Fuzzy Butt Falls is a waterfall that I've always heard about (mostly because of the name) but had no idea what a great, easy hike it was to get there with a LOT of bang for your buck along the way. The hike takes you by three waterfalls, follows along Falling Water Creek (which is one of my favorites) and ends at a great canyon with a uniquely-named waterfall that will definitely create a memorable experience.
Getting There:
Take Highway 7 to the community of Pelsor (1/2 way between Jasper and Dover) and turn EAST onto Higway 16. Travel 10 miles on Highway 16 (past the Pedestal Rocks Special Interest Area and the community of Ben Hur) and then turn left onto Forest Road 1205.
There is no sign for the road currently, but there are signs to the "Falling Water Horse Camp" -- so turn at the road to go toward the horse camp.
Travel 5.3 miles down this gravel road and the road will cross a bridge over Falling Water Creek (at 2.3 miles, you'll pass Falling Water Falls) Cross the bridge and park in the parking area on the other side of the bridge.
The Trail
After parking in the parking area, you'll leave your car and cross back over the bridge and enter into the woods on a horse trail on the West side of the creek. The horse trail is marked with green blazes (at least, the early part of the trail is).
The trail takes off to the right and into the woods. The trail follows along the creek for a bit, and at about .4 miles, it crosses a smaller creek and a small waterfall. If you go up this creek to the left, you will eventually get to Horsetail Falls (post forthcoming).
To the right is a little spur trail that takes you to a nice spot to check out Falling Water Creek.
Back on the main trail, you will cross over the small creek and continue up the hill on the horse trail. The trail levels out a bit, and then goes back up the hill a lilttle more steeply and veers further away from Falling Water Creek.
The trail then goes back down the hill and toward the creek. At approximately 1 mile, some bluffs will appear on your left. Fuzzy Butt Falls resides in this canyon.
To get to Fuzzy Butt falls, follow the stream into the canyon about 200 yards (it's an easy hike in) and the falls is right there.
Fuzzy Butt Falls is 16 feet tall. While not as tall as many other waterfalls, this falls is particularly photogeneic and the canyon itself is a fantastic setting that gives you the feeling of being in a world all to yourself. Plan to spend a little time and enjoy the falls and the canyon.
So, you may be asking about the unusual name of the falls, "Fuzzy Butt". Tim Ernst, who is responsible for a lot of the modern day exploring and documenting of the area (and who's trail guides are a must for any Arkansas hiker), has named many of the waterfalls in the area. Ernst usually takes a picture of himself at the falls (for perspective) and decided on a cold day to take a picture of his backside at the falls. Because the National Park service labeled the photo "obscene" his butt was blurred out of the pic, and thus, the legend and the name of the falls. Apparently a lot of people replicate his photo at the falls....but given that it was cold, and I'm a fan of pants, I just took one of me in my full gear.
When you are done exploring, it is time to head back to the car.
You'll notice on the way back, that as you head back on the trail as the trail turns to the right and back up the hill that there is a little spur trail here that heads to Falling Water Creek. Be sure to take this spur, as it leads about 100 yards to Six-Finger Falls.
Six Finger Falls is a great waterfall along Falling Water Creek that is made up of six smaller waterfalls as they flow through different cracks in the rocks. It really is a unique waterfall. I had viewed the falls from the other side before, but this was my first time viewing it from this side.
You are now ready to head back to the main trail and head the one mile back to your car along the horse trail.
This really is a maginificent area and worth spending a day or three. In addition to Fuzzy Butt and Six Finger Falls, and Falling Water Falls, there are several other waterfalls in the area including Horsetail Falls (on this same trail), and Intersection Falls and Keefe Falls on the opposite side of the creek. And if you have a little more time, Richland Falls and Twin Falls are both also nearby.
Details
Date Hiked: December 31, 2014
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Footwear: Trail shoes or tennis shoes would be fine
Kids: Yes!
Star Rating: 5 out of 5
Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arksansas Waterfalls
