H Lake: Sunday 11/14

[DeBo]

Ok! the H Lake trip is on. We will meet at Hazen at the T'Ricks at 9:00am and meet those of you who are going directly to the lake at 11:00am. Be sure you have some hunter orange and don't forget your lunch. We can paddle the lake and maybe hike to the big cypress if you want. Thanks to Mikki, we know that the restaurant in St Charles will be open for dinner. They have a pretty good crawfish and seafood buffet!

Looking forward to a great day on the water!

[Karla]

I will be there at T Ricks. Would like to carpool with someone. I have a 10 foot rec kayak to bring I will paddle in.

Live in Benton

Karla

[Minna Ulmer]

I will be coming from El Dorado , thru Montecello,up 165 to Tichnor. The maps dont show any lakes near by,so what am I looking for to find a lake east of Tichnor? I see a town,Weber, east of Tichnor on map Minna

[Karla]

If anyone meeting at T Ricks want to ride with me from Benton or T Ricks, I have room for other boats on the truck and room for 4 people to ride. Let me know. I would like company riding down to the lake rather than driving by myself. Gary is still out from his surgery for the next 3 or so weeks.

Karla

[MikkiW]

Minna,
DO NOT take the road to Tichner or Weber. Continue on Hwy 165 to DeWitt. Just as you get into DeWitt you will come to a Y. Go R at this and The road will turn into Hwy 1 heading to St Charles. Stay on Hwy 1 till you get to the turnoff to Ethel. Hwy 153. Go R on 153 and follow it to a big T. Turn R on Hw 17 to Ethel. At Ethel turn L in front of the Ethel Country Store. This road will burn into Bisswanger Rd and than into Refuge Rd. Just stay on the blacktop till you reach the refuge. When you reach the edge of the refuge the road will turn to gravel and drop down a hill. You will see a big sign in front of you at the first Y that tells you the directions and distances to all the lakes. Go R here and each time you come to another Y check the signs which will show you the direction to H Lake. Permits also have a map on the back and you can pick one up at the Ethel Community store or at the box on the R just as you come into the Refuge. I will be driving a white tacoma PU pulling a trailer with a yellow kayak and will be at the H Lake landing around 10:30am. Look forward to seeing you.

I am sure Cowper and Debo will get a good laugh at my long and detailed directions but I am still a newbie at using the GPS coordinates which would only require one line and not volumes of directions which I have just spewed at you. Surely there must be other dinosaurs out there besides me.

[MikkiW]

PS Ethel Country store makes good sandwiches if you want to stop and get one made to take in with you. If any one coming from any direction that has not met up with DeBo and Cowper feels unsure of how to get into H Lake let me know and I will wait for you at the Ethel Country Store. I will check this thread early in the morning before leaving for the refuge. I will wait at the store until around 10am.
I saw a sow bear and two cubs when I hiked into the Champion tree Wednesday. I have 5 extra hunter orange vests if anyone needs one but only 2 extra orange hats. I will have them with me in the morning along with permits in case they are needed.

[Karla]

Carl and I will be at T Ricks by 9AM. See you there.

Karla

[Minna Ulmer]

THANK YOU MIKKI! Not only do I not do gps, but I have a "poor sense of direction". But with a map and directions-I usually do fine. I sure do want to get a sandwich at the store,as I have OD'd on cliff bars and trail mix. I am not sure how long it will take me but hope to be at store @ 10-1030. Minna

[Cowper]

I realize this is a late addition, but here's some coordinates...

N34.17022 W91.10415 H Lake Boat ramp
N34.24807 W91.10619 Arkansas Record Cypress Tree
N34.28670 W91.16369 Ethel

And a picture of a tree we might see via a short hike after our float:

[MikkiW]

Minna,
I will wait at the store for you. Just get yourself to Ethel and we will drive in together to the lake. Cowper, thanks for the picture of the tree. Even looking at a picture with the boat in the foreground to compare in size, anyone not having seen this tree will be in awe of it's sheer size when they see it for themselves. It is even more impressive with the base out of water and the numerous knees exposed. Taller than a 10 story building, 43 ft around at its base and over 1000 years old. Everyone, be sure you have a hunter orange hat in addition to the vest. Folks at the store said one hunter during muzzleloader season got a ticket for no hat.

[MikkiW]

Had a wonderful float today. H Lake was beautiful. Company was fantastic. After the float we hiked into the Champion Tree than on to Stuttgart for some chinese food at the Great Wall. Thank you Heather for treating us all to supper. Saw numerous birds and two playful otters close up. A great day spent with good people. Thank you to all for a wonderful time.

[MikkiW]

Champion Cypress tree.

[Wildwood]

Thanks for the great pics, Mikki! Looks like I missed out on a fun float.
Jan

[Minna Ulmer]

Everything was awesome!

[Karla]

Here are a few of my pics taken on Sunday.