Kevin Deiters led a crew of hearty Trail Tamers on October 12th and 13th that included Charlie Grant , Joel Barks, Robert Gross, and Jennifer Hamman. They were joined by Bob Binney, Mark Richardson, and Vivian Gradin of the YMCA working on a trail at the YMCA Robert’s Ranch just outside of Comfort, Texas. At this facility, there is an informal trail leading from the pavilion to the ridge above. This trail, known as the Ridge Trail, is important, as it traverses key ecological sites: riparian, grassland, slope (Steep Rocky) and uplands (low stony hill). The trail is short and easily accessible from the Pavilion. But, it has been in need of improvements to prevent erosion and to enhance the visitor experience. The trail crew had a productive day flagging a quarter mile of trail and then building 750 feet of it from a creek crossing through a grassy meadow up into a shallow ridge.
This will be an ongoing project between the Trail Tamers and the YMCA. The nest workdays will include finishing the flagged section and Phase three will be the most challenging as we try to figure out how to get to the ridge up the steeper portions of the path. Kevin and the Trail Tamers will be returning throughout the winter and spring to see this project to completion.
Craig Childs of the YMCA writes: Kevin and his wife graciously donated 2 rouge hoes and two McLeod hoes to YMCA Roberts Ranch, critical tools for building a proper trail! They arrived yesterday and I can't wait to get them dirty! Everyone, please thank Kevin and his team for their generosity and support of Roberts Ranch. Texas Trail Tamers build professional trails all over the United States. We are blessed to have them involved with Roberts Ranch. This was followed by no fewer than eight very kind Thank You notes from YMCA members who were very impressed with the training and the work completed on the trail.
I’m sure we will be having new work days on this project soon, so keep an eye out for new signups on our website at www.TrailTamers.org and don’t forget to join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/288723014414/