Ouachita National Forest

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The last time Jean's parents were here a few years ago we went west visiting Big Bend, Carlsbad Caverns and the Davis Mountains. So, this trip Jean researched a trip northeast to Ouachita National Forest in southwest Arkansas.


A colleague of mine did some backpacking in the area and highly recommended it. Jean and I had planned to visiting Ouachita last year but the Memorial day flooding drove us west. Fortunately, Jean's research did not go to waste.
Arriving at our campsite we found an abundance of RV campers and a dearth of fellow tent campers.
 3/20/16 Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking on the Lake Ouchita Vista Trail (LOViT)

Now would be a good time to remove your antler hat.

The LOViT is 40+ mile trail on the south side of Lake Ouachita. Jean and her parents did an eleven mile section of it along a ridge of Bear Mountain. I doubled back at the halfway point and brought the car around.
A mighty big lake
 03/21/16 Canoeing the Ouachita River
Oh, that's why there aren't any other tent campers. Apparently it got down to 28 degrees F overnight.

Stream rising off the lake in the morning

The sun came out and it warmed up so we decided to try a little river canoeing.

The river was flowing well. We did seven miles and had lunch break in the span of two hours.

Jean and Colin shooting some rapids
 03/22/16 Eagle Rock Loop
My colleague had backpacked the Eagle Rock Loop and highly recommended it. Our GPS led us astray en route. This was actually the "good" portion of this county road. It would get much worse.

After backtracking and finding a more suitable route for low clearance vehicles we finally arrived and promptly walked off in the wrong direction.

When were soon on the right course and making a daring river crossing

Several miles later we made an even more daring river crossing






With all the creeks this would make for a great trail in the summer. In March the water was a mite chilly.


 03/23/16 Back on the LOViT @ Hickory Nut Mountain
Colin applying the factor 50 sunscreen that seemed to do absolutely nothing

Well, nothing apart for creating good photo opportunites

Jean conquers that non-existent fire tower




12 miles into a 14+ mile hike

 03/25/16 Canoeing on Lake Ouachita
After surviving the river unscathed we felt brave enough to take on the lake.

Our picnic spot


The Lake Ouachita Dam



Comments

Colin said…
Fantastic trip. Thanks Aaron and Jean
29 April 2016 at 07:28
Anonymous said…
Brings back very happy memories.
29 April 2016 at 15:20
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