3 Days on the EAGLE ROCK LOOP | Longest Backpacking loop in Arkansas | Ouachita Mountains Hiking
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- This is a quick trip on the 26.5 mile long Eagle Rock Loop. Both of us have hiked this a few times but this time we are going Clockwise and starting out at the Blaylock Creek Trailhead on the west side of the loop. There is no agenda and we are here to enjoy our time on the trail so this is what it's like. We started this hike on September 30th and were lucky enough to catch the first cool break from the summer. This is one of the best backpacking or hiking trips in Arkansas. This loop consists of three trails...Athens Big fork Trail, Little Missouri Trail, and Viles Branch trail. Enjoy!
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3 Days on the EAGLE ROCK LOOP | Longest Backpacking loop in Arkansas | Ouachita Mountains
Ah the Ouachitas, one of the crown jewels of america, God bless your treks.
Thank you and you as well! Yeah the Ouachitas are a hard to beat!
Well, I was on the fence about backpacking this weekend, but I think this video has convinced me I gotta get back out there.
If I freeze to death, it’s your fault.
Do it! You’ve gotta keep that Achilles in good shape for the GC…man I’m jealous…so many choices for you guys out there.
I haven’t been to ERL in years. I need to get back. Awesome trail.
Loved Caleb told on you at the end. I’ve totally done the same thing
He revealed all my secrets! Yeah man, I'll let you know when I head back that way. I have my eye on a few trails up there.
Loved this video, very well done!
Also the coolest part of the video was def the Milwaukee truck
Thanks 👍 yeah that bright red truck tends to stick out!
Wow man, you created gorgeous content here! Fantastic looking nature captured brilliantly!🎥
Hey thanks man! It’s easy to do up there!
Really liked the shot from inside the tent of you removing the rainfly. You got a lot of good shots on this one.
I'm hoping to get up there again in spring.
Hey thanks man…I tried to get a variety of different shots on this trip. I also tried to keep this one shorter than most of my videos. It’s hard to shoot a trail that you’ve done before.
Yeah man, get back up there! I love it up there in early spring before all the leaves are out.
Great Video! I did the ERL in March 2020 and fell in love with it as well as fell in the river many times during a torrential downpour. Heaaded out to do it as a trail run in one go on Friday. Looking to start at Blaylock Creek Trailhead to get some of the mountains out of the way early. I went through there fast last time and wanted to ask if there was any good camping spots close by. Also, love the Outdoor Voices Shadowlight 60.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! The only area that I did not see many spots for camping was the Albert Pike Recreation area down to the Winding Stairs Trailhead…every other area seemed to have many spots for camping.
What time of year is this? Awesome video.
Thank you! This was in late September during the first cold snap of the season.
I'm looking into doing this trail as it's relatively accessible for me. Thanks for the fantastic video showcasing it off, which also helps in my planning. Any recommendations on best camp locations to target?
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! I’d say any campsite along the water is the best…and honestly you’d be able to find great camping on almost any section of the trail. I’d maybe avoid the area in between Albert Pike and the Winding Stairs trailhead.
So beautiful. Great work. Nice trail
Hey thank you! The Ouachitas are amazing! Thanks for watching!
Loved your video! We are planning our first trip around the loop! Do you recommend this starting point and direction?
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! You’ll love this loop!
As for direction…for me it depends on the time of year…
I did another video of this loop in early March…and I go into greater detail for reference…but the weather was much cooler. I started up on the NorthWest Trailhead and I hiked South doing all of the high ridges in my first day…I really liked knowing I had almost all of the big climbs completed.
I’m this video I started in the middle of all of the ridges hiking clockwise. Since it was warmer this really worked out. Upon exiting this loop you finish of going down the biggest climb of the loop. It was much better going down this with the warmer weather.
As for enjoyment…I loved both. I’d encourage doing the trip a second time and go the opposite way…it’ll feel like a completely different trip. Enjoy! And thanks for watching!
Great videos!!!
Do u hang ur food on the erl? if not what do with ur food at night?Thx
Thank you! Yes I just hang my food. I don’t go crazy with it though. There are small bears out there but they are pretty rare to see these days.
Probably gonna do this in early June. How’s the fishin in those creeks?
Very nice! Hope your trip went well. So as for fishing your best bet is the deeper area around the bend of Winding Stairs. There were lots of fish there.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing this, Clint. I’ve only hiked it counterclockwise from the Little Missouri/Athens-Big Fork trailhead, what are your thoughts after hiking clockwise?
Thank you! So I think I prefer clockwise now… but it might be the trailhead that makes the most difference of all. Splitting the mountains by starting at the Blaylock Trailhead was great. We pushed through the night and that created more time to enjoy LM Falls and the Winding Stairs. The last time I hiked ERL I was either rushed to make the miles or just completely exhausted at the end of the loop to enjoy them.
All in all I enjoyed the relaxed pace of this trip and being more familiar with the trail created more opportunity to enjoy it.
@@TheNotLostNomad Yeah, after knowing what’s out there, I’m ready to do it again in a different season and pick some better campsites. Thanks for your thoughts.✌️
@@tangenttrails hey you bet! I’ve always wanted to do this trail during the falls colors but it never works out. Fall seems to always be packed for us.
It's on my list
I mean...the ERL is pretty iconic. you'll love it!
Is this a trail I could take my dog on? Looking at going this October.
Yes, I saw many people hiking with their pups!
What month did you go? Everything looks really green still. I did a small section a couple weeks ago and a lot of the leaves were gone.
Yeah we started this hike on September 30th and into October. It was over 100 degrees the weekend before but were were fortunate to get the first cold snap. It was so green!
Considering going for the first time with my best friend! It is a loop right? The 26 miles gets you back to where you start? Would this trail be able to be comfortably completed in 2 days and one night? Would it feel too rushed, or would you be able to relax as well. And overall, how safe was it?
It is possible to do in two days but I’m not sure you’d enjoy it, it would be very rushed with big mileage days. I’d recommend giving it two nights and us it is a loop. I’d definitely bring a map and maybe have something on your phone you guide you. There are other trails that lead off of the loop that can make it somewhat confusing.
I've read so many trip reports and watched several videos (watched two of yours today). Do you recommend clockwise or counterclockwise? And which trailhead should we start at? I'll be coming from the south.
You know it’s really hard to say…I feel like Clockwise may be a little easier…it’s a little more downhill on the higher climbs. It really all depends on where you’d like to be for camping. I timed out this hike to allow more time at little Missouri falls and winding stairs.
Honestly either way is great. I plan on doing this loop again soon and I’ll give another trailhead a shot.
@@TheNotLostNomad Thanks, I appreciate it! Also...if you know or care to comment...where might be a good place to stay before or after (shower/food/etc.). I'm 6.5 hours away so I'm not sure I can drive home after coming off the trail. Thanks for your videos and help!
You know I guess it would depend on where you are coming from. Hot springs and Texarkana are both close by. Mena has a few places to stay and quite a few Air BNBs. If it were me it probably base my visit out of Mena…I don’t care for the larger cities and I avoid hotels anytime I can.
I’ve rented a fishing cabin not far from the lake just south of Albert Pike before. $100 a night and had a full kitchen.
Ouachita!
I love the Ouachitas…
What time of year did y’all do this hike?
This was in late September…during the first cool snap in the weather for the year. The week before was over 100 degrees.
How do you like those Altra gaiters?
Oh I love them…total game changer. They aren’t the coolest looking part of my wardrobe but they are worth it. Keeps all the junk from falling down into your shoes…especially the tiny pebbles that tend to fall on and work down below the insoles…that’s the worst!
Are there places to fish along the trail?
Yes there are a few good spots in the lower sections of the little Missouri River…mainly in the Winding Stairs section. There are some deep pools there and I’ve seen people fishing there. This is the south eastern section of the loop.
When do the bugs start to get bad? I’m thinking of going next week
Not too sure but you should be good for next week.
Lived here my whole life, and you just never know when it’s going to get bad. It will get below freezing tonight and pretty low the week after next, so you’re probably good!
I’m just glad I don’t live in MS or LA they have been swarming for a month already!
Thinking of doing my first backpacking trip here on memorial day weekend. Does it get crowded?
I hope your trip went well. It can get crowded out there but it’s always enjoyable…it’s such a big trail I’ve always been able to find a place to camp even when it’s busy.
90% Lindt!
The best!
What time of year was this trip?
We started on September 30th and went into October…we caught the first cold snap of the year.
@@TheNotLostNomad Awesome. I just did the Buckeye/Caney Creek loop the day after Thanksgiving. First time on trail in 22+ years. Absolutely beautiful country.
@@Skcoop03 ahh nice! Yeah that is a great trail too. I’d like to go back and revisit that one…maybe do it in reverse. Congrats on getting back out on the trail. How did you feel after the hike?
@@TheNotLostNomad Extremely out of shape. haha. It was a flood of nostalgia. My dad, brother, and I would hike that trail at least once a year from when I was 5, until I was around 16. It felt good getting back out there. The weather didn't cooperate so it turned from a 2 night solo, to a quick overnight. But it was a blast. Love your videos.
@@Skcoop03 hey thanks man! I’m trying to stay out on the trail as much as possible…hard to do with a family and all.
Man I’ve been there before though…it’s no fun when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Cold and wet is no fun!