OT: Ozark Highland Trail

[Monsoon]

Hi guys. A few friends and I are going to hike the OHT from Lake Ft. Smith to White Rock in 3 days and 2 nights in December. My frst question is:
Is this a reasonable distance for that amount of time? We will hike at a moderate pace. and 2: Where can I find a decent map of this section with some topo and all the mile markers, etc....so I can make sure we are in the right spot when our pick up arrives? I know the Ernst book is a great tool, but I think I need something a little more detailed. Thanks guys!!! See ya on the river soon....hopefully!

[Monsoon]

well darned if i didnt find one. Thanks anyway!

[Owl]

....so I can make sure we are in the right spot when our pick up arrives?

It'd be pretty hard to miss White Rock mountain

The distance from LFS to WR is now only about 15 miles. I've hiked the entire OHT several times and IMO that would be a good distance for a 2-day overnight hike. Doing it in three days would allow a really leisuely pace (maybe too leisurely).

[nike54_la]

Mind if I ask where you found one? We have people asking all the time if we have maps of the OHT, which we do not as of yet. By we, I mean Lake Fort Smith. Thanks.

Oh, and is the map up to date? Meaning, does it show the new section from LFS to White Rock? Thanks.

[Monsoon]

Mind if I ask where you found one? We have people asking all the time if we have maps of the OHT, which we do not as of yet. By we, I mean Lake Fort Smith. Thanks.

Oh, and is the map up to date? Meaning, does it show the new section from LFS to White Rock? Thanks.

PM SENT

[gfitzge7]

can you let me in on where this map can be found

[RomanLA]

I found this web site selling maps. You can also download many of them and print them yourself. Anyone know if this is a good place for maps and if not, where I should be looking? (I'm looking to do the Buffalo River Trail next.) Thanks!
http://www.ouachitamaps.com/index.html

[Monsoon]

Yes sir's that is the site. I love it. Now all I need is an OHT Ernst Book.

[RomanLA]

Yes sir's that is the site. I love it. Now all I need is an OHT Ernst Book.

Sweet! I'm ordering both today. I already have the Buffalo River Hiking Trails book. By the way, anyone know how the BRT and OHT compare? I read that winter is a good time for the BRT, because you get better views without leaves in the trees. Also, what's the Ouachita Trail like? Sorry...I'm becoming a backpacking junkie!

[Monsoon]

Yes sir's that is the site. I love it. Now all I need is an OHT Ernst Book.

Sweet! I'm ordering both today. I already have the Buffalo River Hiking Trails book. By the way, anyone know how the BRT and OHT compare? I read that winter is a good time for the BRT, because you get better views without leaves in the trees. Also, what's the Ouachita Trail like? Sorry...I'm becoming a backpacking junkie! [/quote

Excellent. Yeah the BRT is great in spring and fall, but winter you can see so much better.

[El Dino]

A couple weeks ago some friends and I hiked from the lake to white rock in a day & 1/2. We got such a late start the first day that we only made about 4 miles. So we had to haul a** the next day to make 14. White Rock mtn is hard to miss, and we just navigated fine with the Ernst book. Should be BEAUtiful now with all the colors!

[Monsoon]

So 14 miels a day is good? haha. I hope I can hoof that in one day, because now I am thinking section 1 and 2. I think we will miss a lot of the colors...since we are going in Dec.

[El Dino]

14 miles in a day hurt.
Good views in Dec though

[Monsoon]

hmm maybe we will do 10 per day for 2.5 days for a grand total 25 mi?

[RomanLA]

Most people average 2 miles per hour, so it really comes down to how early you want to start and how hard you want to push yourself. On Eagle Rock Loop, I was hiking from around 9am till 5pm, but I only ended up doing 11 miles each day. I guess I was stopping a lot to take pictures and to snack/hydrate.