Caprock Canyon 4/9 to 4/12

“We plan on hitting the trail at Estelline Terminal on Friday morning at the break of dawn. As the plan is to finish all 60 miles in 4 days, first night camp will be somewhere between Parnell Station and Tampico Siding. Second night camp will be in or around Turkey, TX. If the trip is going too slow or doesn't progress well the first or second day, then we will probably adjust the trip plan to terminate at Quitaque which is at the 40 mile mark.

Otherwise, the third nights camp will be at Los Lingos Creek which is about 47 miles from point of beginning. This would put us through the Clarity tunnel early the next day and on to either John Farris Station or South Plains Terminal to complete.

60 to 64 miles over a converted rails to trail bed. The grade shouldn't be steep anywhere, the foot bed should be wide and if we can turn out a 20 mile day anywhere along it, we will have it conquered.

Friday to start, finish Monday.

Looks like we will have water and food resupply as needed.”

“I'm jealous.”

“Dates are inflexible because of my son's spring break. I am hopeful we catch the wild flowers although we could be a tad bit early out there.

Just have to keep my fingers crossed.”

“I would like to join in on the trip if I can arrange it. I'd be able to take off the 9th but would have to leave on Sun. to be back at work on Mon.
Would that be doable?

John”

“Yes, absolutely. If we are on schedule to complete the hike, we should pass through Quitaque on Sunday early afternoon before hiking on to Los Lingos Creek.

If we are behind schedule, you can bail at Turkey.

No problem.”

“its still too early to put myself down as even a maybe but im trying. i do have one question..it would appear you say on one page your traveling west to east but on another you list going east to west. am i reading that wrong?”

“Uhm, we are doing it twice???


No, I think the original plan was to go west to east.

But for clarification, compass heading be damned, the plan is to hike from Etelline Terminal to South Plains Terminal, which is more like hiking from Northeast to Southwest.”

“What are you planning regarding shuttle and water drops.”

“Cottonsocks will resupply us enroute. If she changes her mind to hike the entire distance, then I will cache water the day before we start. Access points are at 10 mile point, 22 mile point, 32 mile point, 42 mile point 47 mile point, 59 mile point.

Some of them won't require a cache, i.e, Turkey and Quitaque. The cache sites will work out to about 10 mile intervals. Obvioulsy we need to camel up when water is available, but we should be able to get by carrying a couple liters between caches. The trick will be water conservation at camp between cache points.

This will be a concern the first night in Grundy Canyon. Problem should be favorably resoved second night at Turkey and it appears we will be camped close to cache third night at Monk's Crossing.

So, if we get through Grundy Canyon without going dry, I think we have the remainder of it pretty much whipped as far as water drops go.”

“We've got to take time while in Turkey to go to the Bob Wills museum.”

“No doubt Chuck. Turkey is at the 32 mile point so we should be camped near there the second day.”

“I've been looking at the trail on my TOPO CD. It looks like we'd be crossing county roads about every mile on the first day. The trail veers away from the roads at about mile 15. We might want to be ready with technical climbing gear, there is almost 200 ft of elevation gain in the first 15 miles.”

“This is a rail to trail conversion. I haven't looked at the topo maps yet, but from what you indicated, it looks like the water cache problem will be resolved.

Maximum grade has to be very slight. We should be able to cruise through 15 miles a day.”

“i dont know that i can go but i hiked it last january and would be happy to answer any questions you might have”

“Thanks, p8208.

I don't have the detailed map yet, but from what I have, it indicates water is available at the "stations".

What can we expect there? Can you provide a general overview of the trail?”

“sure. glad to. first of all, great trail. i strongly suggest that if there is any chance you may not have time to finish that you go from east to west. the last 2o or so miles on the western end offer the most dramatic visual change for your money. but by all means try to find the time to do it all. you may also call ahead and see what the thru hiker count is. i was surprised to be awared a certificate and patch by the ranger station as being one of the first 100 to thru hike it. who knows, maybe you guys can still make the cut. it isnt a much done thing. as for water... cache and assume nothing!!!!!”

“Thanks. My son is going (age 13). I wonder who the youngest through hiker has been so far?”

“i just dug out the certificate i was awarded. its called the trailway challenge. it says "congratulations on your completion of the 64.25 miles of the caprock canyons trailway." and it lists me as #19. what does that mean for anyone doing it this year??? dunno”

“Wow, I'd love to do this, but no way am I in shape to hike 15 miles a day. I could work up to it and see where I am come April.

Chili, what's a good publication to get on this trail system so I cad do some planning?

Tex”

“Wow, I'd love to do this, but no way am I in shape to hike 15 miles a day. I could work up to it and see where I am come April.

Chili, what's a good publication to get on this trail system so I can do some planning?

Tex”

“Sorry about the double post, Y'all!

Tex”

“Tex.

I would think a Texas Parks Guide would do it.

The trail is part of the Caprock Canyon State Park.

I called them and they sent me a ton of information.

link ”

“talked to my girlfriend and she wants to go on the trip, so include us Bigkingtut and Judith (no trail name). Shes never been backpacking before....”

“Chili cant go b/c I cant go!”

“talked to park ranger today, said trail is flat!!!! will only be tuff on feet due to gravel tread... get to save the knees this trip.Can earn a patch by thru hiking the trail, just have to complete rubbings along the trail. the number to the lady running the program is 806-455-1140”

“Great, thanks.

Cottonsocks couldn't have done 15 miles a day before the hip problem. My son and I are going to thru hike it. Cottonsocks can resupply us.”

“Just called and have packet on the way. I guess it is time to set the details on this. I will send everyone an email in the near future.”

“if we have to come off the trail on Sunday could we shuttle with you back to the trail head????”

“I get to add bigkingtut to my 'Who you've met' list now that he's posted. I don't think I ever added him when he lived in Bama.”

“Cottonsocks can resupply us."
chili36




I think not. I will be taking a trip somewhere of my own thank you very much!”

“Ok, plan two. We will get a supply shuttle.”

“Maybe we could position cars at some of the resupply points.

CS, I think my wife is planning a couple of days in Dallas at Needlus Markup, I mean Neiman Marcus.

I may do a little recon trip over spring break, Estelline is only a couple hours from my in laws.”

“The rangers indicated that they can drop off water at the "lock boxes" along the route for us.

For those coming off the trail on Sunday, we should be close to Quitaque Sunday afternoon.”

“if one were to fly in what airport would that be?”

“Well I got my trail map in the mail yesterday. Exact same as what is on the web. It does have a recent red ink stamp on it that says:

"Notice: Drinking water high in nitrates. Ask for bottled water for pregnant women & infants under 6 months."

Do you think I can fool those Texans into giving me some free bottled water?

I am thinking of driving down two days early and reserving a walk-in campsite in the South Prong Tent Camping Area of the Caprock Canyons State Park for April 7th and 8th to do either some day hiking or mountain biking before the scheduled backpacking trip. Any advice on my suggested itinerary?”

“why you gotta say that about texans?”

“cause yall are silly :P”

“I reserved a tent campsite in the South Prong Tent Camping Area for Thursday, April 8, 2004. Please note the webstite indicated that there was a fireban in effect, no showers available because of water shortage, that you should bring your own water, and the tent pads are 30 yards from the parking. Since each site will hold 2 cars, if anyone else is showing up a day early, you can park next to the Silver Taurus with yankee plates (Illinois-BCKPCK) for free.”

“Silver Tauruses... it must be an epidemic, eh, chili? lol”

“Lawyer cars.”

“Ford Taurus: Highest American built car recommended by Consumers Reports in its class.”

“I see there is a big recall today on the Taurus. Something about no tailights.”

“In the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere, a Ford Taurus and a Lexus both slightly cross over the white line in the center of the road. They collide and a fair amount of damage is done to both cars, although neither driver is hurt. It's impossible to assess blame for the accident on either party, however. Everyone exits their cars. One Lexus is driven by a doctor. The Taurus has two lawyers in it. The lawyer who was the driver of the Taurus calls the police on his car phone: they will be there in 20 minutes. It's cold and damp, and the men are shaken-up. The lawyer offers the doctor a drink of brandy from his hip flask. The doctor accepts, drinks and hands it back to the lawyer, who puts it away. "Aren't you going to have a drink, too?" asks the doctor. "Oh, maybe AFTER we've talked to the police..." replies the lawyer.


What's the difference between a Porcupine, and a Taurus with two lawyers riding in it? A Porcupine has pricks on the outside.”

“No water drops for prosecutor on this hike.”

“I would like to go but I will have to see how my foot is doing come April. I had a tumor removed in January and it is still giving me problems. The good thing is that I am off on these days.”

“With 2 lawyers on this trip we may need an Aggie or 2 to balance the jokes outs.”

“We just aren't going to let the Aggies start any bonfires.”

“They can start the bonfires provided their FB coach is the fuel. Did I say that outload?”

“And why do lawyers wear ties?




naw, I can't. I'd get banned”

“Two assistant district attorneys were rebuked for wearing ties decorated with a hangman's noose and the Grim Reaper at a hearing in a capital murder case.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/06/1041566361973.html

No sense of humor.

Lvgal's anser can be found at:
http://www.jokester.com/lawyers.html”