[This post was originally published on March 31, 2011 on "A Hiking We Will Go."]
This past weekend, we opted for some easier hikes. With cold gray skies overhead and the looming threat of rain, I didn’t want to get too far from my blanket. I had wanted to check out the Historic Van Winkle Trail at Hobbs State Park, near Rogers, Arkansas, since I had watched a segment about the trail on AETN’s Exploring Arkansas. The trail is very easy and is more interesting for its historical information than for its hiking challenge.
Stuart’s comment was “that was a trail for little girls.” However, after the marathon backpacking challenge from a few weeks ago, that was the perfect level for me.
The trail is a half mile long and goes through the historic home and mill sites of the Peter Van Winkle family during and after the Civil War. The buildings are gone, with only the foundations remaining, but there are several interpretive signs along the trail that give the history of the area and provide pictures.
It’s hard to believe the area was an industrial hub in the 1800’s, providing much of the timber and milling services for the northwest Arkansas area.
The pictures below show what remains of the spring house and the raised garden. There is also a stream, which I believe is Little Clifty Creek.
