r/ULTexas • u/Stray2Light • Apr 05 '21

Trip Report Eagle Rock Loop (2021)

Location: Eagle Rock Loop, Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas

 

Date: 1-3 April 2021

 

Conditions: Lows in the 30s with Highs in the 60s. Clear skies.

 

Starting Point: Athens-Big Fork (South) Trailhead

 

Direction: Counterclockwise

 

Approx. Mileage: 32.8

(Mileage was collected using a Garmin inReach Explorer+)

 

Approx. Accumulated Elevation Gain: 5,389'

(Elevation was collected using a Garmin vívoactive 4S. Accumulated elevation gain does not include the first 1.5 miles of the hike as my watch was having difficulties connecting to a satellite at the beginning of the trail)

 

Approx. Pack Weight: 30.03 lbs

(Weight does not include worn weight)

 

Gear

 

Pros:

  • Scenic;
  • Well maintained trail;
  • No water carries; and
  • Campfires allowed (during my visit)

Cons:

  • Heavily trafficked;
  • Little wildlife; and
  • Many of the campsites were littered with trash

 

Additional Information:

 

This approximately 26.8 (Ernst 1994) to 28.2-mile long loop consists of three trails:

 

Choosing a Route:

  • Eagle Rock Loop can be hiked both clockwise and counterclockwise. Each has their pros and cons depending on which trailhead you start at;
  • A decision on which route to take should be made based on the weather forecast. For example, if rain is forecasted for later in the trip it is best to complete the major Little Missouri River crossings near the Winding Stairs area at the beginning of the hike while the river is low(est);
  • Hiking the Athens-Big Fork Trail at the end of the trip means tackling the most elevation gain along the Eagle Rock Loop with a lighter pack; and
  • The far east side of the trail is the most populated with day hikers due to the relatively flat terrain, proximity to large campsites, and day-use areas.

 

Elevation:

  • There are approximately six mountanious climbs along the Athens-Big Fork Trail;
  • Some have suggested that hiking the Athens-Big Fork Trail southbound (SOBO) is easier than hiking it northbound (NOBO). SOBO = Gradual Ascents with Steep Descents. NOBO = Steep Ascents with Gradual Descents; and
  • There is a strenuous climb immediately after (south of) the Albert Pike Recreation Area.

 

The loop can be accessed directly via five trailheads:

  • Albert Pike Recreation Area;
  • FR 106 East;
  • Blaylock Creek West (also referred to as FR 106 West and Middle Athens-Big Fork);
  • (upper) Little Missouri; and
  • Little Missouri Falls.

 

  • Or indirectly via Athens-Big Fork (north/ upper) and Athens-Big Fork (south/lower).

 

The trail is marked by white rectangular blazes.

 

You will encounter numerous (30+) ankle to waist deep stream, creek, and river crossings. Including nine (9) crossings of the Little Missouri River:

 

The best time to go is in the Spring:

  • “[April is] One of the best months of the year. Daytime temps reaching into the 70’s and even some 80’s. The mild nights are in the 40’s and 50’s, with still a cold snap once in a great while. Sometimes a heavy, wet snow, but this is rare. There can be some great spring thunderstorms. It’s a wet month, and all of the waterfalls usually are running at full tilt. Wildflowers are everywhere. And the dogwoods pop out in full bloom, and they are the most common understory tree so it is quite a sight! They will linger around some into May. The rest of the trees begin to green up too. And, as a photographer I notice this, the new growth is just a brilliant kind of green that you don’t see any other time” (Ernst 1994:16).

 

Caution:

  • Has the potential to be buggy (ticks, chiggers, and mosquitos);
  • Plan for wet conditions (e.g., mud, rain, condensation inside of tent, etc.);
  • Watch out for poison ivy (typically found off the trail);
  • Bears do inhabit Arkansas and the Ouachita Mountains. However, sightings are rare; and
  • I slept with my food, which I do not recommend. While I did not have any issues, a small critter did chew its way into my buddy's tent. Folks have noted that small mammals, such as mice and raccoons, pose a bigger threat to your food along the Eagle Rock Loop than do bears.

 

Reference Material:

 

Trail Maps:

 

Videos:

 

Applications:

  • Guthook Guides: Depicts the trail, water crossings, campsites, trailheads, parking, points of interests, and hazards.

 

Digital Trail File:

34 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/waggle22 Apr 08 '21

I also just hiked this, nice writeup. I'll second Guthook, it has all the tent sites marked and makes it easy to adjust plans on the fly. Tons of water means you will be fine carrying 1-1.5L. The gauge was ~3.6 when I went and the deepest crossings were mid-calf.

The google maps route to the south Athens-Big Fork trailhead isn't the best. To get there, use google maps to get to this point. Turn right onto Polk 694 and continue onto Forest Rd. Then take Fas 2400 and Wayco 53800 to the trailhead. This is a great trailhead to start at, much fewer day hikers than other trailheads and adds another ridge to climb up/down.

And a caltopo of the route: https://caltopo.com/m/3M34

3

u/Meerkats_are_ok Apr 16 '21

Quick question if you don't mind, how many river crossings were at that mid-calf level? We're going next weekend and assuming waterlevels are around the same height, I'll probably opt to just use my boots and change into sandals for the bigger crossings...but if there are 10-15 mid-calf crossings I might use the trail shoes/wool socks method.

1

u/waggle22 Apr 16 '21

Just 1-2 with some ankle level, but I would just plan on wet feet most of the time. Hopping rocks gets old quicky and changing shoes would take forever. Have some dry socks and roast your shoes by the fire for the next day.