Dedication of Lake Ouachita Vista Trail

10/27/2014

Heads up to all hikers, mountain bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts! The official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the popular Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) is tomorrow ( Oct. 28)! The event takes place at the Avery Recreation Area at Lake Ouachita’s Blakely Dam at 1 p.m

vistadedication

This popular  trail includes around 45 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails along the southern shore of Lake Ouachita. The trail was built in sections and was a joint effort of many groups and agencies in the area to link the resorts and campgrounds around Lake Ouachita together via a trail system. The trail meanders through the Ouachita National Forest with spurs providing lake vistas. Recently, the route was named an Epic Ride by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).

Many congratulations to the Traildogs, the never tiring group of volunteers ( led by Jerry Shields and a core group of traildogs including Robert Cavanaugh and Al Gathright) who provided support in the design, planning, and construction of the route and who currently maintain and look over the route.

As to the agenda for the dedication ceremony, it will include remarks by:

Colonel John W. Cross, Colonel US Army Corps of Engineers
Norman Wagner, Forest Supervisor Ouachita National Forest
Joe David Rice, Arkansas Tourism Director
Jeff Crow, Deputy Director, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
Steve Schneider, Regional Director, International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA)

Following the ribbon cutting, and weather permitting, there will be a two-mile hike and bike event on the Blakely Mountain section of the trail. I hope to see you there!