Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012

Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012 photo
Trail head (Ouachita Trail), near Queen Wilhelmina State Park

Yesterday, I wanted to take some snow pictures so I headed toward Queen Wilhelmina State Park. It is up on Rich Mountain, near Mena, Arkansas.

It turned out that there was so much snow and ice at the park that the trails were closed, but I was able to get some pictures on the nearby Ouachita Trail section just west of the park. (This is the part I called 02-J, between the park and the pioneer cemetery. It is between Mile 50 and 51.)

Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012 photo
Panoramic of Ouachita Trail (facing West) with lots of snow

The snow seemed a foot or more deep, but I didn’t bring a ruler. (Officially, Mena got 9 inches of snow.)

Hiking through snow that deep is kind of like hiking through a giant sandbox. Good exercise, but hard to move very fast.

Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012 photo
The Queen Wilhelmina State Park campground in snow and fog

I walked from the trailhead by the park over to the vista spur, about a third-mile each way.

These are some of the photos I took. (Click for larger view.) As you can see, there was a lot of snow, and it was pretty foggy up there.

Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012 photo
Panoramic shot of the trailhead next to Highway 88. QWSP is in the distance.
Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012 photo
Ouachita Trail (facing East), near Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012 photo
Lots of snow on the Ouachita Trail
Ouachita Trail Rich Mountain Snow Photos December 2012 photo
Deer tracks in the snow.

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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