horeshoe canyon ranch in mid march

We're considering a trip to HCR this march. If we go, we will probably get the HCR guidebook from boston mountain press. We will be there about a week, camping. Anything we should be aware of? Good weather? Crowds? Wheres beer? Reservations for camping? anything else cool? anything to avoid? etc... thanks for any info!

Jake

It is a dry county!!!!! Buy your beer well before you get there, for me coming from Missouri the last place selling beer is the gas station in Missouri on the state line!!!!

Ha, it is the midwest, it could snow, it could rain, it might be in the middle and be freezing rain, possibly sunny, it could be cold, it could be hot, etc.

Crowds, not that likely unless the weather is spectacular.

They don't take reservations for camping get there late friday and you won't get a good spot for the weekend, it is basically just pull up to the camping section and find a spot that is level. Sometimes you get a fire ring sometimes you share one, etc.

Buy the fixed pin arkansas book, so much better and up to date as well as having all of the other popular arkansas locations...

If you are an AAC member they are suppose to give you 20% off acording to the AAC website, I just joined so haven't had a chance to try.

Go to the ozark cafe in downtown Jasper (hard to miss, it is a string of about five shops) for awesome burgers! I like the cheese volcano one, it is a full out heart attack but great after a bunch of ramen and tuna...

Watch out for goats and horses, they like to f*ck with you, step on tents drag you cooler around, eat through your tent if you keep food inside... Basically just be courteous and don't leave food out where they can get it or trash, and well I always put tents up really close to the vehicle now, only way we can think of to deter horses stepping on them.

Ranch dogs. If you bring a pet keep it on a leash. They have ranch dogs (four I think) that will ALL attack if they see a goat or horse being harassed. They have a warning sign posted stating that the ranch dogs have killed guest's pets in the past.

They have a pay shower, so bring a towel.

They have outhouses, but no guarantee on being stocked, so bring some tp and hand sanitizer.

There are lots of fixed draws on the 12s, so if you're not a 5.12 climber you can play on some stuff over your ability without having to leave a bail biner.

To add to Andrew's comment: If you get there on a Friday or Saturday night, bring some earplugs. The place is a scene on the weekends, on the level of a weekend stay at Miguel's. Don't spend too much time setting up camp, cause the place completely clears out on Sunday and you'll want to move to a nicer spot. When I was there last summer a group of hippies decided to start a drum circle at 3AM. We got the last laugh though cause they forgot a bunch of stuff when they left in the morning. Apparently your tent poles and cookware lying on the ground isn't as noticeable when you're tripping balls.

No more dogs at the Ranch. New Policy, so leave the pup at home. HCR can be good in March, but it's like anywhere, spring weather can be unpredictable. Also, depending on how many people you have in your crew, I would check on the availability of a cabin, WELL WORTH IT! Have fun! Oh, don't buy the Boston Mountain Guide, definately buy the new Arkansas guidebook by Cole Fennel and Fixed Pin Publishing, Much Bettero, seriously!

Oh, and bring a good headlamp, night climbing can be very fun there. Yes, bring your toilet paper!! And I highly recommend bringing a big jug of water so you can put off drinking ranch water as long as possible.

thanks for the info. where is the best place to get a cabin? about how much do they run per night? how much is camping? any must do routes? thanks again!

A cabin is definitely worth it if you have at least a few people going especially in the spring when a rain shower is likely. I think they are $80 a night for up to 4 people and $10 person after that up to 7. You can find more information and details on reserving a cabin on their website gohcr.com. In addition, if you get a cabin you have access to their hot tub which is pretty awesome after a day of climbing. Camping is $5 per person per night. Climbing or Frisbee golf is $5 per day per person. Also, as others have stated, the new fixed pin book is the guidebook you want. And as Andrew pointed out, bring as much water as you can because their water tastes horrible and smells even worse. Great place though and if you are looking for additional activities, you can canoe/kayak/raft the Buffalo river just about 10 miles away. Might even be moving pretty quick since its the spring.

As for routes, some of my favorites are orange crush, Love Slave, Commodus, crimp scampi, and Learning to Fly.

I'm actually gonna be there with a friend from the 14th to the 18th of March, so I might see you there.

First off, yes buy the new guidebook from Fixed Pin Publishing. Very worth it. I'm pretty sure you can just call about the cabin and have one reserved similar to the way you would book a hotel room. The more people you have the better (cheaper). The camping at HCR is $5 a night per person. Its based pretty much on the honor system (you go pay when you have time or when your ready)so there's no gate to go through or anything so if you arrive late at night, you don't have to worry about it until later the next day. I don't particularly mind the water. On hot days, taste is the last thing I'm worrying about when getting off a climb. Definitely buy beverages before you get in to Arkansas. The closest place from HCR to get alcohol is about an hour and half drive.

Routes to do would be: Crimp Scampi, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, Commodus, Portside (My favorite! Awesome dihedral on the Titanic Boulder), Mr. Magoo, and even though I havent climbed them yet I hear Love Slave and Mine, Mine, Mine are pretty classic.