Trail Surveying Helps Clear Trails

Summary In this blog post, I want to share how a hiker can easily and effectively capture trail-maintenance needs with just their smartphone. This applies when the trail does not have a defined process for reporting maintenance needs, though this could be used in conjunction with other processes. It took me a couple of attemptsContinue reading “Trail Surveying Helps Clear Trails”

Backpacking the Four C

There is a twenty-mile National Recreation Trail about two hours north of Houston in the Davy Crockett National Forest, starting at Ratcliff between Crockett and Lufkin. It is named after the Central Coal and Coke Company (Four C), which operated the largest sawmill west of the Mississippi there from 1902 to 1918. I finally completedContinue reading “Backpacking the Four C”

A Guide to the Four C National Recreation Trail

My research in preparation for hiking this trail led to apparently contradictory data. Official websites mentioned broken bridges and an impassable section, while a recent YouTuber thru-hiked with what looked like no difficulties. I hiked the length of the trail over two days in April 2026 and had a fantastic time! Below, I share whatContinue reading “A Guide to the Four C National Recreation Trail”