Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#116572 - 05/26/09 10:05 PM Hiking after a forest fire
Tango61 Offline
member

Registered: 12/27/05
Posts: 931
Loc: East Texas Piney Woods
I wish I could write one of those great trip reports like WanderingDaisy or Pika or OregonMouse but this is not the case.
I recently had an opportunity to lead a shake-down hike through the Davey Crockett NF on the 4-C trail.
The forest suffered a fire a couple of years ago (can't remember if it was a prescribed burn or lightning) and last summer we had hurricane Ike with major winds through the area.

Hiking through this forest was surreal. It reminded me of "The Lord of the Rings" and the forests of of Mordor. You could still smell smoke and it was somewhat depressing.

Here's a link to the pic's

(I'm still trying to figure out how to post a pic from shutterfly account).

http://tango61.shutterfly.com/170


Edited by Tango61 (05/26/09 10:29 PM)
_________________________
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Either way, you're right.

Top
#116584 - 05/27/09 12:08 AM Re: Hiking after a forest fire [Re: Tango61]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Tim,
I'm going to do that hike in the fall. Any pointers?? Parking? Shuttles? Trailheads?

And post fire hikes....I once hiked a part of the Texas southwest a week after a big fire. Things were still smouldering and it smelled like a constant campfire. Not fun.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

Top
#116595 - 05/27/09 10:28 AM Re: Hiking after a forest fire [Re: Tango61]
Pika Offline
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
One of my very favorite areas for overnight hiking burned recently. It was a lightning caused fire. I hiked there once after the fire; it was incredibly depressing and I haven't gone back. Seeing a magnificent stand of old Apache pine reduced to black sticks and ash was a real downer. I don't even like writing about it in this post.
_________________________
May I walk in beauty.

Top
#116635 - 05/27/09 11:19 PM Re: Hiking after a forest fire [Re: Dryer]
Tango61 Offline
member

Registered: 12/27/05
Posts: 931
Loc: East Texas Piney Woods

Paul,
Let me know when you plan on going and maybe we can hook up.

Both times I've hiked this trail (2007 & 2009) I've started at the south end campground at Ratcliff. You can park there for about $3 per day, IIRC. I haven't done the whole trail or been at the north end by Neches bluffs (23 mile trail).

If I'm home that weekend, I'll be happy to shuttle you. It's about 40 minutes from my house to Ratcliff.

Pointers - bring a water filter! and lots of containers. There's only a couple of places to get water. Bring your hammock, the trees are great (not the burned ones smile )
Bugs - if you come after the first freeze, you should be ok. Otherwise, be prepared for the usual - mosquitoes, ticks.


And oh, there are some good BBQ places in the area before the drive home. smile
_________________________
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Either way, you're right.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Yosemite Winter Rangers
by balzaccom
12/21/23 09:35 AM
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 124 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
StarryOwl, Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia
13241 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum