We had our shoes, trekking poles, and water bladders. They were more camera bags and short-day sling bags designed to be warned for light duty walking or short hikes where all I need is water and place to store my wallet, phone, and trail snacks. This pack fits me fine and is very comfortable for lightweight loads.
With a 1-person tent, that doesn’t really make as much sense. After all, I was carrying the whole thing and so it might as well be connected. Essentially, the rain fly for the Ozark Trail was integrated into the tent directly. The Ozark Trail had its beginnings in the 1970s when a group of ozark trail chair public land managers, land owners, and trail users met to discuss the concept of a long-distance hiking trail. 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.
Today I immediately loaded it up and went out for a few hours. For water and OJ I use Vapur anti ozark trail backpack bottles which aren’t bulky at all. My glucose meter and keys went in the small outside pocket.
Aside from the main pack bag, there is a small zippered compartment on the front, that, depending on how much you have stuffed inside, is pretty tight. I managed to fit my headlamp, lighter, map, compass, and some tp in the pocket. I know some will immediately dismiss my review simply because I bought this pack at WalMart.
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. We’ve scouted the best routes, from easy day hikes to epic overnight bike-packing.
When you do have to answer the call of the wild, make sure to stay at least 100 yards away from a water source and bury any solid waste at least 6 inches deep. Bring enough water for your trip or a way to purify water to make it safe to drink. Many of the creeks and streams look crystal clear, but it’s still smart to make sure any impurities are removed with pumps or tablets before drinking.
Ozark springs see a lot of rain and varied temperatures; Ozark summers tend to be hot, muggy, and wet; Ozark winters can drop below freezing. Wet weather is common to the Ozark climate, especially in late spring through summer, and fosters a breeding ground for bugs, mosquitos, and ticks. Consider bringing waterproof shoes and treating your clothes ahead of time with permethrin to repel insects. In the colder seasons insulating layers are a must, and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round.
This pack will make great for a day at the beach with an extra change of clothes, flip flops, keys, tanning oil, towel and a iPod or stuff your lightweight sleeping ozark trail canopy bag and a jacket. I carried this daypack back n forth on a trail to the shower while camping. The bag stayed in place on my back using the sternum strap.