Ouachita Trail - Section 9 (partial) Hwy 9 to Hwy 10 and Section 10 Hwy 10 to Pinnacle Mountain State Park - 30.7 miles

 

Woo Hoo!  The 223 miles of the Ouachita Trail slackpacking section hike complete!  Loved every step I took (with exception to the rocky parts) on the first four sections with Scotty, Rhonda and Lacey.  I was very fortunate to meet the Been's and Kristy Dodd who were super supportive on the last five sections.  Enjoyed getting to know them.  It is always fun to meet new people and hear about their adventures.   This adventure goes down in the books as one of my favorites.   At mile 223 - Pinnacle Mountain State Park, I would have been doing a happy dance if my feet would have allowed.   They were TIRED!  Plantar Fasciitis was flaring up with vengeance.

Bella, the Been's poodle, was a bonus hiker on the last four sections.  She hiked many miles with us and still had endless energy at the end of the day to play ball.  

I had heard from the beginning of my OT hike (West to East) that the further East we hiked it would get flatter and less rocky.  I did not find that to be true.  Section 9 and 10 were "mostly" easier, but still presented challenges, but it was not flat and rockless.

I can't help myself from begin distracted by all the beauty in the forest and love to capture it in photographs.  Every trip to the Ouachita Trail will offer new beauty each time.  

"You can visit the same trail twice but you’ll never take the same hike.” 

We had cool temps starting out each day, but ohhhhh the sunshine was so nice to warm us up!

Jones Family Restaurant in Perryville was perfect for lunch at the end of day 2.

Hikers told me that we would see beavers on Section 10.   We had to hike right smack dab in the middle of Beaverville.  We saw evidence of them, but I was glad I didn't see one it would have been way to up close and personal for me. 

On Day 2, Jodie and I had a couple of challenging water crossings.  I almost made it across without getting wet, but submerged one foot and fill my shoe with very cold water.  I am glad I had dry socks in my backpack.  It took a while for my feet to warm up at the end of day 2.  

We could see Pinnacle Mountain at our morning break on our last day.  We had 12 miles to go to finished the 223 miles. 

Lichenized fungi made an artistic design on the rocks. 

 

Pinnacle Mountain was getting closer and closer.  I had to give my feet a pep talk and wished I had a fireball shot to numb them.  Ibuprofen wasn't working.  (Note to self:  Add fireball shot to first aid kit - jk)   My legs felt great - it was my feet that were bonking.   I was super thankful for my trekking poles holding me up.  The cinder block feet syndrome was making it hard to take each step.   Even though my dogs were barking loud, I could still hear all the encouragement from Jodie and Kristy and it got me through.  WE MADE IT!

Our photographer suggested we pose in front of the sign on our knees and it sure felt wonderful to strength my tight legs, but when I tried to stand up it didn't feel so good.  The photos of us attempting to get up and down are so funny.  The carved art of the Ouachita Trail sign is very cool and I have noticed the artwork on several signs in Arkansas state parks but was unable to find out much about the artist.  

We talked about Razorback Pizza and Apple fritters the three days we hiked.  

 

   

The warmth felt wonderful to my feet, but got my crocs a little to close.

 The 3 night stay in our truck camper was very comfortable, but 3 nights was enough.  After the 3rd day of hiking, I stayed the night at the Holiday Inn in Morrillton.  On my travels home, I made some fun stops in Russellville and stopped by Lake Dardanelle.  I will be heading back in October.