We are preparing to do 40-50 miles of the OHT starting at the western end in the first week of April. I have the guidebook, and the .pdf maps from Ouachitamaps.com and have been looking at them to find possible camping spots. I know you can camp anywhere along the trail (away from the trail, water, etc.), but was wondering if there were semi-established campsites other than what the guidebook and maps indicate. Here is what I have gathered from these sources:
mi location
9.5 Jack Creek
11.2 Hurricane creek
13.7 Richardson mountain
20.2 near drainage just off jeep road
24-25 3 locations along Spirits Creek
31.5 Fane Creek
36.9? old Cherry Bend campground – can we camp here?
47.5 two spots along Herrods Creek
49 map shows a spot somewhere in the neighborhood of mile 49
Does anyone know anything about these spots, or if there are additional places to camp that aren't mentioned here?
I am also wondering about water. I don't think there will be any shortage of water, so I am wondering if there are particular creek crossings that we need to be worried about. Also, I've had some varied experiences with drinking water. We have hiked much of the SHT in two trips. The first one we used bleach drops and Frontier Pro filters. That worked well, taking care of the taste, but we also had one of the filters plug before the end of trip. The second trip, we filtered the water through a bandana or coffee filter before we used the Steripen. That did not taste near as good. I have also hike the Smokies on the AT, and that water was so clear that I did strain it at all, just used the Steripen. So I am wondering if the water along the OHT is clear and particulate free, or if some type of straining or filtration would be a good idea. I have some of the diesel filter material that has been talked about on this site, and that is probably what we would use, unless the taste of the water is really bad.
Anyway, I have a few more questions too, but will wait on them since this is the most important info I need.
Thanks!
