2010 Narrows Trail Project - Volunteers Needed

[Marion]

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS:

The WMCC and Texas Mountaineers have jointly scheduled the 2010 Narrows Trail Project for Saturday and Sunday, June 5th and 6th at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The project is being sponsored by the Access Fund as one of its official 2010 Adopt-a-Crag events.  All climbers and other nature and outdoor enthusiasts who frequent the Refuge are invited to volunteer your time and join us in this important conservation project.  

The Narrows Trail is one of the most scenic and heavily used trails in the Refuge.  In addition to providing low impact access to some of the Refuge’s most valuable climbing resources, the trail serves a greater function in that it provides hikers and other Refuge visitors the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of this unique and outstanding area.  Since 1995, the WMCC and the Texas Mountaineers have organized numerous trail building and maintenance projects for the Narrows Trail to rebuild and maintain this important trail from its beginning at Boulder Cabin to its end below Lichen Wall. This year’s effort will focus primarily on trail maintenance issues, such as eliminating erosion problems, rebuilding rock walls, and otherwise ensuring that the trail is in good condition.  As part of that effort, we will also be clearing numerous uprooted trees and downed tree limbs that fell on many areas of the trail as a result of a recent heavy ice storm.

Volunteers will meet each morning at 8 a.m. at Boulder Cabin. Work will last until 2 p.m. with a break for lunch. The remainder of the day is open for climbing or hiking.

All necessary tools will be provided by the Refuge. Volunteers will need to bring work gloves, hat, water bottles, trail lunch, sunscreen and insect repellent. Be sure to dress for the work and be prepared for the weather.

Refuge Manager Jeff Rupert has graciously granted the WMCC and TM a Special Use Permit allowing volunteers to camp Friday and Saturday nights at the Fawn Creek Campground at the base of Mt. Lincoln. For those of you who weren't around thirty years ago when camping was allowed throughout the Refuge, this is a valuable opportunity to experience the solitude and grandeur of camping in this scenic area.

The success of this project is dependent on a good group of enthusiastic volunteers. To join the effort, please send an email to volunteer@wichitamountains.org and include the following information:

-Name(s)
-Address
-City, State, Zip
-Home Phone Number
-Cell or Work Phone Number
-Which days you're available to work
-Which nights you'll be camping

If you know of others who are interested in participating, please let them know about the project.

Volunteers will receive additional information concerning the trail work and camping arrangements at the end May.

PLEASE NOTE:

The Fawn Creek camping permit is limited to 30 volunteers. Reservations will be made in the order in which volunteers apply. Since the Fawn Creek Campground is a combination-locked special use area, in order to secure a campsite and gain access to the area volunteers must register at least 7 days in advance of the project.

For more information, send an email to volunteer@wichitamountains.org.

Thanks in advance for volunteering your time!

[sloperguy]

I just wanted to encourage everyone to volunteer for the trail building day at the Wichitas on June 4 and 5. If you are only able to make one of the two days, that is fine - just do what you can.

This is an opportunity for us, as climbers, to give back to the Refuge directly - and at the same time improve the overall trail conditions of the Narrows for climbers and hikers. The Refuge staff truly appreciates and recognizes our contributions and that means a lot in terms of maintaining a good relationship and working with them on climbing issues.

As mentioned, the Fawn Creek Campground, which is normally closed to regular use, will be available to us for the weekend.

If you have never been to a trail building and have questions about it, please email us at volunteer@wichitamountains.org and will be glad to talk.

Also, if you know that you will be there - please let us know by dropping us an email, also at volunteer@wichitamountains.org

Thanks,
Aaron Gibson 

[leinosaur]

How's the roster looking so far?  I will be hard-pressed to make it, but this thing needs to get done!

[mydogscout]

I am in a wedding that weekend in Arkansas, so I'm out.  I wish I could make it, maybe the bunch of us in that wedding can get some tools and tie up any loose ends the weekend after?

[berkly]

I can't make it either. Steven I'll join u the weekend after tho

[roger fritz]

It is tempting to make the 12-hour trek to the Wichita's to help with the trail building/repairing. I wish I could swing it. It definitely inspires me to get my butt out and help with my local crag trail projects. 

rf
 

[sloperguy]

We are getting a good response so far - hopefully we will have about 5-10 more people volunteer this week.

If you are going back and forth between volunteering or not - keep this in mind - WE REALLY NEED YOU! The Narrows trail is a mess and needs to be cleaned up and repaired. This affects all climbers and hikers (day-tripers) that use the Narrows trail. With two days of work we can make a huge difference in fixing the trail AND at the same time it reflects the concern and good will of climbers towards the Refuge.

So if you're debating about whether to come, debate no more....we need your help.

[sloperguy]

Just a quick update to let everyone know that we are revising the schedule for the trail day due to the anticipated hot weather - 105 to 107 degrees expected.

So we will start early on Saturday and work until noon. The focus will be on clearing the trail of debris; tree branches, trunks, etc. The WMWR staff has already been through a cut the downed trees that intersect the trail, so we'll focus on getting that stuff cleared. No work is planned for Sunday.

Camping will still be available both Friday and Saturday night for volunteers.

We will hold an additional trail day in the fall for trail repairs.

[jconti3]

That sounds like a good plan. Much more work will get done in the fall and even winter would be good. Its lots easier to drag brush and debris when you dont have all the thick green stuff to grab a hold of it. Im down to help anytime. Keep me on the list for volunteers for sure. See you all next time!

[leinosaur]

Any plans for a follow-up?  That heat must have been a biz-natch!  Seems like we used to do this mid-September, I'll be back around by then and would love another chance to prune, McCloud and trundle with you fellas.  Not sure about the chainsaws!