K-Trail & Wolf Pen Gap - OK/AR - 3/25/11-3/27/11

taz223

ExplorationOutfitters.com
My fiancee and I headed out this weekend on our first trip with our new overland trailer, a used Sherpa II we purchased and modded. We gathered some route info from the guys at Central Overland, figured out our plan, loaded up the gear, and headed out!

Friday night, we headed up Hwy. 259 in Oklahoma to the 3-Sticks Monument, and then cut up the K-Trail until we got to the old Fire Lookout Tower, which was our intended campsight for Friday. We got in late, arriving at about 8:30PM, so the only pics I have from that evening are cooking dinner.

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The weather was MUCH colder than predicted that night, and the winds had to have been blowing 50-60MPH all night long, which made for a VERY long night with little sleep. Somehow, even though we are both Oklahoma natives, had forgotten the golden rule of Oklahoma, which is no matter what the weather forecast is, plan for anything to happen. We woke up pretty early Saturday morning to continued 40-50MPH gusts and fog/drizzle. We decided to break camp pretty early and get off the top of the mountain before any more weather rolled in. But had to snap a pic or two before we left:

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We headed down from the K-trail down County Road 4675 and followed it all the way down the mountain to Hwy. 63 in Muse, crossing a creek once and then cross a really cool old bridge across the Kiamichi River.

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Caught a couple of beautiful rainbows while we were driving down the County Road.

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We hit pavement for a short section on Hwy. 63 in Muse, OK until we got back off the pavement on County Road 1610 which led us to County Road 4664. Ran into a little critter along the way:

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And had another critter riding along with us:

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There is of course a back story behind this one. A couple of weeks ago Katie and I and some friends were fishing, and some how the conversation came up about if we were reincarnated as an animal, what we would want to be. Everyone answered, and of course, my answer was a squirrel. Everyone got a good laugh, but right before the trip, Katie came home with this squirrel beanie baby. Appropriately, its name was Nuts. So we decided that we would take Nuts on all of our travels, and take pictures of him in interesting places/situations. So there ya go. Cheesy yes, but cool at the same time. :victory:

County Road 4664 crosses Billy Creek right before the Billy Creek National Forest campground:

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After driving County Road 4664 to its end, it brought us out onto one of the most spectacular stretches of pavement anywhere around, Talimena Scenic Biway. Unfortunately, the fog had beat us to the road, and there weren't many views to speak of.

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We made a quick stop at a place called Horsethief Springs, which has a pretty interesting backstory.

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Nuts enjoying one of the vistas off of Talimena Drive.

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We took Talimena Drive all the way until it ends in Mena, Arkansas. Because of our afore-mentioned lack of preparation, we had to make a stop at Walmart in Mena to pick up some warmer clothes, grab some more ice, and then headed down Hwy. 8 to the Wolf Pen Gap ATV area. This area had come highly recommended from Wes (6string) at Central Overland, and I also had a lot of buddies at work who'd ridden 4-wheelers up there and said it was a blast. There are only a few roads there that are open to vehicles, but there are some fantastic camping spots. We found this spot right next to a beautiful little spring, and set up our home for the night. We actually had time to fully deploy the whole camp setup, and settled in for a great, albeit cold, night. Sorry for the lack of pics of the area, our camera skills seemed to have disappeared for the ride into Wolf Pen Gap.

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My beautiful fiancée Katie.

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I got busted taking a nap.

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Sunday around noon we packed up camp and hit the highways back home in southern Oklahoma. We had a fantastic trip and it was a great first-time experience with the trailer. It pulled great, handled well, and met or exceeded all of our expectations. The only thing that sucked about the trip was the Tahoe sucking the gas... but that wasn't really surprising.

Thanks for lookin, hope everyone enjoys the trip report. If you've got questions, feel free to ask!

Matt
 

cowboy63645

Adventurer
It looked like a great trip in some beautiful country! Nice trip report as well. I just read your trailer build up over on Central Overland, and I am quite impressed with the trailer. Looks like there isnt much room to improve on.
 

taz223

ExplorationOutfitters.com
Thanks for the props, it was a great first trip and the best part was that my fiancée loved it so that will ensure future trips. The trailer really works great and although it takes some getting used to and there are a few odds and ends to tie up were both really happy with how it turned out. Thanks again for the compliments!
 

taz223

ExplorationOutfitters.com
That was actually my 2nd trip on the K-trail in the Tahoe, and both times it has exceeded my expectations. The fuel mileage sucks, but that isn't really a surprise. The only real downside to it is its big. It is now pinstriped quite beautifully down both sides after two trips on the K-trail plus messing around locally. But, to me, its very nice to be riding around in great comfort, with XM radio and great AC, etc, plus the ability to haul gear and people.

With all that being said, I am very mindful when driving it on trails that I'm driving a vehicle that wasn't ever really meant to go offroad, no matter what the GM engineers say, and I try to drive accordingly. Try being the keyword... :ylsmoke:

I honestly think that in the near future I'm going to probably do a very mild straight axle swap in the front and change the rear axle to match. I don't intend on doing any rock crawling in it, nor mudding, but I would like the piece of mind and options that comes with having straight axles front and back. If I decide to do it, I won't be putting over 35" tires on, more than likely I will stick with the 33s that I have right now. We'd like to be able to go out to Moab, Canyonlands, etc. and eventually plan to run the Continental Divide trail from Mexico to Canada, and if we're going to do it in that rig then I want to have that piece of mind knowing that I will not only be able to find parts everywhere, but able to install parts are actually durable.
 

ElkyRacer

Observer
The only real downside to it is its big. It is now pinstriped quite beautifully down both sides after two trips on the K-trail plus messing around locally.

It doesnt matter if its a fullsize, or a midsize, or a mini cooper. K-Trail IS going to leave is mark on your vehicle! Personally Im looking forward to up-sizing from my Cherokees to a full size rig. Nice pix!
 

cowboy63645

Adventurer
Just an FYI, but thanks to your trailer build, I now have my wife talked into trying to find a trailer of our own! So for that, thank you!!
 

taz223

ExplorationOutfitters.com
Just an FYI, but thanks to your trailer build, I now have my wife talked into trying to find a trailer of our own! So for that, thank you!!

Cowboy thats awesome! My fiancee and I had done quite a bit of tent camping in various places, etc. and she is a real trooper, but when I found the Outlander for sale and showed her all the stuff we could do with it, she was in love with the idea. After we got it home and I got all the mods done and we finally got to take it out, she is hooked. She has been driving me crazy since we were headed back from this trip to go on another one, which makes it awesome when you can share something you love with someone you love. Good luck, if you need any help or info lemme know!

Matt
 

cowboy63645

Adventurer
Thanks, I appreciate it! I was in the process of building a custom mount for my truck bed for an RTT, which still might happen to give my 3 kids a place to sleep other than on the ground in a tent. It would give us a few more options on what to take where.
 

Oobray

Adventurer
I know this is old but I'm going to try and copy it for my first off road camping trip with the family. I was an avid backpacker prior to getting married, and I almost had the wife hooked before the kiddo came. The little one is 4 now so it's time she started camping. My truck is big, but prob more capable than the tahoe, so hopefully I'll be able to manage. I followed your write up on a map, and I think I'll try it in reverse since I'll be coming from OKlahoma City. Anyone have any insights on this? Specifically where is this fire tower?

Thanks!!
 

taz223

ExplorationOutfitters.com
Oobray,

Working on a reply to your PM right now. I'm also going to upload you a Google Earth file that will show you where the fire tower, etc. is and add in a few tips. I lost my original Google Earth file that I used to plan this trip, so I apologize in advance if you've got to make some route corrections. One suggestion would be to go to WalMart & buy the Gazeteers for Arkansas & Oklahoma, or get them online. I can't remember which publisher they are but they are a red cover, and provide some great info for these states. Theres also a national park office as you enter Mena from Talimena drive that has some great topo maps of the Quachita area. Once you get the PM, if you have other questions, feel free to call or e-mail me.

Matt
 

Mr. Leary

Glamping Excursionaire
The fire tower is roughly 12 miles west of highway 259. The k trail is one ridge south from the Talimena Scenic drive.

If you are coming in from the west, you will need to find the beginning of the Clayton trail in order to reach the k trail, as all other points of entry have been closed... trust me I've looked.

Its not very difficult, but it is tight, and like others have said, there will be scratches. I can always spot a rig thats been down the trail a few times. :sombrero:
 

taz223

ExplorationOutfitters.com
Chad,

The entrance to the Clayton Trail is off of 9-Pine Road. Take 271 out of Clayton (southeast) and you'll see 9-Pine Road along with signs for Camping, Cabins, etc. I can't remember the name of the Horse Stables & RV Park but you'll see the sign. The GPS coordinates for the entrance to the Clayton Trail are:

34 Degrees 35'42.32"N
95 Degrees 18'20.98"W

You'll follow it until it junctions into the K-Trail after a while. That junction is at:

34 Degrees 35'02.11"N
95 Degrees 13'59.47"W

Once you get to the junction you'll turn left and be on the actual K-Trail. Check your e-mail and you should have some stuff from me for the route and everything that we used on that particular trip. Let me know how else I can help you, or for an expert on that area and the trails, Mr. Leary is definitely your go to guy. He helped me a bunch planning the trip thats mentioned in this post. Be good!

Matt
 

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