| Item |
Ozark Highlands Trail |
Ouachita National Recreation Trail |
|
Trek Dates |
28Jun - 7Jul 2004 |
17Apr - 28Apr 2005 |
|
Trek length, including resupply and trailhead access. |
170 miles, starting at Dockerys Gap, ending at Tyler Bend Rec. area on the Buffalo River Trail |
235 miles, starting at Talimena State Park, ending at Maumelle Campground. |
|
"Must Have" Guidebook |
"Ozark Highlands Trail Guide" by Tim Ernst. |
"Ouachita Trail Guide" by Tim Ernst. |
|
Trail Organization website |
Ozark Highlands Trail Association |
Friends of the Ouachita Trail (FoOT) |
|
US Forest Service website |
USDA Forest Service: Ozark-St. Francis National Forests |
USDA Forest Service: Ouachita National Forest |
|
Scenic views. |
Limited when leaves on trees |
Limited when leaves on trees |
|
Solitude. |
Excellent when on trail. On trail saw one party of two. Can have crowds at road accessable public campgrounds. |
Excellent when on trail. On trail saw two parties of two, one party of one. Can have crowds at road accessable public campgrounds. |
|
Scenic beauty. |
Better the Ouachita Trail. Highlights are waterfalls. |
Not as nice as Ozark Highlands Trail. Last part of trail is dreary.
|
|
Large animals seen. |
None. |
Three black bears. |
|
Trail construction |
Varies, grades OK, small width, sometimes a little like a well worn deer trail |
Well constructed. Wider. For example, trail thru some rock/boulder fields has been leveled |
|
Trail maintenance |
Greatly varies as it is done by volunteers. Mostly good. If not done
can be very overgrown. |
Very good, some places excellent. |
|
Water crossings |
Mostly unimproved |
Almost all have bridges. |
|
Mileposts |
68% found during trek. No big gaps. |
50% found during trek. Big gaps at western end. |
|
Water availablity |
Seasonal, OK when small streams are flowing |
Seasonal. Serious concern. One 20 mile dry stretch even when small streams flowing.
(See OT Water Issues.) |
|
Resupply |
About midpoint, at Post Office at Ozone, AR 72854, 4 mile round trip along highway |
About midpoint, at Post Office at Story, AR 71970, 10 mile round trip along highway |
|
Food purchases at resupply location |
None |
Very limited (Gas station with very small convienence store). |
|
Dining at resupply location |
Excellent burgers, shakes, candy bars, etc at Burger Barn, seasonal |
OK. A grill in corner of convienence store. |
|
Showers |
At miles 18.7 at White Rock Lodge, 165.0 + 15 at Tyler Bend Rec. area |
At miles 0, 23.7, 51.6 at Queen W. Lodge, 222.5 + 3 at Maumelle Campground |
|
Vault or flush toilets |
At miles 18.7, 85.7, 104.0, 125.0, 144.1, 165.0 + 15 at Tyler Bend Rec. area |
At miles 0, 19.9, 23.7, 51.6, 94.5, Story, AR resupply (mile 121.7 + 5), 222.5, 222.5 + 3 |
|
"I need a break" amenities |
None. |
Queen W. lodge at mile 51.6.
|
|
Public transportation access |
Not available |
Possible at eastern end (Taxi to Little Rock Grayhound station, about $30 in 2005) |