Hiking to Hemmed in Hollow: The Tallest Waterfall Between the Appalachians and the Rockies

Hemmed In Hallow Waterfall, 209 foot high. The water breaks apart into thousands
of droplets.

The melting snow has awakened the Ozarks into a spring awakening. Sure we are still a few weeks away from it be officially spring, but it feels the worst of winter is now over as temperatures climb. Last week, Arkansas received another record now, but this week, that snow is all gone producing some incredible and challenging hiking in the Arkansas Ozarks.

You can see from the topography map just how challenging this area is.

I traveled to Compton, Arkansas yesterday for the most challenging hike yet--five mile hike in and out of the steep valley that produces one of the most incredible waterfalls in the Ozarks, Hemmed in Hollow.

Hemmed in Hollow is really a series of Waterfalls leading up to the grand finale, a 209 foot high waterfall. Now getting there is no easy feat, unless you canoe in from the Buffalo River, which offers a relatively flat trail from the beautiful river. If you decide to hike in from Compton, come prepared. It's not an easy hike. It features steep grades which can be muddy causing you to quickly lose your footing. Be sure to bring a walking stick to help you balance. Some of the steep passages features narrow routs through between large rocks. It can be a challenging five-mile-hike if you aren't prepared. The rewards of the hike are amazing.

Now one of the real joys at Hemmed In Hollow is the area called Horseshoe Bend, which is a series of waterfalls you experience as you walk towards the grand finale. It's a beautiful area, and it was worth the challenge. Here are videos and pictures from my hike in Hemmed In Hollow at the Compton Trailhead in Compton, Arkansas.