Hot Springs National Park
Arriving to the park early in the morning, I waited for the gates to open that lead to the top of the mountain. As I drove up the windy road to the top I took in the fall trees. It was a short 10 minute ride to the top where there was a great overlook of town and the mountains for miles. It was gorgeous. As I took in my surroundings I noted a look out tower above me. I then made my way to what was called the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
After admiring the gift shop, I then took the elevator to the top. I’m So glad I did because the fall colors and the old town of Hot Springs made everything that much better at this height. What felt like miles above everything, for the next 45 minutes I watched the clouds roll by, over the fall colored trees. I could’ve went around the top of this tower for hours, just to watch the clouds roll by. The clouds were traveling so uniquely giving me many different landscapes to shoot. It was a peaceful and special moment.
Photo above - Top left is the Hot Springs Mountain Tower
After the tower I then headed to my first trail “Goat Rock Trail”. As I my made way to the trail head, the road to it was blocked off for some tree removal. Luckily the tree removal was happening at another trail head where multiple trails branched off at. I then parked and began my hike. I began my hike with a bit of a decline and a couple of switch backs but it was rather easy. Then a slow incline until I saw the rock face above me. With some stairs notched out it was a pretty easy hike up. Once I got to the top there was a family enjoying the spot so I decided to go up even further where there I noticed some people could have been enjoying the view. I made it to the top took some shots and waited for the family to move. Arriving to the spot, which was much more clear I took advantage once again of the peace and quiet and captured some special landscape photos.
As I made my way down I noticed on the map that the trail led into Gulpha Gorge Trail which also happens to be a campground. When I reached the bottom I was welcomed by a stream flowing below the towering trees full color. It was beautiful. I took many landscape photos of not only the stream but the old concrete bridge sitting in the distance. The reflections couldn’t be more perfect.
I then hiked back up to my car and went into town which wasn’t too far. I walked around the unique old town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. I took many photos along the way and first arrived to the National Park Hot Springs Visitor Center where I read up on how it all started. They had many struggles in the beginning with buildings being burnt down. What I didn’t realize was that the Hot Springs was used to help cure diseases. They had many different ways to help different aliments, not just a bathing method. In the photos you can see the different methods. It was very interesting.
As I gazed over the architecture of Bath House Row, I started to notice only one of them seemed to be active at the time. Unfortunately, the wait was a bit too long and I had to move on with my journey. If you are ever going through this part of the country it is worth the stop. There’s a lot of history there and not in just bath houses but sports too.
