I just finished backpacking with my scout troop on the Backbone Trail in Kisatchie Wilderness Trails Area last week. The
trail is in pretty good shape and the fall colors are just starting to show. All in all the entire trip was good. There were
hardly any mosquitos and the temperature was perfect. (Upper 70’s and Low 50’s)
A few areas of concern:
1. One of
the favorite areas to camp is up on the bluff about half way down the Backbone
Trail. There was a fire through the area about 5 years ago and there are a lot
of dead pine trees in the area. On the bluff site there are two dead pines in
the middle of the camping area. We did not camp here due to those trees.
2. Just past
the bluff the trail, although mostly flat, becomes a little difficult due to a
lot of trees that have fallen across the trail. We were hiking with youth from
ages 11 to 13 and a few of them had some trouble but nothing they could not
handle.
This is one
of my favorite trails to hike in Louisiana. There are a lot of elevation
changes and along with the boulders, trees and wildlife, it makes the trail
interesting.This trail can be done as a long day hike or an overnighter. Be sure to
bring plenty of water and be prepared to purify extra water along the way.
From the
Kisatchie National Forest Website:
Directions: From
the intersection of I-49 and Highway 6 (Natchitoches), drive west on Hwy 6 for
7 miles. Turn left (south) on Louisiana Hwy 117 and proceed 16 miles to Forest
Highway 59, Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway. Turn left (east) on FH 59 and go to FR
339 or FR 329 for trailheads.
Hiking: Backbone
Trail: The Backbone Trail is the main trail out of the 4 separate wilderness
hikes. One trailhead is just off FH 59 (Longleaf Scenic Byway) on FR 329 at the
Caroline Dormon/Backbone Trailheads. The other end is located on FR 339, also
just off FH 59. The complete trail is 7 miles long and is intersected by all
three of the other wilderness trails. High Ridge Trail: The High Ridge Trail is
1.5 miles in length and joins the Backbone Trail about 3 miles from the FR 339
trailhead. Scenery and landscape photo shoots are a favorite from this trail
because, like its name, it stays up on a high ridge where the view is not
obstructed. Turpentine Hill Trail: The Turpentine Ridge Trail has a trailhead
located between the Caroline Dormon Trailhead and the entry road for the
Longleaf Vista Recreation Area on FH 59. There is a small grass parking area at
the trailhead with a drop box and entry forms for persons using the trail to
let the Forest Service know your whereabouts just in case you run into trouble.
Explorer Trail: The Explorer Trail is a very short 1/2 mile trail that connects
to the Turpentine Hill Trail just south of where the Turpentine Hill Trail
connects to the Backbone Trail. There is a very scenic view area and unique
sandstone outcrops along this trail. A must see for all visitors and why not,
it's just a 1/2 mile.
