First 4.7 mile leg of the
planned forty mile long
|
The trail follows the shoreline as much as possible crossing over the mountains where you have a scenic view of the lake.
Map of Lake Ouachita Vista Trail
If you would like to assist the trail builders you
can volunteer by e-mailing Jerry Shields at
jdsmgs@alltel.net.
Jerry Shields, volunteer with the Lake Ouachita Citizens Focus Committee
has been named the 2007 Arkansas Trails Volunteer of the Year.
The open segment of the trail begins at
Denby Bay and follows the hilly shoreline
for approximately five
miles where it terminates at the entrance
to the Corp of Engineers
Thompkins Bend Campground.
Trail is marked by
White Rectangles
The trail dips into hollows covered in old growth high canopies trees
combined with high vistas of Lake Ouachita.
You'll see "Hush Hollow" a moss and fern lined hollow,
the "Coon Tree Hotel" an old growth Oak Tree that Raccoons
love to sleep in
or look for the "Squirrel Head Tree".
Scheduled to be completed by 2007 plans call for the trail to extend 40 miles along the shores of Lake Ouachita, linking up with the Charlton trail. Along the trail will be pits left by quartz speculators and the remains of a moonshiner’s still in evidence of the area’s history.
The trail was started, thanks to cooperation by the:
-
C.O.E,
-
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission,
-
Montgomery County,
-
U.S. Forest Service
The Forest Service is supplying the tools for volunteer of the five groups to help a work crew from the National Student Conservation Association to create a handicapped-accessible fishing pier and a short paved trail in the Denby recreation area.
Work is expected to begin on
the 5.2-mile biking and-hiking trail from hiway 270 where
it crosses the
lake near Lake Ouachita Shores Resort to Shangri-La Resort
and the C.O.E. Campground at Tompkins Bend.
Jerry Shields informed the Members of the Lake Ouachita citizen committee
that over
500 volunteer hours were used to create the first leg of the Lake
Ouachita Vista Trail.
The next section of the trail will take as many, if not more volunteer hours
as the trail is a little more difficult since it will have more hills.
The EA and Archeological Survey have been done on the new section of the
trail.
The construction of the next leg of the trail will be started the last
week of September.
There will have to be built two bridges over gullies on the LOVT,
which may have to be built with volunteer workers.
The Game and Fish has yet to budget $100,000 a year for 3 years to complete
the Wilderness and Education section of the trail for handicapped, board
walk and interpretive signs.
The Corp is still on track to build the trail and if year end funds become
available, comfort station.
Metal plates will be placed on benches for a $500.00 donation.
The plates will only cost about $150.00 and the rest of the
donation will go for the construction
of the trails.
Jerry Shields a member of the Lake Ouachita Citizen Focus Committee
is working
with the
Friends of the Ouachita Trail
to help out in construction.
The trail is expected to take at least five years to complete.
2007 Arkansas
Trails Volunteer of the Year
HOT SPRINGS, AR--
Jerry Shields, volunteer with the
Lake Ouachita Citizens Focus Committee has been named the 2007 Arkansas
Trails Volunteer of the Year. The announcement was made June 2nd as part of
the Ouachita National Forest’s Centennial National Trails Day Celebration at
Albert Pike Recreation Area.
Nominated by Tom Ledbetter, Recreation Technician for the Forest, Shields
was honored for his efforts in spearheading the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.
According to Ledbetter, “Beginning in 2002, Jerry has spent countless hours
planning routes, securing funding, and promoting this trail system. He also
works tirelessly building trail. In the last 7 months alone, Jerry has
worked 315 hours constructing trail and 282 hours on off-trail activities
for a total of 597 hours. In addition to his personal contribution, he has
coordinated the efforts of 26 volunteers for 902 hours of trail work in the
last 7 months. His drive and dedication as a champion for the Lake Ouachita
Vista Trail are truly amazing.”
Shields serves on the
Lake Ouachita Citizens Focus Committee, a 15-member panel that advises
the Corps of Engineers on management of the area resources. Currently, he is
the Chairman of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail project. He formed a group of
volunteers (Trail Dogs) to maintain the existing sections of the Lake
Ouachita Vista Trail. He has fostered partnerships with groups, including
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission, Arkansas Parks and Tourism, Mount Ida Chamber of Commerce,
Montgomery County Health Advisory Board, Lake Ouachita Resort Owners
Association, Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, and many
other groups.
“Jerry is an expert at bringing people, community organizations, and public
agencies together to accomplish a common goal,” stated Tim Oosterhous,
Forest Recreation Manager.
The Arkansas Trails Council is an advisory body of volunteers open to all
state and federal agencies, local governments, public and private utility
companies, private land owners, and trail users with an interest in or
potential for trail development.
Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved
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