Congratulations on finishing the OT Chris. This is another beautiful section of the trail. The storm you got on Friday I experienced Saturday on a one night trip in Citico Wilderness. When I got in the sleeping bag it was 61 degrees and a clear sky, but I was awakened during the night with thunder, lightning, wind and heavy rain. When I woke up in the morning it was 37 and snowing. The forecast called for only 4/100 inch of rain, but it rained so much that the calf deep creek I crossed on Saturday was upper thigh deep on Sunday. Not sure what the mice population is like in the shelters there, but here they will run along the back wall at night, so I sleep with my head toward the front of the shelter so the mice are running across my feet and not my face. Learned that lesson the hard way.
Thanks, Bryan! I enjoyed every step on the OT. Solitude can be hard to find, not on the OT. I crossed paths with around 25 people total in 223 miles. 13 of which were in one group. This trail (& shelters) is so sparsely used that I saw no signs of mice in or around the shelters, thankfully. I only stayed in 3 of the 21 shelters on trail, (prefer to tent) but man are they nice to have. Thanks for watching!
That is quite a bit of solitude and not very many people at all in 223 miles. Shelters sure can be nice during storms. One would have been nice Saturday night.
I've never seen footage of this trail. The variety of shots and commentary are much appreciated. That deer looked quite different than the ones we have out in California. Thanks, Chris!
Appreciate that, @nobodyhikes! The Ouachita Trail is a hidden gem here in the Interior Highlands, & that was a beautiful white-tailed Doe. California, the Sierra’s have been calling my name for awhile - one of these days!
I’m glad you showed some of Wilton Mountain. Yours is about the only video I can find that has any views from that section of the trail. It’s mostly just complaints about the hike up. Lol! I’m headed there tomorrow for a little day hike up and over the mountain and back. Hope you’re doing well, man. I enjoy your videos.
One of my favorite campsites on the OT is on top of Wilton Mountain. I was westbound on this section, climb not too bad. Eastbound appeared to be way more fun. Haha Hey thanks! Enjoy yours as well, have a great trip. I may revisit a section soon, love the OT!
Hey Chris, I know this was a while back but congratulations on finishing the OT. Really enjoyed this video. You had a few great campsites. I especially liked your site on night 1. I'm hoping to make it up that way late this year.
Thanks, Cam! Great campsite on Wilton Mtn for sure, & the shelters on the OT are awesome. Can’t wait to get back out there in March! What section of the OT are you looking at doing?
@@DixonHikes I'm honestly not sure. I've been lightly looking into it over the past month. It won't be until the end of this year but I should have enough time to do either one big section or possibly all of it. I'm going to dive deeper into your videos and some others and try to pick up more info.
Love to hear it! My favorite sections are definitely Oklahoma, & from Hwy 27 to Hwy 7. But it’s all pretty damn good. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out!
Thanks for all the work that goes into these videos and giving us a glimpse at what looks like an awesome trail. What a great feeling it must be to be able to hang your hat finishing!
Thanks, side trail! I enjoy showing the trail through my eyes & perspective. Loved every step on this 223 mile gem of a trail! I’m enjoying your Mountains to Sea hike - keep ‘em coming!
Thank ya sir! Really enjoyed Oklahoma & liked the finish @ TSP. Counting the miles down was pretty cool. Hmmm, what’s next - Possibly a Buffalo River Trail trip @ the end of this month. (I turn 40 🤯) & definitely planning on the Ozark Highlands Trail next fall-spring!
@@DixonHikes I remember the 40's -- you'll love it. I will wish you a happy birthday now old man. Planning to be back on the AT by the end of the month. Looking forward to more videos and who knows, maybe we will cross paths some day. The trail is long but it is narrow. 👍
Yep! If you ever want to check off backpacking in Oklahoma, this is the trail to do it. Also, check out the Talimena Scenic Byway! www.talimenascenicdrive.com/talimena-photo-gallery/
Congrats Chris! Great video! I hiked Rock Garden to Winding Stair Shelter eastbound. The shelters are awesome and this was such a gem section of trail! Still have 40 miles to finish someday.
Thank ya sir! I could see how going eastbound through there might be more difficult. I actually enjoyed the rocks, more fun than the climb out of Big Cedar to Winding Stair Shelter - 39 switchbacks?? I lost count.....
Thanks, Cook! 👊🏼 Oklahoma treated me well. Even the rocks. Haha. Big, beautiful country out your way - I’ve driven it a few times, but almost forgot how EPIC the Talimena Scenic Byway is. I couldn’t have picked a better time to do my OT section hike - water EVERYWHERE in those mountains from one end to the other. It might take another decade, but I’ll return to thru-hike it one of these days. Thanks for following along, & good luck as you push east! Let me know if you need a shuttle or anything the closer you get to Pinnacle.
Chris, great job buddy. Great finish to an awesome journey. Those rocks are no joke on that last section. Well now all that is left is to start planning for the OHT. Lol. I’ve started planning and will start in the fall. Hope to see you somewhere on the trail. Congrats again bud!!
Thank ya sir. 👊🏼 I’ve got a couple more trips in mind before the HEAT sets in. The OHT for sure starting next fall. We’re pretty lucky to have two long trails, to go along with so many other gorgeous areas here in Arkansas!
Ha. Are you listening to Clutch on the trail as well? I'm pretty sure, there have been a handful of Clutch songs pumping through my earbuds as I hike some long days on the trail.
Hey Chris, I just finished a 2 night trip in in Weminuche Wilderness in CO and headed back to TN, but I'm thinking about doing a 2 nighter out and back on the Q Trail in Oklahoma. Any suggestions?
Nice Bryan! All of the Oklahoma section of the OT is great - but if I was doing a 2 nighter I would head down in the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness, or the stretch between Big Cedar Creek & Winding Stair shelter for some nice views. Shoot me a text if you have any questions 501-351-3857. Hope you had a great trip out west!
Congratulations on finishing the OT Chris. This is another beautiful section of the trail. The storm you got on Friday I experienced Saturday on a one night trip in Citico Wilderness. When I got in the sleeping bag it was 61 degrees and a clear sky, but I was awakened during the night with thunder, lightning, wind and heavy rain. When I woke up in the morning it was 37 and snowing. The forecast called for only 4/100 inch of rain, but it rained so much that the calf deep creek I crossed on Saturday was upper thigh deep on Sunday. Not sure what the mice population is like in the shelters there, but here they will run along the back wall at night, so I sleep with my head toward the front of the shelter so the mice are running across my feet and not my face. Learned that lesson the hard way.
Thanks, Bryan! I enjoyed every step on the OT. Solitude can be hard to find, not on the OT. I crossed paths with around 25 people total in 223 miles. 13 of which were in one group. This trail (& shelters) is so sparsely used that I saw no signs of mice in or around the shelters, thankfully. I only stayed in 3 of the 21 shelters on trail, (prefer to tent) but man are they nice to have.
Thanks for watching!
That is quite a bit of solitude and not very many people at all in 223 miles. Shelters sure can be nice during storms. One would have been nice Saturday night.
Outstanding video. Congratulations for finishing the OT.
Thanks, Warren! I loved every step on the OT. 🤙🏼
I've never seen footage of this trail. The variety of shots and commentary are much appreciated. That deer looked quite different than the ones we have out in California. Thanks, Chris!
Appreciate that, @nobodyhikes! The Ouachita Trail is a hidden gem here in the Interior Highlands, & that was a beautiful white-tailed Doe. California, the Sierra’s have been calling my name for awhile - one of these days!
A area I love. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on your hike
Thank ya sir!
Good for you on finishing!
Thank you, Catherine! Good luck to you as you push east, you got this!
I’m glad you showed some of Wilton Mountain. Yours is about the only video I can find that has any views from that section of the trail. It’s mostly just complaints about the hike up. Lol!
I’m headed there tomorrow for a little day hike up and over the mountain and back.
Hope you’re doing well, man. I enjoy your videos.
One of my favorite campsites on the OT is on top of Wilton Mountain. I was westbound on this section, climb not too bad. Eastbound appeared to be way more fun. Haha
Hey thanks! Enjoy yours as well, have a great trip. I may revisit a section soon, love the OT!
@@DixonHikes lol! That’s the direction of our approach tomorrow. 😅
Hey Chris, I know this was a while back but congratulations on finishing the OT. Really enjoyed this video. You had a few great campsites. I especially liked your site on night 1. I'm hoping to make it up that way late this year.
Thanks, Cam! Great campsite on Wilton Mtn for sure, & the shelters on the OT are awesome. Can’t wait to get back out there in March! What section of the OT are you looking at doing?
@@DixonHikes I'm honestly not sure. I've been lightly looking into it over the past month. It won't be until the end of this year but I should have enough time to do either one big section or possibly all of it. I'm going to dive deeper into your videos and some others and try to pick up more info.
Love to hear it! My favorite sections are definitely Oklahoma, & from Hwy 27 to Hwy 7. But it’s all pretty damn good. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out!
@@DixonHikes thanks man. I sure will.
Thanks for all the work that goes into these videos and giving us a glimpse at what looks like an awesome trail. What a great feeling it must be to be able to hang your hat finishing!
Thanks, side trail! I enjoy showing the trail through my eyes & perspective. Loved every step on this 223 mile gem of a trail!
I’m enjoying your Mountains to Sea hike - keep ‘em coming!
Gotta love Oklahoma. Congratulations Chris -- Very well done. What's next?
Thank ya sir! Really enjoyed Oklahoma & liked the finish @ TSP. Counting the miles down was pretty cool.
Hmmm, what’s next - Possibly a Buffalo River Trail trip @ the end of this month. (I turn 40 🤯) & definitely planning on the Ozark Highlands Trail next fall-spring!
@@DixonHikes I remember the 40's -- you'll love it. I will wish you a happy birthday now old man. Planning to be back on the AT by the end of the month. Looking forward to more videos and who knows, maybe we will cross paths some day. The trail is long but it is narrow. 👍
What part of the AT? Man, I really want to do the Roan Highlands section sometime soon....
@@DixonHikes Will be starting at SNP nobo. You will definitely love the Roan Highlands.
1500-foot climbs and drops: impressive terrain on that trail!
That's the Winding Stair Mtn. Charles Portis was writing about in TRUE GRIT, wasn't it?
Yep! If you ever want to check off backpacking in Oklahoma, this is the trail to do it. Also, check out the Talimena Scenic Byway! www.talimenascenicdrive.com/talimena-photo-gallery/
Congrats Chris! Great video! I hiked Rock Garden to Winding Stair Shelter eastbound. The shelters are awesome and this was such a gem section of trail! Still have 40 miles to finish someday.
Thank ya sir! I could see how going eastbound through there might be more difficult. I actually enjoyed the rocks, more fun than the climb out of Big Cedar to Winding Stair Shelter - 39 switchbacks?? I lost count.....
Congratulations Chris and welcome to Oklahoma! I left some rocks over on that North side for you. Hope you enjoyed your stay!
Thanks, Cook! 👊🏼
Oklahoma treated me well. Even the rocks. Haha. Big, beautiful country out your way - I’ve driven it a few times, but almost forgot how EPIC the Talimena Scenic Byway is.
I couldn’t have picked a better time to do my OT section hike - water EVERYWHERE in those mountains from one end to the other. It might take another decade, but I’ll return to thru-hike it one of these days.
Thanks for following along, & good luck as you push east! Let me know if you need a shuttle or anything the closer you get to Pinnacle.
Chris, great job buddy. Great finish to an awesome journey. Those rocks are no joke on that last section. Well now all that is left is to start planning for the OHT. Lol. I’ve started planning and will start in the fall. Hope to see you somewhere on the trail. Congrats again bud!!
Thank ya sir. 👊🏼
I’ve got a couple more trips in mind before the HEAT sets in. The OHT for sure starting next fall. We’re pretty lucky to have two long trails, to go along with so many other gorgeous areas here in Arkansas!
Ha. Are you listening to Clutch on the trail as well? I'm pretty sure, there have been a handful of Clutch songs pumping through my earbuds as I hike some long days on the trail.
Been listening to Clutch since the mid-90’s 🤘🏼
Thanks for the video. Lots of nice scenery. I’d like to do this one. (Old guy from Arkansas)🇺🇸 God bless you young man.
At 19:01 I saw the jug of water I left at State Line, then Clutch started playing. My wife was like " You gotta go hike with this guy". 😅
Hahahaha! That’s awesome. 🤟🏼
Congrats Chris! Enjoyed tagging along. Maybe I'll see you in May on your end of the trail. Happy trails brother!
Thanks brother!
Hey Chris, I just finished a 2 night trip in in Weminuche Wilderness in CO and headed back to TN, but I'm thinking about doing a 2 nighter out and back on the Q Trail in Oklahoma. Any suggestions?
Nice Bryan! All of the Oklahoma section of the OT is great - but if I was doing a 2 nighter I would head down in the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness, or the stretch between Big Cedar Creek & Winding Stair shelter for some nice views. Shoot me a text if you have any questions 501-351-3857. Hope you had a great trip out west!