January 17-19 2009 Eagle Rock Loop Trip Report!

Wanted to share our most recent backpacking trip that we just completed today.
Our planned trip was to start at the northern most point of the Loop at the Upper Little Missouri Trailhead and head south on the Athens-Big Fork Trail, down to Viles Branch and then continue on the Little Missouri Trail back to our starting point.
January 17 - Day One
We left the ULMT at 9:30 am and began our trip over the 6 ridges. We started betting each other early on if we would see any other backpackers on this trip and for the most part of the first day we were alone on the trail. We knocked out the first 4 ridges without too much struggle (read some ), then began THE climb of the day - Up Brush Mountain. That one kicked our butts! After coming down the south side of Brush Mtn, we stopped at the last creek crossing to fill up water bottles and platys, as we had planned on camping at Eagle Rock Vista. It was while we were filling up our water bottles that we started meeting other hikers. First to pass by were two guys from the Dallas area, a man and his son. They were heading north and were planning to camp nearby. Right behind them were two Ole Miss students, who came down to the creek for water. They were camped up on Eagle Rock Vista. Looked like we were going to have company. We filled up with water, we hiked up to the top of the last ridge and settled on a campsite between the trail and Eagle Rock Vista. We arrived there at 3:45 and got started setting up camp. We were shortly joined by a friend of bostonmtnman - James. He had started at Albert-Pike camping area and had hiked in around the south end of the loop to meet up with us. Great guy. We walked out to the vista and had a look around. Due to cloud cover, we didn't get much of a sunset that evening.
BUT WHAT A SUNRISE!!!!!


January 18 - Day 2
After taking in a fantastic sunrise and packing up, we headed out at 9:00 am and started down the last big hill (HOORAY!! ) and before long we were hiking the Viles Branch trail. The Forest Service (we think) has recently bulldozed the entire length of the trail - perhaps as a fire break for some upcoming prescribed burn - so it was like walking down a gravel road. Not as much fun as it had been when I hiked it in December '07. We passed a solo hiker from Dallas and a young couple from Louisianna a little later. We arrived at the Little Missouri River at 10:45 and were greeted to a VERY COLD wet crossing! After the crossing, we hiked on to the Winding Stairs area of the trail and spent a little time looking around at the fantastic scenery.


We hiked on and arrived at Albert-Pike campgrounds around 2:00 where we had a late lunch and said goodbye to James. After taking on some lunch, we again got on the trail. We stopped by a great little spring to fill water bottles on the way.

We hiked until 4:00 and set up camp along the river. After dinner and a great warming fire, we settled in for the night.

Monday - Day 3

We got up early and broke camp at 8:45 to do the last 7.2 miles. We started passing the hikers that we had met the days before and got to hear about their hikes. They were all amazed at the scenery and the trail itself. We finally arrived at the truck at 12:00, loaded up, and headed out to Highway 8 and a long-anticipated pigout.
About 6 miles from the trailhead, we noticed two hikers walking down the road. It was the couple from Louisianna (Jacob and Riley). They had somehow missed the east turn at the north end of the trail, crossed the road and proceeded down another trail until it had died out. They then somehow ended up on this gravel road 10 miles from the Albert-Pike campground and almost 13 miles from their car. After talking with them briefly, we decided that we needed to get these kids back to their car. So we turned around and took them to their car. A little trail magic and a possibly serious situation avoided.
We finally did get to Chili's in Hot Springs for that long-awaited pig out and then the long drive home.
UL

Wow!! Those pictures are great. That trip is next on my list, though I have some physical conditioning to do. Thanks for the trip report.

Great Trip Report. Glad you guys had a great time.

Awesome report UL. And nice ULA pack Lew .

This was one of the best hikes I have been on. It was a social trip. We were going counter clockwise and all the other hikers Jim wrote about were going clockwise. So as Jim said you got to see them all again. I know there is a time for solitude on the trail but I enjoyed seeing the other hikers. i told most of them about the Arkansas Backcountry.

Great trip! Enough Said!

I will try and get some of my pics uploaded as soon as I can.

Lew

Sounded like a great time, and that pac looks like my new pack too. I really like my ULA Conduit. Wonderful Pics.

Guys,

I can't say anymore that hasn't already been said! Great trip and report!! I like Ed would like to do this trail. I always have just have got to get the aches and pains behind me and get some physical conditioning done. Easier said than done these days but I will get there!

OH

Enjoyed meeting up with some local Razorback types on the trail and reading the trip report. That couple from the bayou state came by camp on Sun. night asking to see a map - they had none. They did have a lot of energy though. You guys seemed to know your way around pretty well and marched the trail at a pretty good pace. For me, this was an aggressive hike as I prefer to keep my daily distance around 6 miles. Typically, I'm carrying more camera gear and do a lot of photography along the way. Yeah, I'm the guy that slipped forward in the Little Mo and got soaked from the neck down, but thankfully my pack didn't go in. I would like to add to your report that on Sun. morning temps were in the 20s and Mon. the 30s. I would call the wet crossings painfully cold - but only for a few minutes (unless you fall in). Pretty much instant numbness and shrinkage simultaneously... I think I'd do it again, but my wife is against the solo thing. Guess I'll have to tell her I'm going to meet up with some Razorbacks on the trail...

Here's a few links from other treks I've been fortunate enough to go on.


http://www.duprephotography.com/links.htm

RedBuffalo:
I'm glad you made it, man. Congrats. The fall into the Little Mo had to suck!! I'm glad everything turned out well.
BTW, I gave the couple from Louisianna my map of the ERL, in case they tried to do the hike again. They were much appreciative.
Hope to see you post some more.
UL

Great report! I'm not sure how I missed this.

I GOTTA get out on the trail after reading stuff like this!

RedBuffalo,

Glad to have you on the forums. Guess I am have to get my but in shape, easier said than done, and hike this trail. It is so close to me. Now if those darn trees would quit falling in Canney Creek!

OH

I had the pleasure of hiking this trail with Lew and ULhiker as well as the pleasure of meeting ERL along the way. It was the first time I had been out since November and, boy(!), did I need it. The weather, company, trail, and walking was awesome. Here's a few more pictures for y'all to oogle at.


Looking North after the first climb


Eagle Rock Vista


Winding Stair Area


Winding Stair Area


Little Missouri Falls


A beech grove on Blaylock Creek


The intrepid explorers (ULHiker, Lew, and me)

Thanks for posting the pics Boston! It was a great trip. I am ready to go again!

Lew

Click Here! for my pics of the trip.

Lew

Great pics Lew. You look so manly posing in that overlook photo!

It has taken me awhile, but have finally made my way to arkansasbackcountry.com! I am one of the 'mississippi boys' fondly mentioned in several other posts, however I am from Louisiana, no harm no foul. The trail was difficult and challenging yet fun. The views and scenery were spectacular and were thoroughly enjoyed (except on the 2nd day which was very strenuous). I ALSO very much enjoyed seeing other hikers while on the trail, but enjoyed the solitude that dominated much of the time. Besides having a pack that was far too heavy I loved the trail.

OMSC:
Glad to see you finally made it to the forum and also glad to see that you guys made it back safe and sound.
UL

OMSC,

I am also glad to have you here in the backcounty! By the way I live just south of the area that you hiked.
In Dierks. My wife and I also have done a lot of volunteer work in the Caney Creek Wilderness if you would
like to lend a hand some time. A not so shameless plug! We will be working from the W. trailhead on Feb.
7th.

OH

After discussing many products and strategies of UL hiking I'm really looking forward to lightening up my pack. where can i find good resources for UL gear without spending a fortune? I'm looking to either get a nice light pack or sleeping bag. also any suggestions on other items such as cooking kits, clothing, shoes, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

To all of you guys that hiked the ERL. I had heard from a fellow in Dallas awhile back that there was some big trees down on the Little Mo section of the trail. What condition was the trail, Athens Big Fork, Viles Branch, and Little MO? Have the trees been cleared and can you guys describe any other conditions of the trail?

OH

Hey! Finally found this forum. I'm Rilee, of the previously mentioned "young Louisiana Couple." Just wanted to give a shout out to Jim, Jon, and Dusty and say thanks again for all ya'll's help! Don't know what we would've done without ya'll. It's been fun reading all the responses to the trip summary you posted too. Hope ya'll are well!

Rilee

YLC

Welcome! Always great to have folks new to the board. There are a lot of folks here to help or chat with. I am in Dierks. Just below of were you hiked. You may have went thru the town on your way to the trail head. I am a teacher in town and also the campground host at Horseshoebend campground below the Dierks Dam on the Saline River.

OH (Tom)

Hey everyone. I'm Jake and I complete the "young louisiana couple". Thanks Jim, John and Dusty for the help! Really! Your map will sure come in handy on our second attempt. Just think, if we didn't hitch-hike down the Highway we probably would have missed yall and would still be walking around like headless chickens! Maybe our paths will cross again someday.

Hey guys, glad you all found your way here!

Welcome! Please feel free to check out all the forums and post, post, post! Lots of great folks here who are full of useful tips and advice.

Again, WELCOME!

Jake & Rilee:
So glad you guys made it home ok. I'm just glad that we happened along when we did. I don't think you were really looking forward to that 13 mile walk back to your car.
Hope you guys make it back up our way. Be sure to let us know.
UL (Jim)