Owner Review by Russell Curry

OWNER REVIEW
OZARK HIGHLANDS TRAIL GUIDE
THIRD EDITION

Product Description:
Paperback trail guide – Ozark Highlands Trail Guide, 3rd Edition
Author: Tim Ernst
Review Date: October 12, 2004
133 pages, Used price US $11.40 (Out of Print)
ISBN 1-882906-11-X
Ernst Wilderness 1994, http://www.timernst.com/
5 ½” x 7 ½” x ½”, 3 oz: (140 mm x 191 mm x 13 mm, 85 g) per my measurements

The guide is a glossy bound trail guide covering the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas. The trail descriptions are divided into 8 sections. There is a glossy map overview on the rear cover showing the 8 sections, highway numbers, the trailheads in each section, parking spots, campgrounds, and page numbers in the guide that describe each section. Beginning at each section is a map, elevation profile and mileage log in imperial distances (covering both directions), and a running narrative of the trail from west to east. There is the usual information on the history of the OHT, the OHT Trail Association, Forest Service information, local stores, low impact use and further information on bears, fires, wildlife and water hazards. The author has excellent information on trailhead parking, surrounding roads, available shuttle services, trail mileages, trail markers, insects, and typical weather for each month.

The best part of this guide is the maps that are drawn for each section of the trail. Below each map is a graphic showing the ascent/descent and mileage for that section. Just a quick glance will show me the trailheads, parking, water crossings and intersecting roads. The map itself is full of clearly marked information, and is large and easy to read.
The narrative begins at the westernmost part of each trailhead and is a running narrative on every detail I would possibly want to know as I proceed down the trail. Every twist and turn in the trail is documented, as well as what I can expect to see in the ways of scenic views, creeks, and difficult or easy sections to traverse. There is information of a seasonal nature, which views are best at which time of year, how congested the trail may be and many other details. Even though this guide is no longer in print, the trail descriptions, mileages, trailheads and other data in the guide remain current.

I have used this guide to hike Section Three – Hwy. 23 (Cherry Bend) to Lick Branch Trailhead, page 58 of the guide, and also Section 4, Lick Branch Trailhead to Ozone Campground (Hwy. 21), page 70. I like the guide for the excellent maps that are part of each description of the trail sections. I photocopy the maps and the graphs for quick reference while on the trail.   The running narrative contains so much information that at times I get lost while reading it. Even so, any time I am planning on hiking the OHT, I plan my hike based on the information in this guide.

Tester Information:
Name:                 Russell Curry
Age:              57
Gender:           Male
Height:                  6’0” (1.83 m)
Weight:           190 lbs (86 kg)
Email Address:      dpro@datarecall.net
City, State, Country:       Orange, TX, US
Date:                 October 12, 2004

Backpacking Background
I began backpacking in the late “60’s” but only in earnest 7 years ago, as I had more free time from my career and my children were grown and out of the home. I began locally in the Big Thicket area of Southeast Texas, and on the Wild Azalea Trail in Louisiana.   I have hiked extensively in Western and Eastern Texas, the Grand Canyon & other Arizona sites, Utah, Colorado, Louisiana, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Canada and in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, in a variety of terrain, desert, mountains and forests. I hike often, even if just locally and in all seasons.

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