Pigeon Creek Trail Complex subpage
Return to mail trail description webpage of Baxter County Trails.
This 10 plus mile complex of bicycle / hiking trails weaves around the Pigeon Creek Recreation Area on Lake Norfork. I'm surveyed this trail in late 2008 and found it in very nice shape. It mostly runs the ridges and upper side slopes on the north side of Lake Norfolk along Pigeon Creek. I've now added an aerial photo and a map of the trails. I'll describe the various subtrails. The trail numbers system is quite confusing without a map. A hiker new to the network will find himself coming across signs with new numbers that do not match the number of the trail he thought he was following. This is because not all trail intersections are marked by the number of the trail approaching the intersection. For example, the western end of trail 103 ends in signs for trails 104 and 105 without a trail 103 sign. To make matters worse, at that point the main branch of trail 104 is also unmarked, a user created trail connects 103/104 to trails 104/105 about 15 feet away, and trail 105 becomes trail 106 without any signs along the trails to mark an end or beginning. In case you couldn't follow that reasoning, I'll say it another way to show how it confused a hiker. This location is especially confusing because it connects to trail 103 without a sign, trail 104 going off in two unsigned directions and one signed direction, and trail 105 heading east and becoming trail 106 without a sign to tell the hiker "you've changed numbers". On a positive note, the fact some signs exist on this web of trails is nice. It would be hard to number the trails in any way that makes sense without using the same number for the entire complex! And that probably would not help either, because in that case, no matter where you went you'd simply be on the same trail number! I suppose one could number or name the outer loop with a name, but then what would you name the cross trails? Bummer! The best solution? Carry a map!
Trail 100.
This is the inner loop trail enclosed by trail 101
Trail 101.
This trail starts at the main Pigeon Creek trailhead and goes both directions. To the west it makes a loop enclosing trail 101 completely and joining trail 102's western end. To the east it becomes trail 103. Together with trail 103, these two trails form the lower line of trails parallel to the highway. Both user created trails and trails 101 and 103 spurs link the two east/west systems of trails 101/103 and 102/ 104.
Trail 102.
This trail runs papallel to the highway and to trails 101/103 as an east/west corridor further up the hill than trails 101/103. It connects to trail 101 at its western end and to trail 104 at its eastern end. In fact, it is a little like 101/103 in that it becomes trail 104 at its eastern end. The two corridors 101/103 and 102/104 both run east/west with the former being downhill and closer to the road than the latter. Both user created trails and trails 101 and 103 spurs link the two systems.
Trail 103.
Trail 103 is essentially an extension of trail 101 with a spur to trail 102 as a crosslink. Both the main trail and the crosslink are signed as trail 103. It ends mysteriously in trail 104 but the exactly location for this is uncertain due to signage; a user created trail 15 feet long links it to a signed portion of 104/105.
Trail 104.
My favorite section of this trail complex. Trail 104 is a poorly signed loop with a spur connecting other trails. A great overlook exists just east of the end of the road that lies the bay created by Pigeon Creek. Trail 104 is a southeastern loop of the trail system. It also includes an arm that provides the uphill version of trail 102 as the eastern end of the uphill east/west trail that is mostly trail 102, but includes a small portion of trail 104.
Trail 105/106.
I list these two trails as a single trail because they are undifferieieniantiated on the ground. It starts at that mysterious location where trails 103 and 104 blend at a user created trail. The two loops, numbered 105 and 106, venture out on different points spurred out to the lake. The trail 106 connects into the spur of 104 just before it becomes trail 102.
Trail 201.
A loop through pines west of Arkansas Highway 5.
Trail 202.
A loop trail spurred off of trail 201.
Trail 203.
My second favorite section of trail, this loop zigzaps north of the parking area for trails 201 to 204. The terrain in more interesting than other sections of this web of trails.
Trail 204.
What? This trail seems to be a spur connecting trails 202 and 203, but in a very odd way. I seem to be missing something.
Return to www.sedgehead.com. Return to mail trail description webpage of Baxter County Trails.
Disclaimer: This website is not responsible for trail conditions. . Hikers and other people should be aware that trees may fall at any time, so a trail declared open, unobstructed, or with normal hazards may become blocked at any time. . In addition, this website may not observe all possible widowmakers or other obstructions and hazards, including but not limited to fallen timber, logs, bears, etc. . In addition we make no guarantees the trails will be free of mountain lions, wild boars, theives, bandants, rock throwing monkeys, space aliens, fallen rock, unfallen rock, loose rock, rock bands, or trees we happened to find and failed to record their hazardous or fallen conditions. . We are not responsible for anyones injuries or deaths, or alien abductions.