Starting at the Tower (Pineview) trailhead there’s an easy descent along a ridge before the trail becomes very steep and rough going. The descent finishes at a small creek, after which there is a steep 80 ft. climb in soft ground. The trail then follows the contour with lots of seeps until it drops down a easy descent to Piney Creek, There’s a large fire ring to the east of the trail at the end of the descent just before you arrive at the Creek.

Mapped: December 31, 2011

Some very steep gravel covered sections are challenging to descend.

Mapped by GPS: June 9, 2012.

Eastern part from the Tower Trail to the Lakeside. The trail gets flooded during heavy rain, and has a lot of heavy vegetation. It’s quite easy to miss the trail in places, especially where there are creek crossings.

Mapped: December 31, 2011.

Western part as yet unmapped by GPS. Track taken from USGS topo map.

From the north it’s easy going until you start to climb up the ridge. Several creek crossings and the trail runs along the creek bed in places. Obviously it’s wet when the creek is running.

Lower portion mapped June 7, 2012.

Unmapped by GPS, traced from USGS Topo.

There’s a primitive trail head with a fire ring near Farm Road 2185. The trail is fairly level along the ridge, with a few easy climbs before it starts to descend, ending with some very steep gradients and muddy conditions in the wet as you drop down to the creek. An old stock pond (with water June 2012) can be found to the West of the trail on the ridge.

Note: As of June 2012, the official maps incorrectly mark the point where Tar Kiln Trail joins Piney Creek Trail. The trail Junction can be found immediately after crossing Piney Creek, about 300 yards to the west of the original junction shown on the maps.

Mapped by GPS June 7 & 8, 2012.

This route veers off to the south of the Tower Trail by the creek at the end of the first descent from the Tower trailhead. It avoids a steep climb by going down the hollow. It’s an easy route, though much overgrown, with a couple of creek crossings.

Mapped: June 7, 2012.

Linking the Piney Creek Trail to the top of the Lake Trail, this was obviously a farm track at some point. It is a much less demanding route out from Piney Creek than the Lake Trail, with only a couple of steep climbs. After crossing the lower part of a ridge the trail follows a hollow up to meet the Lake Trail. There are lots of fallen trees on this trail, and the trail runs along the creek bed in places. Look out for signs of the old farm track as you go.

Mapped by GPS April 1, 2012.

This is an alternative route to Table Rock Lake going south then east from the Piney Creek Trail. It avoids the rather claustrophobic, overgrown and very flat walk along the final bit of Piney Creek Trail. It also gets you to Buck Hollow avoiding crossing the lower parts of the creek / lake, useful when they are high. The trail is steep and soft going in places so it will probably be tough going in the wet. It brings you to Table Rock Lake at a fire ring and very Ozarks campsite – complete with metal chairs with bullet holes. Despite this it is well worth a visit.

Mapped: June 8, 2012

Surprisingly there is no ‘official’ trail to Siloam Spring. There are some steep gradients and the ground will get soft in wet weather. June 2012 – The spring box had water in it even though Piney Creek appeared to have been dry for some time. Look out for the remains of a small building by the trail a few hundred yards north of the spring. Going south past the spring the trail is easy to follow and climbs gently up a hollow. There’s a short steeper climb to get to the road.

Mapped: June 7, 2012.