Louisiana Trails - Jamestown to Winnfield:
Louisiana
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Description:
Louisiana Trails present a spectacular path through majestic hardwood and pine forests towering overhead as you pass through part of the Kisatchie National Forest. The multi-use corridor is popular with families, equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers, joggers, ATV users and birdwatchers. You may even see a mule-drawn wagon along the way. Dozens of old railroad trestles convey trail users over the many streams and lakes, as well as a few swamps and beaver ponds. Wildflowers and flowering trees lend splashes of color during spring, summer and fall. Winters temperatures are generally mild, making this a year-round destination.
The trail, when fully developed, will be 60 plus miles long, stretching from Sibley to Winnfield. It will cross parts of Webster, Bienville, Natchitoches, and Winn parishes. Currently only about 40 miles of the trail, between Jamestown and Winnfield, are open to the public (except for activities involving horses and mules.) Because of incomplete flooring on some of the bridges, the Trail is open to horses and mules between Ashland and Goldonna only.
The railbed dates to 1890, when it was constructed by William Buchanan to expand his 4-mile logging railroad south from Bodcaw, Arkansas, to Louisiana. Eventually, what became known as the Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad, was sold to the Kansas City Southern Railway. During its day, the rail line connected with the Carey Salt mine in Winnfield and linked oil and gas operations in Bienville and Webster parishes.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Parking is available in Jamestown between E. Front Street (Rt. 792) and W. Front Street, south of Rt. 154. You can also park in two places in Goldonna, near the Post Office (Main Street/Rt. 479) and also farther along northeast of there on Main Street/Rt. 479.
Parking is available at the southern end point is near Winnfield, at the intersection of Rt. 501 and Par Road/994/Milam Rd.
Other towns along and near the route include Mt. Morgan, Ogden, Heflin, Swift, Fryeburg, Lawhon, Jamestown, Castor, Alberta, Roy, Guynes, Ashland, Skidder, Chestnut, Oshkosh, Coldwater, Grace, Calvin and Carla Station on the west side of Winnfield.
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By tbwade in January, 2012
Well build trail for anyone besides hikers. I was looking for an overnight trail and found this one to be the longest in the area. The trail has ruts all through out it and you will run into a couple of large mud puddles from the tires of atvs. Be care while crossing over the first couple of bridges on the west end of the trail due to the wide gaps in between the ties. As you can see in the description it was a railroad, therefore the trail is very wide along the entire 40 miles. Half of the trail is with in sight of a highway, so don't expect for it to be to peaceful. Be aware this trail is private and requires a membership. For more info http://www.louisianatrails.org/index.html Overall i don't regret hiking the trail, just because i love the woods, it just would of been nice to be aware of the trails condition for hikers.
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