Sweden Creek Falls

The next stop was Sweden Creek Falls, which sits within a Natural Area protected by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. It is a really scenic spot, with the 81 foot waterfall being the star attraction. I've been here a few times before, and each time I followed the main trail to the bottom of the falls. But there is a side trail that actually instead runs along the top of the bluff, ending above the waterfall.

It's an easy and pleasant hike, and soon I was at the spot where Sweden Creek tumbles over the bluff. On its way, the creek has carved a little chute through the rock, almost like a tiny slot canyon.



And the view of the falls from the top:



A few other people appeared while I was taking pictures. One of them, a guy who was probably in his 20s, picked up a huge rock and then stood on the very edge of the bluff. He then threw the rock over, which slammed into the pool of water below with a loud smack. He looked up at me with a grin and then nodded his head, in the universal Dude code of "big rock make big splash." And I have to admit it was pretty cool, but luckily there weren't any hikers down there...