Ouachita Mountain Hikers

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1 Ouachita Mountain Hikers ( Click Here to visit us on Facebook Hike Flash December 23, 2018 What's New on the Web Site? The most recent Hike Flash in both desktop and mobile formats may be found under the Current Activities tab. New photos in the Photo Gallery under the About Us tab: OHT Overnight more photos and it now contains GPS maps and profiles; Northwoods Trail. An updated Printable Spring 2019 Hike Schedule is available under the Current Activities tab. A link to the special hike flash announcing the January, 2019 Overnight is on the Home page. Six photo albums, representing the Club History from the season through the season are now available for viewing on the Club History page under the About Us tab. These are truly beautiful albums prepared by Rick Ericson. They display extremely well on a full-size computer screen. Please take a few minutes to review one or all of the albums. They depict some memorable Club activities! Note: To view the web site, just click this ink: Photos always appreciated! Please your photos from hikes to both our NEW Historian, David Blankenship dbblank@sbcglobal.net and Web Master, Tom Calhoun tom.calhoun3@gmail.com for inclusion in the yearbook and the photo gallery on the web site, respectively. If you keep your photos in albums on Google Photos or a similar locations you may send the link to your albums rather than the individual photos. If you post photos on Facebook, be sure to send them to David and Tom too. Welcome New Members... Frank Goff and Sandra Blumenberg. March 30-31, 2019 Ouachita Challenge The dates for the 2019 Challenge have been announced. Please find a link to more information on the OMH website in the Special Hike Flashes box on the Home page. Hunting Season Information Wear Orange in the Woods! Hunting season is underway! Hikers should dress in their brightest hunter orange, stay in groups, and make lots of noise. Note that December is the after-christmas deer hunt for Zone 11, where most of our hiking is. Hike leaders in parts of the state other than the Ouachita Mountain area, should check the AGFC website for dates in the area they will be hiking: Here is the schedule for Zone 11 for the remainder of Deer Season: Archery: Sept. 22, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019 Special Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt: Jan. 5-6, 2019 Modern Gun: Dec , 2018

2 Thursday, December 27, 2018 Cossatot River Trail (12.5 miles 5-Difficult) Hike Leaders: Bo & Brenda Lea home cell Carpool: Hot Springs Village - Meet at 6:30 am just outside the West Gate in the old Foster's Grocery's parking lot. Hot Springs - Meet at 7:00 am old Harvest Food's parking lot on Hwy. 70 West just past the McDonald's Glenwood - Meet at 7:30 am at the Glenwood Rest Area just east of town on Hwy. 70 across from the County Club. Carpool Cost: Hot Spring Village to the Cossatot River Trailhead - $14.00 (Round Trip) Hot Springs to the Trailhead $11.00 Glenwood to the Trailhead $7.00 Note: The early start time and carpool cost is due to travel from the Village one way is just over 100 miles. Also as mentioned it is a long hike and with limited daylight in late December, we want to be off the trail with some margin before sunset. Travel time to the trailhead from the Village will be right at 2 hours. Background: Way back when this hike was done for the first time in October of 2005, it was 14.5 miles and extremely difficult due to the distance and lack of any real trail beyond having blazes. The Cossatot River Trail has been now been completed with 39 bridges and tread work. The trail has been modified by removing several loops and bringing the trail closer to the river. The trail's length has been reduced by almost 2 miles. Approximately 60% of the trail is now along the river. For example, the hard climb and loop south of Cossatot Falls has been made easier and the trail moved along the river. Tread work was done by hand and is narrow and slanted in some areas. This side hill walking will require good supportive foot ware and hiking poles would be helpful. The bridges are outstanding and the views are excellent. With the bridges, tread work, and reduced mileage, this long hike is much more doable, although still rated difficult. While there are no major mountains to climb there are numerous up and downs, with some being steep. These conditions plus the 12.5 miles will be make it a hard hike. With that said this is probably one of the best scenic hikes the club does and the bridges are special. This hike was done in May of this year and was excellent, some wanted to do it again during leaf off for better views of the Cossatot River. Hike Details: We will be hiking north to south, starting at the Big Brushy Trailhead on Hwy The hike will end at the Cossatot River visitor s center on Hwy Counting the bathroom at the visitor's center, there are 4 bathroom facilities on the trail, which is unusual for our hikes. The two crossings of the Cossatot have bridges. Due to the length of this hike and the travel time, you will not be back until early evening. Please do not plan any activities you need to get back to. Bring: Water, hiking sticks, hiking boots, snacks, lunch, sun screen, cap or hat Dinner: For those interested there are several restaurants in Glenwood for dinner but one of the club s favorite, the Rocky Mountain grill in Pearcy burned and has not been rebuilt but plans are to do so. Please Contact the hike leaders if you plan to hike and where you plan to join the carpool. Saturday, December 29, Forked Mountain (3 miles, 5- Difficult) Hike Leader: Bill Stanley (wdstanley2@sbcglobal.net) Carpools: 8:30 am Hot Springs DeSoto Park,

3 Hwy 7 N ($4 carpool); 8:45 am HSV West Gate ($3 carpool) Meet at: 9:00 am Jessieville Ranger District Work Center Bring: Good boots (for rock crawling); gloves (you will use your hands to get up); water, trail lunch (We will eat on top). Don't Bring: Your hiking stick(s), they will just get in the way. Hike Details: Finish the year with this short, but amazing bushwhacking adventure. See a couple of wild waterfalls and then head up the side of Forked Mountain. But be forewarned - there is no trail. The last part is steep enough that you will use your hands to grab the rocks. We will probably have a couple of wet creek crossings as well. If you want to try this challenge, you should find this is an absolutely awesome hike. You can see the two hidden waterfalls in the Tim Ernst "Arkansas Waterfall Guidebook"(Forked Mt Falls & Twist Cascade). The top of Forked Mountain is simply a pile of boulders but the views into Flatside Wilderness are awesome, and for some this is an almost spiritual place. We should be back by mid-afternoon (may include a stop at the Shack for a celebratory milkshake). ADDENDUM. The main goal of this hike is to hike Forked Mountain to enjoy the 360 degree views at the top. In my humble opinion, and I think many would agree, that will not be prudent if the boulder/rock surfaces on Forked Mountain are wet. We can still bushwhack to Forked Mountain Falls and Twist Cascades (bring WATER SHOES for crossing Cedar Creek). We pre-hiked this on 12/18, bushwhacking along the east side of Cedar Creek to Forked Mountain Falls, crossed Cedar Creek downstream from the falls to bushwhack to Twist Cascade, and bushwhacked cross country over two ridges to the SW side of Forked Mountain. We then ascended the SW route to the top and then returned back down to the car via the NE side route. Total distance we covered was about 5.1 miles - a very enjoyable but long day. We will all need to be flexible depending on conditions. If hiking Forked Mountain is not prudent, for reasons noted above, then depending on weather conditions (e.g., heavy rain versus misting or light/intermittent rain), we may still be able to bushwhack to Forked Mountain Falls, cross the creek (water shoes a must) to bushwhack to Twist Cascades, then retrace our steps across Cedar Creek back to the cars (my guess is about 3.5 to 4 miles). Tuesday, January 1, 2019 First Day Hike/Caddo Bend (4 miles, 3-Moderate) Coordinator: Jim Gifford (hike.arkansas@gmail.com). This is a State Park event (no need to contact hike leader before event) No Carpools Meet at: 8:45 am at Lake Ouachita State Park (behind Visitor s Center) Directions: From Hot Springs: from corner of Albert Pike & Mountain Pine Rd (12 mi / 20 min); come north on Mt Pine Rd (AR 227) through Mountain Pine. Follow 227 into the park. At the stop sign, you will see the Visitor s Center on the left corner. Turn left; take first right; and park behind the VC in the marina parking lot. From HSV West Gate: (9 mi/15 min): from West Gate, go north on hwy 7 to Strawberry Road (AR 192). Turn left; go to end of road; turn right onto Mt Pine Road (AR 227) and proceed into park as above. Bring:Water; good boots or walking shoes; hiking stick(s); New Year s Resolution to get outside more often! Details: What better way to kick off the New Year than by being in the great outdoors and getting a jump start burning off those extra holiday calories and setting a tone for the New Year. On New Year s Day, America s State Parks, in all 50 states, are offering free, First

4 Day Hike Programs. These hikes provide a means for individuals and families to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising and connecting with nature. This will be the fifth year that OMH has teamed with Lake Ouachita State Park for this event. There will be three hikes on Caddo Bend Trail, each led by an OMH hike leader. This is a great opportunity to get your friends started in the joys of hiking. It is also a chance to get those visiting grandchildren outside and into nature for a couple hours. First hike is at 9:00. Hike options (led by Rick Ericson, Bill Lammers, and Ralph Butler): - Full circuit of Caddo Bend Trail (4 mi / mod) - Caddo Bend to Point 50 and return via service road (3 mi/ mod) - Caddo Bend to first turn out and return via service road (1 mi/ easy) Bonfire: Following the hikes, LOSP will have a bonfire, warm beverages, snacks, and door prizes. The bonfire will be in the area behind the Visitor s Center. This is a great opportunity for socializing and getting your mind set for This is also a fun opportunity to burn your troubles in the bonfire and to document your resolutions for Thursday, January 3, 2019 Ouachita Trail Section 5, Round Top to Rainy Creek, mm (9.5 miles Difficult) Hike Leader: Marilyn Hall mjhall74@gmail.com Carpool: Hot Springs Village: 8:00 am West Gate/Cordoba Center parking lot (Ride share $7). Hot Springs: 7:45 am DeSoto Park/Hwy 7 (Ride share $9) Meet At: 8:40 am Bell Cafe and Country Store in Story. Park in back. We will consolidate into as few vehicles as possible for short drive to trailhead. Directions: From HS/HSV, drive north on AR- 7, turn left onto Hwy-298 at Blue Springs, then 28 miles to Hwy 27. Blue Bell Cafe and Country Store will be on the right. Details: We will start with a warm-up ascending the 1-mile steep climb/walk-in on the Round Top Trail to reach the beginning of the OT trail section. (Total mileage includes this walk-in.) As we continue on the OT we will be surrounded by mountains from all directions Big Round Top Mountain, Rocky Creek Mountain, Round Mountain and Suck Mountain. We will visit Suck Mountain shelter, the newest shelter along the OT which is dedicated to our own Brenda & Bo Lea. Leaf-off will provide great vistas along the trail with scenic rock formations and covered moss areas along the way. We will finish with a 3 mile 500 descent down Suck Mountain to our end destination at Rainy Creek. Bring: Water, hiking boots/shoes, first aid kit, hiking poles(optional), lunch/snacks. Wear weather appropriate clothing. Should be back by: Mid afternoon. Saturday, January 5, 2019 Pinnacle Mountain State Park (3 miles 4- Moderate/Difficult) Route: From the West Summit TH, hike the Base Trail to East Summit Trail, climb to summit and descend via the West Summit Trail Hike Leader: Marie Michalets (501) go.marie@yahoo.com. Day of hike cell #(715) Carpool: Hot Springs Village: 9:00 am at East Gate/Old Cranford s parking lot (Ride share is

5 $8.00). Hot Springs: 8:45 am at DeSoto Park, Hwy 7 (Ride share is $9.00) Meet At: 10:00 am West Summit Trailhead, Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Once you turn off Hwy 10 onto Hwy 300, go 2 miles and turn right to West Summit Trailhead watch for sign. (The turn-off is 1 mile before you get to the road that takes you to the Visitor s Center.) Meet near the middle of the picnic area, across from rest rooms. Directions: From HSV East Gate head East on Hwy 5; turn LEFT at Crow s Corner onto Hwy 9. Take a RIGHT in Paron onto Kanis Rd. for about 10 miles. At STOP sign, turn LEFT onto Ferndale cutoff. Turn RIGHT on Hwy 10 for about 2 miles. Turn LEFT on Hwy 300 (sign for Pinnacle Mt). Entrance to West Summit TH is 2 miles down Hwy 300 on RIGHT side. Alternative Directions: Drive East on Hwy 5 to I-30 and head East on I-30 to I-430. Take Exit 129, bearing RIGHT onto I-430. Take Exit 9 off of I-430 to Hwy 10; then west 7 miles to Hwy 300; turn RIGHT and go 2 miles north to West Summit TH/Pavilion entrance. Details: We will hike 1.5 miles counterclockwise on the Base Trail from the West Summit Trailhead. Sections of this trail are mixed with dirt trail, loose rocky areas along with fallen leaves over trail. We will then hike up the steeper East Summit Trail using one or both hands to maneuver our way through the boulder field puzzle, which is well marked with blazes, to the top and then descend via the easier West Summit Trail. The climb will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour and requires good balance. The top requires some good balance and navigating following marked rocks as we climb over rocks and boulders using one or both hands if necessary. Reaching the top will afford you spectacular views of Lake Maumelle, the Arkansas River Valley, the Ouachita Mountains and west Little Rock. This section of hike is not good for anyone with bad hips, knees or feet, or prone to dizziness. However, you can opt out of climbing to the Summit and could hike the 3-mile Base Trail, and The Kingfisher Trail is an easy ½ mile paved trail located just behind the picnic/parking area by the West Summit TH for anyone interested in getting in a few more miles. Bring: Water, hiking boots, lunch, snacks, first aid kit. If you are going to climb the East Summit Trail, I don t advise bringing hiking sticks unless you can compress them to put into your pack. Make sure water bottle will not fall from your pack when climbing East Summit Trail. Should be back by: Mid afternoon. Thursday, January 10, 2019 Hickory Nut Mountain Portion of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) (6 miles 4- Moderate/Difficult) Hike Leader: Duane Heckelsberg DHeckelsberg@GMail.Com or Carpools: Hot Springs: 8:00 am Sutherland's on Albert Pike (Carpool share $ 3). HS Village: 8:00 am West Gate (Cordoba Center) (Carpool share $ 4). Meet at: Charlton Recreation Area 9:00 am Directions To The Charlton Recreation Area: From Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village, go west on Highway 270 towards Crystal Springs. When you get to Crystal Springs, keep on going until you reach the Charlton Recreation Area. It is a short distance from Crystal Springs and on the right side of the road. We will be parked on that side of the road. From the recreation area, we will drive to the trailhead which is on Walnut Fork Road. We will hike in a westerly direction up Hickory Mountain and back to the cars. Bring: water, snacks and hiking sticks. We should finish by 1:00 pm.

6 Saturday, January 12, 2019 Lake Sylvia (5.0 miles, 3- Moderate) Hike Leader: Rebecca Huber, (cell), Please indicate if you plan on driving directly to the trailhead, or if you will be at the DeSoto Park or at the East Gate. Carpool: Hot Springs Village: 8:00 am at East Gate, Dollar General parking lot (Ride share is $3.00). Hot Springs: 7:40 am at DeSoto Park on Hwy 7 (Ride share is $1.00 to HSV East Gate location) Meet At: 9:00 am Parking lot near the Lake Sylvia campground. Directions: Take Hwy 5 to Hwy 9. Go through Paron. At the stop sign at the Hwy 10 junction, turn left, staying on Hwy 9. You will see a sign for Lake Sylvia. Turn left unto County Rd 324. Once in the park, you will pass a couple of closed signs into parking lot. We will met right after those lots, on the left. Details: We will hike out to the Chinquapin Overlook, then take a portion of the Chinquapin loop and wildlife loop, then go to the dam and walk along Lake Sylvia and finish up at the parking lot. Wear orange. The trail is rocky and there are some moderate hills to climb. Bring: Water, hiking sticks, hiking boots/shoes, snack. Should finish the hike by 12:30, and then allow 45 minutes to drive back to the east gate. Mid afternoon. Thursday, January 17, 2019 Trail Maintenance and Membership Meeting Saturday, January 19, 2018 West Mountain (5 miles, Moderate) Hike Leader: David Tedrahn (omhhikerdt@gmail.com) Carpool: Hot Springs Village: Depart West Gate at 8:30am (Ride share $2.00) Meet At: Mountain Top Trail Head on Whittington Avenue at 9:00am. Directions: South on AR-7 from Hot Springs Village or north on AR-7 from Hot Springs to Whittington Avenue at the north end of Hot Springs. Whittington is a divided boulevard. Head west on Whittington to the end of the boulevard (Weyerhauser offices), turn left and left again to return east on Whittington. The east-bound lane widens near the trail head and there is plenty of on-street parking there. Hike Details: We will hike straight up West Mountain on the Mountain Top Trail to the Sunset Trail, a climb of about 500 feet. We will then hike a combination of the Sunset, Mountain Top, West Mountain and Oak Trails for a total of 5 miles. Bring: Hiking boots or shoes and water. Finish: We should return to the parking area on Whittington by 11:30am. Group lunch options after the hike. Thursday, January 24, Womble-Roundtop Loop Hike ( 7.5 miles 4- Moderate/Difficult) Hike Leader: Duane Heckelsberg DHeckelsberg@Gmail.Com ase , if you re coming ) (Ple Carpool: Hot Springs Village: 8:10 am at West Gate/Visitor s Center parking lot - (Ride share is $5). Hot Springs: 7:50 am at Harp s Parking Lot (270 and Mountain Pine) - (Ride share is $7)

7 Meet At: 9:00 am behind Blue Bell store in Story (bad road and very limited parking at TH). Directions: From the HSV West Gate north on Hwy 7, turn left onto Hwy 298 to Story (BB on right at stop). From Hot Springs. go west on Hwy 270, turn north on Hwy 27 (right past Mt Ida) to Story (Hwy 298 intersection). From Story.. We ll consolidate vehicles (behind Blue Bell store in Story) for the 3-mi (10-min) drive to TH (poor road and very limited parking at TH). Details: We will start our hike at about 9:10 at the TH. We ll hike a 7.5 mile loop (4-hours), with some ups and downs. We ll cross water// creeks at about 5 places (we rock-hopped all of them). We ll stop for lunch at the newish Story Creek Shelter (OT mm 117). With the leaves down, this trail has some very nice vistas and overlooks. This loop is made up of some 3-1/2 miles of the OT trail (( ) and the Womble trail (northern 3± miles), and a 1-mile connector trail at our trail head. The 1 st mile has a bunch of switchbacks, and is the steepest part of today s trek. Bring: Plenty of water, hiking sticks, hiking boots/shoes (dry socks, just in case ), lunch, snacks, (rain gear, if conditions warrant). Should be back by: Early afternoon. Saturday, January 26, 2019 Hunt's Loop (4.0 miles, 3- Moderate) Hike Leader/Contact: Bill Stanley, wdstanley2@sbcglobal.net, Carpools: Hot Springs 8:45 am DeSoto Park Hwy. 7 North (just past Mickey's); carpool share $3. Hot Springs Village: 9:15 am West Gate; carpool share $2. Meet at 9:45 am at Iron Springs picnic area. Directions to Picnic area: Picnic area is on AR Hwy 7, north of Jessieville. It is marked on the left side of the road and is approximately 5 1/2 miles north of "The Shack" in Jessieville. Bring Water, boots, hiking poles and a trail snack. Hike Description: The 4-mile Hunts Loop Trail hike (a loop hike) has one steep climb at the start and a great overlook. If the group wants to, we can also pick up two extra miles on the Ouachita Trail (i.e. from the Hunts Loop/OT intersection, hike one mile to the West to Moonshine Shelter and back to the intersection before continuing the loop back to Iron Springs picnic area). Should be back by: Early afternoon. Option to stop at the Shack for lunch. See You on the Trails, Ouachita Mountain Hikers