New Trail !! OK now that I have your attention. My name Is Jerry Weatherford. I live in Jenks. Just south of Tulsa. And with the permission and blessing of the Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife and The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers I am endeavoring to build a long trail (20+ miles I hope) around Heyburn Lake in Creek County. I don't need money. The Dept of Tourism will pay for signs. I need physical labor type help. I've already surveyed most of the boundary for the initial trail. And I've pretty much got the first 3rd lain out in my mind. I've only got about the first 150 yards cut. Do you know anyone in NE Oklahoma who'd like to get in on this? e-mail me: jerryweatherford@yahoo.com - thanks Jerry

Well on Jan 13th Oran Roberts and I were met by Heyburn Lake Project Manager Ranger John Ramsey at the maintenance compound where we discussed the plans for the days outing. Basically to survey just over 2 miles of fenceline and locate all the appropriate boundary markers. The fenceline we surveyed was covering the area south of the dam site to establish a boundary for the trail in that area. This will undoubtedly be the best trail by a dam site! (Yeah it's a bad joke but it had to be said)

This area will also have the designated handicapped trail for wheelchair bound adventurers as the potential for wildlife observation is fantastic. The area abounds with deer, raptors and in the evening Opossums and raccoons. As I have had to survey many miles of fenceline alone it was great fun working with Oran this weekend.  Where as I would normally carry a pack with emergency provisions in case I got hurt and had to wait for help, this time I went ultra-lite. If I got hurt Oran could go for help. Oran wasn't allowed to get hurt on this outing. Maybe next time.

Our next outing is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 26th. The time is yet to be set. We'll be surveying just under 2 miles of fenceline in less than hospitable terrain. Think you want to come along? Contact me, Jerry Weatherford at jerryweatherford@yahoo.com  and let the adventure begin!

26 Jan. - Well Oran and I had another wonderful day in the wilds of Oklahoma. A good bit of brush busting on this trip. What I thought would be just under 2 miles turned out to be just over 3. But we covered the ground on the east side of the waterfowl refuge none the less. Being a refuge this area sees very little human traffic of any kind. Very pristine. Just like the area on the north side where the tall grass grows. Remember your history of the Great Plains with reports of a man having to stand on horseback to see over the grass? It's true. Reeds of grass smaller in diameter than a pencil 10 to 12 feet tall. Very impressive. This area will not be on the trail to preserve it as it's only a few acres in a protected area.

Still wonders abound around the lake. There to see for those adventurous enough to get off the road and into the woods. Gotta keep your eyes open to see it though.

The next outing should be simple and short (Yeah Right!) Planning on Feb. 10th if you want to come along. Jerry.  Contact me, Jerry Weatherford at jerryweatherford@yahoo.com

24 Feb. Well it was truly a beautiful day to be in the wilds of Oklahoma. This would have been the day for first time trail blazers. Of the 2+ miles we surveyed we had nearly a quarter mile on an actual road! Well a lease road that led past 2 oil wells that had been there since Hitler was a Private.

Oran updated me on his condition. Last outing I told him that certain berries were good for food. But I explained the proper way to test wild food sources. Oran however choose just to try one. Almost sent him to the hospital. Allergic reaction. Told me today that they tasted like s**t! I told him I said they were good for food, not that they tasted good. And in fairness, he said if I told on him I had to tell on myself so here goes. Once on a solo outing I came to a stream crossing. Probing EITHER SIDE of my route with my staff I found the water quite deep. So with no witnesses I striped down to cross. After throwing my clothes and daypack to the other side I started across. Turned out there was a VERY narrow strip of stone where I wanted to cross and didn't get wet above the ankles. Oh well.

Our next and last outing for the main survey will be Saturday March 9th. There will be other surveys for branch trails but that will be next winter when the foliage is down. So on March 9th we take the last and longest survey of the year. This could well be an all day affair. And no telling what manner of trouble we'll get into. Come on along!

24 Mar. Now the last survey of the season is done. Left Oran behind (Sorry Pal) this time. Needed some quiet/private time in the woods. Hey that's one of the reasons we hike, right? Did about 3 miles of fenceline. And one really interesting creek crossing and that's all I'm gonna say. Now for the next few months it will be actual trail building. This will go slow and easy. Can't go north to fast on the first leg. The state is re-working Highway 33 for some reason. The advantage is Trailheads along 33 will be easier once they are done.

The next update will be on actual trail construction.