Holson Valley Loop, Ouachita Trail, Oklahoma

This 21.8 mile loop allows flexible access to the second section of the Ouachita Trail (OT) in Oklahoma by combining it with parts of the Boardstand Trail, Choctaw Nation Trail (formerly Indian Nation Trail, INT), Horse Thief Spring Trail and several other trails. It can be done as 2 shorter loop hikes using a short connector trail.

The Map: A free full size version of the map is available on this page as a downloadable jpg. It is also available printed in color on 11x17, "Rite in the Rain” all weather writing paper for $5 plus S&H by emailing Charlie at cew5151@gmail.com. The map is nominal 1:24,000 based on USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle topographic maps.The Loop was mapped with a WAAS enabled GPS and is drawn in different colors to designate each trail. The map shows the OT (blue), Boardstand (green), INT (yellow), other trails (purple) and forest roads not shown on the standard quads (gray). Other features include trailheads, segment mileage, general directions to park, waypoints and waypoint coordinates.

The Hike: Coming soon!

Info: USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle topographic maps: LeFlore SE, Muse, Hodgen and Big Cedar (trails not shown). Contact Talimena State Park at (918) 567-2052. Contact the Ouachita National Forest, Choctaw Unit, Hodgen OK, at (918) 653-2991.

Directions to Deadman Gap: Take Arkansas US Hwy. 271 to Talimena Drive (Highway 1) and go east 6 miles. Park at the Deadman Gap Vista on the north side of the highway. Ouachita Trail crosses Talimena Drive a few hundred feet east of the vista.

Directions to Horse Thief Springs: Take US 59 south of Heavener OK to the junction of Hwy 259 junction. Turn right and go 5 miles until the junction of Talimena Drive (Hwy 1). Take Talimena west for about 5 miles. Horse Thief Springs is well marked and on the right.

To Buy Maps: The entire trail is on one map. Color, 11x17 maps on weatherproof paper are available for $5 each plus S&H by emailing Charlie at cew5151@gmail.com (copy and paste in your email).