(More) Ouachita Natty Forest, Feb 13/14, 2010

[Wes Craiglow]

Still needing to recon the southern sections of the trail for the group run, I set off out of Hot Springs late Saturday and headed north, hoping to make Plainview via USFS roads by mid-afternoon on Sunday.

Today's Route



I grabbed a quick night's rest at Lake Ouachita State Park. I generally don't like staying in improved areas, but considering that no one else was around, it was right on my path into the mtns, and was stunningly beautiful, I figured, what the hay. I'm certainly glad I did...

Sunset

Sunrise... and time to hit the trail!

Still a little bit of snow around from last week's "big" event.


More to follow...
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[LaOutbackTrail]

I wish I knew what I was doing tomorrow so that I might have been/be able to attend the run.

 

[Wes Craiglow]

(More) Ouachita Natty Forest, Feb 13/14, 2010 (cont.)

The day was pretty much all about route denial, which kept me totally frustrated most of the time. First, it was the trees:

See, this part of the country doesn't get a lot of snow; it gets ice. When 1/2" of ice builds up on trees in this shallow and rocky soil, they like to fall down.

Some, I simply pushed on through, adding to the plethora of backcountry pinstripes already on my truck.

Others, I thought it'd be nice to remove to stop lazy people from rutting up the surrounding area. (Evidenced as already starting to the left in these pics.)

Sometimes, it just wasn't worth my trouble to try, as the deadfall went on and on as far as I could see.

And finally, even when I tried, Mother Nature just giggled and said, "Nice try, kiddo." (This behemoth didn't so much as flinch... detour time.)

(Gratuitous sexy truck pic. Wow, I love my truck.)



More to follow...
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[Wes Craiglow]

(More) Ouachita Natty Forest, Feb 13/14, 2010 (cont.)

And if it wasn't the trees being down, it was the gates in the way! These things are everywhere down here in the Ouachitas.
I think it's all for the big leases of the Weyerhaeuser paper company tree farms.

But I learned a little trick about these gates, ya see: much of the time, they're not even locked! :wings:
Funny what a quick inspection will offer ya!

Check out the tire treads in the mud.... it's like magic:
Go Go Gadget Invisible Tacoma

Even snow-covered, collapsed culverts tried to stop my progress.


And the final obstacle of the day, the water crossing...

(Gotta call Wil and get that snorkel!)


Through all the delays, I did manage to confirm where night one will be spent:

And I tested the spot by having some lunch: bread, cheese, and warm ale.
(Very medieval of me.)

And by taking another gratuitous shot of the truck.

As the day wore on, it began to snow, and I had to get back toward the house...






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[Wes Craiglow]

(More) Ouachita Natty Forest, Feb 13/14, 2010 (cont.)

Cool old (and some newer) bits of the area's history here and there...

Wildlife was out and about. Saw lots of deer and turkey.

Then the snow really started falling...

And within an hour, things were starting to get pretty beautiful.

But, alas, I had to return home.
(After all, it was Valentine's Day, and I didn't want to be in trouble!)

Airing up my new TreadWrights.
(FYI: they preformed beautifully after 80 miles of trail. Check here for more thoughts. I'll be updating the review regularly.)

The roads home.

Thanks for riding along!
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[DAMAGE_ctrl]

Awsome

Thanks, Awsome pics.....:victory:

 

[stolenheron]

great pics. i've definitely had frustration in the past with dead fallen trees or even worse, freshly fallen giants in national forests. I also understand how annoying driving all day can be just to see a barricade in your way.

keep us updated on the exploring, sometimes its the recon which can be more fun than the trip itself. the excitement can lie within the surprise.

 

[bomar]

awesomeness.

 

[jim65wagon]

Some nice looking countryside you have there! Thanks for the pics....at about 1100 miles from here, it looks like we'll have to plan a ONF trip in our future....another far off place added to the "Places to Visit" file!

 

[Token]

Wow..

It ain't even March yet.. CRAP..!!

 

[Mr. Leary]

Some nice looking countryside you have there! Thanks for the pics....at about 1100 miles from here, it looks like we'll have to plan a ONF trip in our future....another far off place added to the "Places to Visit" file!

It really is a nice place. I've been hiking the Ouachita Trail in sections over the past year. A rugged, beautiful treasure that is unknown to most folks.

 

[KMW]

Thanks for the pics! I grew up in those woods and still make a couple of runs a year somewhere in the Ouachitas. I don't think I've ever been out there in the snow, what a great opportunity you had to see it like that.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Thanks for the pics! I grew up in those woods and still make a couple of runs a year somewhere in the Ouachitas. I don't think I've ever been out there in the snow, what a great opportunity you had to see it like that.

As crazy as it sounds, go out there during an ice storm... absolutely spectacular..... just remember your camera, cuz' you will not get much else done that weekend. :elkgrin:

 

[Wes Craiglow]

I wish I knew what I was doing tomorrow so that I might have been/be able to attend the run.

You need to bring it, bro. Briiiiiiiing it.

 

[timaus13]

Much Appreciated

Really enjoyed reading about your trip, Love the pictures and must admit I love snow driving here in Tasmania in Winter.

Cheers Mate
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