I’ve also used a poncho which kept my upper body dry, but I still get clammy. A reader emailed several good questions while preparing for a backpacking trip on the Ozark Highlands Trail. I enjoy responding to these type of inquiries and decided to write this post. Score free 2-day shipping on most orders of $35 or more! You can also select free store pickup on many items, which might even be available the same day. We began working our way from south to north with the Eleven Point, Between the Rivers, and Current River sections. For this hike, we’ll continue north on the Blair Creek, Karkaghen, and Middle Fork John Roth sections. I printed Ozark Trail maps but purchased section maps because of ease of use and durability. To be sure I ordered the right maps I used this map that labels the sections. Browse Ozark Trail's top-rated backpacks and more. Find the best backpack for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. It’s a working document that I update from time to time. I must interject a note about coffee here as I consider it essential! If things don’t go as planned, you still might have great memories of your time in the wilderness, but with the addition of new learning to apply on your next trip. When I expect rain, I pack an ultra-light umbrella. This is a personal choice because I’d rather have some wetness on my lower body and not be sweating and cold all over. I sweat under the best of rain shells when hiking hard in moderately cold temps. The umbrella gives me a little roof to walk under, but it’s not for everybody. A comprehensive state outdoor recreation plan prepared by the state of Missouri in 1975 showed a need for an addition of 500 to 900 miles (805 to 1,448 km) of hiking trails. A first meeting in 1976 at Meramec State Park lead to the first draft of the trails proposal in February 1977 and in 1981 the first sections of the trail were under construction. If you have a friend that enjoys hiking (or if you need a new backpack yourself!), check out these deals on Ozark Trail Hiking Backpacks today – you can grab these as low as $10. It will keep your icy drinks cold and your piping hot soups nice and warm. When hiking, doing gentle stretches each morning and evening can avoid problems. Using some lotion on the feet each night after cleaning also helps prevent blisters. The Ozark Trail 45 Liter Backpacking Backpack has all the features of a premium bag but at a lower budget friendly price. It has everything you need to get a beginner started with backpacking. Features taken directly from Walmart.com sales page. At Unitedslickmart we celebrate the act of discovery. We work with small vendors from all over the world to share their products. The Ozark Trail (OT) is one of America’s premier distance hiking trails. Mostly divided into linked sections, the trail winds through 390 miles of rolling hills, stone bluffs and cool streams in central and southern Missouri. I avoid freeze dried meals because of their saltiness, expense, and packaging. I prefer using powdered soup mixes, instant potatoes, and Knorr side dishes as a base with my own dehydrated vegetables and meat added. I purchase dried chicken from Mountain House and add it to most meals. Results are best if I place the chicken and vegetables in water when I first arrive at camp to increase their hydrating time. Grab your queen (or buddy!) and feel like a king lounging out on this insanely cool airbed. It might look like a glamping item, but for under $100, how could you not take this with you on your next adventure? Oh, and the electric pump is internal, so you'll save time when you want to inflate the bed in a hurry so you can make the most of sleeping under the stars. I never carry bear spray and only used a bear canister once in the High Sierras of California where it was required. Enjoy views of the Ozark landscape as you gain 500 feet of elevation up 2.5 miles to the top of Stegall Mountain. Camp out at the top overnight, catching a glimpse of a full sky of stars if it’s clear. If you’re searching east of the Rockies for stunning scenery, technical terrain, and a long hike option sans the AT crowds, this is your pick.