Tuxachanie Trail – Trails in Mississippi
Tuxachanie Trail – Trails in Mississippi
My recent trip (5/29 to 5/30 2020) to the De Soto National Forest and hiking the Tuxachanie Trail. I started at the Hwy 49 trailhead and finished at the POW Recreation Area. 12.5 miles one way. There are several primitive campsites along the trail. Aiery Lake Recreation Area offers camping, clean water, and restroom.
The Tuxachanie Trail traverses through pine forest, as well as open areas. There are also a few wooden bridges crossing streams at multiple points. Further along the trail, the surrounding area becomes a bit swampy. The trail leads to Airey Lake Recreation Area and beyond to a World War II POW camp.
The initial 5 miles of the trail from the trailhead off of Highway 49 were part of a railroad utilized by the Dantzler Lumber Company, once one of the largest lumber companies in the state. The trail ends at the POW Camp. This camp was utilized during World War II to house German war prisoners and is also the site of a navy rifle range.
More info: http://www.hikinginmississippi.com/?page_id=611
Find more trails: http://www.louisianahikes.com
My sons and I hiked it, out and back, a year ago. The latter, unkempt part had areas we had to wade chest deep to get through on our way back as the creek was rising. It was an adventure complete with bullets zipping through the trees above us. Some moron at the POW lake thought it would be cool to shoot his gun randomly into the woods.
For your faulty filter… it probably got clogged from the boggy water you picked up. You can use the sport cap on your smart water bottle to back flush the filter.
Just got home from hiking this! POW Lake to Airey Lake and back. I’m real curious how you managed some of those lower creek crossings with the puppy.
Also, we met a sweet retired couple who camp there a lot and knew the history.
Initially the area was a POW logging camp for mostly Italian soldiers. After the war, it became a munitions testing range and all of those bunkers were for storage.
Good luck on your Kisatchie mega trail!
I’m looking for circle loop trails in Louisiana. Trails where I can leave my car and make a loop back to it in an overnight or two stay. I understand what you mean about summer hiking in Louisiana. Even at night it is too hot to sleep, I toss and turn and get up soaking wet.
Good quality work. I went with a Scout group back a few years; we set up camp at the Airy Lake campground and hiked the Pow-Airy Lake part. Real easy hiking. It was an unusual time in South Mississippi, February, and the temp never rose above 17 degrees. Very unusual for that areas. Good fun! Calling that pond a lake… SMH. A yeah later, we did another cold weather camp at Cheaha State Park in Alabama. Hiked the Pinhoti Trail. Check that on out if you haven’t already.
We are visiting LA and MS for four days the end of June. The gulf is my top priority because I live in CO and never see the ocean. Come hike in Colorado sometime.
I’ve been meaning to get out to DeSoto for the Black Creek Trail. After seeing this, I may have to check out this trail instead!
Great video! That 118 mile trail in the summer would be ROUGH.
Thanks for a great video! I hike this trail a lot for practice and to get outside. It is a fantastic trail. 😊
Hi.
Thanks for the video.
Of note: Your problem with the Sawyer Squeeze made me think about mine.
I took it on a short (6.2 miles) hike Saturday, decided to test it – it failed!
I’ve mostly used a Sawyer mini, and have only used the Squeeze a few times.
I’m glad you highlighted this problem – thanks!
And, God Bless…
Good trip!
is there a permit system or something or just show up hike and camp?
Hutch is a good boy.
Thanks for the video! It helped me out, was wanting to make the hike but wasn’t sure until now. I’m doing it