Ninestone Land Trust is a unique and beloved place for Northwest Arkansas birders. An affiliate of the Ozark Land Trust, Ninestone protects 412 acres of unique and valuable habitats: a waterfall that cascades over sandstone kettles into Piney Creek, classical Ozark upland fields, sandstone glades, soaring bluff lines, stands of mixed hardwoods and native shortleaf pines. On the morning of Sunday, April 27th, NWAAS field trip leader Taylor Long and Ninestone owner Judy Griffith will lead up to 25 participants on a hike to identify and enjoy migrating birds and other native flora and insects, enjoy Piney Creek and picturesque bluffs, and visit glade restoration areas. Expect the hike to cover ~1.5 miles across a mix of formal and informal soft-surface trails. Some walking near high cliff areas and moderate scrambling over boulders is involved in completing the hike loop, but participants are welcome to turn back at any point and enjoy the waterfall from the comfort of the porch.
Meet at the Mt. Sequoyah Retreat Center on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM. Taylor Long will lead the carpool to Ninestone near Metalton, AR (~1 hour drive time, GPS: 36.227713, -93.547752). Expect to hike from about 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Participants are welcome to pack a lunch and stay for a while after the hike to eat on the porch and enjoy the picturesque view.
<aside> ⚠️ The exact coordinates of Ninestone are GPS: 36.227713, -93.547752 but if you enter this into Google Maps it will send you down a nearby yet incorrect road. The correct turn-off from Hwy 21 is CR 512. Have Google Maps route you here, then follow written directions to find the driveway. CR 512 turn-off: GPS 36.2290270, -93.5303530
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From intersection of Hwy 412 & Hwy 21 N, take Hwy 21 North for about 7+ miles. Cross the Cedar Creek Bridge & immediately turn LEFT onto the gravel road CR 512 before the cyclone fence kennels on the LEFT. Continue on gravel road CR 512 for 1 MILE, staying to the LEFT at any choices. You will pass a large blue mailbox on the LEFT and a yellow WATCH FOR DOGS sign on the RIGHT. Continue on down the drive and park on the grass. (GPS coordinates: 36.227713, -93.547752)
If you get lost, call Taylor Long at 479-530-9084.