Is There Cell Service On Ozark Highlands Trail

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When nearly people think of thru-hiking, they think of the Appalachians' green tunnel or the craggy peaks and desert valleys of the Pacific Crest Trail, not Arkansas's thickly-timbered, rolling Ozarks. Just maybe they should: The Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT), currently 270 miles long (with 50 more trail miles in the works), travels through a stretch of American wilderness in the northern half of the state that doesn't see nearly the crowding of major trailheads on the coast. The Forest Service calls it "one of the nigh scenic trails in the US," and we'd tend to agree. The best office? With piddling thru-hiker traffic, you lot tin can have ridgelines, peaks, and valleys all to yourself—provided you're willing to work for them.

You can access the OHT from whatsoever of a few dozen trailheads spread across the region. Department hikers can pick from rocky ridgelines looking out across rolling, fog-hung hills; limestone canyons bursting with waterfalls; or river valleys where elk, black bears, bobcats, and armadillos roam. Thru-hikers, of grade, get to experience it all, from the trail'southward high point at ii,400 foot Hare Mount to the precipitous limestone gorges of the Richland Creek Wilderness. Want to extend your hike even farther? The Ozark Highlands Trail Association plans to connect with the 390-mile Ozark Trail in Missouri.

Hiking the Ozark Highlands Trail

Photo: "White Rock Mountain" by mabecerra is licensed under CC BY-SA ii.0

The westernmost segment of the OHT, known as the Boston Mountains segment for the range information technology travels through, contains some of the highest and roughest parts of the Ozarks. Starting from Lake Fort Smith, the path heads towards White Rock Mount, then winds up and down a series of hollows and peaks to the trail's high point at Hare Mount. The terrain doesn't ease from there, though, standing to alternate betwixt ridgelines, summits, and valleys filled with hardwood forests for over x,000 anxiety of top gain. Some other highlight is the natural bridge in Hurricane Creek Wilderness, a stone arch ascension high above the forest floor. The final stretch of the segment heads through the waterfall-rich Richland Creek Wilderness, a wonderland of cascades over stepped limestone and vibrant woodlands. Don't desire to tackle the whole 164 miles of the Boston Mountains segment? Y'all can hop on or off the trail at White Rock Mountain, Reddish Bend, Lick Branch, Ozone Campground, or half a dozen other campgrounds and trailheads.

The next segment of trail follows the Buffalo River for 43 miles, alternating betwixt lowland creeks and river valleys and loftier bluffs. The bluffs have excellent views of the Buffalo River Valley and surrounding hills, and are also quite often the site of archaeological finds like chert blades, arrowheads, and pottery from the area's ancestral Native inhabitants (leave anything you spot). his segment starts at Woolum Ford, only a reroute will be necessary if the river is running too high; beginning at Dave Manes Bluff instead. Terminate off this section hike with a 15-mile bushwhack from Dillard'due south Ferry to the Spring Creek Trailhead.

Afterwards the Buffalo River comes Sylamore, which heads up the Richland Valley. Nearly of the trail here goes through deep woods cut by creeks, with the occasional climb to a high knob. Waterfalls are common; keep an eye out for cascades wherever the creeks drop over some of the region'due south limestone bedrock. You can spot wild fauna hither, as well, from the usually-spotted black-tail deer and white-tail deer to the occasional elusive bobcat. Commencement from the Spring Creek Trailhead (be conscientious not to misfile this trailhead with the Leap Creek Road midway through the Buffalo River segment). You can stop (or start) at any of four more than trailheads along the trail: Moccasin Springs (mile 9), Cripple Turkey (mile 14.4), Brush Creek (mile 18.one), or Matney Knob (mile 31.6).

The final, easternmost segment of the trail is known every bit Lake Norfolk, for the body of water it runs along. This section is still nether construction, and then it'due south carve up into two parts: The 13-mile Lake Norfolk Trail and 17-mile David's Trail. The Lake Norfolk Trail starts from the dam at the western finish of the lake, then heads into the Sycamore Highlands earlier dipping down to George'south Cove. From there it heads to Tracey Park earlier ending at the CR 1028 road. The David's Trail section starts from Robinson Point, then rounds Panther Bay. From the bay information technology climbs to Bidwell Betoken Recreation Area before finishing at the Red Depository financial institution Recreation Surface area. As this is the least-constructed section of trail, maps are in the works but not yet available.

Ozark Highlands Trail Stewards

Photo: "Misty Mount Hop" by FreeWine is licensed under CC Past ii.0

Desire to assistance finish what could be America's most spectacular long trail? The entire OHT is built and maintained by the nonprofit Ozark Highlands Trail Association, an all-volunteer group that builds new sections of trail, repairs older ones, and runs several outings per yr to enjoy the route. The trips are open up to the public (work parties require membership for insurance reasons). They also run educational programs on low-bear upon camping and hiking.

What Y'all Should Know About Hiking the Ozark Highlands Trail

Resupplying can exist a challenge on the OHT: Co-ordinate to the Ozark Highlands Trail Association, there are currently no grocery stores located within reasonable hiking distance of the trail. Your well-nigh convenient bets for resupplying volition be to postal service your food to post offices in Ozone and Pelsor, which are inside a few miles of the trail. Dissimilar resupplying, the permit situation on the Ozark Highlands Trail is relatively unproblematic: Yous don't need them. Camping is permitted in most places, as long as you're 200 feet away from the trail or any water source.