February, 2001
Davy Crockett National Forest, Texas (by Earl Conners)
Volunteers started arriving Friday afternoon and all were present for the evening meal of Derly Stew and French bread. The evening campfire brought renewed friendship with our members from Lufkin and Benton, La.
Day one started with a breakfast of crispy French toast and bacon. We then rode to the first work site 18 miles into the forest. There we split into two groups. Group 1 (two men), tore down and rebuilt a bridge, installing new planks, steps, and support piers. Meanwhile, Group 2 (four men) replaced planks and piers on another bridge. We then returned to the shop and cut timber and planks for the next day.
On day two, we once again worked on two bridges…this time as a single group. We repaired a footbridge and built new ramps. Then we built a new bridge with handrails over a sunken bridge that was in the water. Setting the piers in the water was a challenge. The new bridge was 26 feet long. All old timber was carried out. New timber was cut on site. An evening of smoked pork roast around the campfire, with our Ranger hosts Pearlie and Merlinda, ended day two.
On day three we replaced handrails on a main trail bridge and then removed an entire bridge and rails also on the main trail. That evening we went to a picturesque cabin on a pond south of Lufkin (owned by Ray Fore). There we fished and had a catfish supper with plenty of trimmings.
On the last day we constructed a new bridge, replacing yesterday’s teardown, and installed seven water bars on the trail on both sides of the new bridge. We then broke camp and left for home at 3:00 pm. A total of 142 man-hours had been completed.
Thursday, February 15, 2001
Saturday, February 3, 2001
2/3/01 Acacia Land Trust Trip Report
February 3, 2001
Acacia Land Trust Work Day, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
This was the 2nd time the Trail Tamers had been called upon to help out at this beautiful place between Dripping Springs and the Pedernales River.
About 9 Trail Tamers, plus a few others, arrived at the Hill Country Cafe in Dripping Springs where a few of us grabbed some quick coffee and last minute breakfast tacos while waiting for our hostess to show up and lead us to the preserve. When she finally arrived, we piled into our vehicles and our little "carpool convoy" pulled out onto Hwy 290 heading west. She took off faster than many of us could keep up and it didn't take but 2 minutes for us to get disoriented! So, after a roadside "high-level map conference", we finally figured out the directions and were on our way. Upon our arrival, we were joined by a group of college students and others for what turned out to be great day for cedar choppin'.
The owner is trying to clear much of the area so that native grasses and plants can be reintroduced. While most of the crew concentrated on digging up cedar saplings and trimming up more mature cedar trees, in another section of the preserve, several of us went down to remove as much cedar as possible along the trail that leads down to the canyon containing Dead Man's Creek…and such a beautiful creek it is! Along the creek itself, some areas on the sides and on small islands were nearly choked with young cedar so we removed those in order for some of the oak, wild persimmon saplings, and other shrubs (such as canyon mock orange) to grow.
After quite a bit of work, we stopped for lunch. Our hostess generously provided us with a variety of sandwiches, chips, cookies and beverages. After lunch we returned to work removing and stacking cut cedar. At about 2:30, the hostess asked if anyone would like to take a hike to "Dead Man's Hole" and several of us jumped at the chance to see this place.
We hiked along the trail that some of us worked on earlier, going down into the canyon and following the creek for a couple of miles until we came to a collapsed grotto with a clear blue-green pool and waterfall that was absolutely beautiful! I would say that it definitely rivals Hamilton Pool, and is much more pristine. We were all astounded! Many of us wondered how many other places like that still exist yet are virtually unknown.
After lollygagging around for about 30 minutes breathing it all in, we headed back to the upper reaches of the property and back to our vehicles for the trip home. This was truly a day well spent but there's more to do. I'm sure there will be other opportunities for return trips.
Acacia Land Trust Work Day, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
This was the 2nd time the Trail Tamers had been called upon to help out at this beautiful place between Dripping Springs and the Pedernales River.
About 9 Trail Tamers, plus a few others, arrived at the Hill Country Cafe in Dripping Springs where a few of us grabbed some quick coffee and last minute breakfast tacos while waiting for our hostess to show up and lead us to the preserve. When she finally arrived, we piled into our vehicles and our little "carpool convoy" pulled out onto Hwy 290 heading west. She took off faster than many of us could keep up and it didn't take but 2 minutes for us to get disoriented! So, after a roadside "high-level map conference", we finally figured out the directions and were on our way. Upon our arrival, we were joined by a group of college students and others for what turned out to be great day for cedar choppin'.
The owner is trying to clear much of the area so that native grasses and plants can be reintroduced. While most of the crew concentrated on digging up cedar saplings and trimming up more mature cedar trees, in another section of the preserve, several of us went down to remove as much cedar as possible along the trail that leads down to the canyon containing Dead Man's Creek…and such a beautiful creek it is! Along the creek itself, some areas on the sides and on small islands were nearly choked with young cedar so we removed those in order for some of the oak, wild persimmon saplings, and other shrubs (such as canyon mock orange) to grow.
After quite a bit of work, we stopped for lunch. Our hostess generously provided us with a variety of sandwiches, chips, cookies and beverages. After lunch we returned to work removing and stacking cut cedar. At about 2:30, the hostess asked if anyone would like to take a hike to "Dead Man's Hole" and several of us jumped at the chance to see this place.
We hiked along the trail that some of us worked on earlier, going down into the canyon and following the creek for a couple of miles until we came to a collapsed grotto with a clear blue-green pool and waterfall that was absolutely beautiful! I would say that it definitely rivals Hamilton Pool, and is much more pristine. We were all astounded! Many of us wondered how many other places like that still exist yet are virtually unknown.
After lollygagging around for about 30 minutes breathing it all in, we headed back to the upper reaches of the property and back to our vehicles for the trip home. This was truly a day well spent but there's more to do. I'm sure there will be other opportunities for return trips.
Tuesday, January 30, 2001
1/20/01: BCNWR, Lago Vista, TX
January 20, 2001
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Lago Vista, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
On this cool, overcast day, two lone Trail Tamers (myself & Pat Dixon) met up with Rob Iski, Outdoor Recreation Planner-US Fish & Wildlife Service, at Oski’s in Lago Vista. After ordering our lunch from the Subway shop, we drove about 5 miles to another part of the Balcones Canyonlands refuge where a new trail is being created.
Our task was to do the initial clearing of cedar, dead trees and rocks that were in the way so that follow-up crews coming at a later date could see where the trail was supposed to go! So, armed with a doggone stubborn chain saw that took about half an hour to start, plus loppers, bow saws and a pulaski, Pat and I took off through the woods with Rob leading the way.
Along the first part of the trail, we were being pretty meticulous but as the day (and we) wore on, we had to skim over a few things in order to get to the end before dark! We started at about 9:30am and finally got to the end at about 5pm. It seems like we must have cut at LEAST a mile of trail though it was probably more like 1/2 to 3/4 mile!
The initial cut-through actually looked pretty darned good, and Rob seemed pleased, so after loading the gear in our vehicles and dusting off the dirt & cedar sawdust, Pat & I bid farewell to Rob and headed to our respective homes after a day well spent.
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Lago Vista, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
On this cool, overcast day, two lone Trail Tamers (myself & Pat Dixon) met up with Rob Iski, Outdoor Recreation Planner-US Fish & Wildlife Service, at Oski’s in Lago Vista. After ordering our lunch from the Subway shop, we drove about 5 miles to another part of the Balcones Canyonlands refuge where a new trail is being created.
Our task was to do the initial clearing of cedar, dead trees and rocks that were in the way so that follow-up crews coming at a later date could see where the trail was supposed to go! So, armed with a doggone stubborn chain saw that took about half an hour to start, plus loppers, bow saws and a pulaski, Pat and I took off through the woods with Rob leading the way.
Along the first part of the trail, we were being pretty meticulous but as the day (and we) wore on, we had to skim over a few things in order to get to the end before dark! We started at about 9:30am and finally got to the end at about 5pm. It seems like we must have cut at LEAST a mile of trail though it was probably more like 1/2 to 3/4 mile!
The initial cut-through actually looked pretty darned good, and Rob seemed pleased, so after loading the gear in our vehicles and dusting off the dirt & cedar sawdust, Pat & I bid farewell to Rob and headed to our respective homes after a day well spent.
Sunday, January 21, 2001
1/21/01 Bamberger Ranch Trip Report
January 21, 2001
Bamberger Ranch Conservancy, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
On this beautiful Spring-like day, at least 15 Trail Tamers, plus several Master Naturalists and others, gathered at Madrone Lake on the Bamberger Ranch for a MAJOR brush removal project and to work on a new section of trail near the picnic area.
At about 9am and armed with pulaskis, McLeods, shovels, bow saws, chain saws and LOTS of loppers, we split into two groups. One group stayed at the picnic area and worked on rerouting a section of trail near the lake. I was assigned the other group, and along with J. David Bamberger himself, we headed over to an area where we took on the removal of numerous dead trees and what seemed like ACRES of ferocious wood briar vines. The task was to clear as much brush, wood briar and dead trees as possible so that J. David could have his staff re-seed the area in native grasses and other native plants.
Two HUGE bonfires were started in order to burn the dead tree limbs and brush, and even though we kept adding to the piles throughout the day, there was a LOT more to do than we had time for. We worked until about 4pm and headed back to the picnic area for an early dinner of tamales, chili and COLD drinks, compliments of J. David and his wife, Margaret.
Bamberger Ranch Conservancy, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
On this beautiful Spring-like day, at least 15 Trail Tamers, plus several Master Naturalists and others, gathered at Madrone Lake on the Bamberger Ranch for a MAJOR brush removal project and to work on a new section of trail near the picnic area.
At about 9am and armed with pulaskis, McLeods, shovels, bow saws, chain saws and LOTS of loppers, we split into two groups. One group stayed at the picnic area and worked on rerouting a section of trail near the lake. I was assigned the other group, and along with J. David Bamberger himself, we headed over to an area where we took on the removal of numerous dead trees and what seemed like ACRES of ferocious wood briar vines. The task was to clear as much brush, wood briar and dead trees as possible so that J. David could have his staff re-seed the area in native grasses and other native plants.
Two HUGE bonfires were started in order to burn the dead tree limbs and brush, and even though we kept adding to the piles throughout the day, there was a LOT more to do than we had time for. We worked until about 4pm and headed back to the picnic area for an early dinner of tamales, chili and COLD drinks, compliments of J. David and his wife, Margaret.
Saturday, January 20, 2001
1/20/01 Balcones Canyonlands NWR Trip Report
January 20, 2001
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Lago Vista, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
On this cool, overcast day, two lone Trail Tamers (myself & Pat Dixon) met up with Rob Iski, Outdoor Recreation Planner-US Fish & Wildlife Service, at Oski’s in Lago Vista. After ordering our lunch from the Subway shop, we drove about 5 miles to another part of the Balcones Canyonlands refuge where a new trail is being created.
Our task was to do the initial clearing of cedar, dead trees and rocks that were in the way so that follow-up crews coming at a later date could see where the trail was supposed to go! So, armed with a doggone stubborn chain saw that took about half an hour to start, plus loppers, bow saws and a pulaski, Pat and I took off through the woods with Rob leading the way.
Along the first part of the trail, we were being pretty meticulous but as the day (and we) wore on, we had to skim over a few things in order to get to the end before dark! We started at about 9:30am and finally got to the end at about 5pm. It seems like we must have cut at LEAST a mile of trail though it was probably more like 1/2 to 3/4 mile!
The initial cut-through actually looked pretty darned good, and Rob seemed pleased, so after loading the gear in our vehicles and dusting off the dirt & cedar sawdust, Pat & I bid farewell to Rob and headed to our respective homes after a day well spent.
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Lago Vista, Texas (by Lynda DeGroot)
On this cool, overcast day, two lone Trail Tamers (myself & Pat Dixon) met up with Rob Iski, Outdoor Recreation Planner-US Fish & Wildlife Service, at Oski’s in Lago Vista. After ordering our lunch from the Subway shop, we drove about 5 miles to another part of the Balcones Canyonlands refuge where a new trail is being created.
Our task was to do the initial clearing of cedar, dead trees and rocks that were in the way so that follow-up crews coming at a later date could see where the trail was supposed to go! So, armed with a doggone stubborn chain saw that took about half an hour to start, plus loppers, bow saws and a pulaski, Pat and I took off through the woods with Rob leading the way.
Along the first part of the trail, we were being pretty meticulous but as the day (and we) wore on, we had to skim over a few things in order to get to the end before dark! We started at about 9:30am and finally got to the end at about 5pm. It seems like we must have cut at LEAST a mile of trail though it was probably more like 1/2 to 3/4 mile!
The initial cut-through actually looked pretty darned good, and Rob seemed pleased, so after loading the gear in our vehicles and dusting off the dirt & cedar sawdust, Pat & I bid farewell to Rob and headed to our respective homes after a day well spent.
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