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.