Snakes and wildflowers...

As of late March, snakes and wildflowers were out in force in the Ouachita's.   I went out for an afternoon 'exercise' hike on March 23rd, on a section of the Ouachita Trail, and saw multiple snakes and incredible wildflowers.

The OT segment was miles 197.8 to 202 in section 9.  Actually, this is a great dayhike for those living in the Little Rock area.   Parked at the parking lot on highway 10, just where it begins to cross Lake Maumelle on the south shore.   From this parking lot, located at mile 202 of the trail, headed west on the OT until reaching ~ 197.8 and then headed back.

This segment of trail is special and there's nothing else like it on the whole OT.   It's mostly flat and entirely in the forest, mostly following the banks of the Maumelle River or its tributaries.  In spring and summer its almost like semi-tropical jungle in places.  When doing this as a dayhike, its completely adjustable...  just walk as far as you like, turn around and return.   When you reach about mile 199.5 (3.5 miles from hwy 10) it leaves the flat riverbottom and starts into the hills.

Be warned that parts of the trail are boggy/sloshy in Spring.   Boots are a must.   Also, when it starts to get hot, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers come out and make the 'jungle-like' atmosphere  quite real.  Finally... there are a LOT of snakes in this area.  On this particular day (in late March) there was a tree climbing snake right on the trail and, not even 5 minutes later, a cottonmouth crossing the trail.  Fortunately, cottonmouths show vigorous 'rattling' behavior (even though they don't have a rattle) and they hiss...   this guy (see photos above) was very agitated and made its presence quite clear.