Eagle Rock Loop

Hike Name: Eagle Rock Loop Location: southwest AR Length: 26.8 Submitted by: Stuart Date Submitted: 10/7/08 Rating:	more Arkansas trail reviews Arkansas national parks Arkansas state parks
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Description
The Eagle Rock Loop is a beautiful scenic loop trail. Most say it is a 2 to 3 day hike, but I recommend 4 to 5 days, this way you do not have to be rushed and will have time to enjoy all this trail has to offer. I started at the Albert Pike recreation area and headed north on the little missouri trail. The loop is made of three trails combined, the little missouri trail, the athens big fork trail, and the viles branch horse and hiking trail. Make sure you have a good pair of high top waterproof hiking boots. Certain parts of this trail are very steep and rocky, and you will have several water crossings. You will also need some sturdy good fitting shoes or sandals to make the deeper river crossings that you will encounter. depending on river height this could be knee to waist deep. Call the Forest Ranger to check crossing conditions before you leave. This loop has plenty of well established camp sites along the way and plenty of water, the forest service recommends you filter all water before drinking. this trail is well marked with white 2X6 blazes painted on trees about every 100 feet. The north and south portions of the trail are flat and easy to hike. The east part of the trail has some climbs but mostly follows the river. You will be going upstream if you take this part of the trail first, diong this will put you at a higher altitude and will make the west part of the trail easier as you will have more down hill than up. The west part of the trail is the most difficult part of all, it is 8.1 miles of very steep and rocky ascents and descents six in all and the rocks are loose about baseball to softball size, so use good boots, lace them tight; and I recommend a walking stick or treking poles. The west part of the trail will give you some great views. This is a great loop trail and I recomend it to all but beginners, for a beginner it could discourage them if they are not in shape for the west side of the loop. Ciimbers can enjoy a few good climbs one being just after entering the trail head at albert pike going north, and the other near the winding stairs portion of the trail about three miles south of albert pike, both are good wall climbs just to the side of the trail. Make sure you take good maps and a compass with you. you can order USGS 7.5 min. maps from the ranger office as well as an ok downloadable map on the forest service site. I took both and had no problems although I did have to transfer the trail onto my USGS maps I got at a local supply, as the trail is too new to be shown on them.

Directions to Hike
Directions to the trail head at Albert Pike Recreation Area depends on where you are coming from. From Texas I took I30 to texarkana then US-71 north to US-70 east then to AR-369 go north and you will run right into albert pike. more directions can be found on the US Forest site online

Contact Information
Caddo Ranger District
912 Smokey Bear Lane
Glenwood AR 71943
(870)356-4186

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