We're heading out on the OHT in a couple of weeks and then on to the Ouachita Trail and I can't wait! Looks really beautiful and no snow which is especially exciting for me
@@OklahomoHiker It went great I finished the Ouachita Trail yesterday and ended up doing half of the OHT too I'll be back to the area so gorgeous and the people were amazing Really a great trail it just needs hikers
Super glad I found your channel! Hoping to do the OT this fall when I get back from the PCT! I’ve been wanting to do more hiking around OK and Arkansas, and you’ve already given me a list!
Oh, I’m so glad you enjoy the videos and are getting some ideas. You’ll have to stop by and tell me how you enjoyed the hikes when you get a chance to do them. The best hiking weather of the year is coming soon. I’m definitely a fall/winter fan here.
"anything is better with spam... on the trail anyway." LOL. We feel the same. Getting ready for a Ouachita Trail hike as a family and really appreciate your video's focus on the terrain- this is exactly what I was hoping to see-- a video that focuses on the trail so we can see some of what it's like. Thanks!
Agreed on the Spam comment! 😋 I’m so glad the video is useful! I hope your OT hike is so much fun. Tell me all about it when you’ve finished. I’d love to hear how you all enjoyed it!
I have hiked that part of the Ouachita twice, once solo when I was in my 30's and in top shape and once with a lawyer from Chicago who made it is retirement hike. That was tougher as I was recovering from shoulder surgery. It is my favorite place to hike in the area as I live north of there about 2 hours, still in Oklahoma.
Oh, that’s awesome! I’m in Tulsa so just a couple of hours away myself. It’s so nice to have the Ouachitas such a short drive away. How much of the trail did you get to do each time?
Great video of Section1 Paul! I literally laughed when you talked about the rocks while sitting at Rock Garden. I adopted miles 12.5 to 16.8 specifically because of the rocks....I'll get right on moving them! 🤣
Instantly subscribed for you channel name, staying for the content! Moving to OK soon, can't wait to get out there, thank you so much for your resources.
Oh, that will be a neat time to see it! The leaves will still be off, the plants won’t have overgrown anything, and the temperature should be pretty nice. Good luck on the hike! I’m doing the last 100ish miles next month.
About to bust out this section while the weathers nice ! Thanks again for the video! The info on water and shelters is great ! And the meat grinder! Haha stay safe!
According to Tim Ernst, the reason they can't move rocks in that Winding Stair area to make smoother trail path is because of an endangered snail. You would think they could check round the rocks and move them carefully...? Maybe that would make the process too slow and arduous to be worthwhile...? I'm planning a thru hike this coming fall. My plan on paper is to hike to the Holson Valley shelter on day 1. I know it is an ambitious goal to try to bite off, but I think I can do it. I'm going to have to try to put in some practice and training to do it. Well done and thank you for your video. It's helpful to see what to expect for that section.
It would be a massive undertaking to move the rocks from the path, and the challenge is kind of fun. I don’t think getting to Holson Valley would be too much for one day. It’s tough but doable. Let me know how it goes! I’d love to hear about your adventure!
@@OklahomoHiker So, this video popped up in my feed again. Here's the update. I started at Talimena on November 26th. I started a day earlier than I had planned to, but the start time was later in the day, so I made it to Rock Garden on Day 1. I popped my pad overnight that night by sleeping with my CNOC bag in my sleep system (it dipped into the 20s that night, and I was worried it would freeze). I got up to pee in the night and my leg pressed against the plastic clip on the end of the CNOC. In spite of that, I still managed to sleep halfway decently. Day 2, Winding Stair where I met 3 new friends. Day 3, tent site in the Kiamichi valley, Day 4, Queen W for resupply. I took a zero because there were thunderstorms all day the next day. Made it to Hwy 27 by the afternoon of Day 9, and I decided to get off trail. I thought I had repaired my pad at Queen W, but it had a slow leak the whole rest of the trip. My feet were battered and bruised, and I had bad chaffing. Early Feb, I started back at Hwy 27 and hiked to Hwy 7 in 3 days. Then on Feb 29th, I started the final stretch and finished at Pinnacle on March 2nd. It was not the single run/thru hike I had planned, but I still feel good about it. I learned a lot and I'm looking forward to more trails and different kinds of trips where I'm not so focused on cranking out miles just to finish a long trail.
We are new to Oklahoma and hiking, just wanted to say your videos are so helpful and just a joy to watch! Thank you! Quick question please, Do you feel it necessary take any precautions for bears in this area?
Welcome to Oklahoma! I’m so glad you enjoy the videos. Thank you for the kind comment! Regarding bears, they are rare to see, though I come across their scat fairly often. Keeping your food in a bear proof canister is a good precaution. Beyond that, I take no extra precautions.
When you're hiking in the AR/OK region, do you fool with hanging your food at night or do you sleep with it? I grew up backpacking in the Caney Creek/ONF area in AR, and I had never heard of people hanging food until recently when I got back into backpacking as an adult. I know people who hike in areas where bears are more common do it, and it makes sense. I just wonder what others who hike primarily in this area do personally.
When I first started hiking out here I never messed with it at all. (Just out of not taking the issue seriously, honestly.) Anymore I hang it or occasionally bring a bear canister. I’ve seen enough bear scat and paw prints on my hikes to know they’re out there, and I don’t want to be the guy that gets a bear accustomed to getting food from a human. There are too few of them out there to coax one into becoming a nuisance to campers/hikers and have to put it down.
Thank you for this!!!! I'm doing it this weekend!
Oh, how exciting! I’d love to hear how it goes. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your hike. I will be doing the trail in Feb 2023. I cant wait!
Awesome! Are you doing the whole thing or checking out some sections?
@@OklahomoHiker I'm planning on doing the whole thing. Id love any advice or tips you have to offer.
I found your video massively helpful and enjoyable! Keep up the great content
Awwww, I’m so glad! Thank you for watching and for the kind comment. I hope you get out and explore that one for yourself. It’s sooooo pretty!
Thanks for sharing.... very nicely done.
Thank you! That view on the thumbnail for the video was one of the best (and coldest) all year long.
Going to be moving to Oklahoma next year glad I found your channel I'm excited to live in a state with mountains again
That's awesome! What part of Oklahoma are you moving to? Theres something pretty not tooooo far from just about anywhere in the state.
@@OklahomoHiker broken Arrow 😁
@@rorycolgan Right down the road from me and two hours to the Ozarks or the Ouachitas. Perfect!
@@OklahomoHiker thank you!
We're heading out on the OHT in a couple of weeks and then on to the Ouachita Trail and I can't wait! Looks really beautiful and no snow which is especially exciting for me
I hope you had the best time! How’d it go?
@@OklahomoHiker It went great I finished the Ouachita Trail yesterday and ended up doing half of the OHT too I'll be back to the area so gorgeous and the people were amazing Really a great trail it just needs hikers
Super glad I found your channel! Hoping to do the OT this fall when I get back from the PCT! I’ve been wanting to do more hiking around OK and Arkansas, and you’ve already given me a list!
Oh, I’m so glad you enjoy the videos and are getting some ideas. You’ll have to stop by and tell me how you enjoyed the hikes when you get a chance to do them. The best hiking weather of the year is coming soon. I’m definitely a fall/winter fan here.
"anything is better with spam... on the trail anyway."
LOL. We feel the same.
Getting ready for a Ouachita Trail hike as a family and really appreciate your video's focus on the terrain- this is exactly what I was hoping to see-- a video that focuses on the trail so we can see some of what it's like. Thanks!
Agreed on the Spam comment! 😋
I’m so glad the video is useful! I hope your OT hike is so much fun. Tell me all about it when you’ve finished. I’d love to hear how you all enjoyed it!
Loved your smile and energy through the whole video 🥰
Awwww, thank you. I’m happiest on the trail. 😊
Awesome valley view!
Glad to know the water situation ! I’ll have to check this section out !
I have hiked that part of the Ouachita twice, once solo when I was in my 30's and in top shape and once with a lawyer from Chicago who made it is retirement hike. That was tougher as I was recovering from shoulder surgery. It is my favorite place to hike in the area as I live north of there about 2 hours, still in Oklahoma.
Oh, that’s awesome! I’m in Tulsa so just a couple of hours away myself. It’s so nice to have the Ouachitas such a short drive away. How much of the trail did you get to do each time?
@@OklahomoHiker I have, in sections, hiked all the Oklahoma side along with over to Highway 71 in Arkansas.
Planning a hike soon and this was so helpful! Thanks for a great video.
Oh, I’m so glad it was helpful! Good luck on the hike, and tell me all about it when you get back. It’s a great trail!
Achingly beautiful views. Can't wait to get out on the trail this winter!
It was pretty amazing to look up and see a lot of those views. Holson Valley will always be etched into my memory as a special place.
Great video of Section1 Paul! I literally laughed when you talked about the rocks while sitting at Rock Garden. I adopted miles 12.5 to 16.8 specifically because of the rocks....I'll get right on moving them! 🤣
Instantly subscribed for you channel name, staying for the content! Moving to OK soon, can't wait to get out there, thank you so much for your resources.
Awwww, this makes me so happy! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about good hiking options in the state. Good luck with the move!
@@OklahomoHiker Thank you, really excited and your videos are sooo helpful, we'll be going to Tulsa!
Loved your video! I'm in Oklahoma too! My friend and I are going to hike the entire trail in March next year.
Oh, that will be a neat time to see it! The leaves will still be off, the plants won’t have overgrown anything, and the temperature should be pretty nice. Good luck on the hike! I’m doing the last 100ish miles next month.
About to bust out this section while the weathers nice ! Thanks again for the video! The info on water and shelters is great ! And the meat grinder! Haha stay safe!
Just found out there were mountains in OK. Take me hiking (vicariously) since I don't live near there. 😅
According to Tim Ernst, the reason they can't move rocks in that Winding Stair area to make smoother trail path is because of an endangered snail. You would think they could check round the rocks and move them carefully...? Maybe that would make the process too slow and arduous to be worthwhile...?
I'm planning a thru hike this coming fall. My plan on paper is to hike to the Holson Valley shelter on day 1. I know it is an ambitious goal to try to bite off, but I think I can do it. I'm going to have to try to put in some practice and training to do it. Well done and thank you for your video. It's helpful to see what to expect for that section.
It would be a massive undertaking to move the rocks from the path, and the challenge is kind of fun.
I don’t think getting to Holson Valley would be too much for one day. It’s tough but doable. Let me know how it goes! I’d love to hear about your adventure!
@@OklahomoHiker So, this video popped up in my feed again. Here's the update. I started at Talimena on November 26th. I started a day earlier than I had planned to, but the start time was later in the day, so I made it to Rock Garden on Day 1. I popped my pad overnight that night by sleeping with my CNOC bag in my sleep system (it dipped into the 20s that night, and I was worried it would freeze). I got up to pee in the night and my leg pressed against the plastic clip on the end of the CNOC. In spite of that, I still managed to sleep halfway decently. Day 2, Winding Stair where I met 3 new friends. Day 3, tent site in the Kiamichi valley, Day 4, Queen W for resupply. I took a zero because there were thunderstorms all day the next day. Made it to Hwy 27 by the afternoon of Day 9, and I decided to get off trail. I thought I had repaired my pad at Queen W, but it had a slow leak the whole rest of the trip. My feet were battered and bruised, and I had bad chaffing. Early Feb, I started back at Hwy 27 and hiked to Hwy 7 in 3 days. Then on Feb 29th, I started the final stretch and finished at Pinnacle on March 2nd.
It was not the single run/thru hike I had planned, but I still feel good about it. I learned a lot and I'm looking forward to more trails and different kinds of trips where I'm not so focused on cranking out miles just to finish a long trail.
Nice video!! I have like that section in those rocks are in my opinion murderous LOL. Anyway good hike thanks for sharing.
Aren’t they, though?! I was certainly glad to be past them for the final leg of the trail after Holson Valley shelter.
We are new to Oklahoma and hiking, just wanted to say your videos are so helpful and just a joy to watch! Thank you! Quick question please, Do you feel it necessary take any precautions for bears in this area?
Welcome to Oklahoma! I’m so glad you enjoy the videos. Thank you for the kind comment!
Regarding bears, they are rare to see, though I come across their scat fairly often. Keeping your food in a bear proof canister is a good precaution. Beyond that, I take no extra precautions.
@@OklahomoHiker Thank you!
When you're hiking in the AR/OK region, do you fool with hanging your food at night or do you sleep with it? I grew up backpacking in the Caney Creek/ONF area in AR, and I had never heard of people hanging food until recently when I got back into backpacking as an adult. I know people who hike in areas where bears are more common do it, and it makes sense. I just wonder what others who hike primarily in this area do personally.
When I first started hiking out here I never messed with it at all. (Just out of not taking the issue seriously, honestly.) Anymore I hang it or occasionally bring a bear canister. I’ve seen enough bear scat and paw prints on my hikes to know they’re out there, and I don’t want to be the guy that gets a bear accustomed to getting food from a human. There are too few of them out there to coax one into becoming a nuisance to campers/hikers and have to put it down.
I wonder how long a person could hide out there without being found. 🤔
Oh, a long time if they chose a good spot and laid low, I suspect.
Oh yike the rocks....ankles beware. 😮
What address for the end of the trail ? So we can know where to park
The end of the whole trail? Or just a section?
@@OklahomoHiker either or probably just a section knew to this whole thing lol