Caddo Bend
    Lake Ouachita State Park
       This trail is a four-mile loop around a peninsula into Lake Ouachita.  It starts and stops near the park Visitors's Center.  It has a couple of short, steep spots, but not particularly difficult.  It offers spectacular views of Lake Ouachita, including a lookout platform at the point of the peninsula.  In the winter, eagle sightings are possible.
     Planning notes:
     This trail is close to home from both Village and Hot Springs.  It takes 2 - 2.5 hours to get around.
     There are several picnic tables near the trail head for after hike events such as lunch; we have used this hike for the fall "Welcome Back" hike several times.
     Works well as an eight-mile hike by doing loop both ways.  Can use for local (during overnight) or summer training hike.
     New parking at trail head 2004; room for about ten cars now.
     For additional info:
     Trail maps at state park Visitor's Center.  Also see James Wilborn, LOSP Interpreter.
     Tim Ernst: Arkansas Hiking Trails; p. 153

  Recent Hikes :

         Apr 22, 2006           Leader:  Glen & Nancy McFarlane                                  16 Hikers                OMH Saturday
         Route:   Clockwise loop; first trip since 2006 re-routes and new bridge.
         4.0   miles            Difficulty Rating 2                    Scenic Rating 3
         sss: Lookout platform at end of peninsula        
        The lake is full of water again (first time in almost a year);  trail in great shape.

       Dec 17, 2005           Leader:  Phil Simpson                                            21 Hikers                OMH Saturday
        Route:   Split group went opposite directions around the loop
         4.2   miles            Difficulty Rating 2                    Scenic Rating 3
         Phil's "rookie" day as hike leader.  Good job.  Group split with Marv leading half of them and Phil leading half.

      Jan 8, 2005            Leader:  Guy Yates                35 Hikers                OMH Saturday
        Route:   Loop trail
         4.2   miles            Difficulty Rating 3                    Scenic Rating 4
         sss: Views; particularly from lookout at head of peninsula
         Big crowd; good time; completed in 2.5 hours. 

      Sep 9, 2004    Leader: Charline Knight      47 Hikers       OMH "Welcome Back Hike"
     Route: Split group in two because of large number.  Half went clockwise and half counter-clockwise.
     4.1 miles       Difficulty Rating 2     Scenic Rating  4
     SSS: view from lookout
     Annual "Welcome Back" hike; drew over 40 people, many of them new.  15 new members joined during this event.   

     Jul 1, 2004     Leader: Jim Gifford       14 Hikers       OMH bonus
     Route:  Double loop (Clockwise back to trailhead; then reversed and went other way)
     8.2 miles     Difficulty Rating 2      Scenic Rating 3
     Summer training hike: weather threatened, but never bothered.  Worked well as an eight-mile hike.

      Jun 3, 2004      Leader: Jim Gifford      7 Hikers           OMH Thursday
     Route:  Counter-clockwise loop
     4.1 miles      Difficulty Rating 2      Scenic Rating 4
     SSS: lake views
     Beautiful day (after storm).  Did a lot of trail clearing to pick up debris.  This hike replaced an OT "make up day".  No make-up needed or desired.

      Apr 3, 2004     Leader: Glen & Nancy McFarlane        30 Hikers         OMH Saturday
     Route: Clockwise Loop trail
     4.1 miles      Difficulty Rating 2     Scenic Rating 4
     SSS: Lake views as trees started to leaf out.
     Dogwoods, Iris in bloom.

     Nov 15, 2003   Leader: Maria McClead            7 Hikers         OMH Saturday
     Route: Counter-clockwise around the loop for a change
     4.1 miles     Difficulty Rating 2      Scenic Rating 3
     Light rain scared away most of crowd.  Drizzle most of way; we hiked in ponchos, but did not get very wet.-temp low 50's.

     Sep 19, 2002   Leader: Martha Doty, Task Master       8 Hikers       Trail Maintenance
     Route:  General trail maintenance - clockwise around the loop.
     4.1 miles   Difficulty Rating [5 hours]
     Trail maintenance in the rain.
     Five hours to complete the 4 mile loop.  Marina gave Martha and Jim free coffee after - because they looked like drowned rats.

     Sep 5, 2002    Leader: Martha Doty      25 Hikers       OMH "Welcome Back Hike"
     Route:  Clockwise Loop trail
     4.1 miles        Difficulty Rating 2       Scenic Rating 3
     Traditional end of summer event with pot luck brunch.  Good crowd; even Hank Deutsch showed up (resulting in Village Voice article)

     Feb 16, 2002   Leader: Maria McClead       Hikers: ?     OMH Saturday
     Route:  Clockwise Loop Trail
     4.1 miles        Difficulty Rating 2      Scenic Rating 3
     "Eagle watch" hike, but no eagles seen.  Hike followed by weenie roast in state park.

     Nov 24, 2001   Leader ?  Hikers ?    OMH Saturday
     Route: Clockwise Loop Trail
     4.1 miles        Difficulty Rating 2     Scenic Rating  3