You are hereBuckeye Trail and Caney Creek Trail updates from Tom Trigg - April 4, 2009
Buckeye Trail and Caney Creek Trail updates from Tom Trigg - April 4, 2009
From: Thomas Trigg
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009
Subject: Buckey Trail and Caney Creek Trail update
On 4/3 and 4/4 I went on a solo backpack trip. Starting on the Buckeye trail and then headed west on the Caney Creek Trail to the 6th creek crossing. Today I doubled back to the Buckeye trail junction and after another visit to the falls came out to the E. Trail head.
Condition of the Buckeye:
First thing I found was another tree down! This isn't to far from the sign in box (which didn't have anything to sign in with!) just as the trail turns South is were I found it. You can go thru it and I will cut it out some time this month. The under bush is starting to grow into the trail again. Don't know if I will get much of that cleared before fall. The views were stunning! Wild plum and pear were blooming and the odor was fantastic! I took my time and took lots of pics. (will post later). I didn't find any major obstacles along the way.
Condition of the Caney Trail:
Headed W. I found were the contract crew working for the FS had cut threw a large hickory tree that we had only made one cut thru back in Nov. Kudos to them! Crossing Caney crossing #10 and up to #9 I found at least 4 trees down. Some if not all were down before the crew came thru there. Some places they just rerouted the trail. One thing that I found was AXE BLAZES on the trees. This had to be done by the crew! I don't understand, you can't miss the trail thru this area or any of the Caney trail! Now there is lots of evidence that they cut out lots of other trees. I only made it to the 6th crossing.
Late on the afternoon of the 3rd I met up with four backpackers from TX that reported all was clear from #6 to #1. They also told me that at #1 all of the large trees we had left back in Feb. had now been cut! They told me it was clear as a freeway!
On the 4th I hiked out to the E. Trail head. Along the way I found cascades, falls, wild flowers blooming, and dogwoods blooming! The wild Iris are just now blooming. In another week I feel that there will be wild flowers all over the mountain sides!
Ouachita Hiker (Tom Trigg)
I backpacked the Caney Creek Wilderness/Buckeye Trail over Memorial Day (2009). It rained the entire time, but it was a great trip to a wonderful area. I really enjoyed it, and the Ouachitas in general. Have also backpacked the Eagle Rock Loop, and it, too, is fantastic.
Anyway, the Caney Creek Trail was clear and in good shape. The Buckeye was quite overgrown -head high - beginning about a half mile (as I recall) in from the East Trail Head. It really obscured the trail, although I followed along alright except for a time or two. There are a number of rocks up there (no surprise) and they are slippery in the rain - also no big surprise - but it made me tread lightly. I've forgotten a bit about the deadfall, but there was one tree down not too far in from the East Trail Head. Wonderful views, as previously mentioned, and I like the loop the Buckeye Trail offers. It really adds to the experience.
It was a good experience, and I didn't worry about all the crossings of Caney Creek - I was already wet almost from the get-go, so I just slogged on through them! Saw a big timber rattler near Katy Falls, also.
Bringing all up to date on the work this year in Caney Creek Wilderness.
The tree mentioned from the Buckeye Trail head Janet and I cut a section out and now it isnt' a problem.
The brush on the Buckeye is always a problem on the Buckeye till the killing frosts hit.
Mainly the wild sunflowers. I, back in Dec., hiked the Buckeye and cut briars and such out as I went.
After thanks giving I and Chris Akins, Waldron, went in from the E. Trail head and cleared a big mess of
trees blocking the trail at one point. Had planed on working this weekend from the W. but the approaching
bad weather has caused us to cancel that work date.