Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park nestled on a mountain bluff south of the Arkansas River, is a legacy of Company V-1781 of the CCC.  This "veterans" company was a bit older and had more skills than the typical CCC unit; thus they were able to contribute the specialized construction required to build Arkansas's first state park.  The work of this company is preserved in over 80 buildings, structures, trails, and bridges throughout the park.

The Park sits high on the mountain:  hardwood forests cling to steep hillsides, bluffs and cliffs rise from the creek floor, dams harness the creeks and create lakes.  Thanks to the CCC there are trails down the steep bluffs to creeks flowing below!

We also birded at the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge -- just down the road & the mountain from the park.  We spotted a bald eagle nest with young; also prothonotary warbler, pileated woodpecker, pectoral sandpiper, and broad tailed hawk.  We did not find the varied bunting -- somewhere soon!!

Colorful Park Sign -- highlights Cedar Creek Falls, the center piece of the Park

Bridge built by CCC

Cedar Creek Falls -- at 95 foot drop, the highest in Arkansas.
Hike is down more than 200 feet cut from rocks by the CCC.  

One of only a few wildflowers on the trail.

Cedar Creek scene 

CCC Water Tower

Carpet Rock -- can you see the "pattern" in the rock?  Made when the sandstone rock is crisscrossed with
fractures and then filled by quartz.  When the sandstone erodes -- quartz patterns remain.  

Iron and sulfur give the hillsides springs the "yellow orange" color

CCC Creek bridge -- really so lovely in the woods

Without the CCC -- well, this park would sure be different!

Geocaching -- using billion dollar satellites to find ammo containers filled with trinkets!

Sandstone Arch