Chicot (Louisiana) State Park - March 20-22

[Butch Crain]

The Bayou Chapter of ACC (not really, wishful thinking, make that the Ozark Society) are going to get together at Lake Chicot near Ville Platt in March - http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ichicot.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Haven't been there myself, but I'm told there's a pretty nice paddling trail and a so-so (flat?) bike trail -

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-state ... 51crx.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Roman, if you see this, please add any details you know about the park and the trails.

Y'all come down and enjoy some warm South Louisiana weather and help us count the 'gators.

[Clif]

Aw, cher... you done got me home sick

ok I'm over it. Grew up not far from there. That was my dad's backyard as a kid, St Landry right by the power plant. Went over there often as kids. Last time I was there was on the motorcycles in the early 90s. Looks like they have changed a bit since then.

Skeeters will prolly be out by late March.. be ready.

[Butch Crain]

Aw come on home for a couple of days Clif - skeeters are just God's way of creating a little air movement.

My concern is the blankety-blank banana spiders - March is a little early for them I hope. Can't tell you how many snakes I've stepped on over the years, but I remember every one of those yellow jokers whose web wrapped around my head leaving the occupant perched on my nose - my reaction isn't pretty, but it'd be entertaining if it wasn't happening to me.

Really folks, it'll be nice, uh, real close to nature and all.

[Richard]

And a great group of people

[Butch Crain]

And a great group of people

absolutely - for those that make Richard's Buffalo trips, same type of folks, but the food may be a little spicier - mud bugs should be plentiful.

[lbaker]

Hey Butch, it's a great paddle! I was there last March, even wrote a trip report on Paddling.net. Another great feature is that it's right next door to the Louisiana State Arboretum, a must see if you're a tree lover like me. I saw only a couple small gators, one about 3-4 ft, the other about a ft. The smallest one was hanging around the take-out; they say moms care for the little ones for up to a yr or so; I kept an eye out for her. LOL
I would love to join in, but I will be driving back from a week in FL that Fri. and will have been separated from my fur kids for a week already.
If the date changes keep me posted.
Leigh

[RomanLA]

The Bayou Chapter of ACC (not really, wishful thinking, make that the Ozark Society) are going to get together at Lake Chicot near Ville Platt in March.

I missed my club's recent paddle there, but they said they liked it better than the Atchafalaya Basin. The trail there is a 20 mile loop with primitive camping. One end of it has about 3 miles of steep ravines with lots of washed out roots. Here's the information from the Louisiana Hiking Club...
http://www.hikelouisiana.org/detailschicot.html

p.s. The ACC bylaws say "The Board of Directors may recognize any group of 15 or more members who apply in writing their desire to be recognized as a chapter."

[Butch Crain]

Thanks Roman - try to join us - bring the rest of the Pelican Paddlers.

We need to get on that Bayou chapter thing.

[Shark Attack]

Butch, that sound like a great adventure. If my schedule is open I'd like to come down. I'd usually be headed to Grand Isle this weekend for my yearly January sojourn but they still aren't up to scale from the last storms. A trip to South LA is always fun.

Wes

[Butch Crain]

Update - we've got at least 4 cabins rented for the weekend, each able to hold up to 8 people. Right now there are at least 8-10 beds available. Cabins are $90 per night split up among the folks in the group. There should be lots of campsites available - $16 per night. There should also be plenty of great food, but bring what you like.

See the links in the first post for info on Chicot and the canoe and bike trails.

Predicted weather for the Ville Platte area is highs in mid-70s, lows in the mid-50s, a chance of rain for Sunday.

There should also be a group coming up from Lake Charles Jolly Roger Cycling Club - we may even get in a road ride.