February 23, 2002
Pedernales Falls State Park, TX - by Jae Kim
The weather could not be any better. Although it dipped below the freezing point the night before, it went up to 80 degrees on the work day. A blue sky with no clouds and the cool breeze greeted us while we were taming the badly eroded trail.
Under Mark Henneke's leadership, nineteen volunteers worked on the short trail (about 30 feet long) that leads to the river from the Youth Camping area. The heavy rainwater caused the erosion during the winter.
The crew brought up buckets full of rocks from the river bed and filled up large voids. Then, a mix of dirt and gravel was added on top using wheelbarrows. Due to the large number of volunteers, the work was completed before lunch time.
Generous park rangers cooked delicious cornbread and beef stew for us. Some of the crew camped there Saturday night as well.
Thursday, February 28, 2002
2/15-18/02 Davy Crockett National Forest Trip Report
February 15-18, 2002
Davy Crockett National Forest, TX - by George Boemerman
This particular Davy Crockett National Forest trip brought us members from far and wide: Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and Benton, Louisiana. A total of 15 Trail Tamers plus five E-Corp folks participated in a concentrated three-day series of projects.
Rocky Nelson (the guy from Benton) led a group to the wilderness area to repair flood-damaged sections of an elevated walkway. Ray Fore (our Lufkin guy) led the team building the boardwalk portion of the handicapped access trail. Mike Rodgers (our club president guy) took charge of the group working on the regular portion of the handicapped access trail.
The handicapped access trail is our main project at Davy Crockett. It is not complete yet and we will continue our efforts until it is completed. The next expedition is tentatively set for early May of this year (pending approval by our board). That time-frame was suggested by the National Forest folks because an area where they want an observation platform, along the boardwalk, will hopefully be dried out enough by then to work on.
The trip was not all work. In the evenings we had great meals prepared by Rocky Nelson, Ray Fore and John Payne. These were followed by a congenial atmosphere around the campfire.
Monday morning was a super breakfast. Allan Weber (our founder) and his buddy, Jim Robinson, prepared venison sausage and gravy. The biscuits were complements of Derly Rivera, George Boemerman and their Dutch ovens.
The weather was great, we accomplished the normal Trail Tamer workload (LOTS), and we all had a good time.
The partipants included Greg Robin, Nora Ahmed and P. Rogeli Esamella who came in one day from Nacogdoches; Jennifer Williamson and Kelly Hinds who came in for one day from Steven F. Austin University; plus Joe and June Villarreal, a one-day couple from Austin along with Pamela Mackenzie.
The five E-Corp members were Sean Bone, Evan Branum, Katheryn Killebrew, Lisa Slate, and Matt Styslinger.
The remainder of the crew were Jim Schmidt, Mike Rogers, David Justice, Allan Weber, Jim Robinson, Mary Lynch, Terence Donovan, Ray Fore, Chuck Lundstedt, Amy Tonai, Derly Rivera, George Boemerman, Rocky Nelson, John Payne and Jim McKinney.
Copyright © 2003 Central Texas Trail Tamers
Davy Crockett National Forest, TX - by George Boemerman
This particular Davy Crockett National Forest trip brought us members from far and wide: Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and Benton, Louisiana. A total of 15 Trail Tamers plus five E-Corp folks participated in a concentrated three-day series of projects.
Rocky Nelson (the guy from Benton) led a group to the wilderness area to repair flood-damaged sections of an elevated walkway. Ray Fore (our Lufkin guy) led the team building the boardwalk portion of the handicapped access trail. Mike Rodgers (our club president guy) took charge of the group working on the regular portion of the handicapped access trail.
The handicapped access trail is our main project at Davy Crockett. It is not complete yet and we will continue our efforts until it is completed. The next expedition is tentatively set for early May of this year (pending approval by our board). That time-frame was suggested by the National Forest folks because an area where they want an observation platform, along the boardwalk, will hopefully be dried out enough by then to work on.
The trip was not all work. In the evenings we had great meals prepared by Rocky Nelson, Ray Fore and John Payne. These were followed by a congenial atmosphere around the campfire.
Monday morning was a super breakfast. Allan Weber (our founder) and his buddy, Jim Robinson, prepared venison sausage and gravy. The biscuits were complements of Derly Rivera, George Boemerman and their Dutch ovens.
The weather was great, we accomplished the normal Trail Tamer workload (LOTS), and we all had a good time.
The partipants included Greg Robin, Nora Ahmed and P. Rogeli Esamella who came in one day from Nacogdoches; Jennifer Williamson and Kelly Hinds who came in for one day from Steven F. Austin University; plus Joe and June Villarreal, a one-day couple from Austin along with Pamela Mackenzie.
The five E-Corp members were Sean Bone, Evan Branum, Katheryn Killebrew, Lisa Slate, and Matt Styslinger.
The remainder of the crew were Jim Schmidt, Mike Rogers, David Justice, Allan Weber, Jim Robinson, Mary Lynch, Terence Donovan, Ray Fore, Chuck Lundstedt, Amy Tonai, Derly Rivera, George Boemerman, Rocky Nelson, John Payne and Jim McKinney.
Copyright © 2003 Central Texas Trail Tamers
2/15-18/02 Davy Crockett National Forest Trip Report
February 15-18, 2002
Davy Crockett National Forest, TX - by George Boemerman
This particular Davy Crockett National Forest trip brought us members from far and wide: Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and Benton, Louisiana. A total of 15 Trail Tamers plus five E-Corp folks participated in a concentrated three-day series of projects.
Rocky Nelson (the guy from Benton) led a group to the wilderness area to repair flood-damaged sections of an elevated walkway. Ray Fore (our Lufkin guy) led the team building the boardwalk portion of the handicapped access trail. Mike Rodgers (our club president guy) took charge of the group working on the regular portion of the handicapped access trail.
The handicapped access trail is our main project at Davy Crockett. It is not complete yet and we will continue our efforts until it is completed. The next expedition is tentatively set for early May of this year (pending approval by our board). That time-frame was suggested by the National Forest folks because an area where they want an observation platform, along the boardwalk, will hopefully be dried out enough by then to work on.
The trip was not all work. In the evenings we had great meals prepared by Rocky Nelson, Ray Fore and John Payne. These were followed by a congenial atmosphere around the campfire.
Monday morning was a super breakfast. Allan Weber (our founder) and his buddy, Jim Robinson, prepared venison sausage and gravy. The biscuits were complements of Derly Rivera, George Boemerman and their Dutch ovens.
The weather was great, we accomplished the normal Trail Tamer workload (LOTS), and we all had a good time.
The partipants included Greg Robin, Nora Ahmed and P. Rogeli Esamella who came in one day from Nacogdoches; Jennifer Williamson and Kelly Hinds who came in for one day from Steven F. Austin University; plus Joe and June Villarreal, a one-day couple from Austin along with Pamela Mackenzie.
The five E-Corp members were Sean Bone, Evan Branum, Katheryn Killebrew, Lisa Slate, and Matt Styslinger.
The remainder of the crew were Jim Schmidt, Mike Rogers, David Justice, Allan Weber, Jim Robinson, Mary Lynch, Terence Donovan, Ray Fore, Chuck Lundstedt, Amy Tonai, Derly Rivera, George Boemerman, Rocky Nelson, John Payne and Jim McKinney.
Copyright © 2003 Central Texas Trail Tamers
Davy Crockett National Forest, TX - by George Boemerman
This particular Davy Crockett National Forest trip brought us members from far and wide: Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and Benton, Louisiana. A total of 15 Trail Tamers plus five E-Corp folks participated in a concentrated three-day series of projects.
Rocky Nelson (the guy from Benton) led a group to the wilderness area to repair flood-damaged sections of an elevated walkway. Ray Fore (our Lufkin guy) led the team building the boardwalk portion of the handicapped access trail. Mike Rodgers (our club president guy) took charge of the group working on the regular portion of the handicapped access trail.
The handicapped access trail is our main project at Davy Crockett. It is not complete yet and we will continue our efforts until it is completed. The next expedition is tentatively set for early May of this year (pending approval by our board). That time-frame was suggested by the National Forest folks because an area where they want an observation platform, along the boardwalk, will hopefully be dried out enough by then to work on.
The trip was not all work. In the evenings we had great meals prepared by Rocky Nelson, Ray Fore and John Payne. These were followed by a congenial atmosphere around the campfire.
Monday morning was a super breakfast. Allan Weber (our founder) and his buddy, Jim Robinson, prepared venison sausage and gravy. The biscuits were complements of Derly Rivera, George Boemerman and their Dutch ovens.
The weather was great, we accomplished the normal Trail Tamer workload (LOTS), and we all had a good time.
The partipants included Greg Robin, Nora Ahmed and P. Rogeli Esamella who came in one day from Nacogdoches; Jennifer Williamson and Kelly Hinds who came in for one day from Steven F. Austin University; plus Joe and June Villarreal, a one-day couple from Austin along with Pamela Mackenzie.
The five E-Corp members were Sean Bone, Evan Branum, Katheryn Killebrew, Lisa Slate, and Matt Styslinger.
The remainder of the crew were Jim Schmidt, Mike Rogers, David Justice, Allan Weber, Jim Robinson, Mary Lynch, Terence Donovan, Ray Fore, Chuck Lundstedt, Amy Tonai, Derly Rivera, George Boemerman, Rocky Nelson, John Payne and Jim McKinney.
Copyright © 2003 Central Texas Trail Tamers
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
1/19-21/02 Davy Crockett National Forest Trip Report
January 19-21, 2002
Davy Crockett National Forest, TX - by Mike Rodgers
Most of the participants for this special January trip to Davy Crockett National Forest arrived on Friday and set up camp at the Lakeside Loop Campsite. Arriving early were George Boemerman, John Payne, Janette Barlow, and Rocky Nelson. Due to the inclement weather, this group used the covered pavilion for their evening meal. Trip leader Mike Rodgers arrived after the feast. After a rainy night, the group arose to a cloudy and cold morning. Other local participants, Ray Fore and Chuck Lundstedt, arrived Saturday morning before the Forest Service "darlings" (Pearlie and Merlinda) arrived.
The group headed for the work site at exactly 8:00am or 8:15am, maybe 8:30am…but they got there. After some discussion, the transit (level) was set up to determine the grade of the proposed trail. We determined the trail route and started digging holes. After the first few posts were set, the group fell into a routine and the next 128 posts went pretty smoothly.
Different teams worked the auger ("digging machine"). This machine required a two-person team. What a blast I had with Pearlie, Janette and George sharing the machine with me. Everyone enjoyed a session on it. Supplemented with real post-hole diggers, the holes were widened to accommodate and align the posts. The posts were set approximately 2 ft. deep with "QuikCrete". The group returned to the campsite around noon for Saturday lunch.
New arrivals, Matthew Yang, Nora Ahmed, and Greg Robin, found their way to the campground to join in the fun. After they set up camp, the group returned to work on the posts. Hauling posts and cement, digging holes, setting posts and lots of supervision and advice filled the afternoon and Sunday morning until the last post was set around 1:00pm Sunday.
The new arrivals did have a strange experience Saturday afternoon. Breaking shortly after 2:00pm, they planned a short fifteen minute hike which lasted until quitting time or thereafter. They took a wrong turn and wandered through the woods for two hours, finally finding the park headquarters office. They then got directions back to the campground. Our new Trail Tamers had to leave early Sunday to return to Austin but their efforts were appreciated by all.
Several other members had to leave Sunday afternoon. The remaining crew cross-braced the posts on Monday. With the posts in place, we expect to complete the wooden trail portion during the February trip.
Altogether, CTTT can be credited with 137 hours of work (George, Rocky, Ray, John, Chuck--20 hrs. each; Mike and Janette--14 hrs. each; Matthew, Nora and Greg--3 hrs. each) for the January, 2002 trip to Davy Crockett National Forest.
Copyright © 2003 Central Texas Trail Tamers
Davy Crockett National Forest, TX - by Mike Rodgers
Most of the participants for this special January trip to Davy Crockett National Forest arrived on Friday and set up camp at the Lakeside Loop Campsite. Arriving early were George Boemerman, John Payne, Janette Barlow, and Rocky Nelson. Due to the inclement weather, this group used the covered pavilion for their evening meal. Trip leader Mike Rodgers arrived after the feast. After a rainy night, the group arose to a cloudy and cold morning. Other local participants, Ray Fore and Chuck Lundstedt, arrived Saturday morning before the Forest Service "darlings" (Pearlie and Merlinda) arrived.
The group headed for the work site at exactly 8:00am or 8:15am, maybe 8:30am…but they got there. After some discussion, the transit (level) was set up to determine the grade of the proposed trail. We determined the trail route and started digging holes. After the first few posts were set, the group fell into a routine and the next 128 posts went pretty smoothly.
Different teams worked the auger ("digging machine"). This machine required a two-person team. What a blast I had with Pearlie, Janette and George sharing the machine with me. Everyone enjoyed a session on it. Supplemented with real post-hole diggers, the holes were widened to accommodate and align the posts. The posts were set approximately 2 ft. deep with "QuikCrete". The group returned to the campsite around noon for Saturday lunch.
New arrivals, Matthew Yang, Nora Ahmed, and Greg Robin, found their way to the campground to join in the fun. After they set up camp, the group returned to work on the posts. Hauling posts and cement, digging holes, setting posts and lots of supervision and advice filled the afternoon and Sunday morning until the last post was set around 1:00pm Sunday.
The new arrivals did have a strange experience Saturday afternoon. Breaking shortly after 2:00pm, they planned a short fifteen minute hike which lasted until quitting time or thereafter. They took a wrong turn and wandered through the woods for two hours, finally finding the park headquarters office. They then got directions back to the campground. Our new Trail Tamers had to leave early Sunday to return to Austin but their efforts were appreciated by all.
Several other members had to leave Sunday afternoon. The remaining crew cross-braced the posts on Monday. With the posts in place, we expect to complete the wooden trail portion during the February trip.
Altogether, CTTT can be credited with 137 hours of work (George, Rocky, Ray, John, Chuck--20 hrs. each; Mike and Janette--14 hrs. each; Matthew, Nora and Greg--3 hrs. each) for the January, 2002 trip to Davy Crockett National Forest.
Copyright © 2003 Central Texas Trail Tamers
Friday, November 30, 2001
11/01 Ouachita National Forest Trail Trip Report
November 3-11, 2001
Ouachita National Forest Trail, AK (by Derly Rivera)
Eleven volunteers made up the crew that went to the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas on November 3rd. This was the first visit to the forest by the Central Texas Trail Tamers. After pitching tents at a primitive campsite, we set up a "range" kitchen where we worked out of three pickup truck beds using one stove and a campfire for cooking.
On Monday, the forest rangers outlined our duties and took us to the work area. The work consisted mostly of clearing brush and blazing trails. Not surprisingly, we cleared and painted the required blazes on approximately 6.5 miles of trail by 3:00pm.
Tuesday through Thursday was basically the same work: clearing trails, felling trees, and blazing trail markers. It was interesting to notice that a number of trees and other vegetation had been greatly affected by the ice storm from the previous year. Earlier in the year the forest service had cut a large number of trees to clear the trails and different paths in the forest. We had to cut two dead trees that were leaning dangerously towards the trail and physically pushed them, thus allowing their weight to topple them out of the way. We completed work on approximately 21.5 miles of trails through the forest.
Since we didn't have flush toilets or hot showers, you can imagine the camp area. Several of the crew bathed in the river and the water was about 59 degrees! After leaping in the water and emitting loud gasps and shouts, the intrepid bathers welcomed the warm campfire.
A hearty breakfast started out the days. A substantial dinner, campfire tales and songs finished out the day. We left early Friday morning because hunting season would begin the next day. CTTT was invited to return the next year to work on the east side of the forest.
A NOTE ABOUT HARD HATS: I did not like to wear hard hats, especially when working in the forest or on mountains, until this trip. After a tree branch broke off, fell on my head and was deflected by the hard hat, with only a minor headache as a result, I became a believer. Now I STRONGLY recommend wearing hard hats both for forest and rock work. Even better: use safety glasses also.
Ouachita National Forest Trail, AK (by Derly Rivera)
Eleven volunteers made up the crew that went to the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas on November 3rd. This was the first visit to the forest by the Central Texas Trail Tamers. After pitching tents at a primitive campsite, we set up a "range" kitchen where we worked out of three pickup truck beds using one stove and a campfire for cooking.
On Monday, the forest rangers outlined our duties and took us to the work area. The work consisted mostly of clearing brush and blazing trails. Not surprisingly, we cleared and painted the required blazes on approximately 6.5 miles of trail by 3:00pm.
Tuesday through Thursday was basically the same work: clearing trails, felling trees, and blazing trail markers. It was interesting to notice that a number of trees and other vegetation had been greatly affected by the ice storm from the previous year. Earlier in the year the forest service had cut a large number of trees to clear the trails and different paths in the forest. We had to cut two dead trees that were leaning dangerously towards the trail and physically pushed them, thus allowing their weight to topple them out of the way. We completed work on approximately 21.5 miles of trails through the forest.
Since we didn't have flush toilets or hot showers, you can imagine the camp area. Several of the crew bathed in the river and the water was about 59 degrees! After leaping in the water and emitting loud gasps and shouts, the intrepid bathers welcomed the warm campfire.
A hearty breakfast started out the days. A substantial dinner, campfire tales and songs finished out the day. We left early Friday morning because hunting season would begin the next day. CTTT was invited to return the next year to work on the east side of the forest.
A NOTE ABOUT HARD HATS: I did not like to wear hard hats, especially when working in the forest or on mountains, until this trip. After a tree branch broke off, fell on my head and was deflected by the hard hat, with only a minor headache as a result, I became a believer. Now I STRONGLY recommend wearing hard hats both for forest and rock work. Even better: use safety glasses also.
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