Work trip announcement

Plans are a-FoOT for construction of several new bridges and boardwalks on the eastern end of the Ouachita Trail.  Jim Langford of Arkansas State Parks has asked for some preliminary work in preparation for the projects.  This fall Jim will be bringing in his crew plus an AmeriCorps Team.  FoOT will be assisting in all phases of these projects.  We will begin the prelim work at the Long Scary Bridge over Red Bluff Creek now.  We will do

May 27, 2010:    The trail re-route at Ouachita Pinnacle-Milepost 147-is almost complete. We need to do some sidehilling, and removal of the dirt berm in one section and a few minor items. With enough help we hope to finish this project totally on this day. We will ask a couple of people to spot check and lop the entire ¾ mile (there should not be much to do) and then return to join in the dirt work.

There is always a breeze blowing up on Blue Mountain so we should be OK and everyone can just work at their own pace.  We do plan work some after lunch and let the heat index be our guide. Otherwise you are free to leave

There will be a group maintenance outing in Oklahoma on part of the trail near Winding Stair, Red Spring and Big Cedar Creek TH the weekend of June 20th.  They will work on the trail on Saturday and Sunday.  For more details and to sign up to help, please acrnahotmail [dot] com (contact Brian Stephens). Participants should bring their own tools such as loppers, hand saw and any tread working tools you own as they plan some tread work.  If you are chain-saw certified and want to cut trees, contact Brian to see if that is needed. I would like to encourage anyone who can help out that weekend, to sign up as there is much damage on the trail in that section and they need a hand over there.   (sent by Kris, 5/27/2009)