The Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas is not as well known as the Ozarks to the north. A curious feature is that it flows east-west, while most of the major mountain ranges in the US go roughly north-south (Sierras, Rockies, Appalachians, Cascades, etc).
It's location is closer to
TX and, therefore, I've done most of my backpacking there. The Ouachita Trail is 223 miles long and starts in eastern OK for about 45 miles until it meets the Arkansas line and then meanders to Pinnacle Mountain State Park, just west of Little Rock.
At about mid-point on the trail, the forest service has constructed a series of three-sided, Appalachian Trail style shelters spaced at about 8 to 10 miles apart. This makes possible hiking these sections without a tent, if one can plan the hike according to the location of the shelters.
On this particular trip, we started just north of the gigantic Lake Ouachita and proceeded east to Hwy 7, which is reputed to be one of the most scenic highways in America.
The forest was still showing plenty of fall color even though it was past peak.........mostly yellows and golds with some rust color but very little reds. (I was able to view some vivid reds while driving through east
TX in route.)
More details to follow.
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