink. Pick a hiking date and we'll go. Hope that you enjoyed the Crag this morning. See ya soon.

Mike

[Butch Crain]

Flubbed the pics of an awesome setting yellow moon. This pic -

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2942 ... 2584gIejao" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

doesn't do the sunrise justice - I need to take one of Ernst's workshops - up my game. Thanks again everyone for directions, etc.