It’s a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless. Water? Trail? North, south, east, west? The Natural State offers the adventurer an embarrassment of riches; so many in fact that the simple matter of deciding where to spend a precious Autumn weekend is anything but. The task at hand was daunting to be sure, but I weighed options against resources and eventually set my gaze southwest. The object of my pursuit? Tall Peak and the historic fire tower at its summit.
Tall Peak Fire Lookout, 1963 Courtesy Central US Lookouts and Ouachita National Forest Archives
One of the ten fire towers representing Arkansas on the National Historic Lookout Register, the Tall Peak lookout was constructed in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The 12′ x 12′ wood framed cabin perched on a stone base is vintage CCC handiwork, but it’s kind of short as far as fire towers go. I like to think of it as an underdog, and despite frequent and sadly unsurprising defacement its rustic, spare beauty lingers, ready to reveal itself to anyone willing to see it.
The Tall Peak lookout was added to the Historic Register in 1993.
Old in the shadow of new, a juxtaposition that speaks to our current zeitgeist.
Still, despite the lookout’s charm the best part of the destination, as they say, is the journey. It begins at Shady Lake, a Ouachita National Forest Recreation Area. If you’d like to learn more about Shady Lake visit our Camp page. In addition to the campground there are numerous dispersed sites, this one for example.
Room with a View, My Boondock Campsite
If you’re feeling contrarian there are also other places to enter the trail. The natural beauty between the trailhead and the alternate points of entry is worth the little bit of extra effort in this adventurer’s humble opinion, but hike your own hike. After several creek crossings the trail begins to wend its way up the mountain, forsaking enchanting bottom land hardwoods for majestic groves of Beech and Pine. The ascent continues through the trees until the trail begins to traverse narrow boulder fields and scree, eventually laying itself bare to the vistas that make a ramble in the Ouachitas so special. At this point the fire tower is only a few minutes away, so taking time to appreciate the views (and likely draw a breath or two) is the thing to do.
I reached the top around 3:00 Saturday afternoon. The weather was exquisite, and conditions were perfect for a spectacular mountain sunset, but I’d resolved take it in from one of the vistas down the trail with a view unencumbered by trees and power lines. So, after exploring the lookout for a bit I began to make my way back down the mountain to settle in for the show.
Tall Peak Sunset
I was entranced, but also tired and a little chilly, so after a few more moments I headed back down to the trailhead and the end of another amazing Arkansas adventure.
See you out there!
Deuce
