Ouachita
National Recreation Trail/Section 4
Ouachita
National Forest(AR)
Section 4 of the OT stretches from US
71 (Foran Gap) on the west end to Big Brushy Campground on the
east. In between is Fourche Mountain, one
of the more intimidating challenges on the trail. The section is
26.4 miles (68.1 - 94.5) and has a vertical range of 1500'.
Between Lori Creek and Turner
Gap, it goes up and down 1000' in 5 miles.
Planning
notes: Pencil Bluff is a good rendezvous spot. Plan
an hour to Pencil Bluff and 30 minutes to an hour from PB to trailhead,
depending
on which trailhead you are starting at.
Access Notes: Access to
either end is easy, well-marked, with parking. Access to the
three middle points is off of poor forest roads with no amenities.
-Brushy Creek is a well marked turn off of US 270: a few miles west of
Pencil Bluff.
-FR 76 (about 21/2 miles off US 270 to near end; trail follows 76 for
3.1 miles).
-Turner Creek Gap: FR 76 about 3 miles west of where the trail
leaves FR 76. Turn North onto FR 7172; go about 1 mile to end.
(hike@
a mile up the creek line to OT).
-Lori Creek: FR 76 to M 43 (about 1 mile walk-in). Can come
in on FR 76 from either end.
-Hwy 71 TH well marked; parking area.
For additional
info:
Tim Ernst:
Trail Guide to the Ouachita Trail
Ben Glazer
knows the trailheads; roads well.
Mar 28, 2002
Leader: Mike Zeller ? Hikers OMH Thursday
Route: FR
76 E to Big Brushy campground to FR 33 [87.7 - 96.0]
8.3 miles
Difficulty Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
May 2, 2002 Leader: Mike
Zeller ? Hikers OMH Thursday
Route: FR
76 E to Turner Creek Gap [87.7 - 79.9]
7.8 miles
Difficulty Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
Nov 7, 2002 Leader: Mike
Zeller 11 Hikers OMH Thursday
Route: Hwy 71 to Lori
Creek [68.1 - 74.5]; 1 mile hike out at Lori Creek
7.4 miles
Difficulty Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
Nov 27, 2002 Leader Mike
Zeller 7 Hikers
OMH Thursday
Route: Lori Creek to Turner
Creek Gap [74.5 - 79.9]; plus hike in/out
7.5
miles Difficulty
Rating 4 Scenic
Rating 3
Frosty morning; very steep; reroute around
Lori Creek is complete.
Jan 6, 2005
Leader: Jim Gifford 22
Hikers OMH
Thursday
Route:
Big Brushy CG to FR 76 (west end) [95.5 - 85]
9.5 miles
Difficulty Rating 3
Scenic Rating 3
SSS: Buck Knob with "frosting";
Views all along ridge line
Cold hike (low twenties throughout plus
wind). Top of mountain along FR 76 was completely "frosted"; sun
came out and it was
beautiful. "Driving snowstorm" (well, a few flurries, anyway)
Loretta Melancon finished OT, Ben Glazer shuttled cars, with Ernie,
Billy, Marv
help so we could all hike the same direction (uphill!).