Shale PitA shale pit is an area where the dark blue to blackflaky rock known as shale was removed.It was used tosurface dirt roads. As with any sort of surface mining,all of the soil andplants were removed.The trailhead, parkingarea and first coupleof hundred feet of thetrail are in the oldshale pit. It can beobserved that plantsare slowly covering theshale pit.

In the spring this areais wet and you will seelarge numbers ofplants. Most of theseare annuals, whichtake advantage ofmoisture seeping out ofthe shale. Selenia, asmall yellow floweringplant which grows inlarge numbers here,makes a spectaculardisplay. Large mats ofgreen mosses alsogrow here. During thesummer this area is hotand dry. Most of thespring annuals havedied, leaving theirseeds to come up the

COSSATOT RIVERSTATE PARK-NATURAL AREA

Published byArkansas State ParksOne Capitol Mall,Little Rock, AR 72201501-682-1191www.ArkansasStateParks.com

NOTE: To preserve scenic beauty and ecology,fences and warning signs have not been installedin some park locations. Caution and supervision ofyour children are required while visiting theseareas.

For further information on other park facilities andtrails contact:Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area1980 Hwy. 278 WestWickes, AR 71973870-385-2201www.CossatotRiver@Arkansas.com

Photos—A.C. HaralsonPrinted with soy ink on recycled paper

Harris Crris Crris CreekTrail

formed by Harris Creek. As recently as the 1930s, thisterrace was farmed and grazed. The terrace containsmature trees typical of a bottomland hardwood forest.Mature trees such as Shumard’s oak, white oak, sy-camore, hackberry, southern red oak, bitternut hickoryand water oak are common. Also observable along thetrail are walnut trees, as well as mature specimens ofshortleaf pine and black gum.

Drainage AreaThis area is the steepest and roughest section of thetrail. The trail goes up and down across drainage ar-eas. It goes westward then makes a sharp turn southparalleling Harris Creek. Heading south, Harris Creekcan be observed from a bluff. This terrain is well drainedand becomes very dry during the summer. Mature blackoak and post oak dominate this area. Eventually thetrail heads west toward the Cossatot River and entersa mature shortleaf pine/hardwood forest.

OverlookHere the CossatotRiver can be seenfrom a bluff. The trailcontinues through themature shor tleafpine/ hardwood forestalong an old road.Mature trees such asshortleaf pine, Ameri-can holly, white oak,post oak, mockernuthickory, black hickoryand dogwood can beobserved.

following spring. Some perennials which have adapt-edto growing and flowering during this hot, dry period arefame flower, prickly pear cactus and yucca. The fame floweris a small plant about six inches tall with long, roundsucculent leaves and a reddish flower which opens fromabout 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The GladeThe shale glade begins as you cross the foot bridgeand start uphill. An area with thin soil over shale, ashale glade becomes very dry during the summer. Someof the plants adapted to this habitat are winged elm,post oak, eastern red cedar, fragrant sumac, umbrellaplant, reindeer moss, false aloe and blazing star.

This is a fragile habitat because the soil is thin, rocksare loose and the plants are easy to dislodge. Pleasewalk with care. At the shale glade there is an overlookof Baker Creek. Looking down, you can see where thecreek is cutting into the shale. Old man’s beard (li-chen) hangs from some of the cedars. It is sometimesmistaken for Spanish moss.

Baker CreekThis section of the trail is on a northeast-facing slope,parallel to Baker Creek. The more common trees seenhere are American holly, black gum, white oak, dog-wood, pawpaw, chalk maple and eastern redbud.Yaupon holly and deciduous holly also occur along thetrail.

Harris Creek TerraceWhere Baker Creek enters Harris Creek, the trail turnssouthwest and eventually heads west, paralleling Har-ris Creek. This trail is just above an alluvial terrace

The 3-mile-long Harris Creek Trail is marked with ablue blaze. The trail is scenic, and sections of thetrail are rugged and steep. Wear appropriate shoesand clothing and carry water. Please take only pic-tures and leave only footprints.

1. No littering. Pack out what you pack in.2. No glass containers are allowed within 50 feet

of waterways or on park trails.3. Only foot traffic is permitted (no vehicles or

horses).4. Firearms are prohibited inside park boundaries.5. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.6. No camping along trail (day use only).7. The park closes at 10 p.m. and all visitors

(excluding registered campers) must vacatethe park by that time.

8. Alcohol is prohibited on the trail.9. All federal, state, local and Arkansas Game

and Fish Commission regulations also apply.

If you have any questions or comments contact apark ranger or call (870) 385-2201. We hope youenjoy your stay at the Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area.