Day 1 - Eagle Rock Loop Trail - HD

• published: 28 Nov 2014
• views: 3

An amazing 26.8 mile hiking trail in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. This trail consists of 3 different trails that combine to create an incredibly scenic and rugged 26.8 mile loop through the Arkansas wilderness. I parked at the Little Missouri Falls area in Caddo Gap, Arkansas and hiked the trail clockwise in two days. I started on the Little Missouri Falls Trail and connected with the Viles Branch Horse Trail and then finally it intersects with the Athens - Big Fork Trail. This is a spectacular hike with no less than 30 water crossings. Most are real simple and can be crossed by jumping rock to rock without having to take your shoes off. However, there are some that are very wide and fairly deep and there is no other way than to put on the water shoes and head into the freezing water. I was able to cross every time with the exception of 4 or 5 times where I had to take my shoes off. Needless to say there is plenty of water on this trail and I never carried more than 1 liter. There was never any worries as I was always about 20 to 50 feet from water. Most of the time I could see it right next to me while hiking. The Little Missouri Trail and the Viles Branch Horse Trail were both fairly easy. There were a few difficult parts but I would say about 85% easy and 15% difficult. The Athens- Big Fork Trail was without a doubt the hardest section of this hike. Crossing across six mountains where most of the climbing is vertical. Not a whole lot of switchbacks on this trail. This is the truly challenging part of the hike and it was incredible. I think I enjoyed this section this most! I would definitely recommend this hike to any serious hikers out there. It is fairly difficult overall and would be much easier trail if it was done in 3 days instead of 2. I would have liked to have had an extra day just to slow down and really explore the area but it can be done in 2 days if that's all the time you have. I started on Tuesday, Nov 18th at 8:00 a.m. and was back at my car on Wednesday, Nov 19th at 2:00 p.m. I camped somewhere along the Viles Branch Horse Trail. The trail is marked fairly well except it takes some unexpected turns and you can find yourself off trail pretty easily. Keep your eyes open for the white blazes painted on the trees and if you don't see them turn around and go back to the last one you saw and work it out from there. I also had to walk up and down the river to find places to cross without taking my shoes off, this wouldn't be a problem in the warmer months but it probably added at least a mile or so to the hike. Overall it's a wonderful trail with a little bit of everything. I definitely would do this hike again!!! Thanks for watching!! www.facebook.com/somewhereonthetrail www.instagram.com/somewhereonthetrail