Is OHT Maintained?

How well maintained is the OHT? What percent of it is regularly lopped and cleared? How well signed is it? Are there many trees down? Is the tread in good shape? Can you see the trail in all places? Do any portions get mowed or trimmed with power tools? Where are the best and worst maintained stretches of trail?

The OHT, for the most part is well maintained and marked. I have not had any trouble loosing the trail. The volunteers are supposed to maintain their section twice a year. As with any trail you will find washouts and some dead falls that occurred between maintenance inspections. Here is a link to the volunteer page so you can see which sections are currently covered.
http://www.hikearkansas.com/maintenance.html

The trail guide written by Tim Ernst helps. I copy the applicable pages and carry them with me. It lets me know when I am getting close to a turn.
I have not been on the eastern portion since the ice storm so I cannot vouch for it. I would guess that there are some blow downs. If you are hiking east of Hwy 23 I would look camp sites over well for widow makers in the trees. The ice storm in Jan. broke a lot of limbs. Sections 3,4 and 5 are probably the least hiked and therefore usually a little rougher.

Has anyone been out there, lately? I'm thinking about a long hike, but I don't want to get into a mess climbing over trees and losing the trail.

Coldspring wrote:Has anyone been out there, lately? I'm thinking about a long hike, but I don't want to get into a mess climbing over trees and losing the trail.

I am leaving monday for a 3-4 day trip. Ill let you know.