The Ozark Trail

News

By: Kathy Atnip
04/19/13 09:59:25 AM

BACKPACKER Magazine has honored OTA Volunteer Jeff Goetter as an Outdoor Hero, “someone who goes above and beyond to give back to the community and local trail system.” The award was announced at the April 18 BACKPACKER Get Out More Team Backpacking Seminar at Alpine Shop in Kirkwood, Mo.

Goetter is a hero to the Ozark Trail Association. He’s a longtime volunteer who was among those at the earliest trail building events organized by John Roth after the organization was created. Goetter has served as OTA Board Member and Treasurer and is currently Board Secretary. He’s a certified Crew Leader and coordinates our annual fall Cook-off. He’s probably most well-known to volunteers as “Chef Jeff,” the person responsible for the delicious food at OTA Mega Events. Goetter organized the OTA cook trailer and its equipment to provide fast and efficient service to hungry volunteers and he personally purchases and prepares most OTA meals.

Thanks to BACKPACKER Magazine for “Shining a Light” on one of our own and thank you to Jeff Goetter for being a true Outdoor Hero.

Best Trails State, Trail Workers of the Year

By: Kathy Atnip
04/17/13 10:21:56 AM

Missouri has been named "Best Trails State" and OTA volunteers Tammie and Russ Martin received "Trail Workers of the Year Awards" for Missouri. The awards were announced on April 16, at the annual International Trails Symposium in Flagstaff, Az.

The Best Trails State award recognizes one state in the U.S. which facilitates an outstanding statewide system of trails.

Trail Worker of the Year consists of one award in each state honoring those who have "made outstanding contributions and provided consistent support for trail planning, development or maintenance."

Congrats to Tammie and Russell and thank you to everyone who helps make Missouri trails and our own Ozark Trail the nationally recognized treasures they are!

It was a big night for Missouri trails in Arizona!

Backpacking the Current River

By: Adam Rothermich
04/17/13 10:20:06 AM

Everything fell into place to make the weekend of April 13th a great weekend for a hike on the Current River section of the Ozark Trail. Sixteen hikers and 2 dogs showed up for an overnight trip from Powder Mill to Peck Ranch and were treated to beautiful weather, gorgeous scenery, and an abundance of wildflowers. And an up-close view of a prescribed burn to boot!

In accordance with Leave No Trace, we split into two crews that hiked opposite directions on the trail. On the way the crews passed through lush greenery and wildflowers along the Current River, amazing views from the bluffs and on top of Stegall Mountain, the rugged beauty of Klepzig Mill and the shut-ins where it stands, and a side trip to the impressive cascades of Rocky Falls. We even got shuttled through a prescribed burn by the Park Service and got a brief education on the practices and benefits of the process. The crews briefly met at Rocky Falls and after a group photo and some pranks, parted ways once again. After a great day on the trail each crew found a backcountry campsite to call home for the night. One crew had a wonderful view of the night sky while the other had an interloper in camp, an Ozark hound. In the morning the crews finished the remaining miles with a second day of fantastic spring weather.

The only thing better than the scenery and weather were the bonds forged from carrying packs and making camp in the rugged Ozark hills. With the event being such a big hit, be on the look-out for another one in the Fall!

New trail maps, gpx files

By: Kathy Atnip
04/17/13 11:31:27 AM

Updated Ozark Trail maps have been prepared for the full through-trail and spurs. Maps for the North Fork section are also ready. And gpx files, suitable for upload to your GPS system, are now available for the updated maps below. The new maps include updated coverage of re-routes and changes in roads near the trail.

Additional mileage from re-routes on:

Berryman Trail
Russell Mountain
Blair Creek section, south of Midridge

Updated for additional roads:

Laxton Hollow Trail to Himont
Big Spring Spur
Goggins Mountain

Updated maps are also available for additional side trails around Johnson’s Shut-Ins. The OTA has updated Google Maps integration to version 3 to comply with the latest from Google.

You can find the latest maps at http://www.ozarktrail.com/maps.php and included in the Trip Planner at http://www.ozarktrail.com/planner/index.php.

Thanks to Todd Horn for keeping our outstanding OT maps current!