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.

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.

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.