Section One

I am thinking about hiking section one of the OHT next weekend. Anyone up for a hike?

Hey Hillybilly,

I don't have Tim's book on the OHT, so I don't know how long the sections are.

So, how long is section 1?

And I know she starts up around Mountainburg and that is what I'd call a rather hilly (read: "mountainous") area...So, given my current out-of-shape condition, would this section kick my butt?

I looked on http://ouachitamaps.com/picture_library/OHT/OHT%20GE%2001-03%20Lake%20FS-Jack%20Ck.jpg
and it appears flat for the bulk then down hill. The old section from Jacks creek on is 12.7 miles if I remember correctly and the new rebuilt section should be less than 5.5 miles. I cannot find the new mileage anywhere but it was shortened from the previous 5.5. Total 18.2. I am not adverse to hiking in a mile or so Friday evening if anyone can get there. PM me and I will give you my phone #

I'm dying to get out on the trail. And I've been looking for an excuse to get started on the OHT.

So, I may be able to do this. I have to lay tile this week, so if I can get it all done before the weekend (I think I can), I'll prolly do it.

I'll be in touch.

I've been wanting to hike the OHT and plan to at some point. Hopefully I'll have a chance to make it a thru-hike at some point as well. However, next weekend I'll be out of town, over on grand lake in OK.

If you do go, I'd love to hear about it.

Jay, we can share a filter and stove to lighten your load a bit. I am ready to hit the trail also. I am missing 3.5 sections from finishing section hiking the OHT. That is not counting the Sylamore trail. I would like to back up and thru hike it next fall.

Is section 1 over by my house, or is it on the far other side of the state? If its by me, then I can see about joinging you all Friday and Saturday.

Dwight

Preacha - Section One is the west end. It starts at Lake Ft. Smith and goes to White Rock Mountain. You can stage your vehicle at the Dockery Gap trailhead which is roughly mile 10.

Again I cannot find any published information concerning the route or mileages on the new reopened section from the State park to Jack creek. The elevation from Jack Creek to White Rock is:
Jack Creek to Dockery Gap- 1000' to 1600' in 3 miles then a descent to 1200' in the last mile
Dockery Gap to White Rock is a steady climp from 1200' to 2200' over 8 miles.

Lets rough in the mileage at 19 to be safe. The ascents in Ernst's trailguide are shown to be gradual.

I have hiked that part before, I made it from Dockery Gap to about 5 miles past White Rock in 1 day, but that was a hump day. If that is the case I can park at White Rock, and then have my wife drop me off at Dockery Gap.

Dwight

I am actually starting at Lake Ft. Smith. The section that was closed has opened back up. Dockery Gap would be the Sat evening point. I can help shuttle your rig over. Gas is to expensive to bring to vehicles.

I didn't know that they reopened. What time are you going to be at Lake Ft. Smith? I will just park at the gap, and then go to lake Ft. Smith then, that way I will have plenty of time to get back home and do some work .

Dwight

If you want to come down Friday evening we can shuttle your rig to Dockery gap. Actually we can do that Sat morning for that matter if you cannot do Friday night.

I can bring all my gear to work and leave from VAn Buren. That will put me at the lake at 6:00 Friday evening.

Let me talk to my wife (I have 4 kids) I think it should work. I will call you and we can work it out then.

Dwight

It is looking like I am going to have to work Sat. My appologies to those that were planning on going. It looks like it was going to be raining anyway.

HBH

It's not looking like my tile project is going to be finished before the weekend anyway HBH. Thanks for letting me know.

I'm just glad we're finally getting to the time of year when we can actually start planning some hikes.

Don't work too hard.

When I asked my wife she said "your kidding me right?" So, it is ok that everything fell thru.

Jay, I finished all my tile jobs before the tarp and hammock clinic. IT was my condition so that I could go. I will be praying for your tiling progress .

Dwight

Thanks Dwight! I need it.

Is there a Tiling Prayer???

There is a lot of kneeling.

Ok.. Hillbilly.. your going to get me going and I am so going to get into trouble with PreachaMan hahahaha

No offense intended....nothing but the facts. I can hump 45# pack downhill and not have my knees hurt like they did when I tiled the house.

Luckily I'm done with the floor stuff, and now I'm tiling the countertop. It's tricky though.

I made a bathtub out of porcelain tile and a new latex epoxy grout that is waterproof. Tub works fine, and now I have to do the countertops (Yeah for me ). Eddie, the tiling prayer goes something like this: Lord, I can live with a messed up floor, right? I mean, Jesus didn't have indoor plumbing. This could stay like this and we would be ok right? Then my wife comes in and reminds me that our kids are invading our bathroom again, thats the motivation I need to get back to work.

I am still laughing about it involving a lot of time on your knees hahahahahahahahaha Much To Funny!!! Much Too Funny!!!!!!

Dwight

I was reading the OHTA newsletter today and it contained the following update regarding Section One:

***UPDATE. We have a report that half of this new trail section may have not actually ever been constructed properly and is basically a non-trail and difficult to find, follow, and hike on. Before you hike this section please call the State Park office at 479-369-2469 and ask them what the trail condition is to Jacks Creek.

I'm dying to get out on the trail. And I've been looking for an excuse to get started on the OHT.

So, I may be able to do this. I have to lay tile this week, so if I can get it all done before the weekend (I think I can), I'll prolly do it.

I'll be in touch.
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