I was back in the area on 2/5/10. Located the two waterfalls, and took some pics. The falls were flowing real nice after the recent rains. Fairly easy hike in and out.
I was in the area on 1/31/01, and hiked up in the hollows to the East of the OT, very nice area, and I will return to hike the hollows on the West side of the OT.
Lots of snow still on the ground, and roads from Friday's snow.
I searched for this fall, "The first falls is 20 minutes south of the road and is shown on the right (7 photos). The stream drains the north slope just west of North Fork Pinnacle."
I hiked up the entire drainage that drains the North slope just west of North Fork Pinnacle, and didn't locate this fall. I parked my truck on the Brown creek road by the low water bridge on the creek that would be the drain just west of the North Fork Pinnacle. I actually hiked up several other side drainages coming in to this creek, and didn't located this waterfall. I anaylized the descrption of this location on a USGS topo map and was certain I was in the correct drainage according to the descrption.
I backpacked the Caney Creek Wilderness/Buckeye Trail over Memorial Day (2009). It rained the entire time, but it was a great trip to a wonderful area. I really enjoyed it, and the Ouachitas in general. Have also backpacked the Eagle Rock Loop, and it, too, is fantastic.
Anyway, the Caney Creek Trail was clear and in good shape. The Buckeye was quite overgrown -head high - beginning about a half mile (as I recall) in from the East Trail Head. It really obscured the trail, although I followed along alright except for a time or two. There are a number of rocks up there (no surprise) and they are slippery in the rain - also no big surprise - but it made me tread lightly. I've forgotten a bit about the deadfall, but there was one tree down not too far in from the East Trail Head. Wonderful views, as previously mentioned, and I like the loop the Buckeye Trail offers. It really adds to the experience.
It was a good experience, and I didn't worry about all the crossings of Caney Creek - I was already wet almost from the get-go, so I just slogged on through them! Saw a big timber rattler near Katy Falls, also.
It's been about a year since I posted my original question. Unfortunately my 2008 Ouachita Trail hike never came to pass, but I'm planning to try it again this fall. You offered to describe in greater detail a potential campsite at Moccasin Springs. Can you tell me about those now?
I'd be glad to supply a trip report and pictures once my hike is completed.
Check the Friends of the Ouachita Trail website for recent trail conditions. By the time you do your hike the ice storm damage should be cleared up. Also on the FOoT website is a very good downloadable map. You could also check out ouachitamaps.com for another free map.
On Sat. Feb. 7th six of us went in and worked on the 1st crossing of the Caney Creek from the West trail head. We cut out ten trees, rerouted the trail and in general made the path to the 1st crossing of Caney Creek much easier to get to. this is at mile 2.2 from the west.
Also I received a email from Sharon Hose at the Mena Office of the FS. They have a contract crew working from the west up to 5.7 miles! That is all of the trail that we haven't cleared. That is great news!
I saw the same two Memphis hikers headed west to their car (at Hwy 9 TH) Sunday afternoon January 18th. They are med students at UT-Memphis and had taken advantage of the MLK holiday to come hiking. They noted the rifle shots from the hunting club that's just south of the trail when it hits Pipeline creek. Target practicing, we think. Positive comments otherwise and expressed thanks for our trail maintenance efforts.
Since our last contact it looks like the date of Feb. 7th (Sat.) is now pretty much set as the date that we go back into the Caney Creek Wilderness to try and finish clearing downed timber. As of now we have at least two (possibly more) coming from the Dallas Sierra Club, Mark Davis (ar.hiker) from Mt. Ida, my son Bryan form OK City, Susan Bates from Mena (she plans on RIDING her horse on the PCT starting in March!) and Janet and I, and possibly Kyle from Conway. This is the largest group yet and we could still use more volunteers! Any one interested please contact me at triggtom1(at)yahoo.com.
Thanks for the comment and the update. It is really fantastic that you are out there doing this volunteer work. The Buckeye and CC trails are gems and its important to keep them maintained. Your e-mail reminded me that I should create a page to alert readers of trail volunteer opportunities. I'll make that new page this weekend and put your info on there.
Please feel free to write anytime. We (hikers) are very fortunate to have folks like you and your wife out there doing this great work.
Just like to add that since your hike the area was hit hard by two hurricanes. My wife and I and with volunteer's are in the process of clearing the trail. In Oct. we cut back three blow downs of the Buckeye trail, these probably weren't there on Aug. 31st. The Caney Creek trail was hit hard by the hurricanes. Many trees down. The trail from the E. trail head is clear all way to Katy falls. the buckeye trail down from the ridge is clear except one very large Oak that we had to cut a path thru but the tree is still there. From the Buckeye junction with the Caney trail to the first crossing of the Caney Creek to the west is now also clear. We now have 5.1 miles of trail from the west that we like clearing. If any one would like to help out please contact me at triggtom1 (at) yahoo.com. Thanks, OH
The 149 marker difference is not a big deal, I was just surprised to see that they weren't closer. As you know, typically the old and new markers are within a few feet of each other. It is true that there is not a tree right where the old marker is but, as I recall, you walk on for another 100 feet or so, over a small hill and around a curve before you reach the new marker.
Thanks again for your input... always welcome. -jc
About the old and new 149 mile markers being 100 ft apart. It was agreed some few years ago that if reroutes occurred we would not change the mileages or move markers. We have put up new ones and in the case of 149 perhaps there was not a good tree near the old one? I know that a guy from Maumelle recently put up new mileage markers in that area so perhaps you should report this to FoOT and see what they say.
Don't forget that anytime we hike the trial just for fun we should send in a report of what we see.
Thank you for the feedback!!! It's great to know when somebody finds something interesting here. Also thanks for the part about "more commentary"... it's very helpful to hear specific feedback like that.
Thank you so much for your beautiful photos and maps!!!! Everything on your site is helpful and inspirational. I'm just beginning my "2nd season" of backpacking, so I'm still learning. In fact, I'm about to embark on a hike of Section 8--your info has been wonderful. If anything, I wish you wrote more commentary! :) Please keep up the great work--you're inspiring me to create my own website of hikes, too.
John, thanks for posting these pictures and convey my thanks to Steve and Maggie also.
That area is surely a treasure, and when the Camp Ouachita situation is finalized, maybe some things can be done to encourage more folks to explore that area (without damaging it, of course).
I did find another nice fall on toward the Pinnacle.
Excellent! There are several other falls in that area. -jc
I was back in the area on 2/5/10. Located the two waterfalls, and took some pics. The falls were flowing real nice after the recent rains. Fairly easy hike in and out.
I was in the area on 1/31/01, and hiked up in the hollows to the East of the OT, very nice area, and I will return to hike the hollows on the West side of the OT.
Lots of snow still on the ground, and roads from Friday's snow.
I searched for this fall, "The first falls is 20 minutes south of the road and is shown on the right (7 photos). The stream drains the north slope just west of North Fork Pinnacle."
I hiked up the entire drainage that drains the North slope just west of North Fork Pinnacle, and didn't locate this fall. I parked my truck on the Brown creek road by the low water bridge on the creek that would be the drain just west of the North Fork Pinnacle. I actually hiked up several other side drainages coming in to this creek, and didn't located this waterfall. I anaylized the descrption of this location on a USGS topo map and was certain I was in the correct drainage according to the descrption.
I backpacked the Caney Creek Wilderness/Buckeye Trail over Memorial Day (2009). It rained the entire time, but it was a great trip to a wonderful area. I really enjoyed it, and the Ouachitas in general. Have also backpacked the Eagle Rock Loop, and it, too, is fantastic.
Anyway, the Caney Creek Trail was clear and in good shape. The Buckeye was quite overgrown -head high - beginning about a half mile (as I recall) in from the East Trail Head. It really obscured the trail, although I followed along alright except for a time or two. There are a number of rocks up there (no surprise) and they are slippery in the rain - also no big surprise - but it made me tread lightly. I've forgotten a bit about the deadfall, but there was one tree down not too far in from the East Trail Head. Wonderful views, as previously mentioned, and I like the loop the Buckeye Trail offers. It really adds to the experience.
It was a good experience, and I didn't worry about all the crossings of Caney Creek - I was already wet almost from the get-go, so I just slogged on through them! Saw a big timber rattler near Katy Falls, also.
Please write to me at the email address in the footer (contact). I'll be glad to tell you more about potential camping spots. -jc
jc
It's been about a year since I posted my original question. Unfortunately my 2008 Ouachita Trail hike never came to pass, but I'm planning to try it again this fall. You offered to describe in greater detail a potential campsite at Moccasin Springs. Can you tell me about those now?
I'd be glad to supply a trip report and pictures once my hike is completed.
Thanks!
This is limited to just one place, between highway 9 and highway 10. The range is not near the trail but you can hear it. -jc
Did you say there are someone doing target practicing?
Would it be safe to hike there or not? Coz.. we're planning to have a backpacking trip someday...
Thanks I have looked hard for the Forum
Jay is having some internet hosting provider issues at the moment. Try this link for now: http://www.arkansasbackcountry.forumotion.com/
Does anybody know where the Arkansas backcountry forum went?
Check the Friends of the Ouachita Trail website for recent trail conditions. By the time you do your hike the ice storm damage should be cleared up. Also on the FOoT website is a very good downloadable map. You could also check out ouachitamaps.com for another free map.
Tom
On Sat. Feb. 7th six of us went in and worked on the 1st crossing of the Caney Creek from the West trail head. We cut out ten trees, rerouted the trail and in general made the path to the 1st crossing of Caney Creek much easier to get to. this is at mile 2.2 from the west.
Also I received a email from Sharon Hose at the Mena Office of the FS. They have a contract crew working from the west up to 5.7 miles! That is all of the trail that we haven't cleared. That is great news!
I saw the same two Memphis hikers headed west to their car (at Hwy 9 TH) Sunday afternoon January 18th. They are med students at UT-Memphis and had taken advantage of the MLK holiday to come hiking. They noted the rifle shots from the hunting club that's just south of the trail when it hits Pipeline creek. Target practicing, we think. Positive comments otherwise and expressed thanks for our trail maintenance efforts.
Message from Tom Trigg today (Jan 12, 2009)...
Since our last contact it looks like the date of Feb. 7th (Sat.) is now pretty much set as the date that we go back into the Caney Creek Wilderness to try and finish clearing downed timber. As of now we have at least two (possibly more) coming from the Dallas Sierra Club, Mark Davis (ar.hiker) from Mt. Ida, my son Bryan form OK City, Susan Bates from Mena (she plans on RIDING her horse on the PCT starting in March!) and Janet and I, and possibly Kyle from Conway. This is the largest group yet and we could still use more volunteers! Any one interested please contact me at triggtom1(at)yahoo.com.
Thanks!
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the comment and the update. It is really fantastic that you are out there doing this volunteer work. The Buckeye and CC trails are gems and its important to keep them maintained. Your e-mail reminded me that I should create a page to alert readers of trail volunteer opportunities. I'll make that new page this weekend and put your info on there.
Please feel free to write anytime. We (hikers) are very fortunate to have folks like you and your wife out there doing this great work.
-John
Just like to add that since your hike the area was hit hard by two hurricanes. My wife and I and with volunteer's are in the process of clearing the trail. In Oct. we cut back three blow downs of the Buckeye trail, these probably weren't there on Aug. 31st. The Caney Creek trail was hit hard by the hurricanes. Many trees down. The trail from the E. trail head is clear all way to Katy falls. the buckeye trail down from the ridge is clear except one very large Oak that we had to cut a path thru but the tree is still there. From the Buckeye junction with the Caney trail to the first crossing of the Caney Creek to the west is now also clear. We now have 5.1 miles of trail from the west that we like clearing. If any one would like to help out please contact me at triggtom1 (at) yahoo.com. Thanks, OH
As always... good to hear from you Sid!
The 149 marker difference is not a big deal, I was just surprised to see that they weren't closer. As you know, typically the old and new markers are within a few feet of each other. It is true that there is not a tree right where the old marker is but, as I recall, you walk on for another 100 feet or so, over a small hill and around a curve before you reach the new marker.
Thanks again for your input... always welcome. -jc
About the old and new 149 mile markers being 100 ft apart. It was agreed some few years ago that if reroutes occurred we would not change the mileages or move markers. We have put up new ones and in the case of 149 perhaps there was not a good tree near the old one? I know that a guy from Maumelle recently put up new mileage markers in that area so perhaps you should report this to FoOT and see what they say.
Don't forget that anytime we hike the trial just for fun we should send in a report of what we see.
Happy New Year!
Sid
Hey john, I just saw your flatside picture on npn and came to check out your blog, nice!
Thank you for the feedback!!! It's great to know when somebody finds something interesting here. Also thanks for the part about "more commentary"... it's very helpful to hear specific feedback like that.
Hope your section 8 trip goes well!
Thank you so much for your beautiful photos and maps!!!! Everything on your site is helpful and inspirational. I'm just beginning my "2nd season" of backpacking, so I'm still learning. In fact, I'm about to embark on a hike of Section 8--your info has been wonderful. If anything, I wish you wrote more commentary! :) Please keep up the great work--you're inspiring me to create my own website of hikes, too.
John, thanks for posting these pictures and convey my thanks to Steve and Maggie also.
That area is surely a treasure, and when the Camp Ouachita situation is finalized, maybe some things can be done to encourage more folks to explore that area (without damaging it, of course).