The Cossatot River is a beauty for sure. Color this Fall has been lacking due to a long drought in the summer so I decided to check this area out and cross my fingers! Like much of the state, color was spotty, but some places were beautiful! The area I visited is called Cossatot Falls, although it's more of a series of cascades with some unique rock formations. In fact, this is a popular kayak location as this is a level 5 series of rapids, which is the most difficult on the scale! The word "cossatot" actually is translated as "skull crusher" and with good reason. When I arrived at sunrise,...

With winter finally coming to an end (and a loooong winter at that!), I was looking forward to some springtime photography. Redbuds and dogwoods have been in full bloom around Hot Springs so I was specifically wanting waterfalls or creeks framed with some beautiful blooming trees. I decided to head to a trail I had never been to before, Caney Creek East Trailhead located in the vicinity of Albert Pike Recreational Area. 

I love the scenery where I live in Hot Springs, Arkansas; but I have to admit, I'm mesmerized by North and North West Arkansas. There are some amazing views up there and tons of waterfalls. One of the most popular places to visit if you're a waterfall enthusiast is Falling Water Falls. It's an easy waterfall to find as it is right along a dirt road so no hiking is necessary. The view you receive can vary greatly depending on the time you visit. I decided to head there when temperatures were in the teens and wow it was worth it!

One reason I love landscape photography is that it forces me to get outdoors more often. There is something special about getting away from a computer, phone, and the hectic pace of normal life. You can breathe... Oh, and even when it's COLD! On my drive to Hickory Nut Mountain, my thermometer hit a low of 5 degrees! Brrrrrrr! When I arrived at the Lake Ouachita vista overlook, it was a balmy 7. So, why would I venture out in such cold weather? I heard there was a spring-fed creek with some cascades and a small waterfall. I wanted to catch some ice and icicles if possible. 

We had some rain recently so I was hoping to find some waterfalls. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to make the trip to the Ozarks so I decided to something closer. Most people know about Cedar Falls, the big one at Petit Jean. A lesser-known waterfall can be found on Seven Hollows Trail, which I had never hiked before. What a beautiful trail! For the GPS track, click here: http://cloud.gaiagps.com/public/UhLbihpNgzKpmX6FicaboaWZ/Aerial/

A friend and client of mine knew I was looking for some fall colors to photograph and he had a great recommendation: Winding Stairs Trail. I had never heard of this trail even though I had been through Albert Pike Recreational Area a few times before. The trail head is easy to find as it's only 2 miles from the entrance into the park. Here is my GPS track of my hike. Check the GPS info here: http://cloud.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/50bc351e965b188e94afed40b1a32789/ The trail I'd say is "moderate" and the level of difficulty depends on how far you plan on trekking in. There are a couple...