It’s hunting season in Arkansas, and because the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail is primarily located in the Ouachita National Forest, you must be aware of the potential for hunters to be on or near the Trail. Here are the “Hunter Orange Requirements” as published by the International Hunter Education Association: Arkansas (A) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, or to accompany or assist anyone in hunting wildlife, in zones open to firearm deer, bear, or elk seasons, without wearing an outer garment, above the waistline, of daylight fluorescent blaze orange (Hunter Orange) within the color range of 595-605 nanometers or flouorescent chartreuse color range of 555nm – 565nm (Hunter Safety Green) totaling at least 400 square inches, and a hunter orange or hunter safety green head hat must be visibly worn on the head. (B) Florescent blaze orange (Hunter Orange)or florescent chartreuse (Hunter Safety Green) totaling at least 144 square …Click to read the full article
Traildog Robert Cavanaugh helped a nice group of students from Delta State University in Mississippi and their teacher by providing them with a shuttle and some planning for an overnight hike on the LOViT. The group had originally planned to start Thursday and to spend two nights on the Trail. However, their trip from Mississippi was delayed due to bad weather, so they were only able to camp a single night. Their trip to Hickory Nut Mountain was greeted by plenty of ice on the trees, a pretty view, but a cold day!
A bunch of Traildogs worked the LOViT Marathon this morning. The race is put on yearly by Phil and Bonnie Carr of Shangri-La Resort. About 70 runners participated this year and enjoyed moderate and overcast weather, perfect for the run. The course begins at the corner of Shangri-La Road and the corner of old Highway 270, proceeds to the Denby Bay Trailhead on the LOViT, and then follows the Trail up to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain, for an out distance of 14+ miles. The return trip takes the cutoff from the Joplin to Tompkins Bend segment across to the Homestead Trailhead, and then back in, accounting for the remaining 12 miles of the marathon. The ‘Dogs working the various aid stations want to thank Bonnie and Varine Carr for supplying the chili and banana pie. Very much appreciated! This was a great event, and everyone, runners and Traildogs, …Click to read the full article
From mid to late April, the Traildogs re-routed a bit of the first leg of the trail near the Tompkins Bend trailhead and replaced a bridge that had been washed away and subsequently damaged by a controlled burn. The new bridge was constructed further away from the area that is subject to springtime floods. Traildog Robert put an album on our Facebook site documenting the work, and those photos are also captured here. Robert writes: “That was such a good day. Makes me glad to be alive. Jerry, that was amazing work on measuring and cutting the materials off site. I am very impressed with the planning and the execution of it.” Enjoy the photos and the new bridge!