Field trips of the Arkansas Native Plant Society are for current and future members. (That’s right: Everyone is welcome!)
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Botanists from around the state lead these enjoyable and informative walks. Please let trip leaders know you are coming in case of last minute changes. Be sure to call them if the weather is uncertain.
April 11, 2015 – Ouachita National Trail – Perry County
Eric Hunt & Virginia McDaniel will co-lead. We will meet at 10:00am at the Lake Sylvia trailhead parking area. Volunteers will be needed to carpool folks over to the Highway 9 trailhead. GPS for the Lake Sylvia trailhead parking area is 34.86320, -92.81864. Ignore the “Lake Sylvia/Closed” signs on Highway 9/10 – those refer to the public swimming area.
Uvularia perfoliata photographed on the Ouachita National Trail
We will explore a section of the Ouachita National Trail that noted Arkansas outdoor writer Tim Ernst described as one of the most scenic of the entire trail. The spring wildflower bloom should be in full swing. We hope to see the easternmost Ouachita Mountains population of the rare species Uvularia perfoliata on this hike, along with large colonies of Iris cristata and numerous other flowers, trees and forbs.
Bring water and lunch. The trail is narrow with moderately steep dropoffs. Wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes please.
There is a lovely short self-guided paved loop trail at the Lake Sylvia parking area that can be explored by interested persons before or after the main hike.
Contact Eric Hunt (ericinlr@gmail.com or 415-225-6561) or Virginia McDaniel (virginiamcd31@yahoo.com or 828-545-2062) for more information or reservations or to volunteer to help carpool. Participation is limited to 15 people. Note: Cell phone service is very spotty in this part of the Ouachita Mountains. Eric does not have service and Virginia has intermittent service.
We will start the carpool over to the Highway 9 trailhead at 10:15 sharp.
Arkansas Native Plant Society 