Finishing Touches – Feb. 27, 2013
Neither Rain, snow, wind, or even sunshine could chase us off the mountain today. Four Traildogs met today at the Brady Mountain Road trail entrance to the Bear Mountain trail segment to install a temporary direction sign designating trail mileage, 10.0 miles, from The Brady Mt. entrance to Crystal Springs Road. Not so surprisingly, we encountered a few rocks digging the post hole but did finally mange to get it installed.
We also utilized some of the large stones found at the switchback located in the newly-dubbed “Saddle” of Bear Mountain to create a natural stone bench for users to take a rest from the long uphill climb and enjoy the great view of the valley and lake to the north. This area of the trail is a great example of trail building through a very rocky ridge. The trail weaves very naturally through this boulder-strewn area, and, after all the rain and snow, it has the appearance of a well established trail.
Finally, we installed a new and as yet unsponsored bench about a mile east of the switchback area above “The Saddle” and east of Traildog Vista where there was a natural break in the forest canopy offering a broad view of Lake Ouachita just west of the Brady Mountain Recreation area. The view is above “Hotel Island” (points 40 and 41) and is magnificent!
A major objective we still have for the newly-completed section from Crystal Springs Road, across Little Bear Mountain and Bear Mountain, to Brady Mountain Road, is the creation of two new parking areas, one at each end of this mountainous ten mile stretch of trail that has been quickly adopted as a favorite by bikers and hikers alike.
Jerry