Ouachita Trail 03: Pics – Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7)

Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Vista with view of Black Fork Mountain from the higher elevation parts of this trail stretch.

The 2.6 mile stretch of Section 3 of the Ouachita Trail from the Highway 270 (Black Fork Mountain Wilderness) Trailhead (Polk County, Arkansas) to the Talimena Scenic Drive (Highway 88) crossing is a pretty but strenuous hike with some very nice views. (My full profile of this stretch of trail is here.)

This part of the Ouachita Trail climbs from 270 up the north side of Rich Mountain.

If you do it as an out-and-back hike starting at Highway 270, it is a pretty good workout. The elevation increase is nearly 1,000 feet, and that is nearly all in the first 1.5 miles.

These are some additional photos from my February 2016 hike of this stretch of the OT.

Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Uphill stretch on Rich Mountain.

Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
The trail is not steep at all in the lower parts, starting from the Hwy 270 trailhead.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Mild incline in the lower part of this stretch.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Ouachita Trail 03: Talimena Scenic Drive to 270 TH (54.1 to 56.7).
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Ouachita Trail.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Quite a bit of incline during the first 1.5 miles from Highway 270.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
During leaf-off, quite a few pretty views of Black Fork Mountain through the trees in the higher parts of this hike.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Uphill stretch.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Some pretty views between the tress, climbing up Rich Mountain.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Ouachita Trail.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Junction for Rich Mountain Trail.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
Ouachita Trail 03: Talimena Scenic Drive to 270 TH (54.1 to 56.7).
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
A stone wall near the trail.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
I love the hillside terrain and interesting rocks on this part of the Ouachita Trail.
Ouachita Trail 03: Pics - Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7) photo
This is the point where the Ouachita Trail crosses the Talimena Scenic Highway (Highway 88).

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery.


Last revised: 9-18-2019.

Check these out:

By Mike Newman

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

One reply on “Ouachita Trail 03: Pics – Talimena Scenic Dr. to Hwy 270 (Black Fork Mtn) TH (54.1 to 56.7)”

Thanks, Mike.
I did this hike west-east (downhill). I probably missed some vistas for watching my footing.

What do you think? (Leave a comment.)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.