Trail Overview
This through route connects Sorghum Hollow Road with the Shoal Creek area and travels through the Ozark National Forest's Mount Magazine Ranger District. The surface consists primarily of red native dirt and gravel, with areas of loose rock and grassy two-track. Several low spots collect water after rainfall, creating mud puddles along the route. The surrounding landscape is heavily forested with tall mature pines and hardwoods, while younger pines, grasses, shrubs, and other understory vegetation grow close to the roadway. The route is primarily one vehicle wide, although wider areas provide opportunities for vehicles to pass.
Difficulty
Typical whoops, dips, loose rock, and mud puddles create minor uneven terrain along the route. No major obstacles are present under normal conditions.
History
The Mount Magazine area has a long history of transportation, forestry and recreation. During the Great Depression, federal programs including the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration developed roads and recreation infrastructure around the mountain. Cove Lake was constructed as part of the Mount Magazine land-use project and was completed in 1938, while CCC crews based at nearby Blue Mountain performed forestry work and improved roads throughout the area. Many of today's routes travel through the same national forest landscape that was extensively managed and developed during this period.
