Ouachita Natty Forest, 01.02.09

[Wes Craiglow]

Anyone who read my previous run's post knows that I'm thinking of putting together an ExPo Central States group run for this spring. I figure that it's pretty important for me to ensure that if I do that, then I'd better recon the entire proposed route... you know, to make sure it's a "good one." (At least that what I tell my fam to get them to bless off on all these "survey" trips into the backcountry. )

Anyway, yesterday I loaded up the dogs (Boscoe and Maggie) and headed west to explore. I have the route pretty much pegged with regards to the bulk of raw mileage: major and minor Forest Service roads, Wayerhauser land, county roads, and better sections of US and State highways. What I'm currently focused on is locating campsite big enough for a group of 10 trucks, a few short technical sections, and also an interesting way to bridge the 50 or so miles between the Ouachita range and the Ozark Plateau. (The two mtn ranges of the proposed group run.)

So here we go! Hope you enjoy the pics.

FYI: Unless otherwise stated, all are within the Ouachita Nat'l Forest in southwestern Perry County, northwestern Saline County, or north-central Garland County.

Rural Arkansas.

Heading in.

Quick view into today's play... err, I mean "Survey Zone."

Maggie helping decide where to go.

Our winding road awaits.

Westbound and down toward Forked Pinnacle.

Things are getting good now...

​

 

[Wes Craiglow]

Ouachita Natty Forest, 01.02.10 (cont.)

As you can see, the trail quickly became tighter and less maintained...

Until this:

I had three options, 1) back out, 2) winch the deadfall out of my way, 3) cut the deadfall out of my way.
After all the holiday chow I packed away, I needed a good workout...

And we're back in biz.

But, alas, the trail eventually petered out into an old creek bed, which became impassable due to new tree growth.

Time to find another way through!

A very steep climb on the next trail survey. (Pics don't do it justice.)

Again, this one slowly got more dense until I could no longer continue.

It was on this trail that I caught a tree limb with my driver's side CV boot. Fortunately for me, it didn't rip the boot, but it did bend the clamp useless and dump some grease out. Used some wheel bearing grease and a 4" hose clamp for a quick-fix! On the road again!

(Weird icicle thingy along my route.)
​

 

[maximumrob]

I'm all in on this one. February or later, please, but let's get out there before those monster spiders start running webs across the road between the trees. You know the big ones I'm talkin' about! They're fast, too, if they land on your lap. Yuck.

 

[Wes Craiglow]

Finally made it to Hot Springs, where I had to pick up a spare Tacoma TRD wheel from a dude. (Gonna start rotating all five.)

I also anticipate Hot Springs being the southern terminus of the group run.

Headed back in...

With my personal overland guides leading the way, as usual.

Excellent trail that went on for miles! This one will definitely make the cut.

Another more technical one, unfortunately, probably won't...

Same story as before, except way too much to clear: major deadfall.
(If you look closely down the trail, you can see the first big fallen tree. I think this area was hit by
a tornado or something. Huge trees down everywhere. Completely impassable.)

But the views were great!



​

 

[Wes Craiglow]

Ouachita Natty Forest, 01.02.10 (cont.)

Rushing home in time for the Liberty Bowl.
HOGS WON! :wings:
(Sorry to my East Carolinian friends. No hard feelings?!)

​

Well, I'd call it a successful route recon; more of a "route denial" sort of trip. But that's cool. It's trail info I didn't have before, and it allows me to better define the final group run route.

Plus, I picked up a few new skills on trail maintenance and truck fixes, a few new backcountry penstripes, and I had a blast playing with my Taco y peros! Thanks for riding along with me!

(And another reminder: stay tuned over at the Central States Forum for an upcoming conversation on the trip!)

 

[Wes Craiglow]

I'm all in on this one. February or later, please, but let's get out there before those monster spiders start running webs across the road between the trees. You know the big ones I'm talkin' about! They're fast, too, if they land on your lap. Yuck.

I know those spiders! HAHA! (Why do you think I sold my Jeep?! )

So, I'm thinking of late-March. Maybe a four-day/three-night run on March 25-28th? That's spring break time frame for many schools, and I'd love it if my 11 year-old daughter could ride shotgun. I'd like it if it could be a fam-friendly event, so other could bring their kiddos, too. (FYI: Beer and campfires are friendly, and I am family. Therefore... :beer

Any thoughts on the trip? Maybe I should go ahead and get the thread started over there.

 

[TangoBlue]

Nice route recon - looks like a good trip your planning. Just wish it was a little closer to AR from VA!

 

[Pappa John]

Let us know a date when you come up with it. I would definitely be interested in joining you guys. :wings:

 

[iflypropjobs]

I'm in Sherwood & would be very interested in going - Let me know if I can help you put it together.

Great pics by the way. Gulf Mountain WMA has a lot of great trails too - several crossings of the Upper Little Red with islands for camping!

 

[Wes Craiglow]

Let us know a date when you come up with it. I would definitely be interested in joining you guys. :wings:

Go check the Central Region page! Info is up!

 

[Wes Craiglow]

I'm in Sherwood & would be very interested in going - Let me know if I can help you put it together.

Great pics by the way. Gulf Mountain WMA has a lot of great trails too - several crossings of the Upper Little Red with islands for camping!

I'd love to see that GMWMA area. It's been 10+ years since I've been in there. And yes yes yes to help with the scouting for the big March run. I'll PM you my contact info. Let's set up a time to go out and explore!

Thanks!