I recently had the opportunity to go backpackign with some friends. After a lot of really nice weather, the temps dropped down into the 30s for our camping trip, but we managed to stay somewhat warm most of the time and have a great weekend. I’ve day hiked in this area before and was very excited to spend some time exploring it more in depth.

Here are a few photos of this remarkably beautiful area:

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We setup camp after a fairly short hike into the area.  It was a nice spot up on a small bluff overlooking a crystal clear stream.  From my hammock I could see waterfalls in both directions. It was a beautiful spot indeed!

 

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Upstream from our camp was this waterfall, the largest.  It’s actually quite a bit larger than it looks in the photo, I would guess around 10, maybe 12 feet tall. Not tall by any means, but a beautiful spot nonetheless!

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The clear streams are one of my favorite features of the Ozarks so anytime I have the opportunity to hang out around them is a good day!

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A lot of rocks and boulders were covered with bright green moss in the early spring.  Reminded me a little bit of Ireland!

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I went exploring down the stream from our camp and found this nice little area with some rapids and more moss covered boulders.

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More crystal clear water in Long Creek.  I’ve never visited this area in any season except spring, but I am told that the creek is mostly dry during summer and fall.

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We took a longer hike up through the northern part of the wilderness area and found this unmarked waterfall in a narrow hollow just a little ways off the trail.  Here is one of my fellow backpackers checking out the waterfall up close. I would really love to go back and photograph this waterfall sometime after all the leaves come out and everything turns green and full of life!

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The wilderness area is centered around Long Creek, which we encountered many times while hiking.  It’s a really beautiful clear stream with the sounds of rushing water cascading through the rocky stream bed. Just walking along this stream is reason enough to visit this wilderness area!