Texas/Oklahoma/Arkansas GGG this fall?

Typically water all over the place at ERL. I've hiked it 7 or 8 times…lost count. I could get more people to go (a meetup group), but it might be way too many or too rowdy..lol. Some friends will be hiking it in October, but they have not said which weekend yet.

Phil,
I was just west of there in the Caney Cr.Wilderness last weekend. Water was low but abundant. The Ouachita's are my nearest hiking option and I spend a lot of time there. I will be on ERL in a few weeks helping a friend with his trail maintenance,so I'll report back on water conditions, and if I get a report sooner I'll post it. Water will be low if no significant rain between now and then, but still doable.

Phil as far as I'm concerned the more the merrier.

If theres room for another newbie you can count me in! I have a two week fall break from school at the end of october so this is perfect for my schedule. Actually the ERL is the only trip I have done so far, loved it.

We can carpool, buddy.

Awesome the more the merrier.

So I'm still good to go if everyone else is. Here is what I was thinking from looking at maps (available from http://www.ouachitamaps.com/Eagle%20Rock.html).
We could start the loop counter clockwise from the Hwy 512 access Friday afternoon/evening. If we could hike 5-6 miles we could camp near the Little Missouri River falls access.
On Saturday people running late could meet us coming from the Little Missouri Falls access. We could shoot for a total of about 12-15 miles on Saturday. Maybe Leigh and Landon can give us ideas on where good campsites would be.
Sunday should be a shorter day maybe 4-6 miles. People who want to can take their time, people who need to could get an early start and be out of the woods quickly to get back in time for work on Monday.
Feel free to point out flaws in the plan or suggest a better one but this is a starting point.

I'm not sure on parking at the 512, Leigh may be able to help out here? There's plenty of parking at the NW corner at the Little Missoui/athens junction, and also on the west side at the end of the 106 coming from Shady lake area. I've seen cars there before, and it's right at the trail. I haven't seen the parking, but based on the traffic in the SW loop by viles branch horse trail, I think a lot of people park there, especially the equine crowd. I'm good with whatever, though. So if anyone has another idea, throw it up here.

Sorry for the late reply, I actually just got back from the Lil Missouri trail. Counter clockwise is my preference. As far as parking, 512 has about 5-7 spots, but there's quite a large area on 369/FR 73 just back up across the road on the left right before you turn left to cross the bridge to the parking on 512.Alot of scouts and equine folks park trailers there. There's plenty of parking at the falls TH. Let me think about the best campsites, I'm pretty beat tonight and need to unpack etc, but I'll post back tomorrow when I've had time to mull it over. There's a big campsite just past the falls, we actually stayed there last night, but it's better for hammocks than tents….and it's close enough to the Falls day use that noise from the ATV'er that flock there on weekends could be a problem, although I don't think they're suppose to congregate after 8 but I'll check on that.It's also down on the water so it's a flood area. There is a site about 5-10 min.before you get to the falls, but it's not as big.

A couple friends and I are going to the ERL from Dallas on the 27th. Would definitely be interested if it's that weekend.

Regarding dogs On the ERL, the flint rocks there are really sharp. I took my dog on the trail back in July and the rocks cut up her pads pretty bad. She couldnt walk for a week afterwards. A friend had the same experience with his dog there too. Unless your dog is used to the sharp rocks of that area I'd be cautious about taking your dog on the trail.

A major component of the Ouachita's is novaculite (latin novacula=razor)It's also famous in the area for making whetstones.

Leigh thanks for the detailed info. I'll get back to you tonight once I've had a chance to look at it. I'm pretty much good with whatever. I was just looking for an opition that met two criteria
1. No unnecessary driving down dirt roads
2. Camping near water in relatively wildernessy areas.
Other than that I don't have strong opinions.

@Leigh, razor rock is right! That stuff is sharp.

Parking back on 369/FR73 sounds good to me. I was thinking that would save people coming from Texas from a long drive down the dirt roads. I did a day hike from the falls TH and if I recall the last bit of the drive was kinda slow and bumpy. Perfectly doable in a car, just not fast.
I'll wait to see what Leigh has to say about camping. If its better to park somewhere else for he sake of good camping, so be it.

Is that the one in the Southeast corner around albert pike? the FR 106 TH?

Landon, the one I'm talking about is actually within sight of the parking at 512. After 369 leaves the AP campground (NO OVERNIGHT PARKING ANYWHERE THERE)and turns to gravel maybe a 1/4 mi.on the left is a parking area.It's basically southeast of the parking on 512.Just past it you can see the bridge where you turn left onto FR 512 which has parking on the northwest side of the river. Either of these may have parking available and combined would hold 10-12 vehicles. All other THs are on gravel roads, so these are prime spots for those not wanting to go long slow narrow distances. It's about 6 miles up to the Falls from there, IIRC. There are plenty of spots at the Fall TH, and Winding Stairs which is about 2 miles west of AP on 106. There is also parking farther west on 106 at the West Blaylock Cr. TH, as well as limited parking at the Upper Lil Mo TH where it junctions with ABF.

I sent the info on campsites to Luke so he can look it over. There was a link to a pdf I couldn't attach here. He can post his thoughts then.

If anyone needs gps coordinates, or directions to trailheads feel free to pm me.

I'll be happy to provide any other info I can.

Here are a couple of options trying to incorporate the larger campsites, everyone feel free to comment.

Start from FR 106/Winding Stairs TH and hiked up to the campsite marked on the maps at the end of Little Missouri Trail (before the falls)
On day two we could camp near Eagle Rock Vista and finish the loop on Sunday.

I guess another idea would be to start from the falls and camp by Long Creek, the by Winding Stairs then finish.

I like the first option because I'm guessing Eagle Rock vista would be secluded then option 2.

Large campsites that I know of (there are others probably):
1. Winding Stairs TH
2. At Little Missouri River, 3 miles past Albert Pike CG towards Little Missouri Falls
3. At Straight Creek (sorta hidden)
4. At Long Creek
5. Winding Stairs CG (we always try to stay there the last night)

Parking:
1. Just after Albert Pike CG (minimal dirt road)
2. Winding Stairs TH (2 miles dirt road)
3. FM 106 on Athens-Big Fork (6+ miles dirt road)
4. Little Missouri Falls (7+ miles dirt road)

If parking at Winding Stairs TH (hiking counter-clockwise), a first night could be 6 miles in at the number 2 campsite above or Leigh's campsite which must be closer to the Falls putting you at about ~8 miles in.

The second night for a large group I am not sure about since Winding Stairs CG would be too far around. There are surely some spots that would work, but I may not have noticed their size.

Thanks for your input John!

I found out this morning I have a conference to attend on Fri the 19th, 2 hrs south of where I live. I was planning on taking Friday off and hiking that day….now I will need to join in with those that are starting Sat. I'm open to whatever the group decides.

I have to run right now but I'm good to go with the plan as is. I plan to take Friday off so I can be at the trail head a bit early. If I get a chance I'll make a cardboard sign that says "Backpackinglight GGG" or something like that so people know what to look for in the parking lot. I figure we could also use it for a cool group shot before the trip.
I think it would also be good if we created a list of phone numbers so people can call at the last minute if they have a flat tire etc. Since you probably don't want to post your cell phone numbers all over the web why don't you PM them to me and I'll make up a list which I can then PM to everyone who's going.

Anyone else not arriving until Sat morning?

I think I sent a PM to everyone who's been interested but I'll post it here too. Below is a summary of the plan for the trip. As soon as possible it would be good too start finalizing who's coming so we can start working out final details.

Friday
Start at the FR 106/Winding Stair Trailhead (exact time to be determined but probably mid afternoon).
Camp at the end of Little Missouri Trail (before the Little Missouri Falls trailhead)
Saturday
-Hikers starting Saturday join us at the Little Missouri Falls trailhead.
-Hike counterclockwise on the loop and camp near Eagle Rock Vista.
Sunday
-Complete loop and finish back at FR 106/Winding Stair Trailhead
-Hikers who started from Little Missouri Falls can catch rides back to their vehicles if necessary.

If you are still interested in going please let us know. PM your cell phone number to me and to Leigh Baker so we have a contact list in case someone is late etc (Leigh will be joining us on Saturday so if you will be late make sure Leigh has your number, I will be on the trail at that point).

If anyone wants to carpool from the Dallas area let me know.

Maps of the trial are available at http://www.ouachitamaps.com

Hope to see you all soon!

Okay so far the list is me, Eric, Landon, Richard and Leigh for sure coming.

Eric, Richard, and I are carpooling from OKC. I got the PM with a phone number, so I'll call sooner this week and we can fine-tune logistics for meet up and what not.

Landon