Ozark Highlands Trail section 3

**Mobius_trip** · 11-27-2016, 22:54

Me and three buddies headed out to section 3 of the OHT for a quick overnight to burn off some Thanksgiving calories. This 19.5 mile section took us from Cherry Bend trail head to Lick Branch trail head and offered great scenery throughout.

Day one we made it up to Hare Mountain in about three hours from Cherry Bend and had lunch with a fantastic view from the highest point on the OHT

Hare Mountain view
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It was windy and pretty cold so we didn't linger as long as we would have liked but we did got some great photos. From Hare Mt. we enjoyed about 5 miles of really nice forest and views down into the Herrods Creek drainage. We arrived at Herrods creek about 2:30 (started at 9:30) after 10.5 miles of hiking and filled our water. This was the first water we had seen since we started and were glad to see it for sure. There was a nice camp spot at Herrods and we debated stopping for the night but decided to head on to Indian creek and have a short second day out. We made 4 more miles in a couple of hours and were able to make camp just before sundown.

Indian Creek low water
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Indian creek has one of the best camp spots on the trail and we enjoyed the fire ring and camp furniture made of Ozark stone.

Hillbilly Lay Z Boys
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Day two we took plenty of water since it had been so dry to this point but we were soon pleasantly surprised to find water in just about every little side drainage. I guess the area east of Indian creek has received more rain and water ceased to be a worry. A couple of miles brought us to the Marinoni scenic area and we slowed our pace to get plenty of photos and enjoy this great area. As usual none of my pics do it justice but trust me it's beautiful.

Moss covered bluffline at Marinoni scenic area
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After Marinoni we made our final climb of the section and started dropping to Lick Branch.

ULA Ohm at Lick Branch
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We finished up just before noon and enjoyed the scenic drive home up HWY 23.

All in all a great little overnight and just what the doctor ordered to take off some of my Thanksgiving dinner excess.

**Texas_toothpick** · 11-28-2016, 07:44

Thanks! Momma and I took a couple days in the Ozarks for our anniversary this year. It was beautiful. We did some zip lines and cave stuff, was fantastic. If you've never been on the Cosmic caverns wild tour it's a blast. Since June I've been trying to plan another trip, this time to hit the woods. I can't wait.

That's my guide on the right. I'm the tiny red spec in the middle.

This guy don't do heights, and I was approximately 300+ feet above the valley. Great way to see the mountains.

Thanks for sharing I'd love to see some more of those mountains with my own eyes.

**Mobius_trip** · 11-28-2016, 14:09

Originally Posted by Texas_toothpick

Thanks! Momma and I took a couple days in the Ozarks for our anniversary this year. It was beautiful. We did some zip lines and cave stuff, was fantastic. If you've never been on the Cosmic caverns wild tour it's a blast. Since June I've been trying to plan another trip, this time to hit the woods. I can't wait.

That's my guide on the right. I'm the tiny red spec in the middle.

This guy don't do heights, and I was approximately 300+ feet above the valley. Great way to see the mountains.

Thanks for sharing I'd love to see some more of those mountains with my own eyes.

I've seen a lot of zip line places start up over the last 10 years but I've yet to try one. Maybe I should. It looks fun!

**Texas_toothpick** · 11-28-2016, 16:21

I'm not good with heights at all. So I planned it and told momma so there was no backing out. That's why I'm trying to push my self toward some trails with mountains. I'll feel much safer with my feet on the ground, and my head in the clouds.