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A Controlled Burn: Miles 195 to 202 on The Ouachita Trail

Detailed map highlighting mile markers 195 to 202 along a scenic route, featuring terrain contours and nearby water bodies.

On March 3, 2024, I made a day-hike from Vista Point on Highway 10 to Patterson Creek near the county line between Pulaski and Saline Counties. The 14-mile hike took seven hours — very good time for me.

I experienced my first walk through a controlled burn for the first few miles. It was also my first hike of more than 10 miles on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail in which I stayed on the trail the entire time, not taking any backroad shortcuts to get back to the car.

Technically, it was winter, but the weather was wonderful, topping out at 73º.

A wooden ladder leads up a small incline in a wooded area, with burned ground on one side and a creek at the bottom.
A wooden trail sign marking the Ouachita Trail, indicating foot traffic only, with directions to Highway 10 and a distance of 10 miles to Highway 9, surrounded by trees and burned ground.
A dirt path winding through a charred forest, with blackened ground and a few sparse trees showing signs of recent fire damage.
A view of tall wooden power lines stretching down a pathway surrounded by barren trees and overgrown grass under a cloudy sky.
A wooden bridge spans a small creek, surrounded by bare trees and fallen leaves in a forested area.
A panoramic view of a serene riverbank surrounded by bare trees and fallen leaves on the ground, reflecting a calm water surface.
A wooden bridge with a sign reading 'BRIDGE UNSAFE WALK AROUND,' set in a wooded area with fallen leaves and a small creek.
A utility pole with a yellow support bracket stands among trees near a tranquil pond, surrounded by fallen leaves and bare branches in a forested area.
Two tall trees with prominent roots reflected in a calm body of water, surrounded by a wooded area in early spring.
A forest scene featuring tall trees with textured bark, surrounded by fallen leaves and sparse undergrowth.
A wooded area with leaf-covered ground, featuring a rocky outcrop in the background, and barbed wire in the foreground.
A metal survey marker placed in the ground, partially covered by leaves and grass. The marker features engraved text indicating the surveying company, location coordinates, and a warning not to disturb.
A power transmission tower stands on a hillside, with a background of tree lines and gray, cloudy skies.
A power line tower stands in a grassy field with cloudy skies in the background, surrounded by trees and rolling hills.
A caution sign warning of difficult or dangerous terrain ahead, located in a wooded area with pine trees and fallen leaves covering the ground.
A caution sign indicating difficult or dangerous terrain ahead, placed in a wooded area with pine trees and moss-covered ground.
A caution sign warning of difficult or dangerous terrain ahead, with trees and forest floor visible in the background.
A narrow dirt path lined by trees in a forest, covered with pine needles and leaves.
A serene forest scene featuring a large tree beside a clear, shallow stream with stepping stones leading across the water. The background includes dense woods with bare trees and fallen leaves.
A partially obscured abandoned vehicle in a dry, rocky forested area with sparse trees and bare branches.
A wooden platform sits in a semi-dry area next to a shallow creek, surrounded by bare trees and rocky terrain in a forested setting.
A wooden sign reading 'HW BYPASS' mounted on a tree in a wooded area, with bark textures and autumn leaves scattered on the ground.
A weathered yellow subdivision location poster attached to a tree, featuring a grid pattern with markings, dated 1980. The poster includes instructions for locating the point using compass transit and pacing.
A serene woodland scene featuring a small, clear stream surrounded by bare trees and fallen leaves, with a makeshift log bridge crossing over the water.
Two pine trees in a wooded area, each with a blue marker attached to the trunk. The ground is covered with dry grass and scattered rocks, under a clear blue sky.
A panoramic view of a forested area with bare trees and a small stream running through a rocky bank, under a clear blue sky.
A narrow dirt path leads through a wooded area with bare trees on either side, under a clear blue sky.
Person taking a selfie on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail with a sign visible behind them.
A close-up of a tree trunk featuring a diamond-shaped sign with the number '196' displayed prominently. Colorful paint markings in blue, pink, and yellow are visible near the sign, surrounded by a forest backdrop.
A view of a river winding through bare trees in a wooded area, with fallen leaves covering the ground.
A forest trail showing signs of a recent fire, with blackened ground and leaf debris along the path.
A wooden staircase leading down to a small stream with rocks and trees surrounding the area, alongside a road.
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