ERL Camp Sites

Greetings everyone on the AB forums. I just located this site and am glad to find others like myself that enjoy Arkansas hiking. I've hiked Hurricane Creek wilderness on the OHT a few times and completed the ERL last year.

I'm planning a trip on the ERL for a group of about 10. Our plan is to start at AP and hike counter-clockwise and I am having trouble remembering the northwest portion of the trail. I'm hoping someone can tell me if there are any established camping areas large enough for 6 to 8 tents where the ABF crosses Straight Creek. If not, are there any spots along the LM within a mile or so of the junction with ABF? I don't think we can make it as far as Long Creek the first day, but want to be positioned well to attach the hills on day two.

Regards,
Cliff

Cliff.. welcome.. While I know the area fairly well I don't know the names of all the creeks off hand. I know the only real place on the mountian side is right there at the Leader Mt. Turkey Walk In... that is for the size your looking for. Once you get down to the Viles Branch trail there are several along it that will take up to 10 but very limited on the mountain side. This would be the second creek from the upper falls trail head.. If AR Hiker comes on he may know the name of the creek. I have seen as many as 20 tents in this area on both sides of the creek. Actually its 2 Creeks. I don't know of but just a few places along the Little MO that will take 10 tents. And a few places down around the Winding Stairs. Good Luck and post some picks when you go... When are you going by the way?

Thanks for the feedback Eddie. I checked the map and think I understand the spot near Leader Mt. you are referring to. I have a few people going that are new to hiking. So, I'm planning on keeping a fairly slow pace and probably won't make it that far the first day.

My trip is March 19th - 21st. I see you are part of a sizeable group going in early March. I'll be watching for some report details from your trip that I might leverage on mine.

Cliff,
I had 7 tents at a spot on the Little Mo trail about a mile before the upper parking area ( and trail junction ). Look for a spot a little lower than the trail down near the river. And if I remember right there is one more spot with a nice fire ring before that. I'm not sure how many tents it will hold,tho.

Mark

I think that's Long Cr. at the Leader Mtn. walk in turkey hunting area? There is one place on one of those smaller unnamed creeks with lots of space to camp on the Athens-Bigfork, red buffalo, trail monkey and I camped there last year, but I'm not sure which one it is and I deleted the track I had of that hike.

Great info. guys.
AR- the Long Cr area is the camp I was picturing. I'm hoping I can get 2mph out of this group along the Little MO. I think that gives us a pretty good chance of making 10 miles the first day, which unfortunately is a few miles short of that perfect camp area.
Trail Relic - thanks for spotting the campsites on the Little MO. This is most likely where we'll stop the first night.
I'm grateful for all the contributions.

Ar.. that site we were at thought wouldn't be large enough for 10 tents... 4 would be about it.. but then I guess you could always spread them out.. just use that fire ring then walk to your tent at the end. The problem is that from their to Leader Mt. Walk in there are not any real sites.. its a few but they are not that great. Especially for water situation. An there are a few Ball Buster climbs between the two areas. Also dont forget that from a counter clockwise direction you would have only one real good climb to the Walk In site.. but thats Mt. McKinney.. its seconded only by Brush Heap...

Good point Trail Monkey, I think if I was going to do it counter clockwise I would start at Little Mo. Falls and split up the Athens-Bigfork that way. I thought I remembered some sites on the east side of where we camped on that same roadbed, just on the other side of the trail. But, I've been wrong before.

It may have been but I cant remember.. seems to me that its was deff. flater so maybe a better spot.. For going Counter Clock I like to park in the upper falls area and knock out all the big climbs first day while I am fresh. The rest of the trail is easy compaired. Camp first night around the first little mo crossing second night can be at crooked creek

Does anyone have an update on Albert Pike's camping areas? I heard loops A and B may now be open, but area C remains closed. I have some base campers planning on showing up this Friday. Any suggestions on how difficult it may be to get a campsite this week?

Cliff

Clif,

Try calling 870-356-4186. That is the Caddo Ranger Dist. number in Glenwood.
when you find out post back here.

I just saved you a call. Here is the low down:

Sites A - B - and D are open

Loop C will be closed till at least Mid July

Wonderful. I appreciate the footwork OH. Hopefully this will be enough to accomodate Spring Breakers. I've never been up there in the springtime

I did notice yesterday that the first of the wildflowers were blooming. Should really be nice
in the next couple of weeks.

Does anyone have recommendations for the premier campsites along this trail for a three day two night hike?

MGS

Welcome to the site. All sites a premier. If you are there you have found the best. Seriously the best is Winding Stair but there are sites everywhere that you feel like you would not want to skip. On the back side I like to camp at any of creek valleys but some prefer to carry water up to the mountian tops. Probably the worst selection of sites is along the Little Missiour north of Albert Pike but the ones that are there are awsome. Just plan your milage and you will not be too far from a good site at any time.

My goal for the loop would be to camp at Winding Stair one night, but then the mileages don't work out too well for camping at one of the vistas for a good mountain top star gazing site unless there is a good vista campsite other than Eagle Rock and Spirit Rock.

Welcome MGS,

As far as mountain top sites, I think you are right with Eagle Rock and Spirit Rock. You could try Brush Heap, but as far as Vistas go, Eagle Rock and Spirit Rock would be best.

Thanks for the welcome! I won't be hiking this loop until fall comes back around, so if anyone has additional suggestions feel free to comment. Thanks again!