Lake Ouachita Vista Trail | A Wilderness Hiking And Mountain Biking Trail Along The Southern Shore Of Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

Parks & Tourism Filming at Traildog Vista – June 4, 2013

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Jerry Shields

On Tuesday, June 4, the Traildogs hosted a film crew representing the Arkansas Parks & Tourism Commission for a visit to the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT). The Womble Office of the USFS and local Traildogs Al Gathright and Jerry Shields provided logistical support to the seven person crew, leading them up onto Bear Mountain.

Planning the shot, or enjoying the view???

The crew was lead by Director Chris Cranford, supported by Lyle Arnett and Gary Jones. Chuck Haralson served as the still photographer. Parks & Tourism travel writer Zoie Clift and actors Ben Stone & Alyssa Journey provided the biking and hiking action shots.

The new Traildog Vista is located about six trail miles east of the Crystal Springs Recreation Area on Lake Ouachita. This new vista is located at the highest point of the trail as it traverses the north slope of Bear Mountain. The slope of the mountain drops sharply away from the rock outcropping that forms the vista, providing a sweeping view of the islands and blue waters of this beautiful lake.

The actors are enjoying their day on Bear Mountain. Tough assignment!

The crew‘s objective was to film scenes of mountain bikers and hikers utilizing the Trail in and around the vista. The film segments and still photographs will become part of a database of Arkansas’ most interesting and scenic areas. These film and photograph segments will be utilized in written publications, television infomercials and promotional films.

Setting up for the next shot just east of the Traildog Vista Bench.

Cloudy conditions gave way to sunshine by early afternoon, allowing the crew to create a number of film segments with the actors portraying mountain bikers/hikers on the trail. This is another example of Parks & Tourism working with local officials to provide publicity to support increasing tourism revenues to our area.

Jerry

Wonderful Article From Celia Storey of the “Arkansas Democrat Gazette”

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Dan Watson

Celia Storey of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette published a wonderful story – “Still On the Path – Trail’s end in sight after dogged decade” – in the Newspaper on Monday, May 6, 2013. Celia “enjoyed” a trip on Bear Mountain with Traildogs Jerry Shields and Al Gathright and ended up helping remove some large trees that had fallen on the trail.

The article is a very good read, and Celia has graciously given us a link that our readers can follow to the article.

Celia, THANK YOU for the article and for your interest in the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.

Hickory Nut Mountain Photo Hike – May 5, 2013

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Jerry Shields

After our “second winter this spring,” we gathered on Hickory Nut Mountain today for a ID & photo hike of the flora on the south slope of the mountain. The second winter had slowed the bloom of the iris and other spring bloomers, but it was a near perfect afternoon for a hike. We had seven hikers for this three mile adventure, again armed with Carl Hunter’s Wild Flowers of Arkansas book and several cameras.

Wild Azaleas Bloom On Hickory Nut Mountain

After shuttling a vehicle down to the eastern end of this mountainous section, we were off on this really nice downhill hike. Despite the recent rains, the trail was not muddy, and it appeared only a small amount of rain had fallen on the mountain. We did find several old friends blooming along the trail, including the Hairy Spiderwort, Fire Pinks, and Huckleberries laden with blooms. One special find unique in this area was two blooming wild azaleas showing off their soft pick blooms just below the trail and above the almost dry Hickory Creek.

As we approached the eastern end of the trail, it was obvious the canopy over the trail had been severely reduced due to the timber harvest of last year in the area. The USFS, however, had done a great job of removing all the debris normally associated with a timber harvest; the Trail was entirely clear of any debris. We stopped for photos of the spring we believe to be artesian as the six foot wide pool at the base of a rock outcropping never seems to dry, even in July.

Hopefully, our group was able to find a couple of candidates for next year’s Master Gardener calendar.

Thanks,

Jerry

National Recreational Trails Grant Approved – May 3, 2013

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Jerry Shields

Friday, May 3rd, the Traildogs received notification of approval for our National Recreational Trails Grant in the amount of $95,000, as requested.

This grant will provide 80% of the $95K, or approximately $74,000, needed to complete the final 5.4 mile section of the trail from Brady Mountain Road to the Blakely Mountain Dam. The 20% matching requirement will be covered by in-kind volunteer support and trail donations.

This eighth addition to the LOViT, when completed, will extend the Trail to its planned 45 miles of developed mountain biking and hiking trail. Our current plan is to begin construction of this final phase in the late fall of this year. We plan to put construction of this section of the Trail out for bids within the next 60 days.

Congratulations to all who have contributed to the eight-year-long effort to develop the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.

Jerry

Second Photo Hike With Master Gardeners – Apr. 28, 2013

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Jerry Shields

Ready to hike Section 6 heading east from Crystal Springs Road.

Sunday was another stunningly beautiful spring day for a hike on the LOViT. This was our second Master Gardener’s Calendar Hike to develop a bank of trail photos to use on next years Master Gardener Calendar. We had six eager hikers, three master Gardeners and three Traildogs participate, lead by Traildog & Master Gardener Jerry Shields, and with strong support from canine leader Winnie.

We departed the Crystal Springs Road Trailhead parking area at 2:00 pm with six hikers and our feisty canine guide. We managed to cross both creeks on the boulder bridges without anyone taking an unplanned bath. The Traildogs created these boulder crossings in lieu of building high maintenance bridges.

Wild verbena overlooking Hickory Nut Mountain in the distance.

The spring bloom had caught it’s stride, and we were treated to a show of Nature’s floral designs at every turn of the trail. The wild Verbena was still strutting its stuff, but now the elusive Fire Pinks were mixed with the Verbena. In addition the sunny yellow Prairie Dock were found clinging to the side of the mountain, and even the leafy Compfrey was poking is long bloom stalk through the blooming yellow star grass.

Swimmers brave the cool water on a beautiful afternoon.

After a mile and half of hiking along Big Spring Creek and up the five steep swichbacks, we reached the summit of Little Bear Mountain and stopped for a water and snack break at Leslie’s Bench overlooking the Crystal Springs picnic and swimming area to the west. The laughter of some cold but tough spring swimmers echoed up from the sandy beach far below. The slopes of Hickory Nut Mountain Ridge to the west were decked out in their new green coats, accented by the deep green short leaf pines.

After a short rest and photos of the bouquet of wild flowers being worked by several species of butterflies around the bench, the group decided to hike another .75 miles to the second bench vista overlooking Crystal Springs Bay far below. The return hike, which is almost all down hill, was highlighted by identifying more species of new wildflowers and some very good photos of Spring Creek in twilight.

Click here to view photos of today’s hike.

Weather permitting we will be hiking again next Sunday, May 5, at 2:00 pm, with the route this time down the south side of Hickory Nut Mountain. This 3.2 mile all downhill hike will be highlighted by the many water falls along Hickory Nut Creek. We will also pass by the artesian spring and many other sights along this picturesque section of trail. We will meet at the Joplin Store next to Mountain Harbor Road at 1:30 pm, then proceed to Hickory Nut Mountain where will have to drop off some shuttle vehicles as this is a one way hike. The general public is invited to join on these hikes for an opportunity to experience the trail and gain an education in wildflowers. Good hiking shoes, water, snacks, and a good attitude are all that is required.

Hope to see you next Sunday.

Jerry

Campground Beautification Day Coming Up April 20, 2013

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Dan Watson

The Lake Ouachita Citizen Focus Committee, Friends of Lake Ouachita, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are sponsoring a “Campground Beautification Day” at the Denby Point Campground on Lake Ouachita on April 20, 2013, from 9 am until noon.

There is a lot of work to be done to get this popular campground back into shape for the upcoming season, and any help any of you can provide will be greatly appreciated. The flyer below tells the story. Here’s the press release:

Lake Ouachita Campground Beautification Day

In association with Earth Day, the Lake Ouachita Citizen Focus Committee, Friends of Lake Ouachita, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers INVITES YOU to participate in a Campground Beautification Day at Denby Point Recreation area on Lake Ouachita, Saturday April 20, 2013.

The Corps of Engineers manages over 1100 campsites in 17 campgrounds on Lake Ouachita and relies heavily on volunteer service and partnerships to maintain these recreation areas.

Activities during the Beautification Day will include: interpretive trail cleanup, painting of signs and fences, installation of new fencing around playground area, and rehabilitation of an aged amphitheater. Volunteers are asked to report to the campground entrance fee booth to sign up for the day’s activities and to receive supplies. Registration will begin at 9:00 A.M. and the event will end at 12:00 P.M. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers following the activities.

Come out and help us keep Lake Ouachita a premier recreation destination in Arkansas! For more information, please contact Lake Ouachita Field Office @ 501-767-2101 or amy.j.shultz@usace.army.mil.

Sure hope many of the friends of the LOViT can make it to help.

Thanks in advance,

Dan (for the LOCFC)

Campground Beautification Day – April 20, 2013

Photo Hike With Master Gardeners – Apr. 14, 2013

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Jerry Shields

On Sunday, April 14, we had our first Photo Hike on the LOVIt trail in an effort to develop a bank of trail pictures for the Master Gardener 2013 Calendar.

“The Tortoises”

We rallied at the parking lot of the Joplin Methodist Church at 1:30 pm. We had an even dozen hardy hikers join us for the 2.8 mile, 2 1/2 hour hike through the hollows and hills of the trail that stretches from Mountain Harbor Road to Shangri-La Road. The spring bloom is reaching its peak with the smiling faces of the Dogwoods greeting us at every turn. The wildflowers were blooming where they receive more sunlight, but in the hollows, they were just before bloom. This portion of the LOViT Trail has many interesting features which we took time investigate and photograph.

“The Hares”

We broke into two groups – the “Hares” and the “Tortoises” – to accommodate all skill levels of hiking. We immediately hiked into the area known as “Tom’s Twist,” a winding, switchbacking trail that drops into a cool tree shaded ravine lined with hundreds of Fiddlehead Ferns who were showing off their new heads and leafy stalks. We stopped a few minutes to explore the old homestead site that now only consists of a moss covered pile of chimney stones, the remains of a root cellar, and the old pipe well..

The Cattle Dip

We then followed the trail along Spring Creek as it winds its way to empty into Lake Ouachita. As we hiked out of this deep hollow we came upon the “Twin Towers,” two towering 400 year old Short Leaf Pines perched on the uphill side of the hollow. Placing your camera on the three foot thick trunk and pointing up into its crown over 100 feet above provides a great photo of a tree that sprouted when Jamestown was being established. How did the early loggers miss these two giants?

Further on, we crossed Spring Creek Bridge where there are three springs providing water all year long, even in the driest of times. We spotted a small king snake easing along the edge of the spring pool.

The bridge at the Rock Garden

We took a break at the “Cattle Dip” Bridge. This unique rock formation on Spring Sreek is one of three such structures found around Lake Ouachita. History says theses narrow rock crevasses where used to run livestock through while homesteaders swabbed them to eliminate the stunting effect of tick infestations. Finally we hiked through an area dubbed the “Rock Garden,” where the trail is lined with large white quartz boulders.

It was perfect weather for a spring hike, and many early spring photos were taken by everyone attending. We will be offering additional hikes as the season develops.

Jerry

Young Hikers on Hickory Nut Mountain – Mar. 18, 2013

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Jerry Shields

Traildogs are often asked, “Why do you build trails?” We answered that question last Monday, as four seasoned Traildogs – Robert & Georgia Cavanaugh and Gail & Jerry Shields – joined Montgomery County’ s 4-H’ers, lead by County Agent Brad McGinly, at the very popular U.S. Forest Day Use recreation area atop Hickory Nut Mountain for a hike on the LOViT Trail and an old fashioned wiener roast.

A terrific group of 4-H’ers and parents on Hickory Nut Mountain

With spring leaf-out still a few weeks away, the views of Lake Ouachita from the picnic area were inspiring to all who attended. The weather was typical for mid-March, with sunny skies and a light wind, which seemed to further lift the high spirits of the children who were intrigued to be on top of a mountain. The moms and dads who came along remarked that it been a while since they had visited this popular gathering spot and were pleased to find that trails had been added to enhance the use of the area.

Looking for Bear Dens

Unfortunately the picnic area was not in good repair, with the tables in a sad state of decay and a great deal of rubbish left by uncaring users who felt breaking all their bottles and leaving the broken glass strewn all around the area was appropriate behavior. The Traildogs assisted county Agent Brad in cleaning up the area before the group arrived so the excited children would not fall on any of the glass. Since there are no established fire rings, two makeshift fire rings were built to hold roasting fires to cook hot dogs after the hike.

Most of the children were preschool or in very early elementary school and were having a grand time checking for earth worms under the leaves, throwing small stones down the mountain, and just generally having a great time while waiting for everyone to arrive for the hike. The Traildogs explained to the group how the the U.S. Forest Service , U.S. Corps of Engineers, and the LOViT Traildogs had spent the last eight years building the trail to open up the forest surrounding the lake for young and old to enjoy the beauty of nature.

4-H’ers Hiking on Hickory Nut Mountain

The large group of over fifty hikers then followed the Traildogs to an old bear den located beneath a large boulder protruding out over the north slope of the mountainside at the west end of the recreation area. Wide eyed, the little ones scrambled down the slope, anxious to be the first to see the den. While a group peered into the tight hole to see if a bear was really there, one of the Traildogs let out a roar, which brought squeals and scrambling by all the kids.

The parents also seemed to be having a great time being young at heart and exploring the woods again. The group then hiked west on the LOViT around to the swtchbacks on the south side of the mountain, where there is a broad view of the long valley between Hickory Nut Mountain and Broken Rock to the south. This rocky and steep portion of the trail was just the challenge the children needed to sharpen their hot dog appetites. Thanks to the many sharp eyes and good arms of mostly active boys, there are a lot fewer rocks on the trail tread than when the hike began.

Cooking Hot Dogs Atop Hickory Nut Mountain

Several of the parents remarked what a great place for a picnic and vowed to bring back their families for a day of sightseeing and hiking. Everyone, however, felt a better road up the mountain would greatly enhance the experience and asked what they could do to encourage improvement of the road. The Traildogs explained the challenges of road improvement on federal lands but explained there are some efforts being made to look for a long term solution to permanently improving the now very rutted Hickory Nut Mt. Road.

We all had a great time but none better than the kids.

Jerry

New Crystal Springs Road Parking – Mar. 20, 2013

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Jerry Shields

New Crystal Springs Road Parking Area

A big thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Team for the great new Trailhead parking area on Crystal Springs Road. This much needed new parking area eliminates one of the two most dangerous Trail crossings. Due to the narrowness of the roads, both Crystal Springs Road and Brady Mountain Road were areas of saftey concern for users. With this recently-completed parking area on Crystal Springs Road, only the planned parking area at Brady Mountain Road remains to be resolved.

The Corps of Engineers laid new tile in the drainage ditch the length of the new lot, which makes entrance and exit easy and safe from both directions.

Another view of the new Crystal Springs Road parking area

We will soon be constructing a new trailhead sign for this new parking area to support the increasing number of users who are enjoying the ten mile section from Crystal Springs Road to Brady Mountain Road.

Stacy and Jason, your efforts will be appreciated by the rapidly growing legion of LOViT users.

Jerry

Finishing Touches – Feb. 27, 2013

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Jerry Shields

The “Cry” (Crystal) Springs Sign at Brady Mountain Road.

Neither Rain, snow, wind, or even sunshine could chase us off the mountain today. Four Traildogs met today at the Brady Mountain Road trail entrance to the Bear Mountain trail segment to install a temporary direction sign designating trail mileage, 10.0 miles, from The Brady Mt. entrance to Crystal Springs Road. Not so surprisingly, we encountered a few rocks digging the post hole but did finally mange to get it installed.

A natural stone bench at “The Saddle” on Bear Mountain.

We also utilized some of the large stones found at the switchback located in the newly-dubbed “Saddle” of Bear Mountain to create a natural stone bench for users to take a rest from the long uphill climb and enjoy the great view of the valley and lake to the north. This area of the trail is a great example of trail building through a very rocky ridge. The trail weaves very naturally through this boulder-strewn area, and, after all the rain and snow, it has the appearance of a well established trail.

A new bench overlooking “Hotel Island” on Lake Ouachita (34°33’20″ N 93°16’51″ W)

Finally, we installed a new and as yet unsponsored bench about a mile east of the switchback area above “The Saddle” and east of Traildog Vista where there was a natural break in the forest canopy offering a broad view of Lake Ouachita just west of the Brady Mountain Recreation area. The view is above “Hotel Island” (points 40 and 41) and is magnificent!

A major objective we still have for the newly-completed section from Crystal Springs Road, across Little Bear Mountain and Bear Mountain, to Brady Mountain Road, is the creation of two new parking areas, one at each end of this mountainous ten mile stretch of trail that has been quickly adopted as a favorite by bikers and hikers alike.

Jerry

Traildogs testing the new stone bench at The Saddle on Bear Mountain. (34°33’19″ N 93°16’31″ W)

Welcome to the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT)

Lake Ouachita Campground Beautification Day