THOUGHTS FROM THE TRAIL:  FOUR NOTCH PRIMITIVE CAMP

Well, dear reader, folks really liked the primitive camp logbook entries.  So we pulled together another selection of Primitive Camp logbook thoughts.  This collection is particularly special, as we extracted a wadded up bundle of hiker scribbles smashed into a Ziploc and compressed into the back of the box at the Four Notch Primitive Campsite.  What made this so special was that the first entry was from the volunteers who constructed the primitive camp back in February 2015.  These hiker perspectives have been tucked away for over 10 years now.  It’s like untangling the dead sea scrolls.  See the photo below—that’s how we found the pages.

This particular collection was extracted from the Four Notch Primitive Camp and reflects a selection of logbook entries from February 2015 through May 2021.  Approximately 76 thru-hikers provided an entry and there were many section and day hikers offering comments as well.  The first entry in the logbook was from February 21, 2015.  The Four Notch Primitive Campsite was completed on that day by students and trail volunteers.  Purely by chance, I used the campsite on February 23, 2015 on my first thru-hike of the LSHT, when the campsite was only two days old.  It was a rainy, cold, and miserable day, and I cut the day short to rest and get out of the weather.  A couple hikers from San Antonio joined me in the campsite.  It was cold, and frost accumulated on our shelters overnight.  I didn’t leave a logbook entry that day, but I was grateful for the small amenities provided.  I learned on that hike that it was time to ditch old gear and make the transition to ultralight equipment.  My gear was old, but I was older.  Below is a photo of me calling it quits that day.  I looked pretty grumpy.

As I read through the entries I look for far-away hikers.  There was one hiker entry from Hillsboro Oregon, and I thought that was quite far away and made note of that.  Then there was one from Kona, Hawaii and yet another from Olten Switzerland.  There were multiple entries from out of state.  So, for this collection of logbook thoughts, I don’t feel it’s appropriate to call out just one as particularly furthest travelled.  For whatever reason, this campsite and the trail was a gathering place for many hikers from very near and very far.  We’re glad everyone paused to enjoy the campsite and the trail.  So, here are a few of the logbook entries from the wad of paper we extracted.  

ENCOURAGEMENT and INSPIRATION

• 2/10/21:  Day 4 of my first thru hike West>>East.  Rain tomorrow, freezing temps on the weekend.  Snow and a low of 12 Monday.  I hope I can make it.  Lots of blisters on my feet and very sore legs and shoulders.  
• 9/15/21:  I did make it!  Barely beat the freezing temps.  Back again for another thru-hike with my wife!  Day 5 –We’re having a blast!
• Hiked more than 50 miles!  Still feeling good!
• Westbound thru-hike. 3 days down, 4 to go.  Buggy here, but nice spot.
• Beat up, but still in good spirits!  Continuing WEBO rainy this morning, muggy hot afternoon, all sweat & mosquitos, and road walks.  But more ahead.  Smiley face.
• Solo thru-hiking from West to east.  Great Campsite.  Trek on hikers!
• Day 3 of thru-hike of the LSHT.  You can do it!  Just don’t stop trekkin!
• Passing through, not sleeping.  Love this trail.  First through hike doing 15 today after 2 20’s.  Sore feet but loving it.

LEARNINGS

• Just finished Day 3 of my thru-hike (E>>W).  My feet aren’t liking the last 2 20mile days, but they sure do like being plopped beside a toasty campfire.  Picked up my resupply just up the trail so it was grilled oysters, salami, and baked mashed potatoes for dinner!  Don’t judge a thru-hiker’s diet!  Can’t beat hammocking in the SHNF—always a couple trees to hang from.  Have fun, ya’ll!
• My blisters have blisters.  Literally.
• Great campsite!  We’re training for Philmont.
• My 2 sons and I enjoyed our stay.  Day 2 of 6 day hike.
• Came for 4-5 day hike.  Great campsites; need more bridges and NO ONE should go through little lake creek loop!
• Just passing through.  Our hike (flip flop) started off on the “wrong foot” at Huntsville State Park (late, heavy) and we’re trying to make up the time.  Great trail for Texas.  Nice to find a trail log book to share adventures.  Hoping to get to Mile 60 before night fall.  Happy hiking!
• Great campsite for breaking up Four Notch Loop into a 2-day hike.  Was a cold night (35F), but everyone thawed out okay in the morning.  We set our dog up with a nice bed of leaves; I think we has happy to see the sun though!

OFFBEAT PERSPECTIVES

• Thanks for the campsite.  Trail is quite juicy.
• Super muddy here.  Having fun!  Hike 40 miles to far.  A dog from Four Notch followed me all the way here!
• The stars at night are big and bright.  That’s what they say, as least.  Since we’ve been out here we haven’t seen one star…Just a thicket of evergreen holly trees, pines that linger as you pass them, as if they were to say goodbye, and (of course) that sweet Texas water the color of iced tea.  This really is a magical place…

Lone Star Hiking Trail

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Very Special Place.

A LSHT haiku by SQUAREPEG

GRATEFULNESS

• 2/21/2015:  Primitive Campsite built by Student Conservation Association & Lone Star Hiking Trail Conservancy.  
• Great Campsite!  Thank you students!  From the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club:  Mona, ManUMike, Dave, Krista, Hilda (1 & 2), Lisa, Candace and others.  
• Amazing trail.  Thank you volunteers!  Y’all rock!
• Nice trail work.  One of the BEST blazed and signed trails ever seen.  Good mapset, guidebook, winter weather, length that can be done in 4-6 days.  I like the LSHT.  Mahalo
• What a delight to come upon this welcoming campsite after a long 15 miles in the rain!  I began the trail four days ago and trailhead #1 and plan to complete it in a few more days.  It has been an amazing journey so far.  Thanks for this campsite!  Y’all are great!
• What a beautiful campsite.  I love the idea of having a logbook for people to sign and leave their comments.  A huge thank you to all of the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club members who made it possible for us to enjoy this wonderful area.  Looking forward to visiting again in the future.
• Lots of rain this season. We are enjoying the trail a lot!  The firebreak detour was hell, but the campsites and sections following have been excellent!  This is a great site!
• Thank you for the great campsite!
• 1/17/2018:  Out mapping the section for guidebook.  Great new site!  God bless all Hikers & Trail Maintainers.  (Karen Somers).

APPRECIATION OF THE FOREST

• Pine Forests for days.  Love it!
• Loved having the woods all to ourselves!
• Thru-hiking WEBO.  Day 5.  Can’t wait to hear the owl tonight.
• What a great trail!  We are hiking the whole 4Notch section and we hope to return again.  
• Hiking Lone Star Trail end to end.  What a gorgeous day.  
• Great camp spot!  Fireflies are wonderful in the evening.  Good job on location!  Love it!
• The LSHT was years in my mind!  I am a lifetime backpacker (72 years old).  In this trip [to the USA] I hiked in the Sawtooth Mountains (Idaho), Windriver Range (Wyoming), Ouachitas (Ozarks, Arkansas) and now the LSHT…The LSHT covers very nice Forest!  You can camp everywhere, but the water is a real problem in dry seasons.  The trail markers are perfect and easy to follow and it is hard to get lost!  But I got lost around Boswell Creek—my GPS saved me.  Happy trails over the Hills and farewell.  
• Little Lake Creek Loop I found beautiful back in October.  Lots of Fantail Ferns, Lots of Hogs.  Lots of coyotes.  Loved every minute!
• Our first night thru-hike to celebrate my 31^st birthday.  Can confirm the plentiful ants, spiders, and lovely vocal owls.  
• Four days on the hike E>>W.  So far this has been an amazing hike.  The Lone Star Hiking Trail Club website really helped!  We’ll have to do it again!  There is no place like Texas!