3/22-29/03 Ouachita National Forest Trip Report

March 22-29, 2003
Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas - by Derly Rivera
Ten CTTT members made up the work crew that went to Arkansas March 22-29. After an all day drive, we were greeted by forest rangers at Mill Creek Campground, where we set up tents and received safety tips and instructions for the week.
Our original work schedule was changed due to several controlled burns scheduled for that week. The trail maintenance work was cancelled, so we concentrated on restoring tent and RV pad sites, cleaning out debris and piling brush for a later burn. We also repaired erosion damage by setting river stones for riprap and planting grass seed on slopes leading to the creek and swimming area. Two of the crew took time to blaze the main trail leading out of camp.

Some of our more experienced crew members worked with cement and mortar mix to repair stone work, drains, and the front entrance signs. One project called for removing flat stone, leveling the sub-surface, replacing the stone, and then applying the mortar mix. This alone was a nine-hour endeavor. Others repaired broken faucets and cleaned out drains.

A major work was piling brush for a controlled burn later that week. The entire campground consisting of four main areas, was cleared of branches, debris, and fallen trees which were collected into thirty-seven piles for the burn. Several of the CTT crew assisted and had a good learning experience.

The rangers were very pleased with out work, especially since three of our members could drive front-end loaders and others could use chain saws, work on plumbing, and do cement/mortar work. Because of the dedication of our CTT crew, we finished all the assigned tasks in three and one-half days. With the extra time in hand, we were able to give some additional help such as cleaning out one hundred twenty-three feet of a drain waterway leading to the creek and pool area.

Friday was our day off for hiking and exploring the area. Seven rangers and their wives were invited to our traditional Mexican dinner and a specially prepared dutch oven capirotada. That evening we were surprised by the Mena/Oden Forest District Manager, who presented CTTT with a check to help cover expenses for the trip. He was very pleased with our work and invited CTTT to return next year.