!!!!!

ED wrote:OK Tom, I am showing my ignorance but what is "grist"?

Grist is grain that has been separated from its chaff in preparation for grinding. It can also mean grain that has been ground
at a grist mill. Its etymology derives from the verb grind. Grist can be ground into meal or flour,
depending on how coarsely it is ground. Maize made into grist is called grits when it is coarse, and corn meal when it is finely ground. Wheat, oats, barley,
and buckwheat are also ground and sifted into flour and farina. Grist is also used in brewing and distillation to make a mash.

well now you know!

Also from my friend Jack Wellborne:


Somewhere there is a copy of the 1919 journey of Hugh D Miser on foot for several weeks thru the mountains in
the headwaters of the Cossatot. He did the original geologic and topograph
mapping. He wrote it up for the Ozark Society Bulletin back in the late 1960’s. His companion on one of his journeys was Herbert Hoover (Dam named after
him, a geologist who later became president of the US! Miser showed up at one
Ozark Society annual meeting before he died. He was an old man and he had lots of stories to tell.


Here is a reference


(1969) An 18-day foot journey in the headwater country of Cossatot River,7916. Ozark Soc. 8u1,1,.,3,4-[/size]


plan to search for this info..

Thanks Tom! Explained very well. I am looking forward to seeing this part of the Caney Creek area.

Is there plenty of parking where we are gonig to start our hike?

ED wrote:Thanks Tom! Explained very well. I am looking forward to seeing this part of the Caney Creek area.

Is there plenty of parking where we are gonig to start our hike?

Ed,

Yes I believe there is plenty of parking. Were we will park is a hunting or just camp area near the road overlooking the
Tot. It is spread over a pretty good area. By the way i found the article on Hugh Miser but can't read it yet due to we
don't have PDF reader on this computer. It went down recently and the hard drive was reformatted. I plan on reading it
in the morning.

ouachita hiker wrote:

ED wrote:Thanks Tom! Explained very well. I am looking forward to seeing this part of the Caney Creek area.

Is there plenty of parking where we are gonig to start our hike?

Ed,

Yes I believe there is plenty of parking. Were we will park is a hunting or just camp area near the road overlooking the
Tot. It is spread over a pretty good area. By the way i found the article on Hugh Miser but can't read it yet due to we
don't have PDF reader on this computer. It went down recently and the hard drive was reformatted. I plan on reading it
in the morning.

I would like to read that article also.

Tom, thanks for the info and call. I'm planning on being there.

Well I am totaly stumped on this article:

(1969) An 18-day foot journey in
the headwater country of Cossatot River,7916. Ozark Soc. 8u1,1,.,3,4-

This is considered a scholarly article and I will try to go through my librarian here at the school and try to find it.

I sure wish that i could make the hike with you guys I am not free though until about the 2 week of May, that makes me good for the Memorial Day hike/cleanup though.

Tom, thanks for all this history!!! iIhave really enjoyed following along and learning what use to go on out in what we would call the middle of nowhere

I have been in contact with Charlie Williams, http://ouachitamaps.com/, in Tulsa. Last weekend when Janet and I were alone on Short Creek
he was sharing the Buckeye Trail with 40 kids! Wow! Sure was glad I had some peace and solitude!

Alright! The hike is only 10 days away! Anybody else want to go? It's going to be a blast!
Are we meeting at the parking area on FR31 at 9am?

Yes at nine at the camp/parking area just above the second bridge over the Tot from the South (approx. 10.5 miles).
I had intended to go back in there last weekend but wasn't able to get away. By the way Mark
last weekend in the Caney Creek area did you notice the wild Irises blooming? There are lots
of them in the Short Creek valley and I hope that they will be blooming when we go in.

Unlike the hoards of folks you will see on the ERL and in the Caney Creek area we will probably be
the only folks in Short Creek! Man that is the way I like to hike!!

Two weeks ago Charlie Williams, ouachitamaps.com, saw 40 kids in one group on the Buckeye Trail!
That is way to many folks in a group in there..

Just remember that all of us are part of the reason why there were 40 kids on the trail - and that is a GOOD thing - to get kids out in the wilderness!

clouddancer wrote:Just remember that all of us are part of the reason why there were 40 kids on the trail - and that is a GOOD thing - to get kids out in the wilderness!

Yes it is a good thing but 40 folks in one location in any wilderness isn't so great of a thing. I don't know how they were
dispersed but I know that there are camping areas in the Caney Wilderness area in the area of Katy Falls, the most
popular camping areas, that are on the verge of over use. Even the FS recommends keeping groups to around ten to
get the best experience. Personally if I see that big a group I try to go in the opposite direction.

Just to keep this active I will be leading a small group of folks into the Short Creek area of the Caney Creek Wilderness Area
this up coming weekend, 24th and 25th. Currently I have going:
Myself
Mark A.
Jack Welborne (not a current member of our group from Shreveport La.)

Anyone else want to come? I plan on going unless it looks like we will be flooded out! Plenty of water
will be good for waterfalls and such.

Expect wet crossings! If you are a new member of the group you are welcome to come along. Smokehouse unfortunately
had to drop out.

Update:

Going -
Ted Zwermann (Texarkana, TX)
Mark A.
Jack Welborne (not a current member of our group from Shreveport La.)
And yours truly
Still a small group and room for others...

For those going this weekend into the Short Creek Area remember ticks are out! And chiggers !
I don't know what everyone else does but I treat my clothing including my socks with permethrin this stuff works!
Also strong DEET. The permethrin will last up through 6 washings and the stuff works! It will be bushy, no trail to
speak off here! The road trace is pretty well grown up.

Tom, I am not going to be able to make it this weekend. I knew that I was planning too far ahead. It is now racing season and this is the only activity that my entire family gets excited about going. It is truly a family buisiness for us. My 15 yr old daughter and my 13 yr old daughter. I hope that you guys have a great time and I look forward to the trip report and pics.

ED wrote:Tom, I am not going to be able to make it this weekend. I knew that I was planning too far ahead. It is now racing season and this is the only activity that my entire family gets excited about going. It is truly a family buisiness for us. My 15 yr old and my 13 yr old . I hope that you guys have a great time and I look forward to the trip report and pics.

Well Ed that is a real bummer! I mean I hate you can't come but it is great that your family is involved with racing! Dang it I was looking forward
to hiking with you! O well we will do it in the fall? As much as I am looking forward to this trip I feel like this are would be much better enjoyed in the fall after the frost's and the leaf off.

Update of the update!

Going -
Ted Zwermann (Texarkana, TX)
Mark A.
Jack Welborne (not a current member of our group from Shreveport La.)
David Stankiewicz (Band director at Centerpoint near Mt.Ida)
And yours truly
Still a small group and room for others...

ouachita hiker wrote:

ED wrote:Tom, I am not going to be able to make it this weekend. I knew that I was planning too far ahead. It is now racing season and this is the only activity that my entire family gets excited about going. It is truly a family buisiness for us. My 15 yr old and my 13 yr old . I hope that you guys have a great time and I look forward to the trip report and pics.

Well Ed that is a real bummer! I mean I hate you can't come but it is great that your family is involved with racing! Dang it I was looking forward
to hiking with you! O well we will do it in the fall? As much as I am looking forward to this trip I feel like this are would be much better enjoyed in the fall after the frost's and the leaf off.

Tom, there is a possibility of a rain out but we will not know until Sat. morning. If so I will chase yall down on the trail but don't wait on me.

ED wrote:

ouachita hiker wrote:

ED wrote:Tom, I am not going to be able to make it this weekend. I knew that I was planning too far ahead. It is now racing season and this is the only activity that my entire family gets excited about going. It is truly a family buisiness for us. My 15 yr old and my 13 yr old . I hope that you guys have a great time and I look forward to the trip report and pics.

Well Ed that is a real bummer! I mean I hate you can't come but it is great that your family is involved with racing! Dang it I was looking forward
to hiking with you! O well we will do it in the fall? As much as I am looking forward to this trip I feel like this are would be much better enjoyed in the fall after the frost's and the leaf off.

Tom, there is a possibility of a rain out but we will not know until Sat. morning. If so I will chase yall down on the trail but don't wait on me.

Ed, I am watching the weather. 75% chance on Fri. and Sat. is still up in air. Don't want to call this off but will go down to the wire..

For all considering going on the weekends Short Creek hike there appears to be some serious weather headed our way,
always seems to be when I want to go backpacking here lately! Anyway this is what I am going to do:

1. Wait to see what the weather is doing early Sat. morning and make a decision then
2. Either go in as planned if the weather has cleared
3. Head in a little later (road trace is only 4.5 miles anyway)
4. Cancel the trip if it looks like the bad weather is going to linger
5. Don't hike at all on Sat. but go in as a day hike on Sun.

All depends on the weather. I am not to concerned about rain but heavy storms and tornadoes do concern me!
I lived thru last years tornado in our 5th wheel, just dumb luck! Don't plan on trying that in a hammock!!

Folks,

If I don't here from you that you aren't coming I will give each a call Sat. morning.
If you come be prepared for wet crossings.

I have decided to cancel this trip. I am afraid even if you can get back in there Sat. morning the flow of the water
would be to great. This area is known for flash flooding. The crossings would be to deep and swift. Might make
the trip in another week.