March 2-6, 2006
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas - by Lynda DeGroot
On Wednesday, March 2nd, a small band of Trail Tamers converged on Fossil Rim Wildlife Center just outside of Glen Rose, Texas---about 1-1/2 hours southwest of Ft. Worth. At the request of Anne Bolte, Education Specialist at Fossil Rim, we were asked if we would come and share our expertise with them, and repair one of their hiking trails that had become too dangerous to use.
Upon arrival at Fossil Rim on Wednesday around lunchtime, Anne greeted us and showed us our accommodations. We unloaded our gear and took everything to our cabins. A bit later we were joined Nina & Cy Francis, who drove down from Ft. Worth to help after they found out about our project. The next day, we were joined by some local families and, later on, a couple of fellows from Dallas came to help and also talk to us about a possible project in their area.
We decided to look at the trail right away in order to see what needed to be done, so we grabbed a few tools and followed Anne to the end of the trail near our cabins. It was nearly impassible with all sorts of shrubby brush blocking the way, so several of the crew went right to work cutting a decent path. The rest of us headed down the trail to size up what else needed to be done...and there was plenty!
Numerous water bars sat in the middle of wide spaces where the trail used to be. The soil had washed away from them. Other parts of the trail were steep and slippery, while other sections were rocky and overgrown with low-hanging branches. Once we assessed the situation, we rolled up our sleeves and went to work.
The weather was perfect and we got a lot done that first afternoon. We could have continued, but it was late and our dinner had arrived. Anne ordered several delicious pizzas for us, including dessert! Yum! We enjoyed our meal and then discussed our plan of action for the following days. Afterward, everyone headed for the cabins.
Much time was spent replacing or realigning most of the water bars and putting steps in the steep, slippery sections. Steve Baker, Jim Schmidt, Alex Arreguin and Cy Francis worked hard on those steps and waterbars while Nina Francis, Debbie Galloway and Mary Zeitler were the lopper crew who made the trail passable. Alex, Debbie and I moved some big rocks at the other end of the trail, leveling it out where possible and adding steps to make it user-friendly. On Saturday afternoon we finished all we could do. Anne and one of the interns at the center, walked the trail and were amazed at how much work we had done and how much better and safer the trail looked!
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning, Anne and her staff had breakfast ready for us and when noon rolled around, they brought us lunch. When each day ended, they prepared a mighty fine dinner as well! On Sunday, before heading back to our homes, we were treated to breakfast at the Fossil Rim Café© and were given a terrific “behind-the-scenes” tour of the entire wildlife center and it's array of animals!
If you've never heard of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, it's a research and educational facility dedicated to protecting and maintaining scores of animals from around the world that are either extinct in their native lands or on the verge of extinction. The center maintains a captive breeding program that seeks to gradually increase the number of these magnificent animals so they may eventually be returned to the wild. This is a wonderful place to visit and to learn more about!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
2/17-20/06: Bustamante, Mexico
February 17-20, 2006
Bustamante, Mexico - by Philip Russell
Over president's day weekend, ten trail tamers returned to Bustamante, Mexico. Bustamante, a charming little town older than San Antonio, is just 90 miles south of Laredo. In addition to offering challenging trail work, it has a mountain overlooking the town, springs on the order of Barton Springs, some fine 19th century architecture, pastries, and a distillery producing the local brew known as mescal. Our task was to upgrade a section of mountainside trail leading to a large cave that forms the heart of Bustamante's eco-tourism program. The work is challenging since all the plants are well equipped with thorns, large rocks abound, and soil is a scarce commodity to be sought out and brought back to the site in plastic buckets.
Fortunately, out previous work on the cave trail had weathered last year's hurricane that hit the area. We built on our previous work, filling, hauling, dragging, etc. and left the trail in even better condition for the anticipated rush of visitors over Easter. The Trail Tamer contingent was one of several work projects occurring simultaneously to enhance the cave. All projects were organized by the Texas Speleological Association, which also organized a variety of activities for participants on the second day of our stay.
On the second day, some of us went about 20 miles north to the small town of Candela, where we were greeted by the mayor who took us to a canyon being developed as a park. The tour included a scramble up a hillside to visit a mine that intersected a cave. The mine is no longer worked for its ore, but the bats inhabiting the complex do leave abundant guano which is collected, bagged, and then sold as fertilizer.
A second option involved an extended drive across the desert west of Bustamante. After passing through deserted ranch communities, participants arrived at the Chiquihuitillo Rock Art Site. There, under the shelter of overhanging cliffs, are dozens of Indian rock paintings. Little information is available as to who made the paintings, or when the many geometric shapes were painted.
A third excursion involved a scramble up the canyon at the foot of the mountain where we did the trail work. This excursion provided a good chance to observe desert vegetation and experience hiking along a trail built not for recreation but to carry ore from the mine to the rail line. At the end of the trail was yet another mine-cave complex. (The area is so full of caves that it's hard to open a mine without encountering a cave).
On our last night we had a banquet organized at the funky hotel where we stayed. The following morning we drove back to Austin, after touring the local mescal distillery.
Bustamante, Mexico - by Philip Russell
Over president's day weekend, ten trail tamers returned to Bustamante, Mexico. Bustamante, a charming little town older than San Antonio, is just 90 miles south of Laredo. In addition to offering challenging trail work, it has a mountain overlooking the town, springs on the order of Barton Springs, some fine 19th century architecture, pastries, and a distillery producing the local brew known as mescal. Our task was to upgrade a section of mountainside trail leading to a large cave that forms the heart of Bustamante's eco-tourism program. The work is challenging since all the plants are well equipped with thorns, large rocks abound, and soil is a scarce commodity to be sought out and brought back to the site in plastic buckets.
Fortunately, out previous work on the cave trail had weathered last year's hurricane that hit the area. We built on our previous work, filling, hauling, dragging, etc. and left the trail in even better condition for the anticipated rush of visitors over Easter. The Trail Tamer contingent was one of several work projects occurring simultaneously to enhance the cave. All projects were organized by the Texas Speleological Association, which also organized a variety of activities for participants on the second day of our stay.
On the second day, some of us went about 20 miles north to the small town of Candela, where we were greeted by the mayor who took us to a canyon being developed as a park. The tour included a scramble up a hillside to visit a mine that intersected a cave. The mine is no longer worked for its ore, but the bats inhabiting the complex do leave abundant guano which is collected, bagged, and then sold as fertilizer.
A second option involved an extended drive across the desert west of Bustamante. After passing through deserted ranch communities, participants arrived at the Chiquihuitillo Rock Art Site. There, under the shelter of overhanging cliffs, are dozens of Indian rock paintings. Little information is available as to who made the paintings, or when the many geometric shapes were painted.
A third excursion involved a scramble up the canyon at the foot of the mountain where we did the trail work. This excursion provided a good chance to observe desert vegetation and experience hiking along a trail built not for recreation but to carry ore from the mine to the rail line. At the end of the trail was yet another mine-cave complex. (The area is so full of caves that it's hard to open a mine without encountering a cave).
On our last night we had a banquet organized at the funky hotel where we stayed. The following morning we drove back to Austin, after touring the local mescal distillery.
Monday, January 30, 2006
2/17-20/06: Davy Crockett National Forest
February 17-20, 2006
Davy Crockett National Forest - by George Boemerman
Friday morning, the 17th of Feb., Steve Baker, George Boemerman, Bo Bosarge, Ray Fore, and Chuck Lundstedt rendezvoused at the Ratcliff Lake office of the Davy Crockett National Forest with Pearlie Green and Merlinda Schory, the trails maintenance supervisors at the forest, to plan and prepare the weekend's workload.
Pearlie and Merlinda had selected 5 bridges to repair so we drove to those sites to determine the extent of work, plus the tools and materials required. We then drove to the forest's work area and prepositioned the lumber, materials and tools on the work trailers so we'd be ready to go the next morning.
We decided to break into 2 teams, possibly 3 depending on how things worked out, with Steve Baker and Ray Fore as our construction team leaders. Note that Steve Baker briefed us on the trail bridge construction and repair procedures he found in a National Forest publication and they proved quite valuable. Great job, Steve.
That evening Janette Barlow and Terence Donovan of the Trail Tamers arrived, plus 4 AmeriCorps members: Leslie Huvler, Brandon Kiger, Scott Voorhees, and Chad Wilbur. Chuck brought a pickup load of good firewood so we had great campfires, and that night Chuck and Ray prepared gumbo for us.
Saturday morning we awoke to find the forest frozen over. Since we had selected the overflow campsite with its covered pavilion, we were able to prepare and eat breakfast in relative comfort. Then off to the woods we went. Since the bridges were frozen over, we could not walk on them (too slippery) so we had to do most of the work from the sides.
In the afternoon it thawed so we were able to complete laying the bridge treads. By the end of a long day we were able to complete all 5 assigned bridge projects. Again, Saturday night we had a great and welcome campfire. The camp host had prepared it in advance for us. Steve Baker prepared a wonderful and warming dinner of jambalaya. Pearlie Green joined us along with the 4 camp host families who also prepared dishes for all to share. It may have been a bit chilly but it did not dampen our spirits one bit. Around the campfire we planned the next day's work (3 additional bridge repairs) and the next day we finished those.
The entire weekend was damp, cold, sometimes freezing but we all had a good time (we must be a bit nutty) and were able to complete all tasks safely and in the usual Trail Tamer professional fashion. We all noted the spirit, work ethic and teamwork of the AmeriCorps folks. A great group, we would take them on any trip.
Davy Crockett National Forest - by George Boemerman
Friday morning, the 17th of Feb., Steve Baker, George Boemerman, Bo Bosarge, Ray Fore, and Chuck Lundstedt rendezvoused at the Ratcliff Lake office of the Davy Crockett National Forest with Pearlie Green and Merlinda Schory, the trails maintenance supervisors at the forest, to plan and prepare the weekend's workload.
Pearlie and Merlinda had selected 5 bridges to repair so we drove to those sites to determine the extent of work, plus the tools and materials required. We then drove to the forest's work area and prepositioned the lumber, materials and tools on the work trailers so we'd be ready to go the next morning.
We decided to break into 2 teams, possibly 3 depending on how things worked out, with Steve Baker and Ray Fore as our construction team leaders. Note that Steve Baker briefed us on the trail bridge construction and repair procedures he found in a National Forest publication and they proved quite valuable. Great job, Steve.
That evening Janette Barlow and Terence Donovan of the Trail Tamers arrived, plus 4 AmeriCorps members: Leslie Huvler, Brandon Kiger, Scott Voorhees, and Chad Wilbur. Chuck brought a pickup load of good firewood so we had great campfires, and that night Chuck and Ray prepared gumbo for us.
Saturday morning we awoke to find the forest frozen over. Since we had selected the overflow campsite with its covered pavilion, we were able to prepare and eat breakfast in relative comfort. Then off to the woods we went. Since the bridges were frozen over, we could not walk on them (too slippery) so we had to do most of the work from the sides.
In the afternoon it thawed so we were able to complete laying the bridge treads. By the end of a long day we were able to complete all 5 assigned bridge projects. Again, Saturday night we had a great and welcome campfire. The camp host had prepared it in advance for us. Steve Baker prepared a wonderful and warming dinner of jambalaya. Pearlie Green joined us along with the 4 camp host families who also prepared dishes for all to share. It may have been a bit chilly but it did not dampen our spirits one bit. Around the campfire we planned the next day's work (3 additional bridge repairs) and the next day we finished those.
The entire weekend was damp, cold, sometimes freezing but we all had a good time (we must be a bit nutty) and were able to complete all tasks safely and in the usual Trail Tamer professional fashion. We all noted the spirit, work ethic and teamwork of the AmeriCorps folks. A great group, we would take them on any trip.
1/21/06: Bamberger Ranch Preserve
January 21, 2006
Bamberger Ranch Preserve, Texas - by Lynda DeGroot
On a fairly cool and overcast January morning, 15 Trail Tamers from Austin, Round Mountain, Wimberley and as far as Laredo(!) made their way to the beautiful Bamberger Ranch Preserve near Johnson City, Texas. We came for the purpose of modifying the trail to the Chiroptorium (J. David Bamberger's man-made bat cave) and repairing several other nature trails nearby.
We gathered in front of Hes' Store (a unique replica of an old general store) and waited for Steve Fulton to bring the Bluebonnet trailer to transport everyone to our appointed tasks. We were joined by 7 other people who traveled from Blanco, San Antonio and Dallas upon hearing about this project from the Bambergers.
Steve dropped us off at the bat cave and we promptly sized up the situation and then set to work trimming vegetation, widening the trail, and reinforcing it with numerous large rocks. In order to get more tasks done, Steve took about half of the crew to two other sites where they went to work putting in steps near the creek, clearing overgrown vegetation and making other necessary repairs.
When we had completed much of what we had set out to do by that afternoon, we rounded everyone up and hopped back on the Bluebonnet and headed to Hes' store where refreshments were waiting! We were treated to a fine "snack" of tamales, beans, chips and salsa prepared and served by J. David Bamberger with his assistant, Colleen Gardner, helping. As always, we enjoyed the camaraderie and listening to J. David's stories, and are looking forward to the next time!
Bamberger Ranch Preserve, Texas - by Lynda DeGroot
On a fairly cool and overcast January morning, 15 Trail Tamers from Austin, Round Mountain, Wimberley and as far as Laredo(!) made their way to the beautiful Bamberger Ranch Preserve near Johnson City, Texas. We came for the purpose of modifying the trail to the Chiroptorium (J. David Bamberger's man-made bat cave) and repairing several other nature trails nearby.
We gathered in front of Hes' Store (a unique replica of an old general store) and waited for Steve Fulton to bring the Bluebonnet trailer to transport everyone to our appointed tasks. We were joined by 7 other people who traveled from Blanco, San Antonio and Dallas upon hearing about this project from the Bambergers.
Steve dropped us off at the bat cave and we promptly sized up the situation and then set to work trimming vegetation, widening the trail, and reinforcing it with numerous large rocks. In order to get more tasks done, Steve took about half of the crew to two other sites where they went to work putting in steps near the creek, clearing overgrown vegetation and making other necessary repairs.
When we had completed much of what we had set out to do by that afternoon, we rounded everyone up and hopped back on the Bluebonnet and headed to Hes' store where refreshments were waiting! We were treated to a fine "snack" of tamales, beans, chips and salsa prepared and served by J. David Bamberger with his assistant, Colleen Gardner, helping. As always, we enjoyed the camaraderie and listening to J. David's stories, and are looking forward to the next time!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
BLAZING THE TRAIL FOR BEGINNERS
"Trail Taming Techniques" classes recognized by Austin American-Statesman
Saturday, December 10, 2005
"BLAZING THE TRAIL FOR BEGINNERS"
Group that builds, maintains trails in parks also trains home gardeners to create paths through their landscapes.
Winter is a great time to ponder building a path in the Central Texas landscape. The pondering part is important, especially in an erosion-prone region where a gullywasher can quickly obliterate a poorly planned trail you've worked so hard to build.
Enter Central Texas Trail Tamers, a group that has built and/or maintained trails in state parks and other public places in Texas, Wyoming, California and Mexico. The organization now offers lectures and hands-on workshops for those who would like to move past the pondering process, but aren't sure how.
"This trail-building stuff is not rocket science; it's just sort of a lost art," says trail tamer Dave DeGroot. "To be sustainable, you need to think quite a bit before you start digging up the earth."
True, you might not need that much expertise if your plan involves laying stepping stones in a small backyard. But plenty of people with Hill Country ranchettes, and urban dwellers who want to make their large lots or steep hillsides more inviting, could benefit from the wisdom acquired by these trailblazing experts.
DeGroot recently led about a dozen people through a recent Friday night class and Saturday trail-building excursion at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve.
The first lesson: Study the land and the creatures that inhabit it; then plot a design that connects the entire habitat instead of chopping it up into disparate pieces, DeGroot said.
While a field that's naturally clear of trees and fairly level might seem like a logical place to build a trail, it can quickly become overgrown, he said. On hillsides, trails that zigzag (switchback) tend to wash out less than those that head straight down.
Pre-existing trees and vegetation will obviously have an impact on where your trail goes. Most people want to preserve as much natural habitat as they can — and if you share living quarters with an endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler, it might even be illegal to disturb the tree canopy on your property.
But if you plan to trim trees, DeGroot said it's sometimes better to remove them altogether than to prune haphazardly. He also recommends removing all bushes within one foot of either side of the trail, including small ones that don't seem like they're in the way. Little bushes become big bushes quickly, and their root systems can disturb the trail as it grows, he said.
Directing water where you want it is another important factor in building trails that will hold up over time in all kinds of weather. In general, the idea is to encourage water to flow across the trail, instead of following its path. If building on a hill, it makes sense to preserve the original drainage of the slope, and to make sure there's someplace lower than the trail for water to go.
DeGroot said you accomplish that by building trenches (two shovels wide) on either side of the trail, by raising the level of the path or doing both. A common mistake that novices make: building trails and trenches that are too narrow. Another big mistake: failing to remove grass or leaves from the trail before piling on surface materials, such as crushed rock, which has a tendency to slide off the loose debris.
"You can't just cheat," said DeGroot, "or you'll be back there next year again."
The hands-on Saturday morning session has several purposes - to move trailbuilding out of the theoretical and into the more strenuous reality for those with paths in their futures; to give the Trail Tamers a shot at attracting new members who will have trailbuilding skills; and to upgrade trails at Wild Basin.
The two-day workshop costs $10, and Central Texas Trail Tamers plans to offer it on the second weekend of each month. E-mail registration information at planning@trailtamers.org or call 394-9998. The group's Web site is www.trailtamers.org.
Tools for building, maintaining trails
Building a trail is a substantial project, and the tools you've acquired for casual piddling in the yard might not hold up to the task. Most of the tools DeGroot recommends -many of them designed to be used in fighting forest fires - are occasionally available locally at home improvement centers or farm and ranch supply companies. They can also be ordered online, he said.
Among his must-have implements: a Pulaski or fire ax for chopping tree roots, a fire rake for removing leaves and other loose materials from the path, and a rock cradle, which allows heavy boulders to be rolled into a net 'cradle' which can then be moved by several people. Find more information on tools at www.americantrails.org.
By Julie Bonnin, Austin American-Statesman
Saturday, December 10, 2005
"BLAZING THE TRAIL FOR BEGINNERS"
Group that builds, maintains trails in parks also trains home gardeners to create paths through their landscapes.
Winter is a great time to ponder building a path in the Central Texas landscape. The pondering part is important, especially in an erosion-prone region where a gullywasher can quickly obliterate a poorly planned trail you've worked so hard to build.
Enter Central Texas Trail Tamers, a group that has built and/or maintained trails in state parks and other public places in Texas, Wyoming, California and Mexico. The organization now offers lectures and hands-on workshops for those who would like to move past the pondering process, but aren't sure how.
"This trail-building stuff is not rocket science; it's just sort of a lost art," says trail tamer Dave DeGroot. "To be sustainable, you need to think quite a bit before you start digging up the earth."
True, you might not need that much expertise if your plan involves laying stepping stones in a small backyard. But plenty of people with Hill Country ranchettes, and urban dwellers who want to make their large lots or steep hillsides more inviting, could benefit from the wisdom acquired by these trailblazing experts.
DeGroot recently led about a dozen people through a recent Friday night class and Saturday trail-building excursion at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve.
The first lesson: Study the land and the creatures that inhabit it; then plot a design that connects the entire habitat instead of chopping it up into disparate pieces, DeGroot said.
While a field that's naturally clear of trees and fairly level might seem like a logical place to build a trail, it can quickly become overgrown, he said. On hillsides, trails that zigzag (switchback) tend to wash out less than those that head straight down.
Pre-existing trees and vegetation will obviously have an impact on where your trail goes. Most people want to preserve as much natural habitat as they can — and if you share living quarters with an endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler, it might even be illegal to disturb the tree canopy on your property.
But if you plan to trim trees, DeGroot said it's sometimes better to remove them altogether than to prune haphazardly. He also recommends removing all bushes within one foot of either side of the trail, including small ones that don't seem like they're in the way. Little bushes become big bushes quickly, and their root systems can disturb the trail as it grows, he said.
Directing water where you want it is another important factor in building trails that will hold up over time in all kinds of weather. In general, the idea is to encourage water to flow across the trail, instead of following its path. If building on a hill, it makes sense to preserve the original drainage of the slope, and to make sure there's someplace lower than the trail for water to go.
DeGroot said you accomplish that by building trenches (two shovels wide) on either side of the trail, by raising the level of the path or doing both. A common mistake that novices make: building trails and trenches that are too narrow. Another big mistake: failing to remove grass or leaves from the trail before piling on surface materials, such as crushed rock, which has a tendency to slide off the loose debris.
"You can't just cheat," said DeGroot, "or you'll be back there next year again."
The hands-on Saturday morning session has several purposes - to move trailbuilding out of the theoretical and into the more strenuous reality for those with paths in their futures; to give the Trail Tamers a shot at attracting new members who will have trailbuilding skills; and to upgrade trails at Wild Basin.
The two-day workshop costs $10, and Central Texas Trail Tamers plans to offer it on the second weekend of each month. E-mail registration information at planning@trailtamers.org or call 394-9998. The group's Web site is www.trailtamers.org.
Tools for building, maintaining trails
Building a trail is a substantial project, and the tools you've acquired for casual piddling in the yard might not hold up to the task. Most of the tools DeGroot recommends -many of them designed to be used in fighting forest fires - are occasionally available locally at home improvement centers or farm and ranch supply companies. They can also be ordered online, he said.
Among his must-have implements: a Pulaski or fire ax for chopping tree roots, a fire rake for removing leaves and other loose materials from the path, and a rock cradle, which allows heavy boulders to be rolled into a net 'cradle' which can then be moved by several people. Find more information on tools at www.americantrails.org.
By Julie Bonnin, Austin American-Statesman
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