Posted by John Moore on February 19, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Last Sunday I paid a visit to Paradise Falls in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area in the Arkansas Ozarks. I imagine many on this forum have this waterfall on their lists, so I figure I'd let everybody know what I found. The entire area is indeed a special place with lots of great photo opportunities upstream. However, getting to below the falls is quite the challenge. The hillside is steep and treacherous, but obviously not impossible to negotiate.
Once at the back of the gorgeous pool of blue-green water at the base of the falls, I found that several trees on the canyon rim had fallen victim to last year's ice storm. One had fallen in front of the falls. Also, three visitors last May had carved their initials and date in a beautiful old Beech tree on the left side of the pool (Man I hate that!)
My mood was already tempered by an aching knee I'd twisted earlier in the day. Still, Paradise Falls lived up to its name.
Posted by TIMERNST2 on February 19, 2010 at 2:01 PM
That looks like an improvement over what is was last spring - there were at least 2-3 other trees coming down into the falls from the top on the right - they probably were sent on downstream by the flooding last year. In fact without all the floods we had last year a lot of the waterfalls would be much worse as far as stuck logs go. There was a large log stuck right in the middle of Amber's Falls last spring, but it was completely gone this fall - it was at least 1.5-2 feet thick at the base so it must have been quite a wall of water to wash it on over and downstream. This is all just the normal part of evolution, we just happen to be seeing some of the worst of it for now, but it all will gradually pass, being replaced by more logs in the future I'm sure!
I remember the day that I discovered this waterfall, which is within two miles from my cabin. I had spent a long day walking out many other parts of this drainage, and had not found much to write home about. It seemed that all of the neat falls were in the other fork of Bowers (Magnolia, Woods Boys, Stahle), but it just felt like there had to be more. I had explored up this drainage early in the day but did not follow it all the way up to the falls, but did explore the upper reaches later in the afternoon. I made it back down the creek almost to this waterfall when I gave up and decided to head back up and out to the trailhead and call it a day. When I reached the bluff above I sat down to catch my breath and consider the overall beauty of the place. I sucked down the last of my water and snacks, then packed up and started out. For some reason I headed back down into the drainage instead of up and over the bluff - it was like the waterfall was drawing me in. I knew there had been a short section of that creek that I had not laid eyes on, and since I had come up empty handed all day I just had to give it one more try. I came out right on top of the falls and nearly fell off the edge. It was a near-religious experience wading into this incredible pool that day, and "Paradise" was the first name that came into my head (there were magnolia trees in bloom and the fragrance was quite pleasing). It is just a wonderful spot, clogged with trees or not.
No telling how many great waterfalls we all hike close to but never see each year - there are tons of them still out there just waiting to be found and photographed!
Seems like ALL the water in the Ozarks is emerald right now. I was at lake Ft. Smith the other day and it too was a giant emerald pool. Even the White River! I've never seen anything like this (individual pools and creeks sure, but not EVERYthing)...
this looks a little better than what I found in May. I have been wondering whether or not our fall floods had cleaned it out or not. I'm glad you went and checked it out for me. Did you stand on that ledge above the falls on the right (river left) that sort of overlooks it? It looks like it would be a cool spot to jump off of although I know better. It provides a nice view. I think Tim nailed the name for this one perfectly.
Posted by John Moore on February 19, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Matt, the snow was still fairly deep, and I had messed up my knee pretty bad, so I didn't waste any effort exploring. I don't recall seeing photos of yours from this area. ???
With a bum knee I am impressed you made it down to the bottom. The reason you haven't seen any images from is because there was so much ice damage, and the sun came out on me. The sun did go away and I as able to get shots of Magnolia, Woods Boys and Stahle. The shoulder strap for my camera bag broke at Stahle and I chased it down the hill trying to beat it to the creek and tore up my ankle. It landed in a shallow pool but was still dry. Sounds like this area can beat you up if you aren't careful.
Posted by John Moore on February 19, 2010 at 6:25 PM
no kidding, and that one was a Nikon I had on loan from a friend. Good thing the bag was made of waterproof fabric. The top wasn't waterproof but it landed just right.
Posted by Jon Wisniewski on February 20, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Ive been here twice and Ive only come back with one image, the first time i didnt bring a camera and the second time was in march after the ice storm and the area to get down was so muddy i wasnt sure if i could make it back out. The ledge up top that youre talking about matt is pretty sweet, it made me wonder how deep the pool down there really is. Heres the photo ive taken of it, its pretty cluttered but you can kind of get an idea of the damage around the falls.
Yea there are a lot of falls that look better when they are not flooded. They gain a lot of texture in the water.
Posted by Jon Wisniewski on February 20, 2010 at 1:05 PM
yea, the big rock up there thats like a lookout point almost? I think i took mine closer to where the hillslide is. There was a big tree laying down in the middle of it.
yea that lookout point is the spot. Being up there really reminded me of a Hawaiian waterfall that you could jump off of and swim in. I bet it was a little to shallow to be jumping in and a little cold to be swimming in. I camped near Magnolia falls that night and it got down around freezing.
Posted by Jon Wisniewski on February 20, 2010 at 1:17 PM
The water was definitely cold that morning, i took a small spill in the last drainage that comes in before you come to the top of the falls...the rocks were really slippery that morning.
Posted by Gale Rainwater on February 20, 2010 at 1:19 PM
John really a fine job of showing the beautiful snowm emerald pool and the detail in the bluff. I like your title many of these places are heavenly but are like hell to get to.
Posted by Bill Dark on February 20, 2010 at 4:39 PM
The water color is really nice, and the small patches of snow and cobbles add a lot of interest in the foreground. It's a shame waterfalls like this one are temporarily cluttered with tree tops. Oh well, maybe it won't be long before things get flushed out. Thanks for sharing, John.
Has anyone tried coming in from Boen Gulf? I haven't been down in the guts of Boen for a few years, and was wondering how things looked. I know of some beautiful pools in there, but have never taken the time to go up to Paradise Falls.
Posted by Tom Kennon on February 20, 2010 at 5:52 PM
John, great scene with the deep green water, the falls, and the snow.
Posted by TIMERNST2 on February 21, 2010 at 9:28 AM
I just heard from Glenn Wheeler that someone is missing in Boen Gulf this morning - did not return home last night. They found the truck at the trailhead. The guy "had camera gear" but I don't know if he is a photographer or not - I did not recognize the name. A search and rescue mission is underway this morning - so if you are in that area today this is what is going on.
On a somewhat related note, the new 2nd generation Find Me Spot problem has been fixed (so they say), and I hear the new units are shipping. Anyone who got one of these previously had to send them back in to be fixed as they were sending out false readings. (this only applied to the new 2nd generation units, nor the original ones). AND - this is REALLY EXCITING NEWS - Delorme is going to be coming out with a very interesting setup in May - one of their GPS units will be able to mate up wirelessly with a special version of the Find Me Spot 2 and you will be able to TEXT when sending out the e-mail notice (up to 30 characters or something like that). This is a TERRIFIC new feature. The only problem is that you have to buy and use the GPS unit and the Find Me Spot at the same time - I'm sure one of these years they will both be the same unit, but for now this will be a giant step forward. I don't know if the new Delorme unit will be able to mate with the current 2nd generation Find Me Spots or not - have to wait until May to see how it all works.
Discussion
15 repliesOnce at the back of the gorgeous pool of blue-green water at the base of the falls, I found that several trees on the canyon rim had fallen victim to last year's ice storm. One had fallen in front of the falls. Also, three visitors last May had carved their initials and date in a beautiful old Beech tree on the left side of the pool (Man I hate that!)
My mood was already tempered by an aching knee I'd twisted earlier in the day. Still, Paradise Falls lived up to its name.
I remember the day that I discovered this waterfall, which is within two miles from my cabin. I had spent a long day walking out many other parts of this drainage, and had not found much to write home about. It seemed that all of the neat falls were in the other fork of Bowers (Magnolia, Woods Boys, Stahle), but it just felt like there had to be more. I had explored up this drainage early in the day but did not follow it all the way up to the falls, but did explore the upper reaches later in the afternoon. I made it back down the creek almost to this waterfall when I gave up and decided to head back up and out to the trailhead and call it a day. When I reached the bluff above I sat down to catch my breath and consider the overall beauty of the place. I sucked down the last of my water and snacks, then packed up and started out. For some reason I headed back down into the drainage instead of up and over the bluff - it was like the waterfall was drawing me in. I knew there had been a short section of that creek that I had not laid eyes on, and since I had come up empty handed all day I just had to give it one more try. I came out right on top of the falls and nearly fell off the edge. It was a near-religious experience wading into this incredible pool that day, and "Paradise" was the first name that came into my head (there were magnolia trees in bloom and the fragrance was quite pleasing). It is just a wonderful spot, clogged with trees or not.
No telling how many great waterfalls we all hike close to but never see each year - there are tons of them still out there just waiting to be found and photographed!
Seems like ALL the water in the Ozarks is emerald right now. I was at lake Ft. Smith the other day and it too was a giant emerald pool. Even the White River! I've never seen anything like this (individual pools and creeks sure, but not EVERYthing)...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4373411626_5cdeca6222_b.jpg
I think this one actually looks best when there isnt a ton of water going over the top.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4372745775_e1195fb070_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4372745325_2ba9f3394e_o.jpg
Yea there are a lot of falls that look better when they are not flooded. They gain a lot of texture in the water.
Has anyone tried coming in from Boen Gulf? I haven't been down in the guts of Boen for a few years, and was wondering how things looked. I know of some beautiful pools in there, but have never taken the time to go up to Paradise Falls.
On a somewhat related note, the new 2nd generation Find Me Spot problem has been fixed (so they say), and I hear the new units are shipping. Anyone who got one of these previously had to send them back in to be fixed as they were sending out false readings. (this only applied to the new 2nd generation units, nor the original ones). AND - this is REALLY EXCITING NEWS - Delorme is going to be coming out with a very interesting setup in May - one of their GPS units will be able to mate up wirelessly with a special version of the Find Me Spot 2 and you will be able to TEXT when sending out the e-mail notice (up to 30 characters or something like that). This is a TERRIFIC new feature. The only problem is that you have to buy and use the GPS unit and the Find Me Spot at the same time - I'm sure one of these years they will both be the same unit, but for now this will be a giant step forward. I don't know if the new Delorme unit will be able to mate with the current 2nd generation Find Me Spots or not - have to wait until May to see how it all works.