Jeramie Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 This past week was my wife and my 14th wedding anniversary. Its still blazing hot in the Midwest so we really didn’t feel like doing much. However, she found the site for Mount Magazine in SW Arkansas so we made plans. We drove down Thursday (about 2.5 hours from the house) with the Yamaha Bruin (350) in the back of the truck. We left Friday morning for the State Park. It was about an hour drive from where we were staying. It wasn’t very far but it is Mountain Roads, curves, switchbacks, etc. We passed a Monastery from something like 1886. MASSIVE beautiful place. We finally made it to Mount Magazine at 11:00, unloaded after getting a map, and hit the trail at 11:30. The trail itself (if you take both the yellow and orange routes) is 36 miles through the mountains. We later learned... it is NOT for the faint of heart. The yellow trail was pretty simple with a few large rocks, some tall roots, etc. However, once you hit the orange trail.... Wow.... Remember the scene from The Man From Snowy River when he rides the mountain horse down the side of a mountain? Yeah, it was pretty much like that for about 5 hours. Round trip took us 7 1/2 hours. The trails were rough to say the least. We had to cross river beds that were literally 20 – 40 yards wide. They were bone dry so the large rocks were a challenge. On the other side of most of those places were eroded trails leading up the sides of the mountains. Some of the rocks were as large as car hoods. It was nothing to have to climb over a 3’ – 4’ pile of rocks the size of basketballs. We didn’t know what to expect so my wife had packed a small gas grill and New York strips. We had a couple of dove chairs, etc. We had no idea we needed tools, a GPS, an extra tire, etc. Luckily I did think to brink 2-gallons of gas. God was with us because we didn’t have any issues, the quad ran like a champ. It took us 5 hours to make it to the improved camp at the end/ return of the trail. As soon as we rolled into the camp there was a doe standing there looking at us. I thought its too hot for her to be out?! A few seconds later two cougars bolted from cover from behind the doe and ran behind another grove of trees. Then we knew why she was standing in the park! We realized were were only about 2 hours (maybe 2.5) from dark and still had 18 miles to cover. Luckily the last half isnt quite as bad as the first. We were able to use some dirt roads and run about 45mph. We still had a lot of trail but were able to make it back before dark. God we were glad to see the truck! A friend of mine use to ride motor cross. We told him where we went. He said they use to take a group of guys and ride there every weekend. However, they rode on the other side of the mountains. No one rides were we went, its too dangerous and if you had problems no one would find you.... Seriously though, if you’re looking for adventure its AWESOME and the park is free so its worth the drive. Apparently if you go to the other side its more populated and the trails are more desirable. I would go back to this one but not without extra water, a couple of extra tries and rims, tools, a gps, at least one other quad, etc. We literally went in blind and didn’t get any advice from the 80 year old running the counter at the rangers/ welcome station! Had we known we probably would have opted for the kiddy trail! It was serious man v’s wild stuff! Unfortunately our camera wouldn’t work. I think the batteries crapped out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckrich Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 Sounds like a blast! That would be a good weekend trip if you had a small group of riders. Glad you guys made it safe and had fun. And congrats on the 14 years! Really crazy that you saw two cougars. That will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted August 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 Really crazy that you saw two cougars. That will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck... The only other cougar ive seen alive was in Estes Park, CO. When we spotted them they were literally about 45 yards out. Was cool but spooky at the same time. There are black bear all over that place so we expected to see bear but never expected cougars! ....let alone two.... if you took a few bikes and a small group it would be awesome but you would have to ride the first part of the trail pretty hard. we didnt figure that out until we made the 18 mile point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popgun Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) You are indeed very lucky to have seen, not one, but two cougars. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission still maintains the premise that there are NO COUGARS in our state. They say there no breeding pairs, and that the only way there could be any singles is for someone to have let one escape from captivity. They say there are no cougars, mountain lions or Florida panthers, and that all the sightings that have been reported have been proven to be house cats. If you could have only gotten that on film, maybe you could have helped some of us persuade the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that unlike the Sasquatch and the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, the cougar does exists in this state. You have had a once in a lifetime experience, and speaking for all Arkansans we hope you will come back. Most of the cougar sightings have been in bars around the Little Rock and Hot Springs area. (women over fifty cruising for young guys.) ....popgun Edited August 1, 2011 by popgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 That sounds like fun! As soon as I read this thread I got on craigslist and started looking for atvs :DWhat was the name of the trail you took? I'm seriously interested....I like the "road" less traveled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted August 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 You have to go to the state park and there is a camp called "Horse camp." You start out there with the yellow trail and then it changes to orange. If you start at horse camp you cant miss it.... Good to see you Ryan.... Where have you been keeping yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted August 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 You are indeed very lucky to have seen, not one, but two cougars. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission still maintains the premise that there are NO COUGARS in our state. They say there no breeding pairs, and that the only way there could be any singles is for someone to have let one escape from captivity. They say there are no cougars, mountain lions or Florida panthers, and that all the sightings that have been reported have been proven to be house cats. If you could have only gotten that on film, maybe you could have helped some of us persuade the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that unlike the Sasquatch and the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, the cougar does exists in this state. You have had a once in a lifetime experience, and speaking for all Arkansans we hope you will come back. Most of the cougar sightings have been in bars around the Little Rock and Hot Springs area. (women over fifty cruising for young guys.) ....popgun I emailed the rangers but never heard anything back. They said they werent in Oklahoma either even though many had been killed. They also started seeing them around Tulsa (Highly Populated) and Broken Arrow (Also Highly Populated). Shortly there after Oklahoma made it legal to kill them if they offer an imediate threat on life inlcuding livestock. Im not a pup and I know what I saw. My wife saw it too. I wish I would have had the camera out and running.... It was very impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 I lurk around daily. Just don't post a whole lot. Been busy and I'm ready for fall! Got drawn for the Pushmataha blackpowder hunt and can't wait for that too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Thats sweet! I didnt draw anything this year. Good to see you around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 sounds like a fun time though despite getting into rough terrain. we don't have many places like that around here. it sounds like the trails aren't too bad if you're capable and know what you're getting into. i bet with all the gear and riding two up things were pretty tough though. sounds like a cool place. trails that allow dirtbikes are hard to come by. snowmobile clubs fight with dirtbike/atv riders a lot around here it seems. they think all the trails will be ruined by the bikes and atv's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted August 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Youll be hard pressed to find a snowmobil in the Midwest. Granted we did have massive amounts of snow this past winter but they certinally arent common. However, ATV's are everywhere. We still have thousands of operating ranches and farms and everyone uses them. The gear made the trip the worst. I can handle my wife sitting behind me but the stuff strapped all over the place made it difficult from time to time. Im going to weld up a basket I can hang from the back, with a lid that you can open, drop the stuff in, and then close it down. I think that is going to make things a lot easier. Apparently we arent a smart breed out here. I told quite a few people about it and everyone started making plans on when we could all go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 yea well up here we've got them all and everyone wants room to play. i know a couple that have the boxes/backrest/rear seat that strap over the back rack. i'd go if i was closer! i actually have got a current project going that i haven't gotten to yet. i picked up an all stock Suzuki LT-250R. I've got new OEM parts to fix the clutch and then it's good to go. It's the first production racing atv made and being a 250cc two stroke it's not really something i'd take into the hunting woods. Thinking after I fix it I'm just going to sell it to a die-hard Suzuki rider and make some money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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