East Texas Hang - March 19-21

**Hawk-eye** · 12-28-2009, 13:38

Originally Posted by oldgringo

I mostly keep the fire going, and the coffee on.

A bit of day hiking would be my interest.

Now there's a man that knows how to appreciate nature!

Not much that a man can't enjoy over the rim of a good brew!

**Counselor** · 12-28-2009, 14:35

Count me in.

**Captn** · 12-28-2009, 21:15

Originally Posted by oldgringo

Does that mean you'll be there?

Barring the eotwaski, or somesuch other really good reason ... yes, I'll be there.

Who else is going to get the fire going before you get up?

**UncleMJM** · 12-28-2009, 22:23

Originally Posted by Captn

Barring the eotwaski, or somesuch other really good reason ... yes, I'll be there.

Who else is going to get the fire going before you get up?

You mean they don't just start themselves?

The fire was always roaring when I got to it.

**oldgringo** · 12-28-2009, 22:35

Originally Posted by UncleMJM

You mean they don't just start themselves?

The fire was always roaring when I got to it.

Captn is the only man in North America that gets up earlier than me.

**mtbikernate** · 12-28-2009, 23:32

Oh boy. I'm often a late sleeper. This could get interesting. Y'all promise you won't flip my hammock if I don't wake up early enough, ok?

**oldgringo** · 12-28-2009, 23:45

Originally Posted by mtbikernate

Oh boy. I'm often a late sleeper. This could get interesting. Y'all promise you won't flip my hammock if I don't wake up early enough, ok?

I could promise, if that would make you feel better, but I am a legendary liar.

**bclarkmsu** · 12-28-2009, 23:46

Depending on date I will be there.

**mtbikernate** · 12-29-2009, 00:17

Here are a few of our options:

Davy Crockett NF:

Ratcliff Lake: developed campground with showers, swimming, typical car campground stuff

Four C Trail: 20 mi out and back starting at Ratcliff Lake and ending in the Big Slough Wilderness. Rustic campground w/pit toilets at approximately halfway point. Cross section of E TX forests. Traverses both upland pine forests and bottomland hardwoods.

Piney Creek Horse Trail: ~50mi network of trails suitable for horses or bikes. Could be hiked, but trails are very wide. Piney Creek trailhead has pit toilets and water. I've biked here...the terrain is very flat and would probably be uninteresting to hike.

Angelina NF:

Bouton Lake/Boykin Springs/Sawmill Hiking Trail: Bouton Lake and Boykin Springs are both available for camping, and the Sawmill Hiking Trail (~5 1/2 mi) connect them. The Upland Island Wilderness is nearby. This area would let visitors see a longleaf pine savanna environment. I am told by a local that there are more trails North of SH 63 between Sandy Creek and Caney Creek rec areas. Boykin Springs reopened this summer after being thrashed by Hurricane Ike in Fall 08.

Sandy Creek/Caney Creek rec areas: more intensively developed recreation areas/campgrounds with cold water showers and boat ramps to Sam Rayburn. I've been told of some trails in the area...but I don't know of any maps available. I've been planning on getting some GPS tracks of these areas. I am told that these trails are known by the FS office and that they permit mountain bikes, but they are infrequently traveled by anyone and are quite rustic.

Sabine National Forest:

Red Hills Lake and Boles Field: Developed camping. I don't know this forest, and the FS website offers little info beyond that these campgrounds have electrical hookups. The rest appears to be dispersed camping, but little info is offered. The map has more info about campgrounds than the USFS site.

Trail Between the Lakes: 28 mile hiking trail between Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. It goes from Lakeview Rec area to hwy 96. No idea about it otherwise.

Sam Houston National Forest:

This one's too far from me for me to know much about it. However, the USFS site says:

Lone Star Hiking Trail: 128 mile long hiking trail...the longest in the region.

Big Creek Scenic Area: The Long Star Hiking Trail passes through here, and there are 4 different loops.

Cagle, Double Lake, Stubblefield Rec Areas: developed campgrounds with facilities

Kelly Pond Recreation Area and Multiple-Use Trailhead: primitive campground with access to Lone Star Hiking Trail and other MUT's (dirt bike, horse, mtb)

To be honest, I'd rather not be hanging around motos for all the noise...otherwise, I'm pretty open. Plenty of dispersed camping, too.

**UncleMJM** · 12-29-2009, 01:34

Originally Posted by mtbikernate

Here are a few of our options:

Davy Crockett NF:

Angelina NF:

Sabine National Forest:

Sam Houston National Forest:

This one's too far from me for me to know much about it.

Stubblefield Rec Areas: developed campgrounds with facilities

To be honest, I'd rather not be hanging around motos for all the noise...otherwise, I'm pretty open. Plenty of dispersed camping, too.

Stubblefield at Sam Houston is like home away from home.

Any of the areas you listed would be of interest to me.

I agree with looking for the more secluded non motorized areas.

As far as dates go, if you go with the Spring Break idea, check the dates on the Big Bend hang. Some of us may be heading that way too and if possible it would be nice to do both. Easter works for some folks, but it's a busy time for me and if possible I would prefer that earlier date in March.

The bottom line...

Pick a date.
Pick a place.
Those who can make it will be there.