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OldGuyWalkin 
Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: Nov. 2012
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Posted on: Nov. 28 2012, 1:53 pm |
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Anyone ever done the Ouachita Trail in Oklahoma and Arkansas?
Pros Cons?
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| Post Number: 2
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cweston
Group: Members
Posts: 1416
Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 28 2012, 2:09 pm |
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I've done the stretch in OK leading up to the AR state line. It's quite pretty country. It was early spring when I went, before the trees were fully leafed out, which makes the panoramic views a little better.
Pros and Cons?
Well, my sons and I almost died in a flash flood in Pashubbe Creek, but that's more of a specific, personal con.
It's not dramatic mountain scenery like the mountains of the west, but it's worth going. If it were me, I'd avoid May-September like the plague--too hot/humid. October would be beautiful, but I bet water can be a problem.
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| Post Number: 3
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QCHIKER
Group: Members
Posts: 1728
Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 28 2012, 3:11 pm |
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ChasWill knows a lot about the trail. He's got maps of the trai too
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| Post Number: 4
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Slowfoot
Group: Members
Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 28 2012, 5:36 pm |
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I've hiked all of it in 30-55 mile sections, and I highly recommend it. Cons -- trail builders in some spots apparently never heard of a switchback, a couple of very suspect foot bridges on the eastern part that I would not use (if they are still there), lots of ticks in late April. We had good weather for all our trips in November, December, March, and April, although late April was borderline too warm. The other "con" is that there are so many areas I would like to explore more but just didn't have time. Pros -- lots of great scenery, few people on the trail. As far as I can remember the only other backpackers we saw on any of those trips were being picked up by the person who was shuttling us to our starting point. They were on a spring break trip from Wisconsin and couldn't understand why there weren't more (any) people out on the trail.
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| Post Number: 5
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OldGuyWalkin
Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: Nov. 2012
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Posted on: Nov. 29 2012, 11:35 am |
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couple of us are talking about breaking it into sections. Probably weekend trips.
Thanks for the input.
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| Post Number: 6
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starwalker
Group: Members
Posts: 1339
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Nov. 29 2012, 12:49 pm |
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I've section hiked it all. I have nothing to add as far as pros and cons. Be aware that it is not flat, despite people misconceptions of Oklahoma. Normally, there is water along the trail including seeps, but often the trail is close enough to the Talimina Drive to hear the traffic. Leaf off time is best as the views are better and the ticks pretty well gone.
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"Straight paths made by man
Are unnatural and full of curses
But a trail is a song."
Louis Oliver (Creek Indian poet)
"Songs on Winding Trails"
in Chasers of the Sun
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| Post Number: 7
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John
Group: Members
Posts: 809
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2012, 11:14 am |
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The only con would be that water is sometimes tough to find, being that the OT is a ridgetop trail. But it's not hard to cache water along the Talimena Scenic Drive which parallels the trail for a long stretch.
IMHO, this trail is a very worthwhile backpacking destination.
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