Ouachita Trail section 9
Section 9 of the Ouachita Trail - mile 187.4 to 202. The first 5 miles or so of this section are in Ouachita National Forest. The trail then runs on timber company land and then on Lake Maumelle watershed land. Section 9 includes the following features:
- the trail leaves the mountains
- long stretches of flat river-bottom terrain
- jungle-like landscape near Maumelle River
- minimal change in altitude for most of this section (lots of flat trail)
- plenty of water (Maumelle River, several reliable creeks)
There are only two access points for day hikes, the highway 9 trailhead and another on highway 10 (at the Lake Maumelle bridge). The distance between the two highways is about 10 miles (which makes a nice 1 way dayhike with a car shuttle).
This may be the most varied section of the OT in terms of landscape. It starts in the mountains, drops down to swampy river-bottom terrain, goes through thickets that are 'jungle-like' in places, crosses several rocky bluffs overlooking the Maumelle River and adjacent open farmland, passes huge cypress trees by the river and finally ends up on the banks of Lake Maumelle. All of this is in one section. In fact, if you do the 11 mile one-way dayhike from hwy 9 to hwy 10 you'll experience all of these terrain changes and landscapes in one day.
As always, the definitive guide to the OT is the Ouachita Trail Guide by Tim Ernst.
Section 9 is divided into two segments (see below), FR152 to Hwy 9 (4.4 miles) and Hwy 9 trailhead to Hwy 10 (~ 10 miles).
Ouachita Trail (section 09) mile 187.4 to 191.8 (multiple hikes)
This segment starts at the crossing of FR #152 and continues to the Hwy 9 trailhead. There is a small place to park on FR152 (for about 1-2 cars) or you can park near Lake Sylvia and connect to the OT via a short spur trail.
This segment of the OT is still in the mountains and winds through thick forest between FR152 and Nancy Mountain Shelter. The photo on the right was taken at ~ mile 188. In summer it can be jungle-like.
About 1.4 miles from FR152 (heading east) there is a trail junction where the OT meets the another trail heading to Lake Sylvia. This is called Chinquapin Gap. The Lake Sylvia trail system is great for dayhikes. If you use this part of the OT it is possible to do several long loop hikes.
The Nancy Mountain shelter is a typical OT shelter in a flat "saddle" area between the main ridge and Nancy Mountain. There is no source of water up there. The segment from Nancy Mountain Shelter to Hwy 9 is in a ravine called Hilary Hollow. This also makes a nice dayhike from the Hwy 9 trail head.
The Ouachita Trail Guide describes the OT in great detail. In addition, the Lake Sylvia Trails are detailed in Tim Ernst's books on dayhikes in Arkansas.
Below are links to descriptions and/or photos of several hikes in this segment.
Ouachita Trail (section 09) mile 187.4 to 188.7
Hike Features:
Date: September 1st, 2002
State: Arkansas
County: Perry
Location: Off Highway 9, off FR152.
Length of hike shown: ~ 2.6 miles (round trip)
Trail: All on trail.
GPS: 516668.65E 3857188.02N 15S (OT crossing of forest road 152, only approximate location)
11 photos of this hike in photo gallery
Reaching Trailhead: I drove out highway 10 from Little Rock to Williams Junction, then south on highway 9 to the Winona Scenic Drive. West on WSD to FR152 (2nd intersection), turned right (north). Trailhead is roughly 1 mile from road intersection. Can also reach the starting point for this hike by going to Lake Sylvia, then going south on FR152 for about 3/4 of a mile. There is a typical OT trail crossing sign and room on the east side of the road for 1 or perhaps 2 cars. This is not an official parking area; just a place to pull off the road.
Description of hike: This section of the OT is almost jungle-like in places during the summer. I've done this little hike many times when I wanted a short, quick day hike that was easy to access. This can also be part of a longer loop hike, it can be used as access to the Chinquapin Mountain Spur Trail, or it can just be part of an OT hike from FR152 to Hwy 9.
As seen on the map, it basically drops down into a wide valley, crosses a small creek, then swings over to follow another small creek upstream. It crosses that creek at about a mile in and then shortly thereafter reaches Chinquapin Gap (see last photo in 11-25-2000 series). One way, its only a 1.3 mile segment of the OT, but it traverses a beautiful part of the valley. For me, the best times for this hike are spring, summer and early fall. On this particular day, I simply hiked to Chinquapin Gap, turned around and came back. Easy 2.6 mile hike. Encountered a snake on the trail and lots of poison ivy. On other days, I've used this segment to reach Chinquapin Gap and then headed north on up to the Chinquapin Mountain Spur Trail (see separate entry). Another option is to link up with the Lake Sylvia trail system and make it a loop. Tim Ernst describes all of these options in one of his hiking guidebooks.
Cautions: snakes, poison ivy and turkey hunters. This part of the OT goes through a designated turkey hunting area. I usually avoid it during that time of year.
Hikers: jc
Ouachita Trail (section 09) mile 188.7 to 191.8
Hike Features:
Date: November 25, 2000
State: Arkansas
County: Perry
Location: Highway 9 OT trailhead
Date of hike: Nov 25, 2000
Length of hike shown: ~ 6.2 miles round trip
Trail: Ouachita Trail, section 9 (Hwy 9 to Chinquapin shelter and back)
12 photos + topo map in photo gallery
Reaching Starting point: From Little Rock, drove out Hwy 10 to Williams Junction, turn south on Hwy 9 for a few miles, parked at OT trailhead on left (east side of road).
Description: This is a section of the Ouachita Trail. On this day the starting point was the trailhead on Hwy 9, where the OT crosses the highway. Its a nice hike any time of year but is especially nice in fall and spring. On this autumn hike, it had been raining the night before and water was flowing in every stream, even the smallest ones. This always makes the whole forest seem more 'alive'; certainly alive with the sounds of the water. It was also overcast, so the light was diffused, which gave a strange glow to the yellow autumn leaves. The combination of the light and the wet leaves from the overnight rain made the yellow and few red trees appear luminescent.
The trail is easy to follow. After crossing the highway, the trail slips into the woods heading west along a stream. There is an OT sign-in box. The trail goes up a ravine called "Hilary Hollow" according to Tim Ernst's guidebook. I have no idea why it's called "Hilary Hollow". Tim says it has nothing to do with Hilary Clinton. Anyway... hiking in this way is uphill all the way, climbing over about 2.5 miles up to the Chinquapin Gap shelter. I went on past the shelter to the point where the OT intersects with the Chinquapin Mountain spur trail at about 3.1 miles from the start. So... it was 3.1 miles back, for a total of 6.2 miles. I rated this hike as moderate, only because of the 6.2 mile length and the fact that half of it is uphill. It is really easy walking, on-trail, with no difficulties to speak of. The excitement of the day was seeing a flock of wild turkeys. As photo models, they were too fast and vanished before I could ready the camera. However, I still remember those turkeys like a picture in my memory; wild turkeys are a sight you don't forget.
Cautions/comments: none
Hiker: jc
Ouachita Trail (section 09) mile 191.8 to 202 (multiple hikes)
This segment runs from Hwy 9 to Hwy 10, a total of about 10 miles. There is no public access between the two highways. Some maps show that access to the trail is possible where the OT crosses Duffy Road at mile 195.1. However, Duffy Road is gated and locked.
Heading east from the Hwy 9 trailhead, the OT winds around in the mountains and then makes a beeline for Pipeline Creek. Just before reaching Pipeline Creek, the trail leaves the mountains and for the next 9 miles or so will be mostly flat except for some rock outcrops and a few ups and downs.
It follows Pipeline Creek in a pipeline right-of-way where there are several creek crossings that could be tricky after heavy rains. There are bridges where the OT crosses Pipeline Creek, Red Bluff Creek and several other small streams.
There are long stretches of trail in this segment where it follows the Maumelle River bank. In addition, the last few miles before reaching Hwy 10 can be quite soggy in the wet seasons. Be prepared to walk in water and mud between miles ~ 199 and 201.
Below are links to hike descriptions and photos of specific hikes in this segment.
Ouachita Trail (section 09) mile 195.1 to 196.5
Hike Features:
Date: March 18, 2007
State: Arkansas
County: Pulaski
Location: OT between highway 9 and highway 10.
Length of hike: ~ 2 miles
Trail: All on-trail
GPS: none
24 photos in OHJ Photo Gallery
Reaching Trailhead: This was a trail work trip in section 9, between highway 9 and highway 10. On this day we were clearing/cleaning from 195.1 (1st crossing of Duffy Road heading east) to Red Bluff Creek (about mile 196.5). This really can't be done as a quick day hike because section 9 (11 miles long) is only accessible from either end. Trailheads are (west) on highway 9 south of Williams Junction and (east) on highway 10 at the south end of the bridge crossing Lake Maumelle.
Description: This 'hike' is included to show what the OT looks like between miles 195.1 and 196.5. From the highway 9 trailhead, the OT heads east through the last of the "mountain" terrain, until it reaches Pipeline Creek. There it turns due north and essentially follows the creek to Duffy Road (private, dirt road, no public access). There is a section before reaching Duffy Road where the trail climbs into the adjacent hillside forest and is quite nice in spring. In any case, when it reaches Duffy Road, the trail follows the road very briefly before heading back into the woods, continuing north along Pipeline Creek.
This is where today's 'hike' began. The trail parallels the creek going north until it abruptly turns east and crosses Pipeline Creek on a well-made, rustic wooden bridge. This bridge is quite well done and has a handrail. After a few tenths of a mile the trail crosses another creek, again with a wide wooden bridge with handrail. The forest in here is mostly upland mixed hardwood. The trail encounters the Big Maumelle river briefly but doesn't track near the riverbank. The next stream crossing also has a bridge, but this one is metal and (at present) broken. It is still functional. The trail continues on, crossing several intermittent streams (no bridges), passes the 196 mile marker and reaches Red Bluff Creek at roughly mile 196.5.
The bridge at Red Bluff Creek makes me dizzy when the water is flowing. It is quite long, very narrow and has no handrail. The bridge will get you across the stream in high water but, in my opinion, it should be enhanced by making it wider and adding a handrail to one side. Anyway, its quite a scenic area. Heading east from this bridge, the trail quickly climbs up on a bluff over the Big Maumelle River. This is a good break or lunch spot for hikers making the long hike between highway 9 and highway 10.
See March 28, 2007 hike for the continuation of this section of the OT (Red Bluff Creek to mile 199).
Notes: The whole hike from highway 9 to highway 10 is 11 miles long.
Cautions: Mainly snakes. This section of the OT crosses through hunting leases as well, so I avoid it during modern gun deer season.
Hikers: jc, sb, Maggie C.
Ouachita Trail (section 09) mile 196.5 to 199
Hike Features:
Date: March 28, 2007
State: Arkansas
County: Pulaski
Location: OT between highway 9 and highway 10.
Length of hike shown: ~ 5 miles
Trail: All on-trail
GPS: none
30 photos in OHJ Photo Gallery
Reaching Trailhead: This was a work trip. As members of FoOT (Friends of the Ouachita Trail) our "adopted" section is from mile 195.5 to mile 199. This is in section 9, between highway 9 and highway 10. On this particular day we were clearing/cleaning from Red Bluff Creek to mile 199. This really can't be done as a quick day hike because section 9 (11 miles long) is only accessible from either end. Trailheads are (west) on highway 9 south of Williams Junction and (east) on highway 10 at the south end of the bridge crossing Lake Maumelle.
Description: This 'hike' is included because this site is a "journal" and mainly to show what the OT looks like between miles 196.5 and 199. I avoided hiking this section for many years because I assumed it wouldn't be very interesting. Like many people, I assumed that the mountains are "better" somehow and sought out trails and hiking areas west of here. One day I had limited time and hiked section 9 from the highway 10 trailhead (mile 202) to mile 199. That hike was during the rainy season, water was flowing everywhere and I was surprised how interesting and varied this section is. I've been coming back here ever since.
The center section of this 11 mile stretch of the OT is the most varied. Parts of it are mixed hardwood upland forest, parts are near pure pine forest and parts are river bottom forest. The scenery ranges from dense forest, to rock outcroppings with views to almost jungle like stretches along the Big Maumelle River. The trail changes the type of landscape many times; just when you think you've left the upland forest for good, you're back in it. There is a bit of "up and down" but no serious climbs. Except for the first mile (heading east from highway 9), most of this section of the OT crosses private land (timber company) and then enters Lake Maumelle watershed land. In the private land sections the trail is still beautiful, but you'll see a lot of marks demarcating timber forest and the trail follows fences for miles. Never-the-less, this section of the OT can be uniquely beautiful and is not to be missed.
The best times to hike section 9 (opinion) are spring and fall. Winter is next. Summer is for hard core "hike in any weather" hikers. It is hot, muggy, buggy and "snakey" in summer. Cottonmouths, copperheads, black snakes and others are easily seen down in here. Another great time to hike in here is after big rains. This is best done when the weather is warm enough to get wet and not mind too much as some of the stream crossings will be 'wet crossings'. After very heavy rains (ie., flooding) the trail might not be passable and stream crossings could be dangerous. I tried to hike this section once after 2-3 solids days of rains and found some of the creeks impassable. However, hiking in from either end you can go miles before encountering a rain-swollen impassable creek.
Notes: The whole hike from highway 9 to highway 10 is 11 miles long.
Cautions: Mainly snakes. This section of the OT crosses through hunting leases as well, so I avoid it during modern gun deer season.
Hikers: jc, Molly C.
Ouachita Trail (section 09) mile 198.7 to 202
Hike Features:
Date: April 15, 2007
State: Arkansas
County: Pulaski
Location: OT between highway 9 and highway 10.
Length of hike: ~ 6.6 miles (round trip)
Trail: All on-trail
GPS: none
30 photos in OHJ Photo Gallery
Reaching Trailhead: Trailhead is on highway 10 at the south end of the bridge crossing Lake Maumelle. There is a parking area and park with picnic tables, etc.
Description: This was a quick hike for exercise. Started in the late afternoon and hiked in 3.3 miles from the highway 10 crossing, heading west on the OT. This is always good for exercise... its flat, the trail is in good shape and its easy to navigate. Walking at a quick but comfortable pace, it is easy to reach the 3 mile point in about 1 hour. There is a wonderful part of the Maumelle river on this hike where the river flows through cypress knees. See photo gallery for photos of this hike and the fabled "rapids in the cypress knees".
Notes: The whole hike was 6.6 miles.
Cautions: Mainly snakes, chiggers, ticks and poison ivy.
Hikers: jc