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Trail Between The Lakes Spring Trip
April 28, 2017 - April 30, 2017
Hiking Sabine Woods
LET’S GO HIKING! LET’S GO EXPLORE, ENJOY, AND PROTECT!
The 2017 Trail Between The Lakes spring trip will be April 28-30, Fri-Sun, in the Sabine National Forest. You can hike the entire 28 miles over 3 days, or parts over 2 days, or just 1, if you prefer. You do not need to be a member of the Sierra Club, but you will need to sign an outings form that includes a waiver. Anyone not at least eighteen will need to be with their parent(s) or legal guardian. We will work out shuttles from our group campsite to the starting points each day and hike back with just a day pack. RV’ers can camp at Mill Creek, Lakeview, and other spots. Or you can “rough it” in a few cabins and lodges in the area. Phil Rogers (contact information below) can provide that contact info, though they are often all reserved well in advance.
We will rendezvous each morning at 9 am to meet new hikers arriving on those dates, at the Sportsman’s Cafe on Hwy 87 at Six Mile, on Hwy 87 across from the intersection with FM 2928. We will then drive to the group campground a few miles away on FR 109, and shuttle everyone to each day’s trailhead. For you veterans, this is a bit further down 109 from 109c. The reason is because 109c is washed out! DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON 109c! You will either have to back out a half mile, or risk getting stuck trying to turn around. I would advise following the trip leaders out there the first time. The campsite is located north from the cafe on Hwy 87 to the intersection with FM 2426, but TURN RIGHT (east) onto FR 109. Because of the washout on 109c, we will be camping at a second pipeline crossing further down 109. The site is good, there is ample parking, but it will entail walking about a half mile northeast on the pipeline from where the trail crosses it.
Day 1 is normally from mile 1 at Lakeview to the camp, about 10.8 miles, though there is a second spot closer, about 6 miles, for those who prefer. There are a few creek crossings, and rolling hills.
Day 2 is from the crossing on FM 2426 back to camp, about 9 miles. A closer option exists off FR 152. This segment is fairly easy, though there is a clearcut portion that can be tricky, which is part of a long-leaf pine restoration project.
Day 3 we strike camp and drive to trail’s end off Hwy 96 south of Pineland, then shuttle back to the crossing at FM 2426. This segment is about 9 miles, and relatively flat. There are two challenging creek crossings, however. Also, there has been a recent controlled burn in the area just south of 2426, so trail markers may be hard to spot.
There is no size limit to this outing, but it is important to RSVP so we can plan shuttling (especially if you want the shorter options) and know to expect you and what days you will be there. There are no fees, but your shuttle driver is a volunteer, so offering a little gas cash would be courteous. We may have to plan shuttles among ourselves. Meals are not provided. Bring food and plenty of water. The Sportsman’s cafe is good for breakfast and dinner if you prefer. The site is primitive! The bathrooms are the woods! It is nature untamed! Cell phone service is spotty! We will provide maps for those who need them. If you have a smart phone, you can download a free app called Maprika that has the trail on five maps. Download those maps, and your phone’s GPS will work nicely. Just remember to turn off wifi and go to airplane mode to conserve the battery. This is an especially good idea because of the clearcut portion and the area that has been burned.
VERY IMPORTANT to RSVP. Call, text, or email our trip leader, Phil Rogers, at 409-543-4616, or [email protected]. If you have questions, and especially if you are not an experienced hiker, call him and he will be glad to help. Look us up at www.sierraclub.org/texas/golden-triangle and like us on facebook at Golden Triangle Sierra Group to get notifications of our events!