Ouachita Trail Thru-Hike​ Part 1 - Day 1 to 5 - Mile 0 to 51.6

Day 1 - 5 of my thru-hike of the Ouachita Trail. I shuttled from Story Junction Store in Story, AR to the trailhead at Talimena State Park. I started on October 17th and arrived at my first resupply at Queen Wilhelmena Lodge on October 21st.
This is the first of three videos chronicling my journey.
Find more trails: www.louisianahikes.com

[@luckyotter623]

It's hard to believe you are in Oklahoma - I know there are hills there, but I always picture it as flat prairie, so this is rather mind-blowing. The scenery looks almost exactly like that found on the trails where I live in western NC.

[@prestondwhite]

Thank you for putting this out here. I am about to do a couple of segments over the next week or so. No real goal other than being outside and allowing my mind to clear.

[@testodude]

Great video. Liked. On to part 2...

[@clayschuetz899]

Lol, sticker plants crisscrossing the trail, welcome to my home state, that's Arkansas and that is why the trail was like that lol I found your video cause I was thinking about doing that trail maybe next year as a shakedown hike for the AT in 2022, well I'm guessing it's gonna be 2022 now, been grounded from hiking for a bit, can't wait to get back out there. I'm from Arkansas but I never hiked in the Ouachita national Forest area, I've only been to the northwestern region and the buffalo national scenic riverways, btw ever get a chance to go there, it is gorgeous. And those rocks, yeah I'm thinking those will be good training for Pennsylvania lol.

[@christyzimms6725]

My 14yo son and I are doing this first part in 3 weeks. So glad I watched this. Gave me a better idea of what to expect since we haven't ever been there.

[@EricHeber]

Awesome!

[@ToddShelley]

Really well done video! Oklahoma is my favorite part of the trail.

[@EricHeber]

Thanks Todd! Oklahoma was beautiful.

[@steveegleston9318]

Great video! Brought back great memories as I, too, got off trail and followed the blue ribbons for almost a mile just past Big Cedar Creek. Had to call Harold at Talimena State Park ( who is awesome) to figure things out and retrace our steps. FYI, the trail exit off that road trace is really well marked, you just have to be awake and looking for it!

[@EricHeber]

Steve Egleston haha glad we weren’t the only ones!

[@somewhereonthetrail]

Awesome video man!!! It's really cool seeing different perspectives of the trail. I know I was there but it's still hard to recognize.

[@EricHeber]

Thanks! I really enjoyed your series on the OT.

[@ThatHikerGirl]

Very helpful! Thanks for sharing, can't wait to hit the OT in a few weeks :)

[@EricHeber]

Good luck! I’ll sub and look forward to your video

[@theveefit]

Looks FUN !!! 👀

[@timothyeubanks32100]

Oh man, I'm feeling nostalgic. Thru-hiked in January last year. My shoes started coming apart a couple days before story. I ordered on Amazon and had to take a zero on Super Bowl Sunday so I got to watch the game. Shoes came Monday afternoon so back on the trail late. All in all with the zeros and neros it was 16 days for me. Cant wait to watch your trip!

[@EricHeber]

Thanks for watching! Yeah you had a faster pace than I did. I took two neros and took 17 days total.

[@timothyeubanks32100]

@@EricHeber somewhat similar. I did a Nero at the lodge. And Nero at mt ida Saturday, then a zero Super Bowl sunday, then a Nero the next day. I banged out maybe 3 20 mile days. Most days were 15-18. Those shelters are great!

[@nadiastewart30]

Hey. Im wanting to thru hike this trail. Where did you resupply? No one will answer my question lol. Please reply.

[@stevenhavick5327]

If I can't do my next section of the AT (Port Clinton, PA to Williams, Mass) this summer due to Covid shutdowns, then I think I'll thru hike this Ouachita Trail instead. This video series looks like it will help me plan. For example, knowing about that campsite along the creek at mile 43.1 and knowing that there is no laundry machines at that Lodge is very helpful. Also, an hour worth of footage for a 50 mile section provides a lot of info about trail conditions. It looks like 20 mile days would be doable on that kind of track. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[@EricHeber]

Wow thanks! I never look at my videos as info so I’m happy when someone gets use out of them.

[@travelingwithspinoza]

Good video. Headed there next weekend.

[@EricHeber]

Thanks!

[@SpiguyverBackpacking1]

I'm heading out to do the first 56 or so miles later this month! Thanks for sharing your trip!

[@EricHeber]

Oklahoma is beautiful. Enjoy!

[@MaddenNature]

When u going

[@SpiguyverBackpacking1]

@@MaddenNature We went a few weeks back ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpqnoWCDmpiFgLc

[@axshonjackson]

Very well done! I like the different shots, videos, stills, music, and commentary. You should invest in a nice gimbal for cell phones. Overall a very high quality product. What a feat! I'm honored to call a champ like you friend.

[@EricHeber]

Thank you sir! I just try different things with each video and see what works. I think I’m gonna get the new Osmo pocket from DJI. The camera on my phone takes great stills but the video is not the best.

[@okiemikeoutdoors7833]

Those down hills hurt more than the up hills. Good video bud

[@EricHeber]

Thanks!

[@timothyeubanks32100]

Ok finished watching. Couple things. The briars in that section are nothing compared to what is ahead lol. You already know. Second, I washed my clothes in the sinks at the lodge with the soap and shampoo. Hung them up in the shower and changed into my cleanest clothes for around the lodge. I also had the fish for dinner lol, and a huge breakfast! Biscuits and grave, couple eggs, baon, hash browns. I was stuffed when I go back on trail! They have great food there! No alcohol in January but they were putting in a bar when I was there. Hope you were able to grab a drink if you are keen on that. Wonder if you read any of my Journals in the books at the shelters. I made sure to stop and write a full page in almost every shelter book. On to your next video! This is fun watching all over again!

[@MaddenNature]

How long from beginning to the queen lodge? Me and a buddy want to try to get to that point pretty quickly

[@EricHeber]

I think 50 miles or so.

[@MaddenNature]

Louisiana Hikes ya it’s 51 or so miles but wonder how many days to hike is what I mean

[@EricHeber]

I think I took 3 days

[@winslowwalks]

Nice job! One of my favorite OT videos so far. Did Oklahoma surprise you? No one really thinks of that when they think Oklahoma... Done that OK side 5ish times and am to Musecreek area on section hike. Hope to thru hike in spring.

[@EricHeber]

Thanks! Yeah I was definitely surprised by all the rocks. There were some beautiful views though, that was a surprise. Good luck on your hike!

[@chevytech1]

Nice video. I did the first 6 miles in June 2018. It Was awesome.Did you see an abandoned blue tent around mile 3-4 ?I was two chicken to check it out but I think it was a water drop point.

[@EricHeber]

Thanks! No I remember seeing that.

[@kerrioliver9113]

Me and my fiancée are planning a section hike May 24th through June 3rd. We plan on doing 8 to 10 miles a day so 90ish miles. Your video has been the most help that I have see this far. You had mentioned that you had a resupply box waiting at the Queen Wilhemena Lodge we have been talking about how we are going to pack 10 days worth of food in. Did you just call the Lodge and let them know that you was going to be mailing a package there? This would really be beneficial to us as we also plan on staying at the lodge on day 5.

[@EricHeber]

Great I’m glad you’ve gotten some good info from this video. Yeah I just called the office and let them know when I would be arriving and that I was sending a resupply there.

[@kerrioliver9113]

@@EricHeber thanks so much!

[@JeffWainwright-qj1xo]

Hey Brother we moved from Louisiana to Arkansas about a year ago and the wife and I are planning our Ouachita trail hike. We have to section hike it but we will get it done eventually. Did you have any trouble with ticks out there?

[@texashikeaholicsadventures5651]

How were the water crossings in section 2? We are trying to plan our next trip, but wondering how bad the water crossings are in the winter. Thanks for sharing!

[@EricHeber]

None of them were that bad. Just need to get your feet wet a few times.

[@peteweisell1361]

Can you give us a list of what you packed with you, food and clothing-wise?

[@EricHeber]

Yes, I plan to do a video on the gear I used and my food planning.

[@jhlawnservice2243]

Great video! What did you use to shoot the video with?

[@EricHeber]

Just my iPhone 8 Plus and a little device called a SticPic. Allows me to attach my phone to my trekking pole.

[@nadiastewart30]

Hey. Enjoyed the videos. Im wanting to thru hike this trail. Where did you resupply? No one will answer my question lol. Please reply.

[@EricHeber]

Sorry haven’t been active in here lately. Did you find answers about resupply?

[@buheebam]

Does anyone know how he passed away?

[@Jaznliving08]

Great video! I'm planning to hike the OT in October mostly alone. Is there anything you wish you would have brought, or left behind? Also, is there a specific reason you headed east instead of west?

[@EricHeber]

Thanks for watching and I hope this series helps you on your hike! The only thing I wish I would've brought is my stove. I tried going stoveless on this trip for the first time and I wouldn't do it again. The lack of camping near lake Maumelle made is why I chose to go east - west.

[@Jaznliving08]

@@EricHeber Good to know! Thank you! I'm bringing my stove for sure. I'm planning on backpacking the Louisiana Trail, or something like it, to test all my gear a few weeks before in September. I'm located in Shreveport, are there any 20+ mile trails that you would personally recommend?

[@EricHeber]

I wouldn’t recommend the Louisiana trail. It’s basically a 60 mile dirt road. Check out my video on the Kisatchie Loop. There is an alternate that is 28 miles

[@Jaznliving08]

@@EricHeber Thanks for the heads-up!

[@4cornersoftheworldexploreo188]

our goal is to go 15 to 20 miles a day. question people are freaked about bear. Do you think they will be active in February?

[@theveefit]

4cornersoftheworld Exploreoklahoma i would. 👀

[@thomasanderson9296]

Pahsubbe to State Line..."pretty easy day". What ever!

[@EricHeber]

Haha did I say that? #fakenews

[@robertwyatt553]

I do not see this guide on Guthooks...what am I missing?

[@EricHeber]

Download the Guthook app and choose the Arkansas Mountains. Then select which trail guide to purchase.

[@wegder]

Was it a fairly lonely hike?

[@EricHeber]

Well I met someone hiking the trail on the first day and we hiked most of the trail together. Other than that I didn’t see many ppl hiking the trail.

[@brettranatza6817]

Are you interested in going back in 2024 for the total solar eclipse. BTW I'm from Louisiana too NOLA baby! I'm going to Longleaf Vista Backbone today.

[@EricHeber]

Very cool! Those are some great trails up there. Honestly I haven’t thought about the total eclipse but now it’s on my radar!

[@brettranatza6817]

@@EricHeber well maybe we can go together I'm trying to get a group.

[@EricHeber]

Keep me in the loop

[@mattmcconnell6703]

Nice hike. Thanks for sharing. Sorry some jerk stole all of your good hats. But at least that crappy black Arkansas hat was laying around

[@testodude]

I think that's a crappy black Alabama hat.

[@EricHeber]

Hahaha

[@mattmcconnell6703]

It definitely is. But you know, those AL boys take more offense to not being recognized this way. LOL

[@testodude]

@@mattmcconnell6703 Good one. Went right over my head.

[@EricHeber]

Everyone hates Alabama...we get it haha

[@Kirbythediver]

Hey an update, I hate watching hiking videos. I have a year left in school and can't watch these as they make me wish upon the future. Good video

[@EricHeber]

Hahaha yeah I know the feeling. Thanks!

[@MaddenNature]

Hey I live like 2 hours from this trail. I would love to hike it and really do it! Anyone interested???

[@theveefit]

ReeceMadden I would love to but not in shape yet. I will be visiting this Trail in the AKpart.

[@MaddenNature]

Vegana Fit haha literally the same! I just started working out today for the first time in a long while! Get to it girl! Lol my Instagram is reecemadden if you want to see that I’m not a weirdo and maybe could hike some miles one day hahah 😂

[@USMC6976]

@@theveefit Don't worry about it. A few days on the trail and you'll start getting in shape. :) I live in the Mena Ar area and hope to do some of the trail soon. I hope to hit some of the trail around the Talimina Lodge for a couple of days to test my gear.

[@USMC6976]

I'd be interested in a few days, maybe longer if my old body can handle it.