It Will Be OK - Backpacking The Ouachita Trail

[@theadventurebeginstv]

For those of you that have hiked other sections of the OT, what sections would you recommend for a 3 day trip?

[@ToddShelley]

My suggestion (and I'm VERY partial to the Oklahoma sections) is to begin at the Winding Stair Campground where you ended this hike. From there to Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas is just under 30 miles. Plenty of water sources along the way, multiple locations to cache, and three shelters if you wanted to go super-light and not even carry a tent/hammock. The best part? The Ouachita Trail burger at the QWSP restaurant when you finish!

[@theadventurebeginstv]

Todd Shelley That seems like the logical thing to do. I heard that the terrain changes a bit. Thanks

[@JD03ish]

I agree with Todd. Pick up where you left off and hike east. The trail will take you through the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness, which is an OT highlight. Wilton Mtn is on that stretch too and it's a tough climb. It's no fun hiking during the summer, however.

[@theadventurebeginstv]

Maybe I'll wait until the fall

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

@@ToddShelley I am looking to do this section with my 9 year old. Her first backpacking trip. 30 miles might be a little much for her first time. Are there any places to cut the trip a little shorter? I assume no loops?

[@JD03ish]

You and your group just hiked the most difficult portion of the whole trail (Deadman's Gap to HorseThief Springs). Good job.

[@theadventurebeginstv]

Thanks for the encouragement

[@calvinmonroe2408]

We have scrub oaks that resemble small live oaks all over the southeast portion of oklahoma

[@calvinmonroe2408]

Quashita is an indian nation name

[@JamesyboyExperiment]

Wow, looks like an awesome hike, you cant beat the great outdoors!! Thanks for sharing🙂 We have just found your channel, we are travel vloggers too - Now supporting your channel

[@lhmgaming]

The pronunciation of Ouachita is actually like Wash-Ih-Tah

[@troyfromtexas]

lhmgaming thanks

[@whatsup3270]

?? oosh-a-tall ?? or oash-a-tall ( Like Josh-a-tall without the "J" sound)

[@ToddShelley]

Looks like a great trip! Section 1 of the Ouachita Trail is definitely the most challenging, but also the most rewarding. Good job y'all!

[@troyfromtexas]

Todd Shelley Thanks, the perfect hike for a weekend trip.

[@JMontague990]

Awesome!!! Where did y'all park for this and hike in at?

[@theadventurebeginstv]

We left our car at the end of our hike at the trailhead of the Winding Stair campground. We had a shuttle help us drop off our car. You might try contacting Harold at Talimena State Park about a shuttle.

[@markbailey2645]

You said you finished the trail? Looks like you might have made Hwy 259. You didn’t even make it to Arkansas much less Pinnacle. The majority of the trail is in Arkansas

[@anthonygray1806]

Thanks for your video! How are the ticks outside of the summer?

[@theadventurebeginstv]

They were not bad when we went.

[@durwardcook293]

Great video! Hope to see you guys out there sometime. I’m doing a section at a time as I get a chance.

[@troyfromtexas]

Cook's Outdoor Trail I think that is a wise way of tackling the trail. Best of luck.

[@calvinmonroe2408]

Its pronounced “wash it tah”

[@Smilin_Don]

Good hike! When was this recorded?

[@theadventurebeginstv]

Smilin' Don OUTDOORS April

[@markbailey2645]

WAH-shi-tah

[@jacobturman5602]

The way you pronounced Ouachita killed me

[@theadventurebeginstv]

I'm surprised that so many people find it interesting. I speak English and Spanish. The way that I pronounced it is the way one would say it in Spanish. Others have mentioned that there is a French pronunciation. I'm guessing that there is an English pronunciation. And I suppose that there is a Caddo pronunciation.

[@theadventurebeginstv]

Check out this google translation of the French word Ouachita. Clink on the audio button. translate.google.com/#view=home&op=translate&sl=fr&tl=en&text=Ouachita

[@newfeatherfarm2492]

As a local we pronounce it "Oh-watch-ih-tah"

[@whatsup3270]

The Okies I know say oosh-a-tall ( like Josh-a-Tall without out a "j")

[@dman10000]

Looks like even the locals aren't consistent in the pronunciation. 😁

[@markbailey2645]

WAH-shi-tah is the proper pronunciation.

[@deweynoyes3774]

Wah-shit-ah

[@theadventurebeginstv]

Hahaha, read the comments below to see all the different ways people pronounce Ouachita. 🙂

[@calvinmonroe2408]

Its pronounced “washitah”

[@bobbykiefer4306]

FYI, its the French spelling of "Washita". So it's actually the Washita Mountains.

[@theadventurebeginstv]

Per Wikipedia - Louis R. Harlan claimed that "Ouachita" is composed of the Choctaw words ouac for buffalo and chito for large, together meaning "country of large buffaloes". At one time, herds of buffalo inhabited the lowland areas of the Ouachitas. Historian Muriel H. Wright wrote that "Ouachita" is composed of the Choctaw words owa for hunt and chito for big, together meaning "big hunt far from home". According to the article Ouachita in the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, "Ouachita" comes from the French spelling of the Caddo word washita, meaning "good hunting grounds"

[@newfeatherfarm2492]

@@theadventurebeginstv Yanush is the choctaw word for buffalo. It is also a nearby town. Louis R. Harlan must have been a white dude lol