Rattle Snake Hollow

White Rock Wilderness Area

Friday

On Friday we set up camp in Rattlesnake hollow just above rattlesnake falls. the road in was a little rough. We actually had to drive over a couple trees to get to our spot. There are plenty of other wilderness spots here but this one is the most private and you can hear the waterfall from camp. Also if you are not into wilderness camping there are camp sites located on top of white rock mountain and at shores lake. The sun set views from white rock mountain are some of the best around but we didn't check them out this trip because there were no clouds in the sky to make it pretty.

Saturday

On Saturday Morning after breakfast we packed a lunch and drove down the road to the first of two planned hikes for the day. (As rough as the road was it might have been better to have hiked down the creek to hurricane creek and follow it up to Dockery gap. From camp that hike would have been about 4 miles. Then we could have driven to the far away hikes on our way out on Sunday which would have saved a couple trips down the rough jeep road.) Our first hike was to White Rock Cascade and White  Rock Falls. This was an easy hike on the Shores Lake Trail about three mile round trip. Although the weather was perfect for camping, it was a little too sunny for waterfall photography.  After lunch we drove a couple miles further down the road to the Ozark Highland Trail. From the trail head this hike was also about three miles round trip. We hiked down to spirit creek and saw the small falls there and followed the creek up stream to a series of beautiful water falls coming off a side drainage. There was a large camp site just above spirit creek that would be great for a backpacking trip. Once again there were no clouds in the sky so we didn't stop at the mountain for a sunset shot.

                                                                        Sunday

On Sunday Morning we got up and one last look at rattlesnake falls before taking down camp and heading out. Our hike today was actually from the same parking spot at the Ozark Highland Trail as yesterday. (Another reason we should have done Dockery Gap yesterday and saved all the others for today.) We hiked another three miles round trip to what would have been a nice water fall at the base of an old train tressel. Had there been more water there were also a couple other places that looked like they would have been pretty waterfalls.  But it was a beautiful day for a hike so I have no complaints. On the way home we drove Hwy 23 hoping to get some shots of the falls there but there wasn't any water so we just kept on going.                                                                                       

Falling Water Creek

                          Friday

On Friday we set up camp along falling water road.  There are several places to choose from and a couple really neat waterfalls to look at just off the road. The first Camping spot is just before falling water falls on the right.  It is not on the water but it is a large area that is great for bigger groups. It is within walking distance of the waterfall and there is another great swimming hole down a trail out the back of the area. The next couple camping spots are near Bailey Coe creek. Both are on the water and great for quick access to dragonfly falls. The first of theses is very small and right on the main road. The second is about 100 yards off the main road down a rugged jeep road. This is a great  spot with a swimming hole and cliffs but it is right on the horse trail.  The final spot is just past B-luv Hollow. It is right on the creek and has some nice boulders to sit on. From this spot it is an easy hike to all of Saturdays falls.  On the way in be sure and stop at six finger falls and box canyon falls.  The parking spot for these is about half a mile past where a side road comes in on your right. Just park on the left and walk down to the creek. this is six finger falls. Box Canyon is across the creek and down stream from here. There is a horse trail that leads to it.  Also look around the creek when the water is up for even more unnamed falls.

        Saturday

This is a good day for exploring because you can start as early as you want and stay out as late as you want.  You can find waterfalls in just about any hollows in this area. Our first hike will be to Keefe and b-luv which are located about half a mile past the bridge over falling water creek (toward Richland Campground).  There is a horse trail leading up the canyon that leads to Keefe falls and there is a fork in the small creek that leads up to b-luv hollow and a couple nice falls.   The other Is Jb hollow. There are no trails but if you follow the drainage that crosses the road XX miles past the bridge you will be rewarded with several nice waterfalls when the water is up. This drainage forks at least three times and each fork leads to more waterfalls. Neither of these is a very long hike so you should have time to do more exploring on your own. I recommend following any drainage with water flowing. Also hiking falling water creek is always rewarding. 

Sunday

On our last day in the woods we are going to do a short hike to a very scenic waterfall and on the way out if you have time be sure and check out pedestal rock and kings bluff. (The total hike at pedestal rock is about three miles if you do both loops.)  To get to Dragonfly falls you will want to park at one of the middle two camping areas. From the small one on the road (XX miles from hwy 16) simply cross falling water creek and walk up Bailey Coe creek about a quarter of a mile.  The first falls will be on your left up a side drainage. On up the creek about a hundred yards you will come to the base of the main falls.  There is a nice swimming hole here. The hike is fairly level but there is no trail and you will still want to climb up to the top of the falls to look around. The creek is very pretty up above the falls.  The other way to the falls is to park at the  third camp spot (XX miles from the turn off at hwy 16) and follow the horse trail across the creek and up the hill about a mile to the top of both falls.  If time permits you may want to continue on the horse trail  to see more of this pristine wilderness and when water is high, a few more waterfalls.

Directions

To get into this beautiful area from scenic hwy 7 turn east on hwy 16 at Pelsor.  Go about nine miles to Ben Her.  Falling Water road is one mile past the big turn in the road at Ben Her on the left.  (On the way in you will pass the Pedestal Rock scenic area.)  About 2 miles down this gravel road you will see falling water falls on your right just off the road.