Caney Creek update

There are two oak trees down right next to each other at about 2.5 in from the east. These look like they are freshly downed because there is not much evidence of people hiking around. Mostly just the tops are blocking the trail.

I also found a very large beech down at about 5 miles in from the east this is a very large tree and it will take alot of work to remove it (if it is even possible). It is completely blocking the trail and will probably have to have a path cut around it.

This was my first hike on this trail and I still can't get over the amazing scenery.

Tom, I am ready clean this up whenever you are.

Man I wish those trees would quit falling!! And I thought that we only liked the west part of the trail!! DRAT!!!!!!

O well, looks like we have plenty of time on the trail doing work yet to go!

OH

ED,

OK I have calmed down now. Go here and go down to the Caney Creek trail milage pdf and see if you can get a little closer in estimation of were the trees are down. Charlie did this for us to use in our trail work milage. Your est. of 5 miles would put it past the Buckeye trail junction. My best guess you are talking about close to Katy Creek, or before you cross it?

Tree tops are farely easy to clear, just takes time. Those big tree trunks are a bear to clear, I gather that you saw the big pine that we made one cut thru? That took a lot out of us. You should see the big hickory we cut thru!

Thanks for your report.

P.S. I have reported the trail condition to Charlie at Ouachita Maps.com. He will post it on his trail conditions page.

Tom

Tom,

My milage is as close as I can get it. I think that it is very accurate. I did not go on the Buckeye from Caney Creek. I was enjoying Caney Creek so much I just kept on going past the Buckeye junction. The big tree is very very close to 5 miles. The two trees at 2.5 could be a little off some of that blended together for me, especialy on the way out because this is by far the farthest I had ever gone and I was very tired.

Ed,

Ok I get it now. Did you cross the Caney Creek, past the buckeye junction? If so that is a place that we haven't cleared yet. If so we will wory about that one on the 7th of Feb.

OH

Yes I did cross caney creek past the buckeye junction, it's about 1/3 mile past that.

Ed,

I hate to think what trees are down beyond that big double trunk three that you found! We may not be able to do all of the 5.1 miles in one day from the West. We will just keep sawing and hacking our way thru!

OH

Wow, it sure sounds like there is a lot of work to be done. At Devil's Den, the ATV's make a new path and tear up the trail before anyone can ever get down there to clean it up. I really appreciate what you do OH, and I really need to take some time and work on the trail with you. Thank you for your work, you sure make it a better place for everyone.

Well thanks!

We (the wife and I) do what we can. This started small. We heard last year the sad state of the trail (Buckeye) and we decided to just do it! We went up on a Sat. and cleared the approach trail (Buckeye) then I contacted the FS! Any way they seem to like us! I started putting out the word on the net and it has started to get results. We will be going back in on the 7th of Feb. and I might, with Ed's help, clear those tree tops on the East part of the trail. You are welcome anytime to help out, when we get thru with the trees, that is if they will quit falling! We will start on the underbrush, esp. on the Buckeye trail coming down from the ridge. If you are interested I will send you a work form that has to be filled out for the FS (Mena office).

Thanks!
OH

Tom,
Are ya'll expecting more ice with this next storm? Just when you're catching up with the trail maintenance in the Caney...........

John,

I don't even want to think about ice in that area! But to answer your question I just don't know.
I am watching the weather closely.

Tom

Ok,

Here is the forecast for the Mena area. Keep in mind Mena is north of the Caney Creek area,
still it doesn't look good.

Tom

Tom

When I looked at the map of Caney creek it shows a camp site west of the intersection. It looks like it is off the trail. Is it off the trail and is it a good place to camp?

What you are taling about is what I think a spur trail that leads down the creek in the area of the old trail. I have been part of the way down but the trail in places is in bad shape to the the fact that it isn't maintained. It is doable though. One of these days I will go all the way down to the site.
Here is a video of a trip back in 06 that mentions the camp site you are talking about. Also shows some of it on the video.