Little Blakely
Ouachita National Forest (AR)

Little Blakely system provides an unusually large variety of hikes; the five loops each have a slightly different character and can be put together in different combinations for short Saturday hikes; hike and swim; 8 - 10 mile hikes, or a route through all five loops, which could easily go to 15.5 miles. The routes are mostly wooded, often in view of the lake, and one on a high rocky ridge. Morgan Hollow is probably the prettiest; Rocky Ridge the most dramatic. This trail system is in the National Forest, but is accessed from Lake Ouachita State Park.

Planning notes:
For Saturday: Use the south loop or north loop, both at about 5.5 miles. South loop comes right to lake at about 4.5 miles. This is a great spot for "hike & Swim" or lunch.
Morgan Hollow + Glades Loop makes a 9+ mile hike; good for Thursday with short time frame. Hike can be done in 3.5 hours and it is close to home. These loops are not hiked often, but very pretty.
The "all five loops", outer-perimeter half-marathon hike is a great hike - do it again, but absolutely when cool. The 14.7 miles is not extremely difficult, but is LONG. Was enough for most of us. (see entry for 3/11/04 for route)

Access Notes:
From LOSP: Turn right (North) approaching the Visitor's center. Pass a large farm, the pavement ends; bear right after road turns to gravel; go past the first intersection and turn LEFT onto FR 30200. Follow this road, bearing right at next two intersections (forks), to trailhead at end of road (4.1 miles from VC.) Turns are marked with small signs "LB Trail System".
Parking at trailhead for 6 - 8 vehicles; but very rough, parking in woods. Take as few cars as possible, and on Saturdays warn drivers that this road can get rough.

For additional info:
USFS trail map (avail at LOSP VC; Jessieville Ranger Station)
Tim Ernst "Arkansas Hiking Trails" (p. 155)
Club members Ernie W; Jim Gifford; Marv Weitzenfeld have all led hikes here in recent years.

Recent Hikes:

Feb 4, 2006    
    Leader:  Marv Weitzenfeld      25 Hikers    OMH Saturday
    Route:     North Loop counterclockwise (A-K-J-I-H-J-K-A)
    5.5 miles        Difficulty Rating   3     Scenic Rating  3
    sss: Views of lake on north side of ridge
    Beautiful clear morning; big turn out

Oct 13, 2005  
     Leader:    Marv Weitzenfeld     ? Hikers     OMH Thursday
    Route:  route ?
    8 miles    Difficulty Rating 3    Scenic Rating 3

Sept 10, 2005   
    Leader:    Marv Weitzenfeld    17 Hikers    OMH Saturday
    Route:    South Loop "Hike & Swim"
    5.0 miles    Difficulty Rating 3    Scenic Rating 3

Jun 11, 2005   
    Leader:  Jim Gifford    11 Hikers    OMH Saturday
    Route:    "Hike & Swim" on South Loop (counter-clockwise)
    4.9 miles    Difficulty Rating  2    Scenic Rating  3
    sss:  Views of lake from ridge top
    Last hike of year; some of us went swimming in Lake Ouachita - very nice water temp. Hot and muggy, but overcast kept it from getting too bad until very end. Mike Zeller, still recovering and         unable to hike, brought Polar and Polar hiked with us.

May 5, 2005  
     Leader:  Ernie Weidenberger    7 Hikers    OMH Thursday
    Route:  Perimeter "half marathon": Morgan Hollow, Rocky Ridge, South & Glades Loops
    12.5 miles    Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  3
    Very pretty and scenic today with very little breeze -- bright blue sky and lake; deep green forest. Some wild flowers still out. With the small number of folks hiking, we were able to come across deer, and the birds keep us company all day. Kay, Glen, Ralph and Ernie did full distance. John, Sallye and Rex turned back after one loop. (It started getting very hot and Rex forgot his water and knee brace.)
   
                                                                                                                                                                  Hikers on Little Blakely
Nov 26, 2004   
    Leader:  Ernie Weidenberger    13 Hikers    OMH Thursday
    Route:   Morgan Hollow and Glades Loops
    9.0 miles    Difficulty Rating  2    Scenic Rating  3
    Friday after Thanksgiving hike Trail was in good shape except for some down trees. Nice soft footing.
    Lots of leafs down, nice views of the lake. Relatively easy hike.

Oct 23, 2004   
    Leader:  Dan Wingard     14 Hikers    OMH Saturday
    Route:   South Loop, counter-clockwise, including the extra 0.8 peninsula loop
    6.0 miles     Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  3
    sss:  view of lake
    Several new hikers

May 29, 2004         
     Leader:  Dan Wingard    11 Hikers    OMH Saturday
    Route:   South Loop counter-clockwise
    4.9 miles        Difficulty Rating  2    Scenic Rating  3
    sss:  Lake views

Mar 11, 2004  
     Leader:  Ernie Weidenberger     18 Hikers    OMH Thursday
    Route:  Outer perimeter (of all 5 loops). A - K - J - I - H - G - F - E - D - C - B - A (from USFS map)
    14.7 miles       Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  3
    sss: Views of lake
    Sixteen people went all 14.7 miles. Charline did 9+ (dropping out after Morgan Hollow); Mike Z did a couple of miles with Polar and his grand children. Area was burned in late February, so was sort of eerie. Trail very easy to follow, except on Rocky Ridge, where it switches back and forth over the rocks on top of ridge. Still some smoldering big trees; including one with flame. Air was filled with smoke from a current burn (to northeast). Good visibility of rocks and long views through the woods. Often could see hikers half mile ahead at end of long loops. Lunch at ten mile mark (turn around on Rocky Ridge). This corner very clear and un-obstructed (as opposed to two years ago, when it was lost under briars)

Dec 26, 2003      
    Leader:   Jim Gifford       9 Hikers    OMH schedule
    Route:   North Loop    5.5 miles    Difficulty Rating  2    Scenic Rating  3
    Day after Christmas hike with nine folks, less Martha Doty, who was scheduled to lead and apparently forgot. Nice day in 40's perfect for hiking. With Paula and Don along, we studied ferns and other forest flora.

Sept 27, 2003   
    Leader:   Martha Doty       18 Hikers     OMH schedule
    Route:   Hike and Swim around South Loop
    5.7 miles        Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  3
    Beautiful day for hike and swim; water was wonderful; several new hikers

Mar 27, 2003
    Leader:   Martha Doty       18 Hikers    OMH Thursday
    Route:   Big Tree (North) Loop and Morgan Hollow Loop
    8.9 miles       Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  3
    Beautiful spring day; actually got a little hot. Half the group continued on and did Rocky Ridge Loop, making a total of @13.0 miles

Feb 1, 2003
    Leader:   Dan Wingard       25 Hikers    OMH Saturday
    Route:   South Loop and Glades Loop
    6.0 miles          Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  3
    Dan's first time as hike leader - good job!! Beautiful winter day (40's - 50's); clear view of lake on South loop; Some folks spotted a bald eagle. First time hike for 11-year old Forrest Selix -- went well.

Dec 26, 2002
    Leader:   Jim Gifford       7 Hikers    OMH Thursday
    Route:   Glades Loop; Rocky Ridge Loop; South Loop
    9.7 miles        Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  4
    Day after Christmas hike; small crowd; beautiful cold morning; ice flowers

Jun 8, 2002
    Leader:   Mike Moriarty       ? Hikers    OMH Saturday
    Route:   South Loop of Little Blakely ending with a swim in Lake Ouachita
    5.2 miles        Difficulty Rating  2    Scenic Rating  3

May 31, 2001
    Leader:   Ben Glazer       6 Hikers    OMH schedule
    Route:   Morgan Hollow and Glades Loop
    8.0 miles          Difficulty Rating  3    Scenic Rating  3
    Started out in pouring rain, but quickly cleared.