Quickie AR Backpacking Trip

[McFly]

I decided to take a few days off this past week and did a quick trip to the Ouachita Nat'l Forest and hiked the Eagle Rock Loop. I went with a buddy who had never been backpacking or hammocked, who wanted to give it a try. And it wouldn't be near as much fun if I didn't take my trusty companion, Indy.

We got to the trailhead at 2:30pm and spent the next 2 days completing the Loop. I think my buddy had a good time and the weather really cooperated too with afternoon temps in the mid 70's and overnight lows from 43 deg & the low 50's, with clear skies and lots of stars.

I like the ERL because it's a really pretty place and trail, plus, it's the closest challenging trail to Dallas. However, in the 20 years I've been hiking the ERL, I've never seen it so crowded. Over 2 days and 29 miles, I'm guessing we saw over 50 to 60 people or more. There's been plenty of times in years past I've been out there by myself or encountered only a handful of people, but this was staggering. It almost made it unenjoyable to a degree. I know this is becoming more of a normal occurrence on trails with people getting outside more because of the Covid, but dang. And of course, not everybody practices the 'leave no trace' mantra judging from all the trash and left behinds I spotted. Some of the things I'll pick up like a plastic bottle or two or paper trash but a tent, sleeping bag & air mattress? Seriously? Very aggravating.

Okay, rant over. All in all, it was a good trip but not sure when I may go back if the overcrowding continues, maybe when it gets colder. That usually means less people and no bugs!

Day 1 - The Little Missouri Trail


Spider!


BIG Spider!!


Peaceful


Night 1 Campsite

https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQn7w3k26

Day 2 - The Little Missouri & Athens Big Fork Trail


Morning Mist


On Top of the World

https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvEZrVoZwO

Day 3 - Athens Big Fork/Viles Branch/Winding Stairs


Eagle Rock Vista Pano


Little Missouri River at Viles Branch Trail


Trail Cat!!

https://www.relive.cc/view/vdvmQyWP4xv

I forgot to turn off the app on the last video... we hiked a little over 8 miles getting back to the car, not 14 as it shows on the video. My bad.

[955i]

Thanks for another fun write-up, Curt. I am not sold on this hammock stuff, but the hiking looks good. You are in the heart of Choctaw country right there.

[cabnfvr]

Beautiful trail!

[aviator]

Beautiful trail and pics. And a special ty for the pic of the Trail Cat.

[McFly]

Thanks Mani... when I quizzed that gal about her cat, she actually thought it would walk the trail with her like a dog! And as you can see, the cat had other plans. Proof positive cats are smarter than some of their owners.

[aviator]

Is that a 4 legged cat you talkin bout? I did not see any.

[McFly]

Doah! Didn't catch that... the old synapses just aren't firing as fast as they used to!

[Lee]

Beautiful trail and pics. And a special ty for the pic of the Trail Cat.

The first time I looked at the report that picture did not show.
Glad I took another look, that was the best pic of the report

[Pete_Tallahassee]

Good write up as usual. I like the use of the Relive app for hiking.
I know what you mean about too many people. When I lived in the Washington DC area I would head out of town many hours only to find the campsites crowded with my neighbors.I think the pandemic is Mother Nature talking to us.

[McFly]

Yeah, I like that Relive app for sure. My problem so far has been remembering to turn it on & off! I didn't start the first video until we had already hiked about 1/2 mile when I realized I hadn't turned it on. And I forgot to turn it off on the last video after we'd already driven 6 miles after we got in the car. I didn't know you can edit the mileage part of your video either, which can be done but only before you publish the video. Once you've done that, you can still edit everything else but your mileage.

I know the Covid has a lot to do with people getting outside... to stay shut in over long periods of time is not a healthy thing. On our 2nd day, we had just hiked over the 5th ridge of the day & had pretty much run out of gas, so my thought was to make camp at a place just shy of the 6th & final ridge on that part of the trail. When we got there, there were already 6 tents set up and crammed into a really small area, with 2 other sets of campers looking for spots to throw up their tents. One guy gave up & hiked on but a couple that stayed, were bound & determined to find a spot. They finally wound up camping right next to the little creek that runs through that area. They were so close to the creek, that if it had rained, they would've been in trouble at some point during the night.

That's the nice thing about hammock camping, all you need are trees. We wound up crossing the creek to the other side & had the whole place to ourselves and were far enough away from tent city, that we had some privacy.