OHT Suggestion

I've spent about 10 hours over the last two weekends doing some trail work, and quickly realized what exhausting work it is. What got me started last spring was always feeling like a freeloader by using trails that someone else had built and maintained.

I'm sure there are others that must have similar feelings, so, I'd like to make a proposal that we, as a group (Central States Nature Photographers Network), adopt a part of the Ozark Highlands Trail to maintain. There is a 4.5 mile section from Falling Water Creek to Richland Creek campground that is open, and would like to see us adopt it. I believe that maintenance work on the trail would require membership in the Ozark Highlands Trail Association, or registration with the Forest Service. Hopefully Tim will correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Any takers?

Bill, great idea, count me in.

sounds good to me. You don't have to twist my arm to much to get me up to Richland whether it be for work or play.

Bill thanks for taking the lead on this project. Yes I would like to help also.

Great idea Bill.
Count me in.

Rod

I think that is a great idea Bill. Just keep in mind that no one can use a chain saw until you have gone through the special forest service certification course and have the safety equipment. Otherwise the tools we use to keep the trail open and maintained are provided for you - actually in a locked box behind the post office in Pelsor. It can be a lot of work just keeping the corridor open yearround, but the amount of pleasure you get for a job will done is great. You will need to be members of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association before you can volunteer ($20 per year), then would need to sign up to adopt that section - you would need to contact Roy Senyard at the e-mail address from the web page. You might be able to sign up as a "group" - we don't have a group rate, but I guess that could be worked out somehow - only OHTA members are allowed to work on the trail. You should contact Roy about that soon before someone else takes that section.

And just as a note - while you might be able to do some photography while you are over in that area doing trail maintenance, you won't be able to carry your camera gear with you while working on the trail - it can be extremely difficult work all by itself and you won't want to be lugging camera gear around. However all that section of the trail is right near the road so is easy to get to.

Also note that this section contains the big mud slide - a new section of trail has to be built through this mud slide area, and once that happens, that slide area may continue to slide and move the trail - meaning you'll have a lot more heavy maintenance to do - it can make us fat boys sweat a lot and have sore muscles for a week afterward!

Hi All

I would like to join in the work. I've been feeling like an OHTA freeloader too, especially since taking up backpacking last fall.

Thanks to everyone that expressed their interest - I knew I wasn't the only freeloader out there!

I have emailed Roy to request adoption, and will let you know what he says when I hear back. I mentioned that I thougt those that are interested would all be joining OHTA within the week.

Tim, do you know when the next FS certification course will be held?

Just heard back from Roy Senyard - here's the scoop:

"Bill, Yes that section is open for adpotion. You are more welcome to adopt it.
We are going to do a work trip on that section at sometime. There was a land-slid that occured last year on that section. We have flagged a re-route and the Forest Service falgged a re-route. It will take a lot of work but we are use to that.
Please let me kone when your membership is valid and I will have you added to the maintneance list. Please provid me with your phone number and address.

Thank you for the interest in the OHT. Volunteers are the base of the OHTA.

Roy"

Sounds like...uh, fun!

So I guess we better get to signing up for the OHTA.