Caney
Creek Trail
Ouachita National
Forest /Caney Creek Wilderness area (AR)
This is one of the prettiest trails in the Ouachita
Mountains. It is totally within the Caney Creek Wilderness area and is
pretty at any time of year. The more water running, the prettier it is,
but also the more difficult. The difficulty rating is because of the
numerous wet crossings, usually requiring waders. You have to ford the
cossatot river to complete this hike. There are no difficult
climbs. See also Buckeye Mountain Trail, which uses the east end of
this trail to finsih its loop.
Planning
notes:
Long drive no matter how approached. Key exchange
strongly recommended.
Cossatot River depth: When the water gage is reading 2.98,
you can ford the river.
This can be combined with other hikes in the Little Missouri
River/Cossatot River area for an overnight.
Access
Notes:
East end: FR 31. Can be reached from
Athens (CR 246 to Shady Lake turn off / FR 38) or from Albert Pike (FR
106 to FR 38). From Athens it is 9.2 miles up FR 38 from 246, on left.
From AP, go to the end of FR 106 turn right on FR 38. TH is on the left.
West
end: FR 31 near town of Shady; on Cossatot River. Can be reached
from Athens via CR 246 to FR 31 (CR 402). About 9 miles up FR 31 from
246.
For
additional info:
Tim Ernst "Arkansas Hiking Trails" (p. 172)
USFS map available
Kris/Billy McMillen
Recent Hikes:
Dec 8,
2004
Leader:
Kris & Billie McMillen
8 Hikers
OMH Overnight
Route: Full length (FR 31 to FR 38) both ways with
key swap
9.6 miles
Difficulty Rating 4
Scenic Rating 4
sss: creeks; waterfalls; holly trees
Waterfall: Katy Waterfall; many small falls
Creek was awesome - so many wet crossings it took us
seven hours to do 9 miles. This was part of overnight (See Dec 9 entry
for Shinbone/Sugar creek Trail).
Overnight
notes:
Sugar Creek
Lodge (off FR 31 near cossatot River). Very nice place. 866/394-7747.
Reservations recommended. [ www.cossatotriver.com / email:
cossatot_@excite.com]. From CR 375 take CR 81 FR 31) along Cossatot
River to Polk CR 602. Main entrance is just across the river.
No
restaurants in area (except a 'sometimes' thing at Sugar Creek Lodge.
Primitive
camping (no facilities) is available near the cossatot river off FR 31,
or at Wolf Pen Gap parking lot on 375.
