Ouachita National Recreation
Trail / Sect 3
Ouachita National Forest
(AR)
Section 3
of the OT stretches from
Queen Wilhelmina State Park lodge on the west to US 71 (Foran Gap) on
the east. In between are the hwy 270 crossing and Eagle Gap. The
section is only 16.5 miles (51.6 - 68.1) and has vertical range of
1100', with a high point over 2500'. Going east to west, this entire
vertical range is covered in three miles. Rich Mountain (home of Qu.
Wilhelmina SP) is the scenic highlight of this section.
Planning
notes:
This is about the limit for day hiking
the OT. Plan two hours to get to Qu Wilhelmina.
Pencil Bluff is a good rendezvous point.
A good 22-mile, two-day combination can get from Hwy 71 to state line.
By going past Eagle Gap to hwy 270 first day (11.4 mi); you can reach
state line second day (10.6). Makes break up of Oklahoma sections
easier.
If done as an overnight, Qu Wilhelmina Lodge is a good choice for
accomodations. Rich Mountain Country Store (US 270 & AR 272) has a
private campground, with good cooking and eating faclities for group
activity. Store also has a gas station and all essentials.
Access
Notes:
Qu Wilhelmina Lodge (OT mi 51.6): On
Talihena Scenic Drive; west of Mena; about five miles east of OK state
line. Take AR 272 off US 270 at the base of Rich Mountain. This is a
well-marked intersection about a mile west of trail crossing. Rich
Mountain Country Store at this intersection.
Hwy 270 TH (OT mi 56.7): Well established trailhead with parking. About
1 mile west of hwy 272 intersection off why 270 at base of Rich
Mountain.
Eagle Gap (OT mi 58.5): Take FR 516 (County Road 97), about a mile east
of trail crossing or 2 miles east of hwy 272 intersection to Qu W.
Follow 516 about mile north to trail crossing. Limited parking. Access,
but not a well-established trailhead.
US 71 /Foran Gap (OT mi 68.1): Well marked trailhead on hwy; parking
for 5 - 6 cars. Several miles south of Y City.
For
additional info:
Tim Ernst: Trail Guide to the Ouachita
Trail
Ouachita National Forest / Mena Ranger District
USFS detailed map of Ouachita Trail [map TR-1 (det); avail at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/maps/
Ben Glazer
Recent
Hikes:
Mar 31,
2005
Leader: Jim Gifford
17 Hikers
OMH
Overnight
Route: AR/OK State Line
to Hwy 270 TH (46.3 - 56.7)
10.4 miles
Difficulty Rating 3
Scenic Rating 4
sss:
vistas
Pioneer Cemetary
Beautiful
day; views from Rich Mountain unlimited. Wildflowers out all over.
Don Baggett completed the Ouachita
Trail passing Qu. Wilhelmina lodge. We stopped in middle of hike for
appropriate celebration; then ten of us went on to complete the 10 mile
hike.
Mar 30, 2005
Leader: Jim
Gifford 18
Hikers
OMH Overnight
Route: Foran Gap / Hwy 71 to Hwy 270 TH (68.1 -
56.7)
11.4 miles
Difficulty Rating 4
Scenic Rating 3
sss:
creek at 67.5 with
small waterfall and swimming hole
rock stair steps @ m
63
vistas from
ridge
Waterfall:
about 10 - 12'
falls at m 67.5
Compare
to Oct 3, 2002 hike on same
section (the "hike from hell"). This was a piece of cake. Trail in
great shape. Lunch near small creek about m 62.
Ben shuttled cars; Ernie dropped out
at Eagle Gap to help.
Overnight
notes:
Most
stayed at Qu Wilhelmina Lodge; a
few at Rich Mountain Country Store & CG.
Pat Yates and Cleste Noble
hosted cocktails in their room.
Group dinner at lodge restaurant.
Dec 5, 2002
Leader:
Mike Zeller 15
Hikers
OMH Overnight
Route:
Eagle Gap to Queen
Wilhelmina Lodge
[58.5 to 51.6]
6.9 miles
Difficulty Rating 4
Scenic
Rating 4
"Winter
Wonderland"
Hike. Rich
Mountain provided a minor ice storm that made hiking difficult, but
spectacularly beautiful.
Stopped by frozen
"Lover's Leap"; beautiful spot. Jim fell on his butt
while warning others of slippery ice.
Queen Wilhelmina is a
beautiful place.
Overnight
notes:
Queen Wilhelmina Lodge.
Original intent to do outdoor pot-luck -- too cold, so we wined and
dined at lodge.
Birthday party for Maureen at Dinner.
Oct 31, 2002
Leader:
Martha
Doty, Task Master
11 Hikers
Trail Maintenance
Route: Eagle Gap to Hwy
71 [58.5 - 68.1]
24.0 miles
Difficulty Rating: 30
hours
of hard work over three days.
Three
day trail maintenance effort
on section we hiked prior month. Coordinated effort by hikers, bikers,
and Forest Service. Reclaimed ten miles of trail.
Stayed at Martha's house ("Camp
Doty").
Mileage estimated (in/out over three
days).
This joint effort produced discussion
that ultimately resulted in the
founding of Friends of the Ouachita Trail.
-----------------------
Oct 3,
2002
Leader: Mike Zeller
12 Hikers
OMH
Thursday
Route: Hwy
71 to Eagle Gap [68.1 - 58.5]
9.6 miles
Difficulty Rating 4
Scenic
Rating 3
Quickly became known as
"Hike from
Hell". This section so overgrown that it was virtually impenetrable in
places. Hiked on rocks making up trail edge. Heavy greenbrier
exceptionally bad. Trail difficulty code reflects condition.
Attacked by swarm of yellow jackets; encounter with rattle snake.