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Adventures with Uncle Bob

LUSK CREEK WILDERNESS AREA

Directions: Take hwy 145 south from Harrisburg to Eddyville. Turn left onto the Golconda blacktop and turn left at the first gravel road. Follow this road to the signed parking lot.

You will walk east for 1.5 to 2.0 miles past pine plantations and a crossroads having a north spur to the River-to-River Trail. This trail is no picnic when the ground is wet. We arrive at a stone glade, high above the canyon. Walk to the right along the cliff edge until you see a narrow path below you that leads to a small cave inside a cliff wall. Here is an unobstructed view of the 100 foot deep canyon. Return to the glade and head steeply downhill to the edge of Lusk Creek and view the hair-pin shaped wall. At this point you can retrace your steps back to the parking lot, or go right on the trail (note the hitching post for horses) in a northwest direction. Watch the creek until you see a place to cross on stepping stones. Upon doing so, walk to the right (no trail) until you see a limestone bluff line to explore some nice rock formations and bluff shelters. Return back across the creek. You could continue on the right to the River-to-River Trail.

Another access point to Lusk Creek is to by-pass the parking lot and follow the road to the end where there used to be a bridge, and just start your hike along the creek (no defined trail). Another suggestion is to go north of Eddyville to CR 100 and the sign for Circle B Ranch. Take that road to the parking area trailhead. Here you will find the River-To-River trail which connects to the north end of town to the west, and going east takes you through the north end of the wilderness. Continuing in this direction will bring you to the trailhead at Concord Cemetery. Lusk Creek contains 800 species of ferns and flowering plants including Turks Cap Lily, Hay Scented Fern, and Arching Dewberry. Trees on the ridge include 5 kinds of Oak trees.

For additional information on these or other outing locations, call Bob Tyson at 684-564, or, mailto:robkay43@webtv.net  ■

Updated: 10/26/2005

 

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