3/29/13 Elk Viewing Very Good, Wildflowers Rebound & Resume the 2013 Bloom

Rue Anemones Are Blooming

Elk viewing is very good now. This morning, in spite of morning thunderstorms, elk were out grazing. Elk love rain, so viewing should be good all weekend.

April 1 is the rough date of the annual antler drop.  I did not see any bulls without antlers, but the "drop" will happen any time now. It is illegal to collect sheds on the NPS park lands.

The wildflowers have rebounded from a second bout of winter weather. Last week I made no entry because I could not get off the mountain -- we had nearly an inch of ice on the ground. The following days were bitter cold, perhaps colder than any time in the winter with windchills as low as 8 degrees.

Twice this year wildflowers blossomed in warm weather, and were hammered by cold weather. So far as I can tell, this double reset has had little effect. The one species that is at the end of its bloom cycle is the white trout lily.  There are still small pockets of them here and there, and I am sure other wildflower venues might be at peak for this species.

Today a few species were added to the first bloom dates. Rue anemone, blood root and pale corydalis are now blooming. This is early for blood root and there are few plants. I expect a longer than usual bloom for this species because of the oddball weather patterns.  One the way now are trillium sessile. Lots baby wildflowers are evident.  The cut leaf toothworts appear to be in peak bloom.

If foliage is any indicator, this will be the best year for wildflowers in recent memory. I know the species locations of many varieties, and the footprint for them has expanded greatly. I am sure this is attributable to the rain patterns.

3/15/13 Great Elk Viewing, Wildflowers Started

White Trout Lilies

Elk viewing is very good. There were 4 herds in Boxley Valley today and two were close to the road. Big bulls tend to hang back except in early morning.  The warm weather this weekend should reduce viewing hours a bit.

The antler drop for big bulls is just about 2 weeks off now. Big bull fans have until around April 1 to see the big racks and then will have to wait until the next cycle.

The biggest news in Boxley Valley is the wildflower bloom. The wildflower bloom will heavy this year because of the moisture. Today it was clear that the early bloom pattern would continue. This week Ozark wake robins, cut leaf toothwort, and sharp lobed hepaticas joined the white trout lilies in the first wave of the spring wildflower season.  Trillium sessile are budded and will bloom in the next few days. All of this is very early. The good news is that visitors this weekend can enjoy elk and early wildflowers in beautiful spring weather.

Floating season has started. It is a great time to be at the Buffalo National River.

3/2/13 Elk Viewing Great, Wildflowers Waiting for Warm Weather

Elk viewing is very good with 4 herds in Boxley Valley. Finally tomorrow the cold breaks. It should be an excellent day to visit, watch a few elk and take a hike. Finally out of the winter jail. 

Elk are all over the valley from Ponca to down by Smith Creek at the south end. 

Change.org Petition to Save the Buffalo National River

Buffalo National River is now threatened by the creation of an industrial hog farm in the middle river area. 

One spill could destroy the river for tourism and kill all the fish all the way to the White River. The proposed 5,000 hog capacity farm is the equivalent of adding 20,000 people to the watershed because each hog produces 4 times as much waste as a human. The worst part is that the sewage treatment is minimal.

The hog waste is to be stored in open lagoons designed to withstand a 25 year rain storm, but these storms are much more frequent now due to climate change. This is a very serious threat. 

The future of the buffalo national river is at stake.  Sign this petition and be a part of the Fight for the Buffalo V2. 

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-state-of-arkansas-keep-america-s-first-national-river-the-buffalo-river-clean-and-pristine

2/24/13 Elk Crowd Boxley Valley After Storm, Wildflowers Rebound

Elk Viewing is Outstanding

The recent ice storm has focused elk in into Boxley Valley.  Elk viewing is arguably the best so far in 2013 with 6 herds in view and straggler elk, mostly bulls, here and there elsewhere. With so many elk in the valley they probably will move around quite a bit to compete for grazing fields. Remember the bull elk will have their antlers at least another month. 

Early Wildflowers Weathered the Ice Storm

The ice storm did little to damper the wildflower bloom in Boxley Valley's Lost Valley hiking trail. White trout lilies are the star of this early bloom. Yesterday there were at least 5 times as many lilies blooming compared to just a few days prior. If I had to project a peak for the white trout lilies in Lost Valley, it would be the first two weekends of March. There may be another snow storm coming Tuesday, but these tough wildflowers will bounce back quickly.  

It is time to get here if you want to see or photograph white trout lilies. The very best place I know of is just across the bridge at Lost Valley hiking trail and to the left. There is a rock field in the woods just past the fire pit. Stay on the trail, but look carefully and you will see these flowers among the moss covered rocks. They will be gone in 2-3 weeks. If you miss them at Lost Valley, Smith Creek Preserve also has a bloom and it runs roughly 1 or 2 weeks later. http://smithcreekpreserve.com  for directions, maps and more information.

02/16/13 Elk Viewing Map

Elk viewing is very good now.  As you can see from the map below, February is living up to its reputation as one of the very best elk viewing months, rivaling the elk rut for reliability, and perhaps exceeding it if you love to see groups of big bulls.

Get out early for your best chances to see the bull elk herds.

The map updated through 2/15 is below:

Elk Viewing Guidelines & Planning Your Visit

First Lost Valley Wildflower of 2013

Elk viewing has been strong all of February. The cold weather make all day viewing likely most days. These cold winter months offer perhaps the best viewing of the year. Remember the big bull elk are now in all-bull herds.  Great viewing and outstanding photo opportunities. The antler drop is around April 1.

Here are some guidelines for elk viewing:

• First, be observant.  Yesterday elk were grazing in the woods along the entrance road to the Ponca Access. If you were not paying attention, you would not see them.  Stay alert.
• Always check the entire valley from Ponca to the Upper Wilderness Trailhead.  Don't stop at the first elk, the best viewing of the day might be just up the road.
• Getting out at daybreak is your best shot to see the all bull herds. Bull herds seem to retreat to cover by 9 AM or earlier most days.
• Drive slowly and expect animals to dart out in front of you. 40 mph is pretty safe.
• If you are driving past elk watchers, assume they are distracted and prone to stepping in front of traffic. If they have kids with them, they will dart in front of you. Avoid tragedy.
• Respect the residents and private property.  Put yourself in their place.  Most of the viewing areas are private property. Don't block driveways, field access points, etc. Don't be rude. 

Combine your elk viewing visit with a look at the trumpeter swans on the Boxley Mill Pond, and a wildflower walk in Lost Valley.  Wildflower season is just starting and it will be going strong in a couple of weeks, and will continue further on through the spring. 

Don't forget to visit the Ponca Elk Education Center.  It is an award winning facility and a top notch educational opportunity.