Service Project - Palo Duro Canyon & Cross Bar Special Recreation Mgmt. Area

*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***

Join us for a week of meaningful trail service in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, one of the most spectacular landscapes in Texas.
Often described as the second largest canyon in the U.S., Palo Duro stretches more than 120 miles across the Panhandle. That claim depends on how “largest” is defined — for instance, Idaho’s Hells Canyon is deeper — but Palo Duro’s vivid red cliffs and sculpted rock layers make it an unforgettable place to work and explore.

We’ll camp in the Wolfberry Group Area, which has 7 pedestals with water spigots and 30/50-amp outlets, plus plenty of space for tents and a few RVs. Wolfberry is about 5½ miles inside the park, near the Mesquite and Hackberry camp areas.

April usually brings warm days and cool, comfortable evenings.

Our team will assist the park with trail maintenance and erosion control projects. We’re especially skilled with McLeods and Pulaskis and would be delighted to collaborate with another group on shared work.
Expect rewarding, hands-on fieldwork, good company, and time to enjoy the canyon’s trails and starry nights.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches. Of course, your park admission will be comped.

We keep evening duty simple: every team cooks one night only — enjoy the other nights free. The chosen team brings and prepares dinner, runs dish patrol, and washes the cooking pots and pans.

The team that cooks, let's say, Tuesday night also washes the dishes used for Tuesday morning’s pancake-and-egg breakfast. That’s it — one dinner, one breakfast-morning cleanup, and then you’re off the hook.

But wait. There's more.

On the last day of this Service Project, we get to check out a huge area that is not open to the public, and won't be for at least three years!

The Cross Bar Special Recreation Management Area is big - 11,883 acres. It is the only BLM land in Texas. https://friendsofcrossbarsrma.org.

We have received special permission to have them guide us across private property to get to the preserve. They are meeting us at the gate at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 18th. It is about an hour drive from Palo Duro. The gate’s address is 9610 Brickplant Road, Amarillo, TX.

After exploring the Cross Bar, many of us will proceed to Caprock Canyons State Park for another week long Service Project.

To sign up:

1. RSVP on Meetup: The Meetup may show as full, but if you want to come, please sign up! There is usually plenty of turnover.
2. Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is right for you.
3. Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton at gmail.com.
4. Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 Scan and email the form also to stanpeyton at gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
5. Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
6. Mail the forms to:
   Stan Peyton
   8408 Hanbridge Lane
   Austin TX 78736

VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.

Don't sign up unless you are serious about attending!

| YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: |
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•Kneeling pad

•Containers for leftovers

•Geologist's Hammer (we are not kidding)

•Tent and implements of sleeping

•Covid mask

•Dishtowel

•Earplugs

•Evening meal for Saturday

•Flashlight

•Food and drinks for all your breakfasts, snacks and lunches

•Hat

•Long pants

•Tools for working on the trail (If you already have them)

•Personal prescriptions and first aid kit

•Plate/bowl

•Silverware

•Sunscreen

•Tweezers

•Water bottle

•Work gloves