Twin Mountain Trailhead South to Lookout Tower Ridge  (Rescheduled due to weather)

In the Ozark National Forest north of Lake Wedington, the Twin Mountain trailhead leads to a couple of scenic overlooks. Just opposite that trailhead is another going south. This hike is an answer to the question, “Where does that go?” A portion of the Lake Wedington Trail, as described in Tim Ernst’s Arkansas Hiking Trails, it is well maintained and leads through mostly open woodland  and crosses Lookout Tower Road, where we’ll ascend the ridge and stop for lunch and the view. For the last ¾ of a mile or so, we’ll bushwhack along the top of the ridge and descend to Lookout Tower Road. This hike involves a shuttle and drivers may take alternate routes, so please pay close attention to the times and directions given below.

Day, Date:  Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

Name of Hike:  Twin Mountain Trailhead South to Lookout Tower Ridge

Location:  12 miles west of Fayetteville to Lake Wedington, 6.2 to trailhead (see directions)

Type of Hike:  Dayhike, Trail and short ¾ mile bushwhack

Hiking Distance:  4 miles more or less

Vertical Elevation Difference:  515 feet, undulating trail

Rating:  Easy due to distance, moderate due to leaf litter on maintained trails, gradual descent and ascent and off-trail bushwhacking  long ridge with overgrowth, uneven rocks and occasional briars (hikers may opt out of much of the last bushwhack portion by  descending the ridge to the road).

Features:  Pleasant open woodland trail, north scenic views, broken bluffline.

Hike Leader:  Steve Singleton

Contact:  479-283-9446 or email aerialobserver@gmail.com

Meeting Place and Time:  10:00 am on Tuesday, January 30 near Twin Mountain Trailhead (pullout with room for several cars some yards west of official trailhead). See Fayetteville directions for alternative time and locations.  Click on “Location” below for trailhead map.

Driving Directions:

• From Springdale and points north: 412 W to Martin Pedro Road, south to Forest Service Rd 867 (probably not marked) to Twin Mountain Trailhead pullout. This is the starting point for the hike so meet here at 10:00 am.  See Google Maps for Twin Mountain Trailhead at   Twin mountain trail head – Google Maps
• Or, from Fayetteville, take AR Hwy 16 west to the Wedington Trailhead parking lot on right opposite Lake Wedington campground. Meet here at 9:30 am and we will take a couple of minutes to organize the shuttle and proceed to the Twin Mountain Trailhead for a 10:00 am group hike start.  See Google Maps for Wedington Trailhead parking at  Wedington trail head – Google Maps

Comment:  Bring cold weather clothing, water, snack, lunch, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots/shoes.  Hiking poles may be helpful.  No pets are allowed on any hikes, and children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian.  Participants are required to sign a liability release at the trailhead to take part in any Ozark Society outing.  Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not. Bushwhacks are non-trail hikes which are more challenging than trail hikes. If you have never done a bushwhack hike, contact the hike leader first to find out about the challenges of the hike. We look out for each other, but you are responsible for your own safety.