Outdoor Activities Abound

LINCOLN LAKE FESTIVAL SET

LINCOLN — No gasoline powered motors are allowed on Lincoln Lake, leaving the air pristine and the water free for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts or other boating venues. And that is just what visitors to the Lincoln Lake Outdoor Festival will be enjoying on Nov. 2 — the fifth year of this event.

There will be plenty of canoe and kayak floats on the lake that day, as well as guided mountain bike rides, guided hikes and rock climbing.

“It ought to be a lot of fun,” said David Justice, lake superintendent.

Lincoln Lake, located north of Lincoln on Arkansas Highway 669, covers 400 acres, most of which is water. It is surrounded by bluffs for rock climbers and trails for hiking or biking.

The Eagle View Trail is a fourmile out-and-back trail with three loops. This trail is rated intermediate to strenuous for mountain bikers but it’s an easy walk for hikers. The trial reaches Lake View Overlook on a bluff that is 50-feet tall. It’s a great place to spot eagles, according to Justice.

Then there is the Lake Loop Trail. It connects Piney Loop with the Eagle View Loop and continues all the way around the lake. This trail is rated difficult for both hikers and bikers.

It is 4.25 miles around the lake and for those who can take this strenuous trail, there are large rock formations and remote wooded areas. Moore’s Creek has to be crossed and it can be a wet crossing, depending on the weather.

Spillway Loop was completed in 2012 and adds an eighth of a mile to the trail system.

Justice said routes will be set up for rock climbing and something new this year — a zip line.

“That should be a lot of fun,” Justice said.

Justice said he’s expecting about 300 people to attend the one-day outdoor festival. Festivities start at 9 a.m. Justice said sponsors this year include: Lewis and Clark Outfitters, La Casa Pollo Sports Climbing Facility, Ozark Mountain Trading Company, Highroller Cyclery, NWA Hiking Group, Ozark Off- Road Cyclist and newcomer Cabelas, with canoes, kayaks, fishing, camping and hiking gear.

FILE PHOTO Reflection of autumn leaves from a trail at Lincoln Lake