homepage - outings - national - brochure - 12342a
Trip Number: 12342A
Price: $475
Deposit: $50
Capacity: 10
Staff: Holly Johnson
Highlights:
- Build trails along the scenic Buffalo National River
- Work with noted conservationist, park planner, and author
- Enjoy glorious fall colors in the Ozark Mountains
- Canoe, hike, or relax on your free day
Includes:
- Canoe transportation to and from remote riverside campsite
- All on-trip meals
- Work tools
The Trip
Photo: John Everett
The Buffalo National River is America's first National River. It flows free over swift-running rapids and quiet pools for its 135-mile length. One of the few remaining rivers in the lower 48 states without dams, the Buffalo cuts its way through massive limestone bluffs as it travels eastward through the Arkansas Ozarks and into the White River. Long recognized for its beauty, the river has been described as the "prettiest girl at the prom."
The Project
Amid autumn's glory in the Ozarks we will build a new section of hiking trail. We'll dig and rake to create a 24-inch hiking trail that goes along hillsides that often overlook the river. This will be part of the Buffalo River Hiking Trail. Tasks vary from easy (raking leaves) to difficult (moving big rocks); trail builders can find work suited to their abilities and interests. We'll work four days, with another day for recreation: hiking, canoeing, or just relaxing around the camp.
Itinerary
Day 1: We will meet at noon on Sunday at Gilbert (directions will be sent out later). We will load canoes with our equipment and paddle to our camp site. Dinner will be the first on-trip meal. If you plan on arriving early we recommend camping at Tyler Bend Campground.
Days 2-3: We'll work on our trail building project.
Day 4: Today will be our free day to canoe, hike, swim, fish (license is required), or relax around the campground.
Days 5-6: We'll be back at work on our trail building project.
Day 7: After breakfast (our last on-trip meal), we'll canoe to our take-out location.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Little Rock, Arkansas, about 120 miles from our trail project. Detailed directions will be sent out to signed-up participants. Carpooling is encouraged. Our put-in site will be near Gilbert, Arkansas.
Accommodations and Food
Photo: John Everett
We will canoe to our campsite which will be at a clean and spacious gravel bar opposite a 260-foot bluff. Please come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure of the trip. We will provide healthy, nutritious, plentiful, vegetarian-friendly meals. We will have a group commissary where everyone takes turns in food preparation. A food survey will be sent out before the trip to help with the meal planning and identifying special needs such as food allergies.
Trip Difficulty
The trip will be easy to moderately strenuous and require basic manual work
skills. You need to be in good physical condition. No special skills are required;
the safe use of all tools will be demonstrated. The ability to work in cooperation
with trip leaders and fellow Sierra Club members is a must. Weather in October
is generally favorable, with nights in the 40s and daytime temperatures in the
60s. We do, however, have to be prepared for colder or warmer temperatures,
and for rain. Bring clothing for a variety of conditions.
Equipment and Clothing
A detailed personal equipment list will be provided to trip participants. Trail
building tools will be provided but don't forget your own two pair of work gloves
and safety or sunglasses.
References
If you want information on the Buffalo River before coming on the trip, you can order the following items from Ozark Society Books, Box 3503, Little Rock, AR 72203.
Maps:
- National Geographic/Trails Illustrated: "Buffalo River, East Half" ($12).
This topographic map, printed on waterproof, tear-proof plastic, includes
the area where we are to build the trail.
Books:
- The Ozark Society Foundation, Buffalo River Handbook. This is the comprehensive reference for anyone with more than a passing interest in the Buffalo. It covers the river's geology, plant and animal communities, history, and Park Service management, with mile-by-mile guides to the river and its walking trails ($21.95).
Conservation
Photo: John Everett
Unquestionably, the Buffalo River remains one of the cleanest and healthiest rivers in the nation. While pursuing our work project, we'll observe general conservation goals -- in camp and on the trail. We can minimize our impact by following Leave No Trace techniques.
The Buffalo National River encompasses the diversity of the natural resources that are the Ozarks. This was acknowledged by a U.S. House of Representatives Committee Report (1972) explaining the basis for the establishment of the Buffalo National River. It stated, "Because it is a pure, free-flowing stream which has not been significantly altered by industry or man, it is considered to be one of the country's last significant natural rivers. It is not one single quality, but the combination of its size, its completeness, its wild qualities, and its associated natural, scenic, and historic resources that makes the Buffalo worthy of national recognition."
Project Coordinator Ken Smith, who plans to assist us all week, has been the designer and construction supervisor for many of the river's hiking trails. For the Buffalo River he also has been a conservationist, a park planner, and an author. His book "The Buffalo River Country" (third edition, 1976) looks at the river and its watershed. His "Buffalo River Handbook" (2004) describes the river's natural and cultural resources and provides mile by mile guides to the canoe stream and hiking trails. Both books are published by the nonprofit Ozark Society Foundation. Ken will share his expertise of the area and hopefully participants also can share conservation issues from their local regions.
The Sierra Club operates on the Buffalo River under Special Use Permits issued by the National Park Service.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Leader:
Holly Johnson is an outings leader for her local Eagle View Group and lives in the Illinois Quad Cities. She is a massage therapist and paramedic who devotes her free time to environmental issues. Holly enjoys all outdoor activities including kayaking, biking, camping and backpacking. She lives with two cats and is the environmental pied piper to all of the children in her neighborhood. Holly has led several national trips and brings great energy and expertise to the outing.
E-mail: hollajean2@yahoo.com
Co-Leader:
Terry DeFraties leads local outings for the Thomas Hart Benton Group (Kansas City) of the Missouri Chapter and lives in the Kansas City area. He owns a small construction company and backpacks, canoes and caves whenever he can. Although fairly new to national outings, he has participated in, organized and led wilderness trips for over thirty years. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
E-mail: theerustbucket@aol.com
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips