Christmas Backpacking Trip (12/28/2021 to 1/1/2022)

Activity: 

Backpacking Section 1 and Section 2 of the Ouachita Trail (Talimena State Park to Queen Wilhelmina State Park).  51.6 Miles.

Itinerary:

Start Tues 12/28:  Talimena State Park
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Talimena+State+Park/@34.7840358,- Start 94.950491,17.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x43dca6038d13c868!8m2!3d34.7849748!4d-94.9529708

Tues (Day 1) Campsite: Rock Garden Shelter (9.4 Miles)
Wed (Day 2) Campsite: Winding Stairs Mt. Shelter (15.6 Miles)
Thurs (Day 3) Campsite: Pashubbe Shelter (9 Miles)
Fri (Day 4) Campsite: State Line Shelter (12.4 Miles)
Sat (Day 5) End of Trip:  Queen Wilhelmina State Park (5.2 Miles)
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Queen+Wilhelmina+State+Park/@34.6863188,-94.3723372,15.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xd0ae7ca835dd9461!8m2!3d34.6855727!4d-94.3704439

Water Drops: 

We will need to leave water at two locations on the trail.  Below are the locations.

Deadman’s Gap
https://www.google.com/maps/place/34%C2%B046’19.6%22N+94%C2%B052’18.7%22W/@34.7721044,-94.8740487,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xbb045691e2bc4126!8m2!3d34.7721!4d-94.87186

Horsethief Springs Picnic Ground
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Horsethief+Springs+Picnic+Ground/@34.7378077,-94.7265558,18z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87cabf88840693c3:0x114c7d3c4c874f33!8m2!3d34.7376306!4d-94.726613

Departure Time:  

Meet Tuesday at 5:45 am at the I-30 Kroger Parking Lot, depart by 6:00 am.

Return Time:  

Estimated return by 5:00 pm Saturday. This could change. Be sure to watch your email on Sunday. Pickup at the I-30 Kroger Parking Lot.

Cost:  

$50 plus money ($20) for lunch on Saturday

Packing List: 

Minimum of 4 Liters of water.  Be sure your water bottles are FULL when you arrive.  We will have to drop water at two locations due to no reliable water sources for the first 30 miles of the trip.  It is very important that everyone have enough water capacity.

There are shelters available to sleep in.  Be sure to bring a backup shelter to use if the Shelter is already occupied when we arrive. 

See Backpacking Checklist on our website.
http://www.bentontroop99.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Backpacking-Checklist-5-Day.pdf

See How to Pack Your Backpack on our website for tips.
https://www.bentontroop99.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3.-how-to-pack-your-backpack.pdf

See Backpacking Food Ideas on our website.
http://www.bentontroop99.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Backpacking-Food-Ideas.pdf

Food: 

Eat breakfast before you arrive. 

Each scout should have a food buddy and food for the following meals:
Trail Snacks for each day
Tues – Lunch, Dinner
Wed – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thurs – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fri – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sat – Breakfast.  We will have lunch at the restaurant at Queen Wihelmina State Park