Sunset Trail offers safe haven for hikers during deer season
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Sunset Trail from Cedar Glades to Stonebridge.
Well, here we are in the midst of the annual modern gun deer season. It’s a time when hunters gravitate toward the woods by the thousands. And although non-hunters long to strike out amongst Mother Nature during the late fall and early winter months, many do not feel comfortable entering an environment where so many are in pursuit of whitetails, and rightfully so.
Of course, safety is an issue. One can don blaze orange during deer and bear seasons and lessen the danger. And I can say from experience that those who are decked out with a hunter’s orange vest can easily be seen, especially in open woods.
But others are also concerned that they might unsuspectingly walk up on a hunter, or accidentally spook a deer that is in close vicinity of a fella who has crawled out of the sack during the wee hours and taken a multitude of steps to reach their stand undetected.
Regardless of one’s reason, it is understandable why many choose to avoid outings in the midst of our forests during this time of the year. But there is still hope for those who are not comfortable sharing the woods with hunters.
In fact, there is no need to avoid journeys into beautiful natural settings at all, as we are blessed with many acres right here in our backyards where deer hunting is not allowed.
That’s right; I’m talking about the lands that are owned and maintained by the National Park Service. Folks can enter these properties without worries of either of the two aforementioned scenarios unfolding. In fact, there are several miles of designated trails cutting their way through these woods where folks can still enjoy an excursion without worry of the potential dangers that go along with deer hunting.
That in mind, I thought this would prove an optimal time to cover some of these trails lurking within the perimeters of Hot Springs National Park.
I thought we would first address a section of the Sunset Trail. This trail system begins atop West Mountain and meanders more than 10 miles through typical Ouachita Mountain terrain prior to tying in with the Dead Chief Trail near Gulpha Gorge Recreation Area.
And those who wish to continue their walk can remain on the Dead Chief Trail over Hot Springs Mountain and to the Grand Promenade at downtown Hot Springs. Although there is no designated trail leading from the promenade back to the starting point, one can simply cross Park Avenue and strike out along Whittington to yet another trail that does lead up the West Mountain and back to the point where the journey began.
The Sunset Tail crosses three roads during its journey, lending to plenty of access points and an opportunity to hike the path in sections. I have walked all four sections throughout the years, each proving enjoyable. However, I most appreciate the section stretching from Cedar Glades Road to Stonebridge. So, in lieu of starting at West Mountain, I opted to cover this particular route first.
One can walk in either direction. However, I have always preferred beginning at the Cedar Glades Road trailhead and ending the walk at Stonebridge about 3 miles into the walk.
There is ample parking at each terminus. To get to Stonebridge, simply travel north on Park Avenue and take a left immediately after passing Gulpha Gorge Road. Follow the road for a short distance and park alongside the large pond. The trail will be on the opposing side of the road.
To get to the Cedar Glades access point, turn onto Whittington Avenue from Park Avenue, and immediately turn right, beside the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Travel the road for a short distance and take a right onto Cedar Glades Road. Follow Cedar Glades to atop the mountain and the parking area will be located on the right.
From the parking area, the trail strikes out along an old roadbed following the contour of the ridgeline. The designated path also runs within sight of the remains of a couple of old structures. These remnants will grow easier to see as the fall season progresses and the leaves plummet from the trees.
The path remains level for a distance, crossing a powerline and eventually heading slightly uphill. The path makes its way to a spot where a newer road veers to the right and ends at a couple of large concrete water tanks that are owned and maintained by the city of Hot Springs.
Continue straight at this point, as the trail runs through the woods for a short distance prior to veering to the left and making a short ascent to atop the ridgeline. The hiker will be following the contour of Reservoir Ridge during the first segment of this journey. And how did this ridge acquire its name? Well, the city waterworks are just north of the trail, hence the large water reservoirs that were previously mentioned.
The old roadbed serving as the designated path eventually makes its way through a glade area. Be sure and keep an eye out for deer throughout this section of the trail. I noticed several rubs and scrapes during our recent walk. In fact, we watched as a doe bounded through the woods for a short distance. Once reaching a point where she felt safe from harm, she stopped and began blowing, warning all deer within hearing distance of our presence. Although we failed to see a buck along this section of the trail, the sign we noticed was a sure indication that at least one is using the area.
The path eventually made its way to an intersection where one can turn left and follow yet another path to atop Fordyce Mountain. However, we will continue straight on the main trail, and revisit this hike in the weeks to come.
This main path continues straight for a short distance and begins a steep descent alongside a draw. This section of the walk is likely why I would rather begin at the Cedar Glades Trailhead, as a walk up the hill would prove the most difficult part of the entire walk. Trekking down the hill poses very little difficulty level, but an ascent in the opposing direction would prove noticeably more strenuous.
The path eventually leads to a low-lying area and crosses a road at the bottom of the hill. One must be mindful at this location to remain straight on the designated path and avoid accidentally following the roadbed. However, those who accidentally turn right on the road will eventually come out on a paved road, from where they can simply take a left and walk a short distance back to the parking area where the walk will end.
Continuing straight, the trail makes its way over a few small knolls and eventually crosses the road within sight of the aforementioned pond ending the journey. This scenic walk can easily be enjoyed in less than a half day. And although it is worthy of hiking during any season, the hike from Cedar Glades to Ricks Pond on Stonebridge Road is the perfect destination for those who long for a journey amidst Mother Nature yet would rather remain far from the masses during the brunt of deer season.