Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 – Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2)

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Ouachita Trail 02: Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead.

This 3.8-mile stretch on Section 2 of the Ouachita Trail from Big Cedar Trailhead (on Highway 259, LeFlore County, OK, Ouachita National Forest) to the Pashubbe Trailhead is an accessible and moderately challenging hike.

It makes about an 8-mile out-and-back day hike with a couple of seasonal stream crossings and a few ponds.

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
There is parking at the Highway 259 (Big Cedar) Trailhead.
Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
The initial .1-mile after crossing Highway 259 is kind of a dirt access road. Be prepared to navigate around some puddles.

Getting to the Big Cedar (Hwy 259) Trailhead

There is a gravel parking lot at the Big Cedar Trailhead on Highway 259. Watch for the trailhead sign on Highway 259, about 3 miles south of the Talimena Scenic Drive (Highway 1) (about 20 miles south of Heavener).

If coming from the north, make a right (west) turn where the trailhead sign is for the parking area.

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
This is where the Ouachita Trail splits off to the left (if heading east) from the utility easement road onto a regular trail. Watch for the blue blazes on the trees.
Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Ouachita Trail: Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead.

The Hike

The first thing you do after parking is walk up the driveway you came in on off the highway. Cross Highway 259 and then continue east.

As always on the Ouachita Trail, follow the blue blazes.

After crossing the highway, the next .3 miles or so is pretty much a walk on a dirt utility service road.

Then the OT takes a left turn off the dirt road. Be sure to watch for this left turn. It is easy to miss. (Watch for where the blue blazes to the left. There may or may not be some signage.)

Elevation. The difference between the low and high points is about 360 feet. As you can see on the elevation profile, the biggest climbing part of this hike is right after crossing Elkins Branch where you start a half-mile stretch that goes up about 300 feet elevation. There is another fairly steep but shorter climb right after crossing Big Branch.

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
There are several ponds along this stretch of trail.
Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Ouachita Trail: Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead.

Streams. There are 2 named streams on this stretch–Elkins Branch (which comes first) and then Big Branch (the latter being bigger, no surprise). When I hiked this area during a wetter time, there was enough flow in both branches to be pleasant, but neither were any challenge for crossing.

Don’t have your hopes up for water flow during drier times of the year.

Ponds. On my map below, I have a pond marked. Actually, there are 3 ponds on this stretch of the trail.

The one I marked is not the first one you come across, so don’t be confused. Each will be on the left (if headed east).

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
There are quite a few cool rocks as you get close to Big Branch.

Partially rocky. Overall this is not a rocky hike although there are some rocky parts. There are some scenic rock gardens and small boulder fields along the way. One of these areas is around Big Branch.

Pashubbe Trailhead and Shelter. Shortly before reaching he Pashubbe Trailhead (the turnaround for this hike), you will see the spur for the fairly new Pashubbe Shelter over to the left. These nice shelters have been built by the Friends of the Ouachita Trail for hikers to use (and take care of).

Once you reach the Pashubbe Trailhead, which is well marked and with a small parking area, you can turn and head back for a nearly 8-mile hike.

Or to make an easier loop, you can take Forrest Road 6032 back to the highway, and then walk about .7 miles up the highway back to the Big Cedar Trailhead.

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Big Branch. It’s the biggest stream crossing in this stretch but it hasn’t been that big when I have seen it.

Final Notes

Rich Mountain. This hike is along part of Rich Mountain although it is still in the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area.

The trail was in good condition (thanks to the trail volunteers) when I did my May 2021 hike.

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
The Big Branch trail crossing.

Overall, I had about 45% AT&T cell signal coverage.

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Ouachita Trail: Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead.

These photos are all from hikes I did on this stretch of trail on April 28, 2018 and May 15, 2021.

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Another stream, east of Big Branch.
Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
The Pashubbe Trailhead, on the edge of the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness.

Click below for full-screen photo gallery of these and other images of this area from my hikes on April 28, 2018 and May 15, 2021.

Map

Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Ouachita Trail 02-Big Cedar Trailhead to Pashubbe Trailhead – Contour Map (Click to Enlarge)
Ouachita Trail: 30.5-34.3 - Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (Section 2) photo
Elevation profile (west to east) based on gps data.

Ouachita Trail 02: Hwy 259 (Big Cedar Trailhead) to Pashubbe Trailhead (30.5 to 34.3)

LocationLeFlore County, Oklahoma
Hike Length/Type3.8 miles each way. (7.6 miles out and back.) Blue blazes.
DifficultyModerate (3 of 5).
Other Permitted UsageMountain bikes.
Gpx file by MikeLink
Date HikedMay 15, 2021 (and earlier).
DirectionsGoogle Maps Directions to the Big Cedar Trailhead
Official Info(918) 653-2991 (USFS 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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