April 13th, Saturday 3:30 p.m Ouachita National Forest, forest road 132, flat side wilderness arkansas.
Here are the coordinates of today’s camp. It doesn’t have the view of yesterday’s camp, but there’s a nice wind coming through
34.86267, -92.90618
I think tomorrow I’ll go to the quick hike for the flat pinnacle that i biked to this morning. I didn’t want to leave my bike and all the gear in the bike bags, unattended right by the road.
Also, by the time I got my tuckus up to the trailhead by biking, the Sun was out in full, it was low 80’s, full sun exposure for the trail, and I’d have to hike the half mile in my bike shoes. I figure it’d be far easier to eat a quick breakfast and just get there tomorrow morning when it’s still cool. I think tomorrow I want to explore the lower roads around Lake Winona.
I did drive to the Lake Sylvia campground. There were a few sites open but I didn’t see the need to pay $15/night when there are so many good campsites off the forest roads. I think it’s for people who have a phobia against pooping in the woods. Or need running water? idk. Plumbing is overrated! lol
I snapped a few photos of Lake Sylvia’s beach area. The campground area had sites about 20/30ft apart, but almost no trees inbetween. No privacy.
The thing I did notice though is that it’s a popular launching spot for people going biking, so I did the same.
Makes sense. I had a nice 700 ft climb to the Flat Pinnacle. most of the climb wasn’t too bad actually. A nice 4-5% grade, and it was a consistent uphill. Before you get to the pinnacle though it gets mean and goes up to a 12% grade at times. The good news is after all the climbing, it was pretty much all descent back to the truck.
Ron, the turkey hunter
Earlier this morning I talked with a guy that was listening for turkeys. He had one of those weird microphone things with a plastic dish behind it. I guess it will be
Turkey season soon. A very nice guy. Slightly older (late 60’s, early 70’s)
He said the turkey hunters get along well with campers, they have to go deep into the woods anyway, so they don’t get worried that campers will keep the turkeys away like deer hunters worry about the deer. He just recommends not wearing any red during Turkey season. Turkey hunters look for the red waddle on the turkey’s necks, so you don’t want to tempt them by tromping through the woods flashing a bit of red.
Funny thing is that I ran into him again about an hour later but I was dressed in my bike gear. He didn’t recognize me at first. I was just finishing up using my bow saw to cut a felled branch that was in the road. He was super appreciative of that, said he been driving by that branch for a couple weeks now. It wasn’t overly thick (3-4 inches at most), but it was hardwood of some sort. the saw went through it like butter, and more importantly I didn’t cut myself. Good deed done.
Other photos from today
