Hedges Pour Off; Overlook

The Buffalo River area is full of places with outstanding views of our natural landscapes.

One of those areas is the Hedges Pouroff. 

Hedges Pouroff is named due to the large waterfall that pours over this ridge during wet weather, and for the Hedges family that lived in a farmstead below the falls area.

However, even during the dry season, the pouroff area supplies amazing views of the undisturbed Upper Buffalo Wilderness area and is worth the visit.

Getting There

To get to Hedges Pouroff Overlook, if coming from Ponca, turn LEFT off of Hwy 43 onto Hwy 21 and go SOUTH on Hwy 21. You'll pass by the Boxley Church & cemetery. After 1.2 miles, turn right onto Cave Mountain Road - -which is a gravel road just before you cross the Buffalo River (which is usually fairly dry in this spot except during the high-water season. There is a relatively new sign in the area pointing toward Hawksbill Crag and the Buffalo Headwaters Biking Trails.

Cave Mountain Road is the road that goes to the very popular Hawksbill Crag and is a VERY steep and rough gravel road that goes straight up Cave Mountain. It is usually able to be navigated in a 2 wheel drive vehicle, but take your time, and a little extra clearance is your friend. 

At 1.4 miles up Cave Mountain Road, there is a small parking area (large enough for 2 or 3 cars) on your left. Park here. If you go past the parking spot, the road has bent a little to the right and then VERY sharply to the left and you'll know you missed the pull out. 

The Trail

There is a small, unmarked trail behind the parking area. Follow this trail down the hill a few hundred yards until you get to the bluff line. The creek will be to your right as you head down the hill.

When you get to bluff, you can meander a bit to one of the best views in all of the Ozarks and you can see nearly the entirety of the expansive Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area along with the old cedar trees along the bluff. (Be very careful in this area as it is 100 feet straight down and if you fall, almost certain death).

Trail Details

Distance: Approximately 500 yards round trip

Difficulty: Easy

Kid-Friendly: Due to the high, unprotected bluff, I don't recommend taking young children

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls Guidebook

Footwear: Trail shoes

Rating: 5 of 5

Other nearby places to visit: Hawksbill Crag, Boxley Valley, Buffalo Headwaters Biking Trails, Neil Compton's Double Falls

 

 

Comments

[Miranda K]

Thanks for this. We headed out to Hawksbill Crag yesterday to see the fall foliage’s last hurrah. Many other people had the same idea, but I’m pretty sure very few stopped here and made the short hike to what is, in my opinion, an even better view. I need to remember to come back in the spring to see the Pouroff poring off.

[Doris]

I will share this stuff with others after trips from seattle.