Ouachita Trail Thru Hike 2 of 4

On March 16, 2022, I set out on my longest thru hike yet. The Ouachita Trail is a 223 mile footpath that begins in eastern Oklahoma at Talimena State Park and heads east through the Ouachita National Forest to Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock Arkansas.
In this video, the second video in the four part series, I walk 71 miles over 4 days. I start at Queen Wilhelmina State Park and walk to the Highway 27 Trailhead. We endured a big thunder storm on the last night (over 3 inches of rain) from in a shelter. When we arrived at Highway 27, we were shuttled down to the Bluebell Country Store and Cafe for a burger and a resupply. Then, I enjoyed a pizza and a warm, dry motel in Mount Ida.
Previous videos of this hike:
Planning a Thru Hike: Ouachita Trail: • Planning a Thru Hike: ...
Gear Load Out - Ouachita Trail Thru Hike: • Gear Loadout: Ouachita...
Ouachita Trail Thru Hike 1 of 4 - • Ouachita Trail Thru Hi...
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Bluebell Store and Cafe (Lori)
870-867-3999 (Bluebell Store) or 870-867-3999 (cell)
Will shuttle the entire trail. Located mid-trail (~mm 122) 5 miles south of the Hwy 27/OT junction in Story, AR. The Bluebell has awesome breakfast and lunch!
A big thank you to Bo for shuttling me a the beginning of my hike. Check out his youtube:
Arkansas Outdoors Channel - / @arkansasoutdoorschann...
A big thank you to Underwood Graphics for providing maps for this video. If hiking the OT or the OHT, I highly recommend purchasing their maps. www.ugeographics.com/shop
Gear I frequently Use:
Backpack - Lite AF Curve 40L with Full Suspension -
liteaf.com/ultralight-packs/4...
Hammock - Warbonnet Ridgerunner -
www.warbonnetoutdoors.com​
Rain Fly - Custom 13' Warbonnet Mountain Fly -
www.warbonnetoutdoors.com​
Tent - Zpacks Duplex -
zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent
Top Quilts-
UGQ Outdoors 20 Degree Bandit -
ugqoutdoor.com/top-quilts/ban...
Hammock Gear O, 20, and 40 Degree Burrows-
hammockgear.com​
Under Quilts-
Loco Libre 20 and -20 Degree Ridge Reapers with 900 - fill power goose down - www.locolibregear.com​
COSCO DIY - 40 Under Quilt
Garmin In-Reach Mini Communicator
amzn.to/3A29lxJ
MSR Mini Groundhog Stakes -
amzn.to/35w1Wwd
Underwood Graphics Maps-
www.ugeographics.com/
Brooks Cascadia 15 Trail Runners -
amzn.to/3pKo50A
Anker Power Banks -
amzn.to/2Uxx2xv
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp -
amzn.to/3vPU9Ao
Hilltop Packs Custom Printed Food Bag and Custom Printed Dual Pocket Gadget Bag -
www.hilltoppacks.com/#/
REI Magma 850 Hooded Down Jacket (seasonal) -
www.rei.com​
Sea to Summit Compression Dry Sack
www.rei.com/product/867058/se...
Cascade Mountain Tech Hiking Poles-
amzn.to/35PfrDr
Toaks 550ML Cook Pot-
amzn.to/3qycNfb
Fancy Feast Stove-
• Fancy Feast Stove - DI... ​
Toaks Long Handle Spoon
amzn.to/3j30HJ8
REI Rainpants -
www.rei.com/product/137186/re...
Enlightened Equiptment Visp Rain Jacket -
enlightenedequipment.com/mens...
Sealskinz Waterproof Socks -
amzn.to/2PAEEfZ
CNOC 2 Liter Water Bag -
currently unavailable
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter -
amzn.to/2TYmPK6
Sit Pad -
amzn.to/3hOliz2
Camera- iphone 12 Pro Max
External Microphone - Shure AMV88-
amzn.to/38GEuut
Ultrapod Lightweight Camera Tripod-
amzn.to/3qm3wq6
Noxgear39g Bluetooth Speaker -
www.noxgear.com/39g
Pump-
amzn.to/3HtFzUZ
Peak Refuel Freeze Dried Meals (Used BCE15 Discount Code for 15% off)
peakrefuel.com/
Split Peanut Butter and Jelly-
amzn.to/3tFQGoH
Down Socks-
www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...
Water Proof Gloves-
www.go2marine.com/showa-282-t...
Lite AF Fanny Pack-
liteaf.com/product/fanny-pack/
Permethrin-
www.thetickterminator.com
My Winter Camping Sleep System when tenting:
Marchway Ultralight Folding Cot:
amzn.to/3rxZfkv
Invoker Camping 3 Inch Sleeping Pad:
amzn.to/3GWhXbS
#ouachitatrail #thruhike #Arkansasbackpacking

[@billdevore4059]

Only 65? I finished this trail (west to east) in 2020 at the age of 80. Now, granted, I section hiked it over about 18 months. Then last year I rode my bicycle across Missouri on the Katy Trail in a week. If we just keep moving, we can surprise ourselves with our capability.

[@user-vp5bv6pk6t]

15:07 Might not be hogs. Most likely armadillos. They and skunks dig into that stuff for insects to eat. I really am enjoying your hikes. I am over halfway finished section hiking the OHT and the Ouachita is in my mind as a next trail, but perhaps the Ozark Trail as well. I am 53, so I guess one of the "young" guys. I have one grandson that is old enough to go with me and he is pretty proud of doing over 60 miles with me. The others will be old enough soon and I can't wait to have them hike with me. You do a great job with putting your videos together. Very enjoyable and some great trail information scattered in.

[@gabeswiatkiewicz3725]

It looks like an armadillo to me. I hunt hogs in east TX and they really tear up the ground.... With that said, maybe since it is much more rocky there that it is hogs. Also, I've only had a wounded hog charge me and only one time had the hogs know I was in the area and they wouldn't leave. Thanks for posting these videos.

[@jboren5552]

I agree that it’s likely armadillo.

[@gentryaustin]

The blown raspberry at 12:30 really sold me on the beauty of this trail

[@PeteBraginton]

Wild hogs...yep. All over that area. Maybe a pack of unruly armadillos...but likely hogs. Great vid. I love the OT. I'm planning to finish my hike from Foran Gap to Pinnacle Mtn. this Fall. Looking forward to part 3!

[@ScottCannon4SmartBiz]

Love seeing these occasional long hikes you take. So many seem to be 95% gear reviews 5% overnight trips. Good to see a dedicated hammocker getting out as well.

[@sarahgosa8175]

Hi. I've been watching your great videos today. I do trail maintenance around Big Brushy where that prescribed burn was that you mentioned. I noticed that you're the second person I've noticed in videos mention not being able to find that campsite that guthook has on their map. Can you post the GPS coordinates and I can look around or ask our group if I can make one?

[@derekferguson4242]

Awesome job, loving the videos! Usually hogs but could be armadillos as well making the ruts. Looking forward to the next video!

[@denisestarr2314]

I live in the Ouachitas. I'm really surprised water is that far apart . The trail must do lots of rig running . One reason I love the Ouachita mts. Water is basicly everywhere.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Great part 2, man! You really cranked out the miles on this trip, well done! Like you said, perspective is everything to help keep your mind pressing forward during a Thru hike. Excited to see the rest!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Armadillos and turkey will do the same thing looking for bugs. Suck mountain 😅😅 Great video

[@MidwestBackpacker]

I did see a number of turkeys. Not near that area though. Thanks for watching.

[@DryBonesOutdoors]

This really seems like a trail of interest. I just seen the name of this trail on my FarOut app last night and decided to see if there any hiking videos on it. Seems like a solid trail! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@MidwestBackpacker]

The shelters on this trail are nice.

[@robpelton]

The shelters look cool. I bet the food at bluebell hit the spot! Good stuff

[@MidwestBackpacker]

The shelters every 8-12 miles are definitely nice. The brunch 🍔 at the Bluebell was INCREDIBLE! Thanks for watching friend!

[@annabeard6324]

Looks like a grand adventure -- so much fun to watch your progress

[@ryleenafziger9873]

That ruffled up ground is 100% wild hogs. Be very careful with them. They're super territorial and the bands can get huge. I had a friend whose trip was completely ruined because a band of hogs stampeded his campsite in the middle of the night. Ruined his tent. Side note: Found your channel today and this has been an OUTSTANDING resource! I'm planning my thru attempt for autumn next year.

[@Ontrail82]

Perfect day to drop a rainy hike video on a rainy day in the twin cities lol …loved the name of that motel “The Royal Oak Inn” 👑 😎🤣

[@MidwestBackpacker]

I don’t think royalty would stay there, but comfy change from the woods.

[@kmcgoeshiking27]

Another great video! You do a fine job. Pretty awesome that you got to meet Thin Slice. He’s a great guy! Met Him on the Eaglerock loop a couple years ago. When I was hiking in Arkansas this year on the Ouachita Trail we met up again at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge shared a meal and a few beers and great conversations. Look forward to seeing your next video!

[@MidwestBackpacker]

I actually saw thin slice at the blue bell again after he got stranded by high water. He told me he was going to quit. Lori told me he changed his mind after a dry night in a motel. Nice to hear he made it to the lodge.

[@kmcgoeshiking27]

Yes. He had some hard times but then he got regrouped refocused and completed the entire trail!

[@marylaw9024]

Wild hogs are indeed what digs up the dirt like that. I've lived in the Ouachita Mountains 20yrs and have came across them alone on the trail multiple times. They have always ran away. But it's good to practice climbing tree's JIC.

[@MidwestBackpacker]

😳😀

[@tonysadventures2799]

New sub thanks to @backpacking with Buckley. Loving you content

[@MidwestBackpacker]

Buckley is trouble 😜😎

[@tonysadventures2799]

@@MidwestBackpacker I agree lol 😂

[@SailingAround]

Definitely feral hogs. There’s a drove of 10-15 feral hogs in the area of the Suck Mtn Shelter, which is where it looks like you were videoing.

[@OneEyeHikes]

Armadillo probably.

[@markcummings6856]

Nice video and hike. Who’s Laurie? Shuttle driver from the Blue Mt. Bell?

[@MidwestBackpacker]

Lori owns the Bluebell Cafe and Country Store and is legendary for being a shuttle driver on the trail. She will be on my Part 3 video out next Tuesday.

[@markcummings6856]

@@MidwestBackpacker Sweet. Thanks. Good to know for future reference!

[@LionessHiker]

@@MidwestBackpacker thanks for the info! I plan to section hike this on weekends this spring. Shuttle service is imperative!