OT sections open for adoption

OH,
I'm interested in doing this. I don't know much about it though. Also, which of these sections are close to a road/trailhead? That way, maybe, one could be maintained in a dayhike setting.

Kyle,

Do you have Tim Ernest's OT guide? All of the sections correspond to that guide. I have lent mine out and I can't check them out. There should be some trails closer to you. Any way I will try to figure this out for you. By the way you are only required to maintain your section of trail twice per year. If it hasn't been maintained in quite some while it might take you awile to get it back to specs but when you get it there there isn't a whole lot of work to be done unless mother nature throws you a curve ball! If you have major trees down FOoT will send a crew in to cut them out. Email Loretta at nurseloretta@juno.com and ask her she probably could let you know. By the way you guys these sections can be adopted by groups of hikers! You can work together or go at different times.

Just noticed before I posted this message that if you look closely at the list you see which ones have access. Some have FS rd. # or highways listed. Check closely.

OH (Tom)

Guys,

I just thought that I would mention that in most cases you may already have tools that you can use for trail maintance at your house. If you are like me you will evolve into wanting/needing some more specialized tools.
Loppers, basic tools for cutting small to medium limbs, are the most basic of the tools used. Most folks already have these. The Fiskars brand has some of the best, the ones that we use have a compound leverage system that helps with the cutting. These are the ones that we use:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100072616

Also what I find that I like to use for big briar patches are headge shears. I am about to order some new ones from Lowes that have adjustable handles from 13" to 20".
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=69843-63731-HS3950D&detail=&lpage=none
These will make short work of a big briar patch!

If you are interested in a saw this is the one to use. All of the trees that we have cut thru in the Caney Creek wilderness, including a huge Hickory was cut with this saw:
http://www.benmeadows.com/search/fanno+k-24/7303/

Any way this will give you an idea of what I use.

OH

OH,
When you say "some trails closer to [me]", are you talking about sections on your list above?

Kyle,

Yes, the trails at the bottom of the list would be closer to the state park end of the trail. By the way I am getting some guys together to do some more work in Caney Creek in Feb. if you would be interested. That would be a pretty good drive for you though.

Tom

You're right, it is quite a drive, but I would like to try to make it. I want to get more familiar with that trail. And see what it looks like cleaned up.

Kyle,

Looks like Feb. 7th is the main date as of now. We have guys coming in from the Dallas Sierra Club to help. Mark Davis (Ar.Hiker) from Mt. Ida is coming over. Also my son Bryan from OK City will come over plus a few ladys from Mena and my wife. If you can come over then keep in touch and if any thing changes with the weather I will let you know. If you can come over Fri. afternoon you can come to our campground. If we can get a good group of guys it will make a huge difference cutting thru the big timber.

Edit: I forgot to add that I think Ed from Texarkana hopefully will come up also.

Thanks!

OH (Tom)

My wife and I have been talking about adopting a section of the OT for awhile. I found a section I think will work for us but I was wondering what you have to do in order to conduct trail maintenance? Certifications and where to get them?

All you need is some basic tools. Janet and I have refined our tool needs by trial and error. Plus FOot will send you a suggested tool list, I also have it, and also a basic trail maintance handbook, that is in Eform. It is the same one that the OHT folks use. By the way if you join soon there is going to be a big gathering at the Big Brushy Campground Sat. March 28th. We will be working on trail that will be used for the a big mountain bike race (sorry can't remember the name at the moment). You could learn a lot that day. Breakfast will be provided. I will send the announcement to you. Any way we can help just ask.

OH (Tom)

For anyone else that is interested here is a updated list of areas of the OT that can be adopted:

SectionMile XX to XXMileageDescription

1	10.6 to 13.4	2.8	Small Rock Glacier to Cedar Branch
1	13.4 to 15.5	2.1	Cedar Branch to Rock Glacier
1	19.9 to 21.7	1.8	Horsethief Springs to FR 6014
1	21.7 to 23.7	2	FR 6014 to Winding Stair TH
2	39.2 to 42.0	2.8	Kiamichi river TH to Mile 42 (Kiamichi Wilderness)
2	42.0 to 44.0	2	Mile 42 to Mile 44 (Kiamichi Wilderness)
4	79.9 to 82.0	2.1	Turner Creek Gap to Mile 82
4	82.0 to 85.0	3	Mile 82 to FR 76/west
4	85.0 to 90.3	5.3	FR 76 /west to FR 813 (3 miles is on the road)
5	96.0 to 98.0	2	FR 33 to Mile 98
5	98.0 to 101.0	3	Mile 98 to FR 274/west
5	101.0 to 103.0	2	FR 274/west to Mile 103
5	105.6 to 108.7	3.1	Rainy Creek to Top of Suck Mountain (old road bed)
5	117.2 to 119.0	1.8	Womble Trail to Mile 119
6	121.7 to 122.6	0.9	Hwy 27 TH to John Archer Shelter (includes shelter)
6	122.6 to 124.2	1.6	John Archer Shelter to FR 148
6	124.2 to 125.8	1.6	FR 148 to Sandlick Mountain (FR 148A)
6	136.1 to 138.8	2.7	FR 78 South Crossing to Hwy 298 TH
7	143.2 to 145.0	1.8	Blue Mountain Shelter to Mile 145
7	153.0 to 155.1	2.1	FR 107 (east access) to Hoot Owl Gap
7	158.4 to 159.4	1	Moonshine Shelter (includes shelter) to Hunt's Loop Intersection
9	199.0 to 200.5	1.5	Mile 199 (big Cypress) to 200.5

Remember: larger sections can be divided into smaller pieces or adopted by a group, club, or team of family and/or
friends.
If you are intested please go to FOoT's How to Help website .

Thanks,OH