A portion of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail will be temporarily closed shortly for a planned timber cut. The cut will take place in a section north of Lake Maumelle and west of Lumsford Corner (miles 209.5 to 211.5). Right now it looks like the closure may happen as early as the end of this month. Depending on when the work starts, CAW hopes to have the work done by September when prime hiking and trail running season really starts.
Below is more information from Stephanie Liechty of Central Arkansas Water.
“I wanted to let you all know that CAW will be conducting a selective thinning on some of our property along the north shore of Lake Maumelle. The attached map shows the area where the thinning will occur. The work may begin by the end of July. We will be opening bids this coming Thursday. Therefore, for safety reasons, CAW will have to close the part of the Ouachita National Hiking Trail that runs through this area. I have flagged a buffer along the trail and the logger is required to leave a one chain (66 ft) buffer along the trail (33 ft on either side of the trail). I will post “Trail Closed” signs, as I did previously, to notify hikers once I get a more definitive start date. Please pass along the information to FoOT members, running club members, and any other interested parties. I apologize for the inconvenience. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks.”
