Hike Canceled

My phone (Tom) in case you get lost: 832-439-5797

In conjunction with the Mission Tejas SP camping (https://www.meetup.com/Houston-Area-Trails-More/events/168027692/), we are hiking the Four C Trail (http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/texas/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=71016&actid=51) over two days. You need not be camping with us to join the hike. The trail is about a three hour drive from Houston. We will need a few volunteers to help along the trail as leaders, corners and to rotate as sweeps.

Contact Tom if you want to help. My phone number is 832-439-5797

I have posted a Google Earth KMZ file with maps and waypoints for the Four C Hiking Trail (http://files.meetup.com/1731871/FourCMap.kmz). To use the maps on a Garmin GPS, copy the file to the Garmin\CustomMaps folder.

The Four C Trail goes through land once owned by a large timber company but is now part of the Davy Crockett National Forest. Most of the forest growth along the trail is less than 100 years old, but there are a few special old growth places. There is a descent and ascent of low bluffs along the north trail section while the south section is mostly flat with perhaps a bit more rolling than the Sam Houston Forest we frequently hike in. We will be in the shade of the forest most of the day.

Gathering Place: We will gather at the Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area (https://www.google.com/maps/@31.3869239,-95.1588731,16z). There is a $3.00 per vehicle fee to enter and park at this facility but we can use the showers or go for a swim in the lake after the hike. This will be through hiking with a few cars moved to the end point to shuttle hikers back to the trail head. I’ll be asking for a few volunteers at breakfast to help with logistics so we can get started on time.

For our route details: Click Here (http://files.meetup.com/1731871/FourCTrailSouth.pdf)

The weather this time of year can vary between cool and hot so please be prepared with an ample supply of water (at least two liters) and snacks for the mid hike break. Light but waterproof rain gear, like a poncho, will also be helpful in case of a showers.

Since this is a camping related hike, we will not follow the group's standard 60% chance of rain rule for cancellation, but will make a decision based on local conditions close to the start time. For the forecast: Click Here. (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Ratcliff&state=TX&site=HGX&textField1=31.3881&textField2=-95.1155#.UxzMYvldXTo)

After the hike we can go to Logan's Road House in Lufkin. (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/31.3878889,-95.1555879/31.3124766,-94.7203815/@31.352801,-95.2126429,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!4m3!1m0!1m0!3e0)
4201 S. Medford Dr.
Lufkin, TX 75901