Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1)

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
View from Holson Valley Vista around Mile 16.5.

This stretch of the Ouachita Trail Section 1 on Winding Stair Mountain (LeFlore County, OK) goes from Horsethief Springs (19.9) to a stream that becomes Wildhorse Creek (13.4), about 5.5 miles to the west.

As an 11-mile out-and-back day hike, it is challenging but doable (for many). Beautiful area with lots of rock formations!

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Stone Horsethief Springs enclosure.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
This is where the Horsethief Springs spur intersects with the Ouachita Trail.

Getting to Horsethief Springs

Horsethief Springs is a point of interest with a picnic area along the Talimena Scenic Drive (Highway 1) on Winding Stair Mountain. Part of this area, including the stone enclosure around the spring, was constructed in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Core.

There are picnic tables here and informational signs about the history of this spot. Apparently, the spring may have been use by outlaws during the Wild West days.

If driving from Poteau, you should take Highway 59 south through Heavener. When you get to Highway 259 (south of Hodgen), turn right (south). After 4 miles, take another right to get onto the Talimena Scenic Drive (Highway 1).

Go right on the Scenic Drive (west). After 4 miles, the Horsethief Springs picnic area will be on your right.

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
During leaf-on, the distance views are pretty limited but there are lots of glimpses of the valleys in the distance through the foliage.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Ouachita Trail between 18.7 and 19.9

The Hike

Most of my descriptions assume that you start at Horsethief Springs picnic area and then head west. That is the order the photos below are in.

Head down to where the spring enclosure is. There is a nice overlook here. To your right, you’ll see a sign for the spur to the Ouachita Trail.

The .1-mile Horsethief Springs spur (white blazes) is a short rocky trail that heads east for about 200 feet and then goes downhill a short ways where it joins Ouachita Trail (blue blazes). Turn left here to head west toward Wildhorse .

As I frequently note, I am a huge fan of Winding Stair Mountain, and I particularly enjoy this hillside area along the north side. This is a continuation of the Deadman Gap to Wildhorse Creek segment along the north side of the mountain.

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Ouachita Trail on Winding Stair Mountain (Ouachita National Forest).
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Ouachita Trail between 18.7 and 19.9

The Winding Stair Mountain area is often noted as among the most rocky part of the Ouachita Trail. Much of this hike is quite rocky. It makes the hike more strenuous, but I love the beauty and variety of all the rocks, boulders, and rock formations.

I last did this hike during leaf-on, and there were very few big open vistas on the trail. There are a couple of nice open vistas though such as the Holson Valley Vista around Mile 17 (the prettiest spot on the hike) and one at a rock glacier around Mile 15.

But during leaf-on there are during leaf-on lots of small views through the trees of the Holson Valley area below. Of course, during leaf-on the views are much more expansive.

When I last hiked this segment, I was able to complete the 11-mile hike without having to bushwhack up to the highway, but it was completely dark by the time I reached my car back at Horsethief Springs. (Thank goodness for flashlights!)

If you try to do the 11 miles in one day, pace yourself and start as early as you can.

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
One of the rock glaciers.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Ouachita Trail between 17 and 18.7.

Elevation Change

This is quite a rocky and strenuous hillside trail with a lot of elevation change. Check out the elevation profile below which covers the entire 11-mile segment between Horsethief Springs and Deadman Gap.

Heading west from Horsethief Springs, this stretch mostly stays between 1,700 and 1,775 feet above sea level. Then it makes a big climb up to around 2,000 feet a little past 2 miles in.

At around 2.5 miles, it starts a big descent to around 1,800 feet elevation about a half-mile later. Then it works its way back up to around 2,000 feet again by 3.5 miles in. As part of this climb, the trail goes by the Holson Valley Vista and the nice Holson Valley Shelter.

With just a few short interruptions, most of the remaining 2 miles is a descent until reaching the Wildhorse Creek branch at around 1,350 feet.

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Lots of cool rocks and rock formations.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Ouachita Trail between 17 and 18.7.

Trail Conditions

When I did my May 18, 2018 hike, the trail was easy to follow, and most of it was not too overgrown although there were some parts with significant overgrowth.

The Ouachita Trail is maintained by volunteers who at best are usually only able to do maintenance once in the fall and once in the spring. The most vegetation growth tends to be in the spring and early summer.

Winter, late fall, and early spring are usually the best hiking times to avoid overgrowth.

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
I love all the cool rocks and rock formations on the trail.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Panoramic shot of view from Holson Valley Vista close to Mile 17.

Other Things to Note

  • The Horsethief Springs Trail is an 11-mile hike which connects the Ouachita Trail to Cedar Lake. The east branch of the trail is at the start of this hike. The west branch is about 1.3 miles to the west.
  • On my trail maps below, I have mislabeled Wildhorse Creek as “Cedar Branch”. The spot I labelled “flowing stream” (around 11.2, west of this stretch) is actually Cedar Branch. Don’t expect any flowing water during dry times of the year. But during wet times, Cedar Branch and Wildhorse Creek are both very pretty with significant water.
  • Just like most of the Ouachita Trail on Winding Stair Mountain, this section runs parallel to the Talimena Scenic Drive.
  • I love the rock glaciers, boulder fields, rock gardens, and other rocky areas!
  • My recollection is there have been 1 or 2 small reroutes that were done on this hike around 8 or so years ago to make the trail less steep. The gpx file I tracked with my gps might not reflect those changes.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Rock glacier around Mile 15.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
This view is from the rock glacier around Mile 15.

Final Notes

On my hike, I had AT&T cell signal about 70% of the time.

These photos are from my May 18, 2018 hike.

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
I love the many rocky areas!
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Wildhorse Creek branch (around 13.5).

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery with these and more pics from my May 18, 2018 hike.

Map

The map and elevation profile below are for the entire segment from Deadman Gap to Horsethief Springs. Wildhorse Creek is in the middle, about 5.5 miles from Horsethief Springs.

So the hike described above is just the eastern half of the trail indicated on the maps below.

Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Contour Map. Ouachita Trail Sec 01: Deadman Gap to Horsethief Springs (8.0 to 19.9) PDF LINK.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Approximate elevation profile Ouachita Trail Sec 01: Deadman Gap to Horsethief Springs (8.0 to 19.9)(west to east) based on gps data.
Ouachita Trail: 13.4-19.9 Wildhorse Creek to Holson Valley Vista to Horsethief Springs (Section 1) photo
Approximate elevation profile Ouachita Trail Sec 01: Horsethief Springs to Deadman Gap (19.9 to 8.0)(east to west) based on gps data.

Ouachita Trail 01: Wildhorse Creek to Horsethief Springs (13.4 to 19.9)

LocationLeFlore County, Oklahoma
Hike Length/TypeAbout 5.5 miles from Horsethief Springs to Wildhorse Creek. (11 miles for out and back.) Blue blazes.
DifficultyVery strenuous (5 of 5)
Other Permitted UsageMountain bikes
Gpx file by Mike (of entire Deadman Gap to Horsethief Springs)Link
Date Hiked 5-18-2018
DirectionsGoogle Maps Directions to Horsethief Springs
Official Info(918) 653-2991 (Oklahoma Ranger Dist., Hodgen) USFS Website FoOT Website

By Mike Newman

Mike Newman, editor and creator of Arklahoma Hiker, likes to day hike and walk outdoors in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

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