Off of Highway 278 between Umpire and Wickes Arkansas you will find the Cossatot State Park. While in Arkansas, my Son and I had a day out before our family reunion and we went to the Cossatot, near Umpire Arkansas. We went down to the river first then backtracked to follow the gravel road the four miles to the Cossatot falls. Now, I imagine the drought and heat has affected the falls greatly, as the sign point out that its a "rapids" and a butt kicking one at that. Not to mention that the meaning of the word "Cossatot" is actually French for "Skull Crusher," and looking at the rock formations in this falls area I believe that at one time it would crush a lot of bones.
Welcome to the park... but before you get to the falls you turn off on a narrow windy road. Kudos to the logging truck drivers, because that is something I have NO desire to do after driving these narrow windy roads. It is interesting to think of all the people who once lived on this land.
If you look down you can see how steep this road is. We are in the Ouachitas.
I LOVE Arkansas, but the landscape of the Plains is so much easier to photograph. Arkansas is great, but you can't see the forest for the trees. I love driving these roads, probably because I know that as far back in the early 1830s many of my ancestors had made this home.
Raging.... I think not. Well, not this August. Maybe next year....
Imagine water rushing over these rocks, smoothed by centuries of rapids rushing over them. Yes, I took a $2000 camera out in the water. Yes, I'm stupid sometimes. Yes, I fell down. Yes, I lost my flip flops. Yes, the rocks are painful to walk on. Did I answer your questions? Now when we returned Saturday evening, I left the camera in the truck. Smarter much? No not really I didn't wear shoes on those rocks then for fear of losing them. I'm too old for barefoot adventures.
I have to admit its, great fun. A combination of rock climbing, waterfalls and swimming holes! All things I like.
See my Son down there? I was up on a rock taking this shot.
Looking down the falls. Hey, these rocks are mossy and slick! My poor flip flops floated away down the Cossatot.
these rocks may look pretty, but remember pretty things can hurt you.
We really enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Cossatot Falls
Note the scenic waterfalling from the rocks. Pretend you didn't see the legs of my man-cub enjoying the rushing water.
There he is! He loves this!
Love this flower...
Beautiful, compared to the pale winter-like dryness at my home Arkansas was lush and green this August.
We will definitely be returning to the Cossatot Falls.
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