Jim Dailey

My First Visit to Albert Pike Forest and Campground:

One can hardly arrive today in this beautiful Ouachita Mountain setting along the Little Missouri River and not think about that tragic night in 2010.  It was a night when rain was predicted, maybe even flash flooding but not a surge that would raise the river level over 20 feet in just a couple of hours taking with it, campers, cars, cabins and costing 20 individuals  their lives.

My friend, Bryan and I had planned a backpacking trip to Albert Pike for some time … two weeks ago we made the trip, drove to Albert Pike, loaded our backpacks and headed downstream for a day of exploring and camping in this incredible wilderness area.  I must say there now is something “reverential” about being in this place … amidst all this natural beauty but also  “reverential” in a respectful way of remembering those who lost their lives that night. In a way this has become hallowed land.

Side note … Who was Albert Pike?

I had to check this out.  Without spending a lot of time on it, suffice to say he was a significant Arkansas figure in the 1800’s.  He was a lawyer, a Confederate General, a poet, a Masonry Leader and newspaper owner/journalist.