The Central Texas Trail Tamers are hosting a trail project at Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch April 18-23. The work will be primarily brushing of trails, constructing creek crossings, and general marking of trails.
There is no charge to participate; however, you must be a member of the Trail Tamers and provide your own meals.
There are accommodations with bunks, showers, and kitchens where social distancing can be maintained. Sleeping on the ground is not a good option here as the ground is very rocky. There are tent platforms that could be used if anyone should desire to use them.
Cody Glover is the crew leader for the project.
The Scout Ranch is located off of Highway 17 between Balmorhea and Fort Davis on Ranch Road 1832. Head west on Ranch Road 1832 for approximately 20 miles and be sure to slow down when passing any of the ranch houses.
With regard to COVID-19, there are two conditions under which you may attend this CTTT project.
1) Get Tested. You need to have a documented negative PCR test (best) or Antigen (immediate results, not as good) viral test within three days of the beginning of the project. You will need to provide the document that shows the results of your test and you will need affirm that you have been symptom free for at least two weeks. If your test is positive, you may not attend the project.
We also strongly advise attendees to quarantine after getting their test to reduce the possibility of getting the virus in between testing and the beginning of the project. Quarantine means that you don’t have contact with anyone outside of your immediate household and neither does anyone else in your household.
If you are not vaccinated and have been exposed to a person who is known to have Covid-19 or in a high-risk situation, the recommended quarantine length is 7 days. After 7 days of quarantine, a negative test pretty much ensures that you did not catch the virus from the identified event or exposure. You should not attend an event within the 7-day exposure-related quarantine.
Or,
2) Get Vaccinated. You have a documented administration of a proven effective Covid-19 vaccine and you have been symptom free for at least two weeks. If the vaccine you are given requires two doses, you must have had your 2nd dose at least a week prior to the beginning of the project you wish to attend. If it requires only one dose, you should have had the vaccine at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the project.
Symptom free means none of the following symptoms (from any cause) for two weeks:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
Registration: There will not be a fee for the project and the Park is waiving entrance and camping fees; however, you must be an active member of the Trail Tamers to participate and you must agree to abide by the following COVID-19 Protocols:
COVID-19 Protocols
- Participants will need to sign a COVID-19 Waiver and provide documentation complete a self-evaluation before attending the project.
- Participants will need to provide documentation of either a negative COVID-19 test or a copy of your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.
- Participants would need to bring their own PPE (gloves, safety glasses, hard-hats) and to bring their own hand tools (loppers, hand saws, etc.)
- CTTT tools will be cleaned before and after the project and assigned to participants for the duration of the project.
- The project will not have a communal base camp or kitchen gear. Each volunteer (or volunteers from the same household unit) will provide, store, and prepare food and drinks including water for themselves only.
- Practice physical distancing by keeping six feet or more away from others—best practice being ten to 15 feet apart when physically exerting one’s self and/or downwind of other people. Cloth face coverings must be worn when within 10 feet of others.
- CTTT will provide hand-washing stations at each work-site.