Since FoOT’s inception in 2004, Ouachita Mountain Hikers (OMH) has spent nine days a year maintaining the Flatside Wilderness area from FR 124 to FR 94, a total of 10.4 miles of the Ouachita Trail.  Their commitment to and diligence with this section of the trail are exemplary! 

Club member Glen McClain is the "task master" who organizes the work load as

The 2009 annual membership meeting of Friends of the Ouachita Trail was held Saturday, Nov. 21, at the lodge in Queen Wilhelmina State Park.  As usual, the meeting was held at a location near the trail, so that members could combine a trail outing with the meeting.  Jim Gifford, President of FoOT, presided over the meeting.  Thirty-eight members attended the meeting.  District Ranger Jim Zornes (Mena District) and Larry Ross represented the USFS as guests of FoOT.

Kris has posted photos from the 2009 Western End Extravaganza (WEE).    Check them out in the photo gallery.

…..And A Good Time Was Had by All

FoOT Members:

The Western End Extravaganza is a vivid memory now.  We came, we saw, we conquered.  In some of the most rugged, steep, and beautiful country you have ever seen we accomplished extreme tasks. 

All but one day was absolutely gorgeous weather.  But even on the not so good weather day we prevailed. The good weather helped us move along with our projects of building 2 new bridges, completing tons of tread renovation projects (the dirt and rocks were flying), removing the old rotten and installing the new shiny trail signs, blazing where no man has gone before (at least that’s how some of us felt roaming around in the boulder fields without any trail markings), chainsawing Miles 0 to 20 with Billy McMillen and Bo Lea carrying two chainsaws for 3 days, lopping, removing limbs and debris. 

An e-mail was sent 10/27/2009 to all FoOT members with instructions for a) membership renewal, b) registering for the FoOT annual meeting (Nov 21st) and c) voting for FoOT directors.

If you are a FoOT member and did not receive these forms, please email footfriendsot [dot] org asap.

FoOT Annual Meeting - November 21st, 11:00 am @ Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge

Each November, Friends of the Ouachita Trail holds our Annual Meeting, where we welcome all FoOT members for the election of 3 Board of Directors positions, awards and lunch on FoOT!

This year's meeting will be held at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Western Arkansas, keeping with our tradition of holding the Annual Meeting somewhere near the trail. With QWSP, the lodge is practically ON the trail!

Watch this space for more information and a ballot for the three Director positions. We hope to see you there!