It was time for the OTSHAB (Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers- Facebook Group) Beginning Backpacker Trip. We open this trip up to anyone that has an interest in backpacking but has yet to go out for a full night. We have now done this three times. The participants have to attend several instructional online seminars and prepare their gear lists for evaluation and get out for at least a 7 mile hike with their full kit before the event weekend. We pair a few EB's (Experienced Backpackers- take that as you will 😄) with a small group of beginners so we can give each our full attention. Depending on how many BB's sign up, we will have several groups. This year we had four groups. In our group there was three EB's and three BB's. A one to one ratio.
Our group would be doing a six mile trip out on Saturday, with the six mile return on Sunday morning. Half the distance would be around Council Bluff Lake and half on the Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail.
The planned route (in yellow) is the official Saturday/Sunday route. The route in Blue is my route out on Friday and then my return route back, also on Friday was following the official route
The plan was for anyone that wanted too, meet on Friday night at a close by trailhead and camp together as a pre "get to know you time" and then drive over to the starting trailhead Saturday morning and join any other members of the group that could not make the Friday event.
I planned to go out on Friday and walk to the campsite to make sure that it was in suitable shape for 6 people and do any cleanup or be able to send out any last minute updates to the group. There was also a chance given the rain over the last few days that the Big River (just a creek at this location, that we needed to cross twice), might be high enough that you couldn't avoid getting feet wet. There was also a chance for thunderstorms on Friday afternoon, which could also impact the water level and the quality of our camping spot.
I got to the Enough trailhead about 10:30am on Friday. I had always wanted to scout out the area that runs through the old town of Enough. Enough is now a ghost town, fallen back into what is now the Mark Twain National Forest, but it was a community founded in 1917. Named because the local postmaster had sent the mail service commissioners so many town name options that they finally said ENOUGH!
Ironically, the town died when the post office was decommissioned in 1937. Council Bluff lake did not come into existence until 1981.
I have hiked around this lake, with its 12 mile circular trail and spur to Johnson Mountain, more times than I can count.
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| Evening view from Johnson Mountain Dec 26, 2025 |
Friday
So off I went to explore, "I wonder what is down that abandoned road" idea. You can see my morning route above (in blue) on the map.
Indeed, the first thing right from the parking lot, The Big River, (as I mentioned, is just a creek here), but it is the source of the water for Council Bluff Lake and does get good size later down stream of the Dam. It was high and the braid is too wide and deep to cross without getting your feet wet.
The Savanna stretches for about 2 miles adjacent to the abandoned road
The skies looked like rain for awhile but nothing ever happened.
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| Turkey hunter gear. |
And here is where I need to tell on myself and I am embarrassed. This "Experienced Backpacker" did not know that Turkey Season had started and as you may already be guessing, I walked right into several hunters sitting on the road looking into the expanse of the savanna. This area is in the Mark Twain National Forest so it is open to hunting and while I can legally be here as well, it is not good manners (or all that safe) to be here! All I could do was quietly apologize and move on as quickly and quietly as possible.
The savanna eventually ends and the road becomes a rarely used maintenance road for the electric lines.
The maintenance road quickly becomes something that hasn't been used by a vehicle in a long time
It gets a bit better
After almost three miles total, all traces of a road end right at the campsite. This has saved about three miles off of the "official" trail that normally brings you here on the Ozark Trail.
Campsite with fire ring
A tad overgrown, but plenty of space for everyone
After a little sit, it was time to head back, using the regular Ozark Trail to avoid being in anyone's way!
Lots of Spring flowers along the trail today.
Ozark Trail meets Council Bluff Lake Trail
After I returned to the car, It was around 2:30 pm, with plenty of time before anyone would arrive at the trailhead, I decided to head over to the Bixby County Store for a burger.
Friday Night
Getting back to the trail head area at Hwy32/DD, others started to show up around 4:30 pm. There would be two groups staging at this trail head, one going East and one West, Saturday morning.
There were six of us in total. We made a nice campfire and just chatted till about 9 pm.
Saturday
Saturday everyone needed to be at their respective starting points by 10 am. Myself and one of my BB's, Jess, drove the 5.5 miles from here to the Enough Trailhead parking area to wait for the rest of our group to arrive.
All ready to go. L-R: Brian and Regina (EB's), Bev, Jess and Sara (BB's)
and me
Everyone attacked the stream crossing like they had been doing it for years!
Small wildlife sightings
After stopping at noon at about the half way point, we had lunch by a stream and practiced water filtering skills, then in about another hour and half we reached our campsite at Big River at the junction of the Trace Creek and Middle Fork Sections.
Everyone picked a spot and began their first tent setup in the "wild"
Sara and her tent.
An offering of smelly socks to the hiking gods
As it turned out, the other group camping with us on Friday night was down to just one BB. Instead of overwhelming her with three EB's, they decided to come to our campsite. This way all the BB's could be together in the evening. This worked out really well and everyone had a great time.
Everyone around the campfire ring for dinner.
Making fire
The weather turned very nice as the forecast was completely wrong for the weekend.
Nice fire
Bev's tent glowing in the dark
Sunday
As we do, we took a poll as to when everyone wanted to leave camp and 8 am was the choice, so we were packed up, breakfast eaten and on the trail back by 8 am.
The day was a perfect, blue sky day with temps in the mid 60's, just perfect for walking.
While we suffered through some Whippoorwill calling last night, the morning bird song was delightful
What a huge improvement in all the BB's in just 24 hours. After feeling and adjusting to wearing their packs and the feel of the trail's ups and downs from yesterday, their strides were better, more confident, their pace was better and the smiles were bigger!
The woods in the morning light was inspiring
and even a waterfall
At least as much as enjoying the hike is looking forward to after hike food and beer. It was back to Bixby County Store for lunch.
This time I had asked if they could put another patty on that burger and they were more than kind enough to oblige. yum....
Stats
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Thank you to Brian and Regina my fellow EB's for your deep trail knowledge and friendship and of course to Bev, Jess and Sara, that make these events possible. I hope that this weekend only wetted your appetite for more time in the woods carrying a pack.
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