The End of the OT: Lunsford Crossing to Pinnacle Mountain
The Final 10 Miles!
(Plus info + packing list for a Winter OT hike of your own)
We had several folks who were planning to meet up with us for the end of the OT, but the weather turned so cold that we were just a group of 6 by the time it rolled around.
We met at 9am at Pinnacle and then shuttled to back to where we had stopped at Lunsford Crossing the day before.
We were still cold even with being bundled up so we got moving to get warm.
The footbed was soft all day, which was a kindness to our tired legs.
Taido was hurting from hiking the two previous days with us.
My parents and Kandace’s mom were with us for this last stretch.
It was fun for us that they got a little taste of what we had been doing for the last two and half weeks.
There is not too much elevation on this section. But there are still a few hills (including one big one at the end.)
My parents had packed a big picnic lunch and lots of snacks for the day, so we stopped to refuel around noon.
I think everyone thought we would be done around lunchtime, but we weren’t moving at our usual clip.
We meandered in the trees, spending a lot of time visiting with our families on the trail.
The miles slowly kept passing though.
When you get to where you can see Pinnacle Mountain, you walk for a bit on the road.
Part of this section runs behind some houses, which was strange after being in the woods for so long.
I was surprised to be walking in a neighborhood all of a sudden.
After getting off the open road, you walk on a closed service road.
Everyone was getting tired by this time in the day. We didn’t reach the parking lot until about 3:30pm, and the last half mile or so is uphill.
I had seen the elevation on the map but I didn’t mention it ahead of time, because I didn’t want to dampen anyone’s spirits.
We passed the final mile marker and then headed uphill to the end, where Taido had Ouachita Trail Stickers and cold beers waiting for us.
Taido snapped these photos of Kandace and me at the end of the day.
I love these pictures of us walking and talking, because it captures for me what so much of time on trails is like…just being together. Sometimes talking, sometimes not talking, but just walking and walking together.
A thru-hike is a LOT of time in the company of a friend, and I am super grateful to have completed all 223 miles with Kandace.
And we were both so thankful to our families for walking with us to the end!
Thanks for reading this Ouachita Trail Log. You can find the rest of the Ouachita Trail posts here, or keep reading below for resources and our packing list. Happy Trails!
Trail Notes:
This 10-mile section of the Ouachita Trail from Lunsford Crossing to Pinnacle Mountain could be done as a day hike
You can find more info about the Ouachita Trail on the Friends of the OT website.
I used the Far Out (formerly Guthook) mapping app to hike the Ouachita Trail and it’s wonderful for tracking water crossings and supplies.
Ouachita Trail in Winter Packing List
Personal Gear:
Cell phone with Far Out map downloaded
Backpack/rain cover
Sleeping bag (rated to 0 degrees F)
Sleeping pad
Toiletries (small)
Headlamp
Water bottle
Pocket knife
bowl/cup (You can just bring one and use it for drinking and eating)
Eating utensil (Spork)
Bandana
Prescription medications
Trekking poles
Clothes:
Rain jacket
Hiking pants
Wool leggings
Tank/Base layer
Wool T-shirt
Long sleeved wool shirt
Fleece quarter zip
2-3 underwear
2-3 pairs socks
Rain pants
Gaitors
Hiking boots
Sandals
Collective Gear:
Tent
Snacks/Food/Coffee/Tea
Steripen
Lighter/fire starter
Jetboil
First aid kid
Camp light
Dish soap/sponge
Toilet paper and a shovel
Carabiners/dry sack(s)/rope
Anker Portable charger + cord
