PigTrail
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Disclaimers
tl;dr - Arrive Shadow Mtn RV in Mena on Fri 3/12. Ride to Cove Lake Campground Sat and back Sun. I'm on a KTM 690. Generally big bike friendly, but ride your own ride. Lots of dirt and some exploring. Camping off bikes Saturday night, so you will need food, water, and way to keep warm & dry while sleeping. 100 mi range min.
The Route and Things We'll See
Day 1 is approximatley 147 mi (purple line). Day 2 is a bit shorter to get us back to trucks in early afternoon, 114 mi (blue line) - Google Map Link and .gpx file
Buzzard Rock - not to be confused with Buzzards Roost in northern AR. This overlook is near the Huckleberry Camp to the NE of Mt. Magazine. More info on this forest service info-sheet. It's an out-n-back spur off our planned route on Saturday. See "binoculars" waypoint on the google map.
On Sunday morning we will pack sleeping bags and tent and scoot up the road 11 miles to Mt. Magazine Lodge. The Skycrest Restaurant is open for breakfast at 7am. However, you must wear a mask to enter the building. Breakfast menu here. It's the highest point in Arkansas and usually has a great view.
Kirkwood Falls - good spot for a snack late Sunday morning. More info here.
Many of the roads look like this, but some rougher, some smoother.
GPS File (.gpx) - Updated link here
Lodging:
Friday night (3/12): Mena, AR - Shadow Mountain RV Park
Saturday night (3/13): Cove Lake Campground
Fuel
Fuel is available in Mena, Danville, Rover, Havana, Paris, and Waldron. You should plan for a range of ~100 mi. Worried about extra gas? Grab a 30oz red MSR fuel bottle. It's a cheap way to extend your range. Amazon link.
Previous Arkansas Ride from May 2020: "Mena to Hot Springs"
Planning
After the Ride
What are you getting into?
If you haven't ridden with us before you should know we're trying to create a fun, well-organized trip that other people can attend. There is no cost and we aren't responsible for your well-being, but we will certainly lend a hand if you need help changing a flat, taping up a floppy boot sole, or picking your bike up after a creek-crossing gone wrong. We are doing this ride and believe "the more the merrier". However, ride your own ride and know your limits.
The ride will be on public roads, so a street legal bike is a must. We will be camping on Saturday night at Cove Lake Campground. The link for Cove Lake above goes straight to the Recreation.gov website to make site reservations.
If you want to check us out more, please take a look at the ride reports or check us out on IG @dualsportdispatch
Our General Schedule - Subject to change, but gives an idea of what the "plan" is...
Fri:
Sat:
Sun:
Might be chilly...
But lots of this...
Who's In?
Screen Name - 1st Name - Bike
All Links in One Place
Huckleberry Trail System - Buzzard Rock - Mt. Magazine
Huckleberry FS Map
Shadow Mountain RV Park
Cove Lake Campground Reservations
Kirkwood Falls
Interactive Forest Service Map
Map of Arkansas Fire Lookouts
Ouachita National Forest OHV Map Homepage
Arkansas Dual Sport Routes - state site with .gpx files
Updated GPS File of Route
Waterfalls Along 519
GPX viewer
- This is a planning thread. The first post will be updated as the plan comes together, so check back.
- It's still winter, so this could all fold if a snow storm hits. ...or if it's 38 and raining.
- This is NOT a guided ride. You are responsible for yourself. However, we won't leave you for the coyotes without asking first.
- My wife will be joining us. She rides a KTM 350. She's not "ride or die". She is more like, "rides with questions".
- Wondering who we are? Check Heather and I out on IG @ DualSportDispatch
tl;dr - Arrive Shadow Mtn RV in Mena on Fri 3/12. Ride to Cove Lake Campground Sat and back Sun. I'm on a KTM 690. Generally big bike friendly, but ride your own ride. Lots of dirt and some exploring. Camping off bikes Saturday night, so you will need food, water, and way to keep warm & dry while sleeping. 100 mi range min.
The Route and Things We'll See
Day 1 is approximatley 147 mi (purple line). Day 2 is a bit shorter to get us back to trucks in early afternoon, 114 mi (blue line) - Google Map Link and .gpx file
Buzzard Rock - not to be confused with Buzzards Roost in northern AR. This overlook is near the Huckleberry Camp to the NE of Mt. Magazine. More info on this forest service info-sheet. It's an out-n-back spur off our planned route on Saturday. See "binoculars" waypoint on the google map.
On Sunday morning we will pack sleeping bags and tent and scoot up the road 11 miles to Mt. Magazine Lodge. The Skycrest Restaurant is open for breakfast at 7am. However, you must wear a mask to enter the building. Breakfast menu here. It's the highest point in Arkansas and usually has a great view.
Kirkwood Falls - good spot for a snack late Sunday morning. More info here.
Many of the roads look like this, but some rougher, some smoother.
GPS File (.gpx) - Updated link here
Lodging:
Friday night (3/12): Mena, AR - Shadow Mountain RV Park
- Spoke to Vonda Mahoney (yes with a V) and she will allow you to rent a cabin for one night with an extra $25 cleaning fee. Usually there is a 2 night minimum. The total inclusive of "truck charge" for leaving a vehicle until Sunday is $111.98 for a cabin for Friday night. Linens are included and there is a bath-house near the cabins, but no bathroom in cabin. If you rent a tent spot or camp in your enclosed trailer or van that's a different deal and they can get you sorted. She requests that you call 15 minutes before arrival, so someone will be sure to be in the office to greet you. Phone # is 479.394.6099.
Saturday night (3/13): Cove Lake Campground
- I spoke to Kevin at Cove Lake. The water, bath-house, and flush toilets are off until April 1st, but there are pit toilets. Bring own water, food, beer, etc.
- We reserved site 03. There is probably room for one more tent at our site, but Heather says I periodically snore, so consider yourself warned.
Fuel
Fuel is available in Mena, Danville, Rover, Havana, Paris, and Waldron. You should plan for a range of ~100 mi. Worried about extra gas? Grab a 30oz red MSR fuel bottle. It's a cheap way to extend your range. Amazon link.
Previous Arkansas Ride from May 2020: "Mena to Hot Springs"
Planning
After the Ride
What are you getting into?
If you haven't ridden with us before you should know we're trying to create a fun, well-organized trip that other people can attend. There is no cost and we aren't responsible for your well-being, but we will certainly lend a hand if you need help changing a flat, taping up a floppy boot sole, or picking your bike up after a creek-crossing gone wrong. We are doing this ride and believe "the more the merrier". However, ride your own ride and know your limits.
The ride will be on public roads, so a street legal bike is a must. We will be camping on Saturday night at Cove Lake Campground. The link for Cove Lake above goes straight to the Recreation.gov website to make site reservations.
If you want to check us out more, please take a look at the ride reports or check us out on IG @dualsportdispatch
Our General Schedule - Subject to change, but gives an idea of what the "plan" is...
Fri:
- 7:00pm Arrive Shadow Mountain RV Park, eat, make a drink, and meet a few new 2 wheeled friends
Sat:
- 8:30am - stands up from Shadow Mtn RV Park
- noonish - lunch somewhere on the trail (packed)
- 4 or 5ish - arrive Cove Lake Campground
- Perhaps a supply trip to Paris, AR 15 mins away
- Dinner at camp / stand around fire telling lies - alternative food at "Cove Creek Supply". 3.1 miles to the South. Apparently they have good burgers.
Sun:
- ~7:30 or 8 - ride up to Mt. Magazine Lodge for breakfast and coffee. Depart by 9:30 or 10am for Mena.
- Lunch on the trail again
- ~2:30 or 3pm arrive at trucks at Shadow Mtn. RV park and depart for home
Might be chilly...
But lots of this...
Who's In?
Screen Name - 1st Name - Bike
- Pigtrail - Richard - KTM 690
All Links in One Place
Huckleberry Trail System - Buzzard Rock - Mt. Magazine
Huckleberry FS Map
Shadow Mountain RV Park
Cove Lake Campground Reservations
Kirkwood Falls
Interactive Forest Service Map
Map of Arkansas Fire Lookouts
Ouachita National Forest OHV Map Homepage
Arkansas Dual Sport Routes - state site with .gpx files
Updated GPS File of Route
Waterfalls Along 519
GPX viewer
Attachments
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