|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 The
Eagle Rock Loop is a 26.8 mile loop comprised of three trail - The Little
Missouri Trail, the Viles Branch Horse Trail, and the Athens Big Fork Trail. It
is located in the south western part of Arkansas west of Hot Springs, AR in the
Ouachita NF. The majority
of the Loop is very easy to hike. The little Missouri Trail follows the Little
Missouri River and only has one truly strenuous climb near the Albert Pike
Recreation Area. The Viles Branch Horse Trail follows the Viles Branch of the
Little Missouri over an old road, which makes for easy walking. The only
strenuous part is the Athens Big Fork Trail which can get very steep (like
Appalachian Trail steep) over sections as long as .7 miles.A good trail guide to use is "Arkansas Hiking Trails: A Guide to 78 Selected Trails in 'The Natural State'" by Tim Ernst. It has a nice description of the trail and a little information about the history of sections of the trail. It also includes some simple trail maps which are enough to hike with if you can't get a topographic map which I greatly prefer. Be aware that the Forest service station for that area is in Glenwood, AR and is not open on the weekends or after 4PM. I sort of found out the hard way and never did get a topo map of the area. For more information about this trail, check out this link. Here was our trip. Each day links to the journal entry.
Here is a copy of the planning OPORD I used for this trip: All times are in military Day/Time Group: 220600 June 2002 = 22 day, 6:00 AM, June, 2002. OPORD 1. Situation o Enemy - none. o Changes to task Organization: Friendly forces - SGT Rock, Karen, Donald, Matthew. o Weather and light data: Weather - Highs in the upper 80's, lows in the mid 60's, possibility of highs into the 100s and lows to the 40s. Average 4.6" rain in the month. Light - Sunrise: 0604 (average); Sunset: 2032 (average). Percent Illumination: 91-100%, Moon Rise: ~1840, increasing ~1 hour per day; Moon Set: ~0300, increasing ~1 hour per day - possibility of good night hiking potential. Terrain - mountains, forests creeks and river. Multiple Water crossings in some sections. 2. Mission: Conduct a family oriented hike covering ~35 miles over the hiking period. 3. Execution: 4 Phase operation. Phase 1 - Planning and preparation. This phase begins 010900 June 2002 and ends 21200 June 2002. During this phase things to be done: 1. Plan and purchase meals. 2. Find and purchase topo maps. 3. Plan and prepare packing lists for all equipment. 4. find guidebook information for the proposed trail. Phase 2 - Deployment. This phase begins 220900 June 2002 and ends with the establishment of the first AA (camp site). Phase 3 - Hike. This phase begins once the first AA has been established and ends 260900. Phase 4 - Redeployment This phase begins with the collapse of the final AA and ends when all elements have returned to Fort Polk. Timeline: o Pack vehicles with gear on 211800 June 2002. o First call 220700 June 2002 o Start driving 220900 June 2002. o Arrive Arkansas 221600 June 2002 o Actions at the ORP 221600 - 221730 June 2002 o Move to camp 221730 - 221900 June 2002, estimated distance 1 mile. o Hike continuously 23 - 25 June 2002, estimated distance 25 miles. o Move from final camp to vehicles 260900 - 261030 June 2002, estimated distance 1 mile. o Wash, change, re-pack, eat 261030 - 261200 June 2002. o Start Driving to Louisiana 261200 June 2002. o Arrive Louisiana 261900 June 2002. Coordinating Instructions: o Maintain minimal pack weight by implementing spring/fall clothing list and packing the correct amount of fuel and food for the trip duration +1 day. o All elements will conduct PCC on their equipment prior to 151800 June 2002 in order to identify broken, needed, or missing equipment. o Final PCI to be completed NLT 220900 June 2002. 4. Service and support: Class I and III for phase 3 will be purchased and prepared prior to completion of phase 1. There will be no re-supply during phase 3. Class I and III will be locally purchased during phase 1, 2, and 4. Class I (w) will be supplied along the route. No other Classes of supply apply to this operation. Medevac will be done using local CSH. 5. Command and Signal: Location of the commander will be Fort Polk, the 1SG will be traveling with the main body. Communications will be maintained during Phase 1,2, and 4 via land line. No communication will be possible during phase 3.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
