FEATURED NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL Ouachita Trail, Oklahoma and Arkansas The Ouachita National Recreation

Trail (pronounced as wosh-i-taw) is a 223-mile backcountry trail, run- ning east and west the length of the Ouachita Mountains. It lies primarily within the Ouachita National Forest, with 177 miles of the trail in Arkansas and 46 miles extending into Okla- homa. Both ends of the trail are in State parks. The eastern terminus is in Pinnacle Mountain State Park, west of Little Rock (Pulaski County); the western terminus is in Talimena State Park, Oklahoma.

Originally intended as a foot trail,

the entire length is open to both day hikers and backpackers. Since 2000, mountain bikers have been given access to western portions of the trail, currently about 140 miles, and have joined other trail users as good stew- ards of the trail. In addition to the State parks, Forest Service recreation areas provide campground facili- ties along the trail. A string of nine overnight shelters further enhance the experience for backpackers. Terrain across the length of the trail

is rugged at times, providing a variety of hiking experiences and scenic op- portunities. Elevation ranges from a high point of 2,610 feet above sea level on Rich Mountain, near the Ar- kansas/Oklahoma state line, to a low of approximately 300 feet near Lake Maumelle. The trail passes through two designated Wilderness areas. Friends of the Ouachita Trail, a

 agencies to maintain the trail. Learn more at www.friendsot.org.

The 223-mile trail runs the length of the Ouachita Mountains and is open to day hikers and backpackers, while 140 of those miles are open to mountain bikers.

One of nine overnight shelters along the trail (photos courtesy Friends of the Oauchita Trail) 38 SUMMER 2016 AmericanTrails.org