Natural Falls State Park resides in West Siloam Springs in Oklahoma, borderline Arkansas. This place was unknown to me until recently yet caught my attention with the word "waterfall." I was confused, excited, and infuriated by this news. How was there a waterfall in Oklahoma? THERE IS A WATERFALL IN OKLAHOMA!!! WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME ABOUT THE WATERFALL SO CLOSE TO HOME!?!?!?! So, after my arduous journey to Black Mesa, I decided to purchase better gear for hiking (because it seems to be a new passion and hobby). I bought new hiking boots, an actual hiking pack, and some other small items to improve the ease, functionality, and survivability on these trips I am planning on taking. To break in this new gear, gather more experience and awareness while hiking, and to get out of town, I decided Natural Falls would be a suitable place to practice.
I left before 6am, heading West for an hour and a half towards my destination. It was storming early and rained the majority of the way but did not follow me to my destination, providing a great deal of overcast and lowering the temperature (which is also why I left early). The sky clouds held a beautiful silver and orange lining where the sun was attempting to emerge, heralding in this somewhat hidden gem just off of the highway. The main office was closed so I parked there and equipped my pack, heading towards the first trail I could find, called Bear Trail. It is a lush place, full of trees and overgowth due to the protection of the area, teeming with birds, gray squirrels, butterflies, and tons and tons of spiders... I have learned a valuable lesson on being the first to hit a trail so early in the day. I had to cleave and creep my way through untold amounts of face height spiderwebs holding their masters in the center as I made my way down this trail, leading me towards the falls. The closer I drew, the more prominent I could hear the falls.
I left before 6am, heading West for an hour and a half towards my destination. It was storming early and rained the majority of the way but did not follow me to my destination, providing a great deal of overcast and lowering the temperature (which is also why I left early). The sky clouds held a beautiful silver and orange lining where the sun was attempting to emerge, heralding in this somewhat hidden gem just off of the highway. The main office was closed so I parked there and equipped my pack, heading towards the first trail I could find, called Bear Trail. It is a lush place, full of trees and overgowth due to the protection of the area, teeming with birds, gray squirrels, butterflies, and tons and tons of spiders... I have learned a valuable lesson on being the first to hit a trail so early in the day. I had to cleave and creep my way through untold amounts of face height spiderwebs holding their masters in the center as I made my way down this trail, leading me towards the falls. The closer I drew, the more prominent I could hear the falls.
Descending down the paved and wooden path, I was guided (through spiders) to the falls. The atmosphere and sight alone were worth the trip, even if I had ceased there and went back home it would not have been a wasted journey. Before I visited here, most others told me the waterfall wasn't much. Well, it must have been the right day because I would say it was alive and hearty on my trip, cascading with power and presence as it filled the pool and stream below. I took a rest here and let the place resonate within me, gazing at any and everything possible. There was only one other person I saw on the trail or near the falls and it was then, a younger man who must have been camping there followed me down at some point and took up a seat on an adjacent bench. We watched and listened without words. After he returned, I began to notice the other vantage points above and around me, spurning me to traverse then path upward so that I may see more of this wonderfall. I went from one side to the other, learning of the terrain and its form, nodding at its majesty. After much time, I decided it was time to hike, to see where this trail would take me.
Ghost Coon Trail. Across the bridge above the falls, lay a place dotted by many yurts available to rent. Skirting around these, the path lead me into the forrest, winding along rocks, trees, and remote area with water. This is where the wildlife was waiting. Beyond the spiders, I caught sight of white tailed deer numerous times, huffing and hoofing to avoid my presence, heading deeper into terrain I would not follow thought I could still hear it for a time. Fighting my way through the trees, I found myself in a field on the other side of the area, the path shrouded on both sides by very tall grass and clusters of trees. It was an area I could sit and stare at for much time had there been a place to rest with enough oversight, alas I continued further back into the forest on the other side. In this portion, as I fought of more face webs, I realized I was in a collision course with a snake traveling the opposite way as me, using the trail as its own, slithering beneath the mess of webs above. We paused and inspected one another, I was uncertain of the species other than I new for certain it was not a rattlesnake. Nevertheless, I was cautious and respectful, easing around it, both of us continuing on our separate ways (I looked up the snake when I returned home and I am fairly certain it was a copperhead, which I find hilarious AND frightening). Though the hike was beautiful, the constant fight of spiders did distract me quite a bit. When I finally emerged from that last portion, I made my way back to the falls. There, I took a rest and reflected on the journey, feeding myself some granola as victory, humored by the idea of having breakfast at a waterfall. It was a worthy trip, teaching me much and rewarding me for my efforts.