View from Ouachita Trail 02-A1 (Winding Stair Mountain East Summit)
This 2.5-mile segment of the Ouachita Trail which I am calling 02-A1 (it is the beginning of Tim Ernst’s Section 02) is a pretty cool hike although it is a real workout. It starts at Winding Stair Trailhead (near Winding Stair Campground), crosses Highway 1, and then after a short connecting segment heads up to the eastern summit of Winding Stair Mountain on what used to be a forest road.
Interactive Ouachita Trail 02-A1 Map
Click here for large interactive map.
Approximate Elevation Profile Based on GPS Data
The “road” part of the trail continues all the way to the summit. Except for the large elevation change (about 500-foot increase from the trailhead to the summit), this is a pretty easy part of the trail since it is pretty wide and even.
Ouachita Trail (formerly a forest road) between Winding Stair Trailhead and the east summit
Some of the views from the summit-area (about 2,475 feet elevation) of this part of the trail are gorgeous.
Once you reach the summit, then after a little ways you proceed through a long series of switchbacks as you head down the mountain.
Ouachita Trail at the east summit of Winding Stair Mountain
This segment goes to a valley of sorts where there is a makeshift hiker camping area. If, like me, you will be returning back to the trailhead, be ready for the climb back up to the summit (with an elevation climb of about 700 feet).
Thankfully, when I hiked it on Sunday, it was very nice weather (upper 60′s/low 70′s).
Ouachita Trail on the south side of the Winding Stair mountain east summit
I have posted some photos and the gpx file I made from my gps.
Click here for gpx file download.
| VITAL INFO | |
|---|---|
| Trail Name and Location | Ouachita Trail (02-A1) |
| County/State | LeFlore/Oklahoma |
| Date Hiked | 04-25-2010 |
| Weather/Conditions | Upper 60's/lower 70's |
| Directions | I started at Winding Stair Trailhead on Oklahoma Highway 1 (near Winding Stair Campground). |
| Length | 2.5 (each way) |
| Loop? | No |
| Difficulty (1=Easy; 5=Most Difficult) | 5 |
| ATT Cell Coverage? | Yes |
| Official Info (Links) | Website. |
[Updated: 2011-05-02]
