Ozark National Forest - 12/15

[codertimt]

I finally got out for another day trip on 12/15. Went out to do a little scouting based on trails the latest MVUM shows. My previous trip made me think I was going to be able to cover much more ground than I ended up being able to cover.

This links to a map of where I actually traveled. Goal was big loop above the wilderness area...didn't get anywhere close to that...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http://glastronowners.com/roads/scouting_actual.kml&sll=35.476888,-92.82074&sspn=0.797362,1.051941&ie=UTF8&ll=35.666222,-92.896271&spn=0.795485,1.051941&t=h&z=10

Forgot my camera, so everything is off my phone...some turned out okay though...

First up was 1368 coming off of gravel road 1304. Not the most scenic at first as it starts off in come cut areas... Pretty quickly closes in and becomes a nice little trail. Anything midsize or smaller should be fine...as always on these roads expect some scratches.

Trail does need some cleanup however. I was ill equipped for such endeavors having no saw or even a snatch block to properly drag stuff.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-PqWXED8I/AAAAAAAAB7E/eBaJISWOq_M/s800/2010-12-15%2009.52.05.jpg

However there were existing bypasses for these areas. Santa brought me some recovery gear early, so I might head back and try to clear these "easy to fix" areas.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-PwXaTnkI/AAAAAAAAB7I/8Yj9ZwOELlE/s800/2010-12-15%2009.52.24.jpg

Only problem with some of the by passes is that they were sometimes tighter than the actual trail...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-P9cgT_0I/AAAAAAAAB7U/wFxoHOuJp6c/s800/2010-12-15%2010.10.53.jpg

Some different areas..
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-P4AYrmWI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/FKRGxYas47I/s800/2010-12-15%2010.04.20.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-QAlqPtmI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/PFJa6xClixY/s800/2010-12-15%2010.17.51.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-QJMD7eII/AAAAAAAAB7g/Nm8dKtUadS4/s800/2010-12-15%2010.55.59.jpg

Exit of the trail and I find this...
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-QYDmnqlI/AAAAAAAAB78/f3GYoFi_mdc/s800/2010-12-15%2011.12.26.jpg
Again, necessary bypass...and back onto the gravel.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-QbL-ei8I/AAAAAAAAB8A/ZGjW1wH6imc/s800/2010-12-15%2011.12.30.jpg

Went up a service road to the peak of White Oak Mtn. No real view from this point though...just some towers disappearing into the fog...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-Qc2uBjmI/AAAAAAAAB8E/taE4sRTwgOw/s800/2010-12-15%2011.18.27.jpg

Supposed to be a path down the other side...hmm call it an ATV trail, but the briers would be painful...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-Qh-p3RCI/AAAAAAAAB8I/ejfU5R8M_Ts/s800/2010-12-15%2011.22.28.jpg

Better view is from the main road 1304, couple picnic tables too. Need some trash pickup around here...again, ill prepared...no trash bags...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-QjyGF9xI/AAAAAAAAB8M/vYgXyAWoWbs/s800/2010-12-15%2011.29.08.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-QnayDT4I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/z-vehhCHFNA/s800/2010-12-15%2011.29.12.jpg

Next took 1364 up to 93034K. 1364 is fine with a couple grassy areas where hunters have set up shop, so wouldn't be a good trail during any hunting season. But once I hit 93034 things went downhill...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-Q_E7PRPI/AAAAAAAAB8s/zSE7uvOzJaY/s800/2010-12-15%2012.19.37.jpg

Yes, barely fit.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-RCYiY6HI/AAAAAAAAB8w/aTnu4Z3We04/s800/2010-12-15%2012.20.37.jpg

More and more narrow...
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-RGKEbpOI/AAAAAAAAB84/wufwQkOG2EQ/s800/2010-12-15%2012.25.08.jpg

Until, this point... a Side by Side ATV might fit without dropping a wheel off the left side...the jeep is a no go...
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-RKfFAtlI/AAAAAAAAB88/ic6IFtCsngA/s800/2010-12-15%2012.29.52.jpg

Of course this is the "road" as it continues past that point...I'm saying this is officially ATV only...no through path for highway vehicles...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-RPkfKqMI/AAAAAAAAB9A/4wNyVoN-xgU/s800/2010-12-15%2012.30.20.jpg

So I backtracked, and headed up 1325 trying to get north still and again trails got narrow and just pretty much ended on me. When I got where I couldn't walk down the middle of the trail without branches scraping my on both sides, I called it too narrow.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-RTB8ILyI/AAAAAAAAB9E/3LmzKOPejcg/s800/2010-12-15%2014.09.14.jpg

Finally decided to just try to head west and get to Hwy 27. Then saw a rocky path I had to try...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-TM3m0gHI/AAAAAAAAB9U/BVUBbJ78enM/s800/2010-12-15%2014.31.29.jpg

Then I ran into this and thought I was once again blocked.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-PQiLoCLI/AAAAAAAAB7A/U-o34yMA2jk/s800/video-2010-12-15-14-32-46.jpg

Closer inspection showed it was passable, but with a drop on the left probably not the best decision to try without a spotter...and no backing back down past it...with some largish rocks on the uphill side to get over past the downed tree. So of course I went for it. Was fairly uneventful, but adrenaline filled nonetheless...
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-TQUpcAGI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/hOEZkoGmisI/s800/2010-12-15%2014.41.20.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-TXSDdWDI/AAAAAAAAB9k/YAZ6jZOJhT4/s800/2010-12-15%2014.42.01.jpg

I was rewarded with this...much easier approach from the other side, but wouldn't have came by it otherwise...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-TaFmkKXI/AAAAAAAAB9o/8ONKO8SHW2Y/s800/2010-12-15%2014.48.59.jpg

Decided to try 1344 and see if I could hit 27 further north and finally managed to find a through path. Nice shallow water crossing at the end...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-TbtI0BTI/AAAAAAAAB9s/6vCHxE8hpqo/s800/2010-12-15%2015.22.07.jpg

And the last shot of the day...I have no idea where this actually happened...like I said the trails were narrow...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TQ-TjwxLpDI/AAAAAAAAB94/vYVWu0dMtX4/s800/2010-12-15%2015.44.28.jpg

So somewhat disappointing in that I didn't cover near the ground I wanted to, but not a complete loss. I did find a neat little camp area, a couple of nice trails and a few routes to mark off as they don't go through for anything bigger than an ATV...

A few more pics here (http://picasaweb.google.com/codertimt/OzarkMtnTrails1215#)if you're interested...

[prerunner1982]

Looks like a nice area... would love to come out that way and join you..

[4.3LXJ]

That is the thing about exploring, sometimes you find some good stuff, sometimes not. Sounds like a chainsaw is standard equipment on these trails.

[codertimt]

That is the thing about exploring, sometimes you find some good stuff, sometimes not. Sounds like a chainsaw is standard equipment on these trails.

That and a very relaxed attitude about scratches...


Looks like a nice area... would love to come out that way and join you..

My wife works weekend nights so to get away without the kids I end up having to take off and head out during the week...makes it's hard to coordinate with most folks... I'm going to try a trip out with the kids at some point, but I'm just not sure how they're going to react to it...

As a side note, check out the Central States section of the expedition portal forums, they're pretty much doing a spring and fall overnight run through the region. I'm not sure if I'm up for such a big group yet though...

[4.3LXJ]

That and a very relaxed attitude about scratches...



My wife works weekend nights so to get away without the kids I end up having to take off and head out during the week...makes it's hard to coordinate with most folks... I'm going to try a trip out with the kids at some point, but I'm just not sure how they're going to react to it...

Just pack them up and take them along. I started doing that when they were i car seats. They loved it. Now we are a three generation wheeling family. My granddaughter is claiming one of the rigs as her very own and telling us to get our own. That is what we get for letting an 11 year old drive once in awhile.

[IMG]http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/HUM%20WEE/th_MVI_0824.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

[codertimt]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm thinking hard about heading back out tomorrow, 12/30. Supposed to be a break in the rain and this is likely to be the last chance I get for a month or so to go out because work is going to be starting back up at a good pace for me after New Years...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fglastronowners.com%2Froads%2Fbigpiney _east_1230.kml&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.36116,67.060547&ie=UTF8&ll=35.517697,-92.885971&spn=0.093613,0.130978&t=h&z=13

Same basic path as the last trip. Plan on trying to clean the smaller deadfalls on 1368 this time and not waste too much time finding an interesting path north so that I can actually make it up to 1347, etc...

Late notice I know, don't think there really anyone on here close enough to make such a short notice run, but thought I'd post it up anyway. If there's any interest we could meet up at either the I40 exits at Morrilton or Atkins depending on where you might be coming from... Probably looking at a 8-5ish type day. Get started not too late, and be back on the highway before dark.

[PolarXJ]

Nice pics, I beat thats a great trail to go on in the fall with all the colors.

[codertimt]

Well, I made my return trip and at least did a little work this time. I have two chainsaws at home, neither of which are currently running, so I brought this little 18v Black and Decker my wife brought home last year. I made fun of it at first, but this little guy did just fine for stuff up to about 5" in diameter. Brought two batteries with one always on the charger... That combined with my new recover gear allowed me to clean a little at least.

Started out up the same trail as last time. Quickly realized that my equipement wasn't going to be adequate for everything...

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU60Pyz0MI/AAAAAAAAB_w/e-tEC-smmas/s800/IMG_9474.JPG

I did clean some little stuff and then finally came upon something I could handle... This one was a good one to clear also, because previously I had to bypass the bypass because it was to narrow...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU625eBhMI/AAAAAAAAB_4/ICUlRDIn0Vo/s800/IMG_9480.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU68H-p9lI/AAAAAAAACAA/tISw6gk7AMw/s800/IMG_9482.JPG

And done!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU6_JgDPAI/AAAAAAAACAE/0_0rqwnENpA/s800/IMG_9483.JPG

Oh yeah, did I mention it was foggy...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7AW3lRFI/AAAAAAAACAI/nX4Ou2W0Bvo/s800/IMG_9485.JPG

Next goal was to find The Blue Hole. Just after a rain, so I thought the water might be running pretty good. So I once again headed up into the area I had so much trouble with last time, this time taking 1329 up to 93033J. Once again I made it a bit, but then ran into something to big for me to handle alone...

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7DR2GVpI/AAAAAAAACAM/TsBz7YwKMoQ/s800/IMG_9486.JPG

So back out I came. There is one more route to attempt, but not today if I want to make it further north like planned, so I hit the gravel road(1304) and headed west. Was just going to run all the way down to Hwy 27, but noticed it took a big loop out of the way, so I decided to head back up 1344 like I did last time. In hindsight it was only like 4 miles further and gravel road/hwy versus trails, but this was more fun...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7HG7AalI/AAAAAAAACAQ/5HYCTSqgjLU/s800/IMG_9488.JPG

Ran up 27 to FR 93057D down to FR 1312C over to 93056D. Ran along and crossed the Middle Illinois Bayou so I tried to get a few pics...

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7SPWDpyI/AAAAAAAACAg/X-DTVw95-mM/s800/IMG_9496.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7bOXSvlI/AAAAAAAACAw/2J8GQCGMvBc/s800/IMG_9505.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7lfj0vsI/AAAAAAAACBA/jgdtNhHWmtM/s800/_MG_9517.JPG

No problem through most of here...little tight ever once in awhile and some steep climbs and descents.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU72DFOZPI/AAAAAAAACBU/EjJ-5AbpTAA/s800/IMG_9531.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU799jfNXI/AAAAAAAACBc/TknBxDDZbmk/s800/IMG_9534.JPG

Looped around and tried to go further up 1312C, but was rejected by some BIG pine deadfalls. By this time it was getting late-ish in the afternoon, so I decided to see if I could get down 1312C.

More water.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8McZlo7I/AAAAAAAACBs/7HwVLQeYVA0/s800/IMG_9542.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8Tv16LJI/AAAAAAAACB4/gIH-5NOpEMQ/s800/_MG_9547.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8WtCOZuI/AAAAAAAACB8/BTWsCEB1wjA/s800/_MG_9548.JPG

Also found this. Noticed there was a bypass around this hole, and it did flit through my head "hmm, wonder why there is a bypass". But I pulled through fine..
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8d6HoEcI/AAAAAAAACCE/12t4rliGuAU/s800/IMG_9556.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8ZSJmEDI/AAAAAAAACCA/DPVChwJhkdY/s800/IMG_9555.JPG

It crossed some private property in one place, but on the side I came in it was only posted "no hunting"...the other side however had "no trespassing" signs. Really need to find out about the laws regarding existing Forest Service roads and private property...whether the road is passable from some sort of easement law or not... I did find this wall there...love stone walls in the middle of the wood for some reason...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8t5Y9f5I/AAAAAAAACCY/xXenkYKIsfk/s800/_MG_9565.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU9HRuxs4I/AAAAAAAACCk/RW9zwK3U7tM/s800/_MG_9570.JPG

Got back to the highway pretty uneventfully and headed south and east back towards the house.

Pretty good day overall. Made a couple little videos of one of the water crossings(nothing major, just up to the bumpers...) and one of the descents. Can hardly tell I'm going downhill though...and I'm sure not really steep for the serious offroaders, but got this beginners blood pumping...

FErIxrTZBNA
Sq6sIq55NK0

A few more pics here (http://picasaweb.google.com/codertimt/OzarkNationalForest12302010#)...

[4.3LXJ]

Thanks for the pics. I guess you need to get those saws running.

[Mudderoy]

Well, I made my return trip and at least did a little work this time. I have two chainsaws at home, neither of which are currently running, so I brought this little 18v Black and Decker my wife brought home last year. I made fun of it at first, but this little guy did just fine for stuff up to about 5" in diameter. Brought two batteries with one always on the charger... That combined with my new recover gear allowed me to clean a little at least.

Started out up the same trail as last time. Quickly realized that my equipement wasn't going to be adequate for everything...

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU60Pyz0MI/AAAAAAAAB_w/e-tEC-smmas/s800/IMG_9474.JPG

I did clean some little stuff and then finally came upon something I could handle... This one was a good one to clear also, because previously I had to bypass the bypass because it was to narrow...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU625eBhMI/AAAAAAAAB_4/ICUlRDIn0Vo/s800/IMG_9480.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU68H-p9lI/AAAAAAAACAA/tISw6gk7AMw/s800/IMG_9482.JPG

And done!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU6_JgDPAI/AAAAAAAACAE/0_0rqwnENpA/s800/IMG_9483.JPG

Oh yeah, did I mention it was foggy...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7AW3lRFI/AAAAAAAACAI/nX4Ou2W0Bvo/s800/IMG_9485.JPG

Next goal was to find The Blue Hole. Just after a rain, so I thought the water might be running pretty good. So I once again headed up into the area I had so much trouble with last time, this time taking 1329 up to 93033J. Once again I made it a bit, but then ran into something to big for me to handle alone...

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7DR2GVpI/AAAAAAAACAM/TsBz7YwKMoQ/s800/IMG_9486.JPG

So back out I came. There is one more route to attempt, but not today if I want to make it further north like planned, so I hit the gravel road(1304) and headed west. Was just going to run all the way down to Hwy 27, but noticed it took a big loop out of the way, so I decided to head back up 1344 like I did last time. In hindsight it was only like 4 miles further and gravel road/hwy versus trails, but this was more fun...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7HG7AalI/AAAAAAAACAQ/5HYCTSqgjLU/s800/IMG_9488.JPG

Ran up 27 to FR 93057D down to FR 1312C over to 93056D. Ran along and crossed the Middle Illinois Bayou so I tried to get a few pics...

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7SPWDpyI/AAAAAAAACAg/X-DTVw95-mM/s800/IMG_9496.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7bOXSvlI/AAAAAAAACAw/2J8GQCGMvBc/s800/IMG_9505.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU7lfj0vsI/AAAAAAAACBA/jgdtNhHWmtM/s800/_MG_9517.JPG

No problem through most of here...little tight ever once in awhile and some steep climbs and descents.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU72DFOZPI/AAAAAAAACBU/EjJ-5AbpTAA/s800/IMG_9531.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU799jfNXI/AAAAAAAACBc/TknBxDDZbmk/s800/IMG_9534.JPG

Looped around and tried to go further up 1312C, but was rejected by some BIG pine deadfalls. By this time it was getting late-ish in the afternoon, so I decided to see if I could get down 1312C.

More water.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8McZlo7I/AAAAAAAACBs/7HwVLQeYVA0/s800/IMG_9542.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8Tv16LJI/AAAAAAAACB4/gIH-5NOpEMQ/s800/_MG_9547.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8WtCOZuI/AAAAAAAACB8/BTWsCEB1wjA/s800/_MG_9548.JPG

Also found this. Noticed there was a bypass around this hole, and it did flit through my head "hmm, wonder why there is a bypass". But I pulled through fine..
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8d6HoEcI/AAAAAAAACCE/12t4rliGuAU/s800/IMG_9556.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8ZSJmEDI/AAAAAAAACCA/DPVChwJhkdY/s800/IMG_9555.JPG

It crossed some private property in one place, but on the side I came in it was only posted "no hunting"...the other side however had "no trespassing" signs. Really need to find out about the laws regarding existing Forest Service roads and private property...whether the road is passable from some sort of easement law or not... I did find this wall there...love stone walls in the middle of the wood for some reason...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU8t5Y9f5I/AAAAAAAACCY/xXenkYKIsfk/s800/_MG_9565.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QFsKJezRHFc/TSU9HRuxs4I/AAAAAAAACCk/RW9zwK3U7tM/s800/_MG_9570.JPG

Got back to the highway pretty uneventfully and headed south and east back towards the house.

Pretty good day overall. Made a couple little videos of one of the water crossings(nothing major, just up to the bumpers...) and one of the descents. Can hardly tell I'm going downhill though...and I'm sure not really steep for the serious offroaders, but got this beginners blood pumping...

FErIxrTZBNA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FErIxrTZBNA)
Sq6sIq55NK0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq6sIq55NK0)

A few more pics here (http://picasaweb.google.com/codertimt/OzarkNationalForest12302010#)...

Wood (get it?) it be too redundant to yell TREE!

[codertimt]

Wood (get it?) it be too redundant to yell TREE!

I'm getting so tired of being stopped by downed trees, I've started yelling other things. :mad0090:

Hunters on ATVs are the primary users of most of these trails, so any bypass is quite likely not large enough. That last tree pic was right after a switchback and there was a bypass straight down that I probably could have made but decided not to risk it. It involved a large tree on one side and a rock with about an 18" drop on the other. Should be able to clear that under the quarter panel, but any slip would have put me into the tree. So with the distinct possibility of just being stopped a little bit further on, I used my "good sense" as my wife calls it and backtracked out...

[BrianXJ]

nice looks a lot like here in Norh Caroina

[codertimt]

nice looks a lot like here in Norh Caroina

Yep, minus a few thousand feet in elevation the Ozarks do favor the Smokies a bit...