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March 6-7 Eagle Rock Loop Trip Report

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March 6-7 Eagle Rock Loop Trip Report Empty March 6-7 Eagle Rock Loop Trip Report

Post by Trail Monkey Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:14 am

Eagle Rock Loop March 6-7th 2009
Left Memphis on the 5th around 5:30pm. Arrived at the Upper Little Missouri Trail Head around 10:30pm. Camped out on my back seat until around 6am. Decided to do the loop counter clockwise. The sprit Rock Vista was very nice. Loads of cloud cover with a very slight mist in the air. Wind was EXTREAM though. Knocked out the first 5 Peaks by 11:00am. Brush Heap Mountain was crazy though. About half way up the trail widened by a dozer. Then about three quarters way up the fire break was obvious as the entire East side of the trail was burned out. The West side was untouched. This stayed this way all the way up and over the Mountain, on over to Eagle Rock Vista. But the Vista itself was charred. The smell was still in the air. The view from the vista was that of a haze and smoke. Even with all the wind it was still there. The burn was obviously fresh. Like in the last few days fresh. The burn went all the way down to almost the Viles Branch. The Viles Branch Trail had escaped damage but the Dozer tracks were there as UL had observed and I don’t know but it seems they may try to finish up with the burn. But it sure was nice to finally get to some flat ground. Headed on out to The Winding Stairs. Upon arriving at the Winding Stairs at 6pm I was spent. Decided to just stay there and had a little company. A father son team from Tulsa. Decided to set up the Poncho Tarp. They had never seen such and were fascinated. The mosquitoes were out in FULL force and with a vengeance. Especially since the wind had died out. About 3am the wind came back and drove the pest out. Then the Owls started. I counted at least 4 pair that I could tell the difference of. It was cool.
Day 2
Started up at 6am. No real challenges until the climb out of the Winding Stairs Trail Head. That was a kick butt hill because my feet were hurting bad by this point. Arrived at Albert Pike around 9am and sat down on the creek bank and had an early lunch. Soaked my feet in the COLD river for about an hour. When leaving I did not know exactly where the trail picked back up at. Was put on the wrong trail (the one by the bathrooms) but soon realized that this was not the correct trail. Walked down the road and found it down by the new parking area. The rest of the day went with no real hitches. Arrived at the Falls and meet sever couples. Had to hike the last few miles in the dark. No real events. Was kind of in a daze by this point. River crossings were no real obstacle. Arrived at the truck starving. Drove to the first McDonalds, some where around Hot Springs, and camped in their parking lot till morning. Had a lot of fun and a LOT of aches. Who’s going to come to my house an help me out of my truck. My calves are screaming. It only hurts when I am moving or laying still. Other than that I am ok. Would like to go back soon and do from the falls to Albert Pike again. Maybe I will remember that part this time.
Trail Monkey
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Post by ulhiker Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:32 pm

TM:
I FEEL your pain, bro. That is a tough trail to do in 2 days. We were spent when we did it in 2 days a couple of years ago. Hate to hear about the recent burn, but it does help get rid of a lot of the underbrush.
Great report.
UL
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Post by Trail Monkey Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:39 pm

Yes thats kind of what I thought too about the under brush. Thought about seeing if we could get the moutain renamed Briar Mountian. Overall a good trip though. 2 days is pushing it though. I would love to go back in a few weeks to Albert Pike though. Might be fun just to car camp out there. Thats quite a little climb out of winding stairs TH to the overlook there at Albert Pike to though huh lol. Neat to walk out on that overlook. Hey whats that big concrete box overlooking the valley? Anyone know. Looks like some kind of storage tank. Did not really go up to it and exam it close. Also speaking of strange things... Whats that cross nailed to the tree there at the first creek you have to cross there at the winding stairs trail head? Kind of a odd place to put one don't you think.
Trail Monkey
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Post by Preacha Man Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:08 pm

Sounds like a great hike to me, I did the winding stair a long time ago in scouts and I remember the fun of that Smile Keep racking up the miles TM.
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Post by ouachita hiker Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:09 pm

TM,

Glad to have you back! I was watching the weather and couldn't help but wonder about the difference only one week can make! A week ago it extreamly windy and sub freezing weather. This weekend you had to contend with mosquitoes! Smile

No go figure!! Very Happy

OH
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Post by Trail Monkey Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:18 pm

Yeah I know OH. Had I have known I would have packed my summer hammock. And I had even taken the bug dope out of my pack... damn.
Trail Monkey
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Post by ouachita hiker Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:27 pm

TM,
I was wondering why you didn't have your hammock, at what temp do you go to the ground?

OH
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Post by Trail Monkey Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:29 pm

I usually don't go to the ground till around 25. Stupid me just did not take it this weekend. Well one thing was the high winds. I had it in my truck. Just did not put it in my pack. The wind realy wicks the heat away when its blowing at 30mph.
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Post by ouachita hiker Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:38 pm

TM,

I know what you mean by the winds! Last weekend we had high winds and extreamly cold temps. I took my hammock more as an experiment. I should have taken my tent. Looking back on it now I wasn't all that uncomfortable. Don't know if I would do it again the same way though!

OH
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Post by Trail Monkey Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:41 pm

NO WAY on the tent. I just used my Poncho Tarp... it was a experment for me as I had never set it up that way. That and I was testing some tarp tensioners I had made. Main thing is that the bug dope will never ever leave my pack again. Even in January hahahaha
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