OCTOBER 2015

 

 

Clark Creek Natural Area and the Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas

Getting to visit the Rockies, Smokies, or Ozarks may not be possible or an infrequent opportunity. The types of terrain and forests there are certainly different from those encountered in this region of the country. Perhaps the closest thing to those kinds of hiking experiences is an excursion to the surprising Clark Creek Natural Area. Clark Creek and the nearby Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas are about twenty miles off of US Highway 61 and about halfway between Natchez and Baton Rouge. Clark Creek is just across the Mississippi line and eight miles north of the Tunica Hills sites in Louisiana.

Clark Creek Natural Area is a hardwood and pine forest, with more than 700 acres and about 50 waterfalls, a few of these as high as 30 feet. Trails often run along creek beds where you can relax in the shade of the forest canopy and plunge your feet and legs in the clear, running water. Or you can stand under some of the waterfalls and get a refreshing drenching.

 

Due to the erodible character of the bluffs and "loess" soil there, only foot traffic or hiking is permitted at Clark Creek. This enhances the solitude and natural sounds of the forest, creeks, and waterfalls. A wide variety of migratory and resident birds and animals, can be spotted in this special habitat. World record trees found at Clark Creek include the Mexican plum and the bigleaf snowbell. Since camping, hunting, and the use of motorized vehicles are not allowed at Clark Creek, those interested in these activities should visit the nearby north or south tracts of the Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas.

Parts of both improved and primitive trails at Clark Creek are steep and quite physically demanding. You likely won't see people who aren't fairly young or else in good physical condition on anything but the start of the improved trail there. The improved trail leads to miles of a primitive trail loop. A few hours on the primitive trail was a great workout for me, even with occasional stops to observe the many waterfalls. Care needs to be taken to avoid spills on these trails, bluffs, and along creeks, especially after recent rainfall. The lack of potable water on the trails means that water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other basic hiking preparations are necessary. The historic Pond Store, its current structure built in 1881, is open some weekends or by appointment and is 300 yards from the Clark Creek trailhead. The remoteness of Clark Creek offers very few nearby convenience stores or amenities. Woodville is about 17 miles east of the area and has at least a few accommodation choices, stores, and restaurants. Woodville was the home of Confederate leader, Jefferson Davis, and this Rosemont Plantation offers tours.

Bring or get a printout of the trail map to take with you before entering and hiking the Clark Creek Nature Area. Markers on trails there are often weather worn and difficult to read. The Tunica Hills tracts offer trail information at its kiosks, but trail markers there occasionally need some repair or replacement also. Cell phones in both sites get limited or no reception at spots deep under the forest canopies and along the winding creek bottoms.

The north and south tracts of Tunica Hills are above and below Highway 66 that ends several miles to the west at Angola State Prison.  There are more camping and RV sites near the Tunica Hills tracts than at the Clark Creek site. An easy and short nature trail at the south tract of Tunica Hills has some of the more unusual trees there identified, but the hiking trails beyond this loop are much more rugged and not recommended for those not in good physical condition. Downed trees and branches along creek beds and trails can mean a few detours or some scrambling over this debris. Look also at times of the year for many spider webs along the creek beds and nearby trails. A walking or hiking stick can help to clear these webs and secure better footing on some of the steeper slopes and creek rocks. See the photo and note the orange warning signs at kiosks on both the north and south tracts of Tunica Hills. Black bears can be found in this region along the Mississippi River, and game officials want to be certain that hunters differentiate the appearance of black bears from wild hogs, and they avoid the heavy fine for shooting a black bear.

 

If I had to recommend any single place in the state for a unique, challenging, and enjoyable hiking or outdoor weekend, it would have to be the Clark Creek and Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas. The diversity of outdoor options at the Tunica Hills tracts and the solitude and beauty of the nearby Clark Creek Natural Area make these "must-see" or "not-to-be-missed" natural resources.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.