View Full Version : Ozark Highlands Trail Info Please!
If anyone could pass along any info, insights, impressions, etc. about this trail it would be greatly appreciated.
Specifically, do people just use the maps in the Time Ernst book or do you get another set from another source? How well marked is the trail? Is it easy to lose it? How crowded is it? Are there viable ways to get to and from that area using public transp. or do most people drive? For people that have hiked all/parts of it, what did you like best? How would you rate the trail overall?
Any feedback would be much appreciated!
The Solemates
06-21-2008, 11:38
We've section hiked the whole trail.
The trail in some places is well marked, easy to follow, and very scenic. In other parts, not so much.
I would highly recommend not hiking this trail the months of May through September. It is simply too hot, muggy, and buggy. Ridiculously hot, muggy, and buggy. May in particular is tick season, and the trail will be very overgrown and hard to follow.
When I started section hiking, I used only Tim's book. But as I went on, I purchased the national forest service maps. The only place I've been able to find them are parking service headquarters surrounding the trail. Cannot find them online or in stores. These maps are very helpful when trying to find trailheads or when you lose the trail due to vegetation. Trailheads, in particular, can be difficult to find. The AR backcountry roads are not that well marked in places, and its an adventure in itself if you decide to end your hike at a less improved road rather than a major state highway.
There is no public transportaton to/from the trail, and shuttles are very expensive (and this was before today's gas prices) since the roads surrounding the trail are not necessarily easy driving.
Hope this helps...let me know of any specific questions.
The Solemates
06-21-2008, 11:41
tilly...have you done the river to river trail in IL or the knobstone trail in IN?
those are two I want to do eventually. I'm actually in IL right now ready to head out for river to river...
Thanks very much for the info. May have to contact you later regarding all this, just doing some preliminary research.
No, I haven't done the River to River Trail, or the Knob Trail, either. (I live in northern Indiana, bordering Michigan, in fact locally the area is called "Michiana.")
Have been to southern IN, though, very pretty, craggily, knobby, wooded, etc. I always wanted to do the Tecumseh trail down there. I have heard though that some trails that run through recreation areas down there can be full of garbage...just a rumor, though.
If you're in IL, I would probably go for the R2R trail. Lots of caves & camping opportunities I hear.
Sorry I can't be of more help...but thanks again.
Let me know how your hike on the R2R trail goes!
tilly...have you done the river to river trail in IL or the knobstone trail in IN?
those are two I want to do eventually. I'm actually in IL right now ready to head out for river to river...
Haven't hiked the AT yet, so I can't compare it, but the knobstone's a good trail. Hiked the northern half (30 mi around a the loop), maybe will hike the southern half before we head out for our thru. There weren't a lot of people and there were some nice views. Enough elevation change and conditions that make it a worthy hike. I've heard it's a great practice trail for the AT.
I agree with Solemates above. Tim Ernst will respond to emails however on trail conditions. I got a quick response on the depth of the Buffalo River on one section since it had to be forded. My favorite section was White Rock Mountain to Cherry Bend. Our group shuttles itself by placing one or two vehicles at the end of the section. Sometimes it is not far, but sometimes it takes hours to do the shuttle. It is not crowded at all and the scenery is beautiful. An Arkansas Gazeteer will help with navigating the back, remote, gravel and sometimes very spooky roads to the trail heads and sections.
Sorry that I just seen this. If you hike the trail after leaf off be aware that the leaves hide the trail and at least in section two you cannot hike blaze to blaze. We spent around 4 hours total just finding ourselves last time we did it in December, any other time of the year Tim's book is enough..
Cookerhiker
10-17-2008, 15:45
The October 2008 National Geographic magazine has an article (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/10/ozark-trail/white-text/1) on the Ozark Highlands Trail. The last page has a write-up on the 40th year anniversary of the National Scenic Trails Act.
Thanks for the link Cookerhiker!
The Solemates
10-17-2008, 17:32
www.cloudland.net, go to online journal
tim said the traffic has increased on the trail with the printing of this article
girlnextdoor
10-20-2008, 09:55
Whatever you do-- Don't hike this trail in SEPTEMBER!!!!
Redwood and I gave it a shot 9/04 and we got chiggers! For those not familiar, chiggers are little demon spawn that induce the worst itching of your life -- like nothing I've felt before.
We laugh about it now but it was a TERRIBLE time out there! We got off the trail and it took us about 3 weeks to heal. Those bites were so close together that our legs were one solid mass of scabs and oozing. I had to wear pants for weeks because they looked so bad.
I'd love to go back in the WINTER!!!
The Solemates
10-20-2008, 10:47
Whatever you do-- Don't hike this trail in SEPTEMBER!!!!
Redwood and I gave it a shot 9/04 and we got chiggers! For those not familiar, chiggers are little demon spawn that induce the worst itching of your life -- like nothing I've felt before.
We laugh about it now but it was a TERRIBLE time out there! We got off the trail and it took us about 3 weeks to heal. Those bites were so close together that our legs were one solid mass of scabs and oozing. I had to wear pants for weeks because they looked so bad.
I'd love to go back in the WINTER!!!
I'll repeat:
"I would highly recommend not hiking this trail the months of May through September. It is simply too hot, muggy, and buggy. Ridiculously hot, muggy, and buggy. May in particular is tick season, and the trail will be very overgrown and hard to follow."
I too have gotten Chiggers from this trail.
I second and third that. We go in March-April, October-November.Tim Ernst loves this trail in the winter months, but I have not done that.
nitewalker
11-03-2008, 08:01
im curious as to how much road walking there is on this trail and what sections are a must see if i am to take a trip out there. i like to stay on the trails and off the roads as much as possible. if any1 can give me a quick run down of the highlights on this trail it would be greatly appreciated......thanks, nitewalker
The Solemates
11-03-2008, 10:39
im curious as to how much road walking there is on this trail and what sections are a must see if i am to take a trip out there. i like to stay on the trails and off the roads as much as possible. if any1 can give me a quick run down of the highlights on this trail it would be greatly appreciated......thanks, nitewalker
there are no virtually no roadwalks on this trail. only on the most eastern end terminus of the trail do you walk down a country dirt road for less than 3 miles.
the white rock mountain area has nice views. other areas have nice stream lined hiking.
how many miles are you looking to do?
check out http://www.hikearkansas.com/ohta.html and buy the guidebook from time ernst.
The Solemates
11-03-2008, 10:40
tim........
nitewalker
11-04-2008, 07:21
there are no virtually no roadwalks on this trail. only on the most eastern end terminus of the trail do you walk down a country dirt road for less than 3 miles.
the white rock mountain area has nice views. other areas have nice stream lined hiking.
how many miles are you looking to do?
check out http://www.hikearkansas.com/ohta.html and buy the guidebook from time ernst.
thanks for the reply. i am planing a hike somewhere but im not sure where i want to go. if i decide on going to the OHT i will most likely do the whole 165miles. it seems that this trail would be really interesting to hike during the last 3 weeks of november. what are the aproximate temps going to be for this time of year for that area. after i made my post testerday i went and logged on to the OHT site you reccomended and did some studying..the OHT looks real nice. one of americas top 10 trails...thanks for the help...............peace, nitewalker:D
The Solemates
11-04-2008, 11:54
thanks for the reply. i am planing a hike somewhere but im not sure where i want to go. if i decide on going to the OHT i will most likely do the whole 165miles. it seems that this trail would be really interesting to hike during the last 3 weeks of november. what are the aproximate temps going to be for this time of year for that area. after i made my post testerday i went and logged on to the OHT site you reccomended and did some studying..the OHT looks real nice. one of americas top 10 trails...thanks for the help...............peace, nitewalker:D
temps in late november will be variable, just like anywhere in the south/mid-south in late fall. there may be days where it is 70-degrees, but you also may get snowed on. i'd say typical hi/lo would be 55/30. if i were to hike the trail in late november, i would bring my 5-degree bag rather than the next step up for me, which is my 30-degree bag.
coldspring
11-04-2008, 12:31
Don't forget that Nov. 8-30th is Gun Deer Season in those areas of Arkansas. The first two weekends are no-nos to be in the woods, IMO. Things wind down by the last week of season though.
Don't hike anywhere in the Ozarks till there has been several cool nights, whether they be in late September or early October. It doesn't have to frost, but it takes some cool nights to slow the chicks and tiggers down.
The Solemates
11-04-2008, 16:08
Don't forget that Nov. 8-30th is Gun Deer Season in those areas of Arkansas. The first two weekends are no-nos to be in the woods, IMO. Things wind down by the last week of season though.
Don't hike anywhere in the Ozarks till there has been several cool nights, whether they be in late September or early October. It doesn't have to frost, but it takes some cool nights to slow the chicks and tiggers down.
while i certainly agree to caution, i personally do not let the hunters slow me down. just wear plenty of orange. i battle this every year when i hike over thanksgiving in PA, which has the largest percentage of hunters per capita in the US. its my outdoors too, dang it, and i'm not letting the hunters spoil my fun.
I just hiked down in Arkansas this weekend on the Buffalo River Trail. My friend and I were the only two, of the MANY hikers we saw, wearing orange. Many of the hikers were college age and I don't think they know any better. I didn't at that age either. However, the deer hunters were out earlier than the majority of the hikers, including the young hikers. We hike almost every deer season and just take the precautions. It is one of the best times of year to hike because of the daytime temps and no bugs.
Sorry, Coldspring, I just noticed you are from West Plains. You have some great hiking by you. Nope, I don't do those trails in deer season anymore either. After I heard the story of the drunk trying to check a dead calf at the deer check in station over in Shannon county...