Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, located near Compton, Arkansas, is the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rockies. In times of high water, I'm sure it is quite spectacular. Unfortunately, it has been an unusually dry spring season, so the falls were only a trickle. It was still quite beautiful, and this entire experience definitely rates as my best hike yet.
Though the bare minimum hike from the Compton trailhead to the bottom of the falls is only 5.0 miles roundtrip, this is a very steep and strenuous hike. You will have to ascend some 1200 feet or so over only a couple of miles on the hike back to the trailhead. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. Be sure to take plenty of water and budget the better part of the day for the hike--especially if you go on side adventures to the top of Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, to Diamond Falls, and to the Buffalo National River as we did.
For an easier way to see the falls, you can float in from the Buffalo River and hike about one-half mile. Either way, there is no shortage of beauty in this special place, and it is definitely worth visiting. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...
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The bluff forming one side of Hemmed-In Hollow |
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More of the bluff forming Hemmed-In Hollow |
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Still more of the bluff forming Hemmed-In Hollow |
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Even more of the bluff forming Hemmed-In Hollow |
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The end of the bluff--from a certain point of view |
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A beautiful panorama of the bluff forming one side of Hemmed-In Hollow* |
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View across the mountains |
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Making our way around the bluff to the top of Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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Saluting Mother Nature or shielding my eyes from the sun? Does it really matter? |
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The cut in the bluff formed by the stream feeding Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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View of the bluff forming the other side of Hemmed-In Hollow |
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Looking down into Hemmed-In Hollow |
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A view of the top of Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, just a trickle due to a dry spring season |
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Another view of the top of Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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A final view of the top of Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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A closer view of the bluff forming Hemmed-In Hollow, as seen from near the top of the falls |
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View across the mountains, as seen from near the top of the falls |
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View of the bluff line along the trail leading to the top of Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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View down into the deep cut the falls have cut into the top of the bluff. Notice the small pool... |
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Michael hanging out in the stream cut at the top of the falls |
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The view down the stream cut |
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I see London, I see France... |
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How did I get there? And why are my shorts wet? |
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In wetter times, this is part of a twin falls area below Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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Michael, on top of the (rather dry) twin falls area below Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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View downstream from Hemmed-In Hollow Falls during very low water |
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A tree growing part way up the bluff over which Hemmed-In Hollow Falls falls |
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Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, barely flowing due to a dry spring season |
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A closer view of the top of the falls |
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Tadpoles in the pool at the bottom of the falls |
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The bottom of Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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Michael taking a shower courtesy of Mother Nature |
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That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight... |
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Another beautiful panorama, this time of the 209' Hemmed-In Hollow Falls* |
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Looking straight up from under the falls |
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The wind moves the falls all over the place... |
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Michael asks, "What do crawfish eat?" |
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Diamond Falls (very low water) |
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The scenic Buffalo National River, one-half mile from Hemmed-In Hollow Falls |
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More of the Buffalo River |
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Michael, thinking about the 1200' or so we have to ascend to get back to the car... |
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A slightly different look upstream |
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Crossing the Buffalo, time to head home... |
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