Ouachita Trail - Appalachian Trail

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#1

I am writing to try and get as much information as possible on the Ouachita Trail. I am a student at southern Illinois University, and I am planning on hiking this trail during my winter break (January). What is the suggested time to hike this trail? Is it well marked? I have experience with long distance trails such as the John Muir and I would like to try this trail out because it’s closer to home. Any information will help. Also, what’s the weather like in Arkansas during January? Do you think I would be able to get away with going light weight, and carrying all my food?

Luke

#2

hi luke. i hiked about 65 miles of the ouachita trail during spring break in 1985. here’s what i remember/know. i hiked with one other guy and only met one person in a truck on a major forest service road in the middle of our hike, so basically there was nobody on this trail. i hiked from hwy 270 ( past y city) to hwy 27( north of story), going west to east. we hiked with some terrible maps, but still managed to follow the trail very well, and it was blazed well, except one brushy area in the middle. it’s a pretty easy hike as far as elevation ups -n- downs, and not very high elevations to begin with ( highest point is only 2,600’). there was plenty of water at several stream crossings and springs, with one stretch of no water for perhaps 10-12 miles. plenty of camping locations as well. since i hiked this in april, it was pretty mild 50- 70 degrees during the day, 30-40 degrees at night. it will be alot colder during jan., so i’d be prepared for cold weather, perhaps even some snow. i don’t know how many miles or days out your planning, but i hiked those 65 miles in 5 1/2 days and carried all my food with me. the towns nearby do have grocery stores to resupply if u need more supplies. there is a website i saw once for info on this trail, but i can’t recall how i got there. i’d say this was a pretty good hiking experience overall, and considering i’ve hiked the AT, Long Trail, parts of the PCT, etc…i highly recommend it, especially since it’s pretty close to where u live. hope that helps and happy trails…

rippin reils

#3

For info on the Ouachita Trail: website friends of the ouachita trail - friendsot.org

guidebook: Ouachita Trail Guide by Tim Ernst
http://store.cloudland.net

rippin reils

#4

Hi Luke,

I am an OT hiker and volunteer maintainer. I am also on the Board of Directors of Friends of the Ouachita Trail and the webmaster. So, with that disclaimer out of the way… :smiley:

I hope you can find the Trail Conditions report on the www.friendsot.org site to be helpful. We compile it from the maintainers reports and from condition reports submitted by trail users. If you take it with some thought as to how much time has passed since the last report date and if that time includes the Summer growing season, it can behelpful we feel.

The guidebook is a must-have. I have no connection with Tim Ernst, the author. FoOT uses it as the official guidebook and reference, however. It is that good.

The trail is well-marked and has painted blazes and mile markers along the entire length.

I am planning an end-to-end hike of the OT this March myself and have a journal here on TrailJournals.

Feel free to email me if I can help with info or shuttles or whatever.

Mike Sims
Little Rock, AR

PS Thanks, Rippin Reils for the post!

Mike

#5

Ozark higlands trail Vs. Ouachita trail Who wins?

luke

#6

Luke I have hiked both of these trails and live close to the Highlands. I love the highlands trails because for the most part it is just that. Lots of elevation changes. One mile your are at the bottom of a creek or river, then 2 miles later, or less, on the top of a 2300 foot mountain overlooking 30 or more miles of hills. Much more scenic to me.

niloc

#7

It’s hard to say which is better between the OHT and OT in my opinion. I have hiked on both and they are different enough to dodge comparison a bit.

They differ a bit in the routing in that the Ouachitas are mountain ridges that run east-west, i.e. parallel to the trail’s overall direction of travel. This means that the OT will run along a ridge for a long stretch, sometimes for 10 miles or so. The OHT does, as niloc said, tend to run up and down more. It is pretty well graded, though, so don’t take that as meaning lots of PUDS and no contouring or switchbacks.

If you like waterfalls, the OHT is your trail, though you might see more water toward March rather than January.

I reckon you can’t go too far wrong either way. If you are in southern Illinois, the drive won’t be that much longer either way; perhaps an extra hour or so to get to the western terminus of the OT as opposed to the OHT.

Tim Ernst also writes an excellent guidebook for the OHT. He is THE MAN when it comes to the OHT, of course (He founded and still is the president of the OHT Assoc.).

Good luck,

Mike Sims

Mike

#8

Check out podcast regarding OHT at http://www.trailcast.com/ program #4

Jeff