September | 2024 | Ozarkmountainhiker

During a recent maintenance camp with the Ozark Highlands Trail Association (OHTA), Duane Woltjen, gave me a Gerry Backpack manufactured in the 1960s. He shared that he used this pack in addition to three others for family adventures with his wife, Judy, and two sons.

Duane is a retired engineer, designer and builder of trails, and a longtime volunteer with the OHTA. During our discussion, he was busily cutting and drilling blazes for use as Ozark Highlands Trail markers.

When I tried that pack on, I decided it should see a few more trail miles. Since this would be a shakedown hike in anticipation of longer hikes to come this fall, I decided to do a simple over-nighter starting at the beginning of the Ozark Highlands Trail. Good friend, Eric Scowden, joined us, us being Hiker-dog and me.

I found the following note in the top compartment while loading the pack.

On the morning we departed from Lake Fort Smith State Park, I asked Eric to snap a photo to share with Duane so he could see the pack in use again.

Our destination was a new campsite location on Jack Creek. To reduce impact close to the creek shoreline, volunteers with the OHTA and Pack Rat Outdoor Center relocated the campsite to a nearby hillside. This site was a short walk from water and offered visual barrier from the trail.

While exploring the area, we found another nice campsite farther up the hill that could be an overflow location in case a group is already in the area we used.

There was ample room for several tents. Eric found an ideal spot and built a small fire in the established fire ring.

Evening temperatures made for good campfire conversation and affection time for Hiker-dog. She curled up in leaves close to my tent and remained quiet even when we heard coyotes and owl calls in the distance. Hiker-dog’s around twelve years old but still loves getting out on the trail. A couple of years ago, I wrote the story of our meeting in a little book called Gift From the Ozarks.

_{Hiker-dog begging for a snack from Eric}

We had a great hike and I enjoyed carrying a pack that dated back to the beginning of backpacking’s popularity in the United States. I also found myself thinking of the beauty this pack took Duane’s family to see as he and his wife, Judy, built their family and formed strong bonds of love that serve as an example for others. Thanks to Duane for taking good care of this pack and passing it along to me so I can reflect on the significance of getting outside with family and friends.

With OHTA (Ozark Highlands Trail Association) maintenance days approaching, I wanted to get eyes on my section in case any big trees were down from past rains and wind. Temperatures from the high 60s to 70s prompted me to get out there on Tuesday, September 3.

I knew the trail would be fairly dry but found plenty of small pools for filtering water. I begin with a couple of small bottles, one for my pocket and one for my pack. I refill them before the 4-mile return hike. I use juice bottles because they’re light, durable, and can be used many times before recycling.

I was thankful to learn that the trail between MM(mile marker)5 and MM9 was in pretty good shape with only a few trees down, some that could be cleaned up with my hand saw. Below is an example of what a little hand saw and some time can do. What was rough hiking is now an easy step-over. Later, OHTA volunteer sawyers can cut the big stuff with a chainsaw.

A benefit to solo trail maintenance is letting Hiker-dog run free while I work. She’s good about exploring nearby and checking back regularly, especially if I stop for a break. She likes snack time.

**Pools in Jack Creek during dry season**

I made it my little project to keep these four miles open when they were closed due to Lake Fort Smith State Park construction. Once construction was complete around 2008, I formally adopted this significant little section that was ready to hike.

If you like to work in a beautiful environment with great people, consider adopting a section of the OHT and/or get involved in maintenance work days. No special skills are needed as long as you like to walk in the woods, use loppers or hand saw, and drag stuff off of the trail. You’ll get a good workout and have a good time with some great folks!

To get involved, visit the OHTA website linked above and look under the “Get Involved” heading. Then click the “Maintenance Coordinator” hyperlink.

Here are a few photos from earlier maintenance events.