Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point

If you’ve spent much time in the Buffalo River Area at all, you’ve seen pictures of Hawksbill Crag – it is easily one of the most photographed areas in the area, and with good reason.

The hike is a short one, and relatively easy. Getting to the trailhead is a bit trickier.

To get to the trailhead, take Highway 43 from Ponca to Boxley. When the highway merges with Highway 21, take the southern route and continue on to Boxley. Right before you cross the Buffalo River, there is a gravel road that heads off to the road called Cave Mountain Road. Turn right onto Cave Mountain Road – you’ll know you’re at the right place when the gravel road heads up, seemingly straight up. This is a rough, rocky, steep road. I will note that we’ve made the trip many a time in our 2 wheel drive car without problems, but never when the road is wet and potentially slippery.

The road will eventually level out, and continue on Cave Mountain Road for a total of 6 miles – it will feel like a lot more.  When you pass the Cave Mountain Church and cemetery you’re just a bit more than a ½ mile away.  

At 6 miles you’ll come to a small parking area marked “Wilderness Access – find a spot to park here, or on the side of the road if the lot is full.  The trail starts out on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot. 

This is a heavily used trail, so following it should not be much of a problem.  It starts off down the hill (getting back up this hill at the end of the hike is easily the toughest part of the hike).  After going down a bit, the trail eventually levels out.

At about the 1 mile mark the trail will dip down a bit and cross a small stream.  If there is water flowing in this stream, there is a nice little waterfall that will be down to your right over the bluff. This waterfall is called Haley Falls – named after a six year old girl who got lost from her group in this area for 3 days and 2 nights and was eventually found near here.  If you go down to the bluff, there is a tree there that can help you get down to the upper version of this falls (and more importantly, back up).  There is a lower version of the falls that I’ve never been down to because we usually do this hike in October when the leaves are turning because the views here are so tremendous – but there is seldom much water here in October.

As you cross the stream, you’ll have an option to turn either left or right. Both trails lead to the same place (the Crag), just take different routes to get there. To the left the trail heads up on a higher path, further into the woods and further away from the bluffline.  The trail to the right heads right along the edge of the bluffline.

While the upper path is a very nice hike, we generally take the path to the right and come back on the other route.  If you go to the right, the next  .5 miles of the hike will be filled with interesting rock formations,  great views of the Upper Buffalo Wilderness and a lot of places to stop for a snack or just to soak it all in (and really, hitting this area in late October when the trees are in full color is just breathtaking).  As you observe all of the breathtaking views, PLEASE BE CAREFUL.  The bluff below you falls several hundred feet and a fall would be deadly. 

After .5 miles of bluff top views, you’ll get to the Crag. The views from here are incredible, and of course, there are a lot of little places to get pictures of the Crag itself.  Again, when you venture out on the Crag, be careful., it’s a long way down.

After taking time out here to enjoy the area, head on back the way you came in. When it starts getting steep you’re getting close.

Length: 3 miles round trip

Star rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Footwear: Hiking boots or trail runners are fine

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (only for the climb out)

Kids: Yes – but please keep them close when near blufflines

Guidebook: None required, but covered in Tim Ernst: Buffalo River Hiking Trails

This trail, unlike most in the Buffalo River area, does allow dogs on leashes.  Again, if your dog is the type that will pull you trying to chase a critter, this may not be the best path to take them on.

Comments

[Alec Randles]

awesome stuff! Very helpful

[Alex]

I appreciate all of your information and pictures regarding what Arkansas has to offer in terms of hiking trails and waterfalls. I am planning to visit soon in the next few weeks and your blog has certainly helped in making some decisions for my upcoming trip.

Thank you,
Alex