Narrow dirt trails, led us through leaves to the top of Round Top Mountain

Rain was falling outside as a high school basketball game roared in a gym in Jasper, Arkansas. A B-25 Bomber, on the way from Dayton, Ohio to Little Rock, lost its way in the thick fog, lost altitude due to wing icing. About 8 o'clock p.m. on February 6, 1948, the date and time of the crash, windows panes shook all around. Giant flames exploded from Round Top Mountain, providing the only illumination for search groups. Two ball caps could be seen, and then two bodies. It would be morning before the other men could be found. The scene was described as "grisly."

State Police and an army rescue team from Barksdale Field, Shreveport, La., removed the bodies of:

Lt. Phillip Novick, aged 26 of Brooklyn, New York;

Lt. Felton F. Roberson, aged 27 of Little Rock and Osborne, Ohio;

Lt. Charles W. Thomas, aged 26 from Zepher Hills, Florida;

M-Sgt. George L. Haties, aged 28 of Dayton, Ohio;
GM2 Francis J. Russell, just listed as passenger;

from Round Top Mountain.

Today, a wide concrete walkway at the base of Roundtop Mountain will take you to the site of the crash. Many years ago, the plane's engine was embedded in the hill as a memorial -- a tribute, so to speak, to those who died. The engine is no longer visible. The above picture is a map for those who which to hike to the crash site or up the mountain. The concrete bench is dedicated to the memory of Ray H. Crouse whose spirit, they say, lives and soars along the trails of Roundtop Mountain. Ray Crouse was not killed on the plane.

After visiting the crash site (a very short walk) we decided, since it was such a warmish day, to hike to the top of Round Top Mountain, which is eight tenths of a mile (1,278 ft.). The entire trail is 2.78 miles. We did not hike the entire trail for two reasons: one, we got lost; two, it was getting dark.

Round Top is owned by the Newton County Resource Council.  Extensive work has been done to develop a scenic trail around the mountaintop, although without a map of some kind, it can be hard to figure out where in the world you are -- if you are US. There are several "natural" benches along the trail.

There are many parts of the trail where stone steps make the climb easier.

We were quite amazed at how this huge tree, embedded in a boulder, could continue to grow, thrive even.

More stone steps. Up. Up. Up.

Our dog, Alice Ivy, needed a rest stop. And Dwain needed an opportunity to snap some photos.

We were amazed at all the green moss covering the stones, some creeping up tree trunks as were many ferns and mosses on the forest floor. And just look at the tangle of grapevines. Kind of made us wonder if Tarzan would suddenly swing through and yodel  Yea-ya-ya-ya-ah.

Seriously -- right here in this very spot -- we did hear a distant, mysterious stuttering rhythmic coo -- sort of a spooky sound in the deep woods. Then came another -- an answer from another part of the woods. This went on for awhile. Ahhhh... a Great Horned Owl. Not Tarzan.

Another mysterious "T" in the narrow trail and another natural bench -- which way do we go?

So...  we picked the North Overlook trail. Not sure if it was the right pick, but you get what you get. The Bluff Trail that follows the high points appeared to be loops within a loop.

After a number of hits and misses along the trail, this is where we ended up. A pretty nice overlook.

We think we can see Russia from here.

At the top of Round Top Mountain, it looks as if we had wings, we would fly.

Coming down. Most trails are this nice.

Our Alice Ivy thought the stone steps and boulders made amazing jumping-off places.

As we descended the mountain, we made an amazing discovery. Mushrooms? Mushrooms as big and round as paper plates attached to tree limbs. We were lucky to find this one close enough to the trail to take a picture close up. Many of the trees along the trail are identified by species with stamped metal signs.

As we near the end of the trail and daylight dims, distinctly new colors pop out in the forest.

Next time we visit Round Top Mountain, we plan to hike the 2.2 mile Loop Trail. And we plan to take a field guide or map. We didn't see the spirit of Ray Crouse soaring above the trails, the unseen but audible sound of Great Horned Owl, a reminder of how small we are in this world.

Dwain & Megan