Eagle Rock Loop
A 30-mile trek through the Ouachita Mountains of southwest Arkansas
Four years ago—after completing this same 30-mile trek through the Ouachita Mountains—I was pooped.
Not so in 2025! Maybe it was the last 13 months of wandering the world, walking from destination to far-flung destination, but after summiting the final mountain on this three-day adventure, I still felt fresh. A little stinky, sure, but fresh nonetheless.
Eagle Rock Loop is a favorite backpacking trek for several older (and wiser) men who have walked through the last few years of life with me. Two men in particular—Justin and Michel—regularly send me a last minute text asking if I’d like to carry juicy steaks out to Lake Georgetown and cook them up on a campfire under the stars.
My answer—if I am around—is always YES!
Eagle Rock Loop is different. It’s a special getaway where we can drive out of Austin before dawn and be on trail in another state by 2pm. This somewhat challenging loop traverses seven mountains, more than twenty river crossings and a variety of terrain.
For three days, we survive the wiles of Arkansas solely with what we packed in on our backs. For me, this means carrying a repository of gear that I’ve collected over the years (although the theft event in The Gambia in 2023 set me back quite a bit).
Unquestionably, the next item to upgrade in my arsenal is the backpack I’ve been carrying since 2008. It’s joined me around the world and back again a few times over and carries the battle wounds to prove it, including a hip belt sewn in place with Michel’s kevlar thread while on trail the last time we were hiking Eagle Rock Loop.
This Year On Trail
My phone died on the first day of this trip and refused to charge, so I found myself completely unplugged for the few days out on trail. Glorious. (Sorry, no photos, other than this one that I borrowed from the internet to give you an idea of the terrain.)
The first night was bitter cold with a howling wind blasting through the canyon, so instead of making a fire, we each bunkered down in our own tent.
The following two nights were more pleasant. And, without the whipping wind, we found ourselves telling stories around a glowing campfire, one of my favorite pastimes. Both nights I found myself tending the fire well into the evening as the four other men went to sleep.
In the wee hours of the morning I was still seated alone, staring into the fire. To me, a campfire—or any fire for that matter—is one of those places where I hear the LORD speaking. The Word says that God is a consuming fire. I pondered this thought as the embers glowed red-hot and flames danced on the wet logs.
And then, a fresh word came into my spirit—one that I had not heard before.
Fresh fire.
A Word for "Hannahs"
I am still sitting with what I heard, so I won’t go into the details right now.
I scribbled madly by the light of the fire, filling a small Moleskine journal with blue ink. I wrote until my hand cramped. And then, I wrote some more. It was coming quickly as the flames flickered.
Essentially, I heard the LORD speaking a word of encouragement over women who have struggled with pregnancy, yet know they are called to be a mother. There is a time coming when righteous wombs will be opened all at once and a company of Samuels will be birthed on the Earth.
I’m seeking clarity before I reveal more, but I left the mountain filled and eager for more. I love how the Creator speaks in the midst of His creation.
NOTE: Spending thirteen months walking around the world has me in better shape than I realized. What will the next adventure hold?
I’m Gr8ful.