Womble Trail

Ouachita National Forest (AR)

 

The 43-mile Womble Trail is the third longest trail in Arkansas, offering a variety of terrain. The trail runs mostly north-south, starting at Muddy Creek, where it intersects the Ouachita Trail (at mile 117.2). It comes steeply off the mountain from the OT, levels out and crosses hwy 88. The trail then comes out to US 27 at the tip of Lake Ouachita. It turns westerly and crosses the Ouachita River at a scenic spot called River Bluff. It then proceeds southerly past hwy 298 to the southern trailhead, at North Fork Lake. The Womble is well-marked; blazed in white.  Mile markers run north to south.  It is usually well-maintained because it is a popular mountain bike trail for riders from all over the southeast.

 

Planning notes:

Trail can be broken up into four or five hikes, of 8 - 10 miles each. Southern end is flatter; it gets progressively steeper as it approaches the OT in the north.

CAUTION: Due to numerous re-routes, the distances for southern segment are WRONG in both Tim Ernst and USFS maps. Both indicate almost 10 miles; in fact it is just over 8.

Leaf off periods are best season for this trail.

About an hour drive from HSV or HS. Story or Mt. Ida are good meeting places. In Mt. Ida, be careful to designate which US 27 / US 270 intersection (there are 2; each with a Ph 66). Use the one where 27 goes North.  After hike, the Dairyette in Mt. Ida is good for ice cream.

 

Access Notes:

Northern TH: Trail begins at Mile 117.2 on OT (signed intersection). Hike in 1.5 miles on OT, from mile 118.7 at FR 149 /Muddy Creek. Take US 27 north out of Story 2 miles. Turn west on FR 149. Go 2.5 miles to bridge over Muddy Creek.  Park on far side.

TH/ FR D75A: Take FR 231 west off US 27, about a mile N of Story. Go three or four miles to FR D75A. Go to end of road and find trail. (Caution: go past D75D; not the same road).

TH/ AR hwy 88 crossing: 2 -3 mi west of Washita (US 27) on AR 88.

TH/ US hwy 27: At tip of Lake Ouachita, between Story and Mt Ida. Signed parking lot, just south of where highway crosses the Lake.

River Bluff TH: River Bluff access is at end of FR 59. Take FR 59 off US 27 about a mile N of Mt Ida (US 270). FR 59 is second dirt road to left after passing a feed mill on left. FR 59 comes off US 27, a couple miles north of Mt Ida near a feed mill. It is about a five mile drive in. Limited parking

TH/ hwy 298 crossing: 1/4 mile after it splits from US 270, west of Mt Ida. Parking.

TH/ hwy 270 crossing: No parking; not a good TH.

Southern TH: As above, but continue past FR 92 to FR 68. Turn left to North Fork Lake. Small parking lot; no facilities.

 

For additional info:

Tim Ernst: "Arkansas Hiking Trails" (p. 143)

Marv Weitzenfeld is OMH resident expert on Womble Trail.

Ben Glazer knows trailheads as well as anyone.

USFS maps available; Womble Ranger district 870 867-2101 (see link on trails index page).

 

Recent Hikes:

 

Jan 19, 2006    Leader: Marv Weitzenfeld            ?? Hikers         OMH bonus

Route: FR 922 to souther terminus

7.0 miles           Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 3

Bonus hike on meeting day.

 

Jan 12, 2006    Leader: Ken Schultz        ?? Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: Hwy 88 to River Bluff

12 miles             Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 3

Local hike during Oklahoma OT trip.

 

Oct 6, 2005      Leader: Marv Weitzenfeld            ?? Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: North end. FR 149 TH for Ouachita trail, west to Womble intersection; south on Womble to hwy 88

9.5 miles            Difficulty Rating 3                    Scenic Rating 3

 

Mar 24, 2005    Leader: Marv Weitzenfeld            18 Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: FR 922 to FR 61

9.0 miles          Difficulty Rating 2             Scenic Rating 3

sss: Views.

Beautiful day, with great views in all directions; a little bit of water in the creeks; and perfect temps.  Split group. Marv led half group southward from FR 61; Jim led other half northward from FR 922.

Lunch beside small creek with holly trees all about.

 

Sep 30, 2004    Leader: Marv Weitzenfeld            12 Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: From Muddy Creek (mile 118.7) on Ouachita Trail to Womble intersection (Mile 117.2) then first eight miles of Womble to hwy 88.

9.5 miles            Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 3

Split the group and hiked form oppostie ends with key exchange. Jim Gifford led second group. Re-united at Story.

 

Sept 23, 2004   Leader: Marv Weitzenfeld            13 Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: Mile 12.9 (US 27) to Mile 21.7 (River Bluff spur) and on to River Bluff

8.8 miles          Difficulty Rating 2             Scenic Rating 3

Womble Trail in excellent condition.  One difficult climb (Reed Mtn) right out of parking lot; two small creek crossings (no waders).  Split group and came from opposite ends with key exchange

 

Feb 26, 2004    Leader: Gary Eason        12 Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: Two groups hiked opposite directions from FR 92 to Hwy 298

8.5 miles              Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 3

sss: Leaf off views from atop ridge.

Beautiful day. Trail in very good shape; water crossings minimal and easy to negotiate.

 

Oct 9, 2003      Leader: Gary Eason       3 Hikers           OMH Thursday

Route: North Fork Lake (southern terminus) to FR 92

4.7 miles            Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 3

Paula talks Jim and Gary into hiking in the rain (despite forecast for "steady, soaking rain" with scattered thunderstorms. The three had a wonderful time; the rain wasn't too bad (until after the hike and driving home). Start of fall colors; some beautiful reds and

oranges.

Covered 4.7 miles in 1:40.

 

Feb 13, 2003    Leader: Gary Eason        15 Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: FSR 59 to Rocky Shoals

8.5 miles            Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 2

Flat hike !! Good pace. Done by 12:30p.

Temps in 40's; rain threatening, but never came.

 

Jan 31, 2002    Leader: Mike Zeller          ?? Hikers         OMH Thursday

Route: Southern TH to FR 922 [30.6 - 38.0]

7.6 miles Difficulty Rating 3 Scenic Rating 3

Hiked in rain for several miles.

 

Dec 27, 2001    Leader: Mike Zeller          ?? Hikers         OMH schedule

Route: Hwy 270 (Rocky Shoals) to River Bluff [25.7 - 19.8] + 1.4 spur to River Bluff.

10 miles             Difficulty Rating 2             Scenic Rating 3

No details recorded, except for 10 miles.

 

Sep 27, 2001    Leader: Ben Glazer         12 Hikers         OMH schedule

Route: Hwy 27 to River Bluff [mi 12.9 to 19.8] (+1.6 spur to River Bluff)

8.5 miles            Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 2

sss: Views from River Bluff.



 
Trail Registration




View from River Bluff