Mount Magazine

Last month we decided to take a little break and book one of the cabins at Mount Magazine. It is a good place to escape, especially during these Covid times. The cabins are amazing (as is the lodge there), and there are some great overlooks and hiking trails there.

The cabins and lodge sit on the edge of the mountain, looking south towards Blue Mountain Lake. This is from our cabin right after sunset, with the moon hanging in the sky above the lake.



At 2,753 feet, Mount Magazine ranks as the tallest point in the state of Arkansas. While that might not seem that tall compared to the peaks of Alaska or Colorado, the mountain does tower above the Arkansas River Valley. One way to see how the elevation has affected the landscape here is from the plantlife. Many trees growing on top of the mountain look stunted and grarled due to their exposure to constant wind pressure and winter icing.



One of the prettiest spots in the park is Cameron Bluff, which has several overlooks of the Arkansas River Valley.



And the sunset view from the Cameron Bluff Overloook. The bit of white on the mountain is snow, which clung to the shaded portions of the mountain and hadn't melted.



That night at the cabin, I set up the camera to do some star trails. Which was the nicest way I've ever taken star trail pictures. While the camera sat for four hours taking pictures, we sat inside the cabin and ate dinner, watched a movie and then soaked in the hot tub. Which is really a good way to be spoiled while taking pictures. But here is the final result, which is four hours worth of star trails (and one bright trail from the moon) over Blue Mountain Lake.



And one last shot, taken as we headed back home towards Little Rock. We drove by this old barn, which sat right at the base of Mount Magazine.