Dirt Roads ~ High Heels: Indian Rockhouse ↟ Buffalo Point

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Indian Rockhouse ↟ Buffalo Point

The name itself should make you want to explore this area. Day two of hiking meant we were going to take it up a notch. The Indian Rockhouse Trail is a 3.5 mile loop that I would call a moderate-strenuous hike. There is about 400 feet of elevation changes between the trailhead and the Rockhouse, which means a steady incline and decline. With several steep sections, you will want to be prepared, and bring plenty of water! When researching the average time it takes to make the loop, it suggested 3 hours. We were able to do the trail in about 2 1/2, which included a 30 minute lunch break at the Rockhouse and stopping at sites along the way for photos. So we averaged about 26-minute mile, in other words, we were going at a pretty good pace.

The geology along this trail offers so much beauty, so be sure to stop and take in the view. Besides that, you will find a sinkhole, waterfall, mining prospects, tons of rock creeks, sculpted bedrock, and even a quarry. Not to mention the end goal, the Indian Rockhouse. I also did some rock-climbing, no gear, about 3 feet up, it was rough!

A little history: The Indian Rockhouse once sheltered prehistoric bluff-dwelling Native Americans, as far back as 7,000 BC. Excavations were carried out in the 1930's and many items were found including tools, basketry, and food remains. The site is protected from further excavation and became part of the Buffalo National River in 1972. I can't explain how it felt to step into this cave. The temperature was much cooler than "outside" and the cave had a running stream which held crystal clear water. It was like you could imagine what was happening when they once lived there. I tried to picture where they may have had a fire, their gathering spaces, or where their food was kept. It took me back in time and I couldn't help but think what their day-to-day life included.

We sat there on a rock, taking in the site, eating lunch, listening to the water running, and enjoying the cool temperature. It didn't take long for me to become cold, so we headed back out to finish the hike. A definite incline back and I was warm again. We stopped a few times to re-hydrate passing the Rock Quarry and the Natural Bathtub before making it to the end and realizing this was a trail worth taking.