Ouachita Trail - day hike from Flatside Pinnacle to Crystal Prong Creek crossing

Hike Features:

Date:  October 14, 2007
State: Arkansas
County:
Location: Start - north east end of Flatside Wilderness at OT trailhead
Length of hike shown:  ~ 4.7 miles
Trail: All on trail
GPS: N34 52 28.7 W92 54 49.1 (NAD27)  (OT trailhead at Pinnacle Mountain parking area)

   Maps and photos in photo gallery       
  KMZ file of hike (GPS track) for Google Earth (open in Google Earth*)

Reaching Trailhead:  Reaching this trailhead is relatively easy.   The hike starts at the large parking area just west of Flatside Pinnacle.

Description of hike: This is a great dayhike.   It starts at the parking area just west of Flatside Pinnacle.    The short hike up to the top of Flatside is a 'must' for this area too.  

At the south end of the parking area there is a big wilderness sign.  From there, the trail is basically downhill all the way to Crystal Prong Creek crossing on the OT, heading west.   There is a pond (see map and photos in photo gallery) along the way, not far from the beginning of this hike.  There is also a small waterfall down in the valley, but it only runs after substantial rains.   This is a nice hike in all seasons but fall and during Iris blooming time in the springtime is especially nice.    The Crystal Prong crossing area has some nice spots for lunch.   Camping is strongly discouraged here due to overuse damage.  
 
Cautions:  none.   Snakes in hot weather.  Expect ticks and mosquitoes in hot weather.   It is rated "moderate" only because it is up hill all the way back with a total elevation gain > 1000 ft.

Notes:   *Requires Google Earth.  If it does not open directly in Google Earth, try saving to disk first and then open with Google Earth.

Hikers: jc, sb