The Ozark Trail - North Fork Section

North Fork Section

Introduction

The North Fork section is ready to go. Frequent maintenance and dedicated volunteers keep this section in great shape.

Downloads: For Your GPS (gpx) Google Earth (kml)

Overview

This section was created by co-opting portions of the Ridge Runner trail and trails in the Devil's Backbone Wilderness area, plus adding 12 miles to the east from near Blue Springs to Pomona. The 27 miles from the Pomona trailhead through the Devils Backbone Wilderness has been recently reworked, cleared and signed, and is in great shape.

Current Trail Conditions

As of 07/14/2012, the condition is:
Open and in great shape.

Our dedicated adopters keep this section in great shape, but expect some seasonal growth. There is a lot of local maintenance and sawyer work performed on this section of trail. Bottomlands can get weedy in summer between maintenance outings.

Trail Statistics

Hiking

Biking

Equestrian

Distance:	27 miles
Difficulty:	Moderate
Camping:	Primitive camping is allowed in the Mark Twain forest (100' from trail)
Total Ascent:	1750' E-to-W; 1950' W-to-E (refers to total gain of all climbs on trail)
Topo Quads:	Pomona, Siloam Springs, Cureall NW
Restrictions:	South of Highway CC is a wilderness area-- special rules apply.

Trailheads and Directions

Pomona / Hwy P Trailhead

From Pomona, take Highway P west for .9 of a mile to the trail head entrance. The trail head is located on the south side of the road, opposite the trail head marker with an OT sticker affixed to it.

Blue Hole / Hwy AP Trailhead

From Pomona, take Highway P west for 7.8 miles to Highway AP. Turn left and proceed south on Highway AP 1.9 miles to the trail head. The trail head is located on the hill just after the one lane bridge, and is on the west side of the road, as is the Forest Service trail head marker. Alternatively, the trail head can be reached from the northern outskirts of West Plains via Highway 14. Follow Highway 14 west for 9.5 miles to Highway AP. Turn right onto Highway AP and follow it 1.8 miles to the trail head, which is just before the one lane bridge.

Hwy CC Trailhead

From West Plains, turn west on Highway CC. Proceed 13.9 miles to the Ozark County marker. Continue on another .9 miles to the trail head located on the north side of the road, Look for the trail head marker opposite the trail head.

Collins Ridge Trailhead

From West Plains, take Highway K 10.7 miles to Highway KK. Turn right onto KK and follow it for an additional 4.9 miles to Ozark County Road 362. Turn right onto County Road 362 and follow it for 1.6 miles to the trail head, which is located on the south side of the road. The trail head is marked with the traditional wooden Forest Service Wilderness sign. Bear to the right at the Y approximately .5 miles after the turn onto Ozark County Road 362.

McGarr Ridge Trailhead

From West Plains, turn west on Highway CC. Proceed 13.9 miles to the Ozark County marker. Continue on another 1 mile to the trail head located on the south side of the road (just past the CC Trail Head). Look for the trail head marker opposite the trail head.

Maps

North Fork
Miles 1 to 11