Ozark Trail Association

John Burroughs HS @Council Bluff Lake
2021-05-15 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Council Bluff Lake Campground
Come one, come all! We will be hosting students from the John Burroughs HS in St. Louis as they are joining us to learn and give back to the Ozark Trail We’re ready to enjoy the Spring weather and what better way to get into the season than a day in the woods.
Where: We will be basing out of Council Bluff Lake campground off of DD.
Work: We will be working at tackling several areas of the OT with trail maintenance consisting of lopping, leaf blowing, sawing and tread restoration and a possible reroute depending on the number of volunteers.
To Bring: Please remember to dress for the work and prepare for the weather. We request that you wear long pants and hiking/work boots as we are working on rough ground and using tools. Bring a backpack to carry your lunch, supplies, water, rainwear, sunscreen and bug deterrent. Bring plenty of water (2 litres per person recommended) and remember to bring supplies for your fur buddies. Any meals not provided by the OTA which would be breakfast & lunch. Bring a camp chair for dinner and around the campfire. You are also responsible for your own camping gear.
Provided: The OTA provides hard hats, gloves and safety glasses along with trail tools and equipment. Wearing a hard hat is required while working on the OT within the MTNF. Dinner will be provided so please let us know if you will be staying for dinner so we may plan accordingly as well as if you are vegetarian. We’ll provide the meat and veggie burgers. Please consider bringing a side, appetizer, or dessert to share!
If you have any questions, please contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net or Kathie Brennan at kathie.brennan@staging.ozarktrail.com

Wappapello...Here We Come!
2021-05-08 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Ozark Trail, MO, United States
Let’s head down to a great section as we work along the MTNF getting some improvements started and maybe completed. We will be looking at gathering at one of the Trail Heads for all the fun, friendship, food, camping and trail work you would want for a grand weekend! As details come fruition, we expect that OTA Volunteers can arrive on Friday for a night of camping or gather Saturday morning at 8:30 am at the designated spot TBD.
When signing up please let us know if you are camping, also if staying for dinner on Saturday evening so that we can prepare accordingly. We also will consider a 1/2 day construction on Sunday with a breakfast at the campground before hand. We will have the usual set up with a camp stove with coffee and hot water available. Let’s make it a grand weekend!
Where: Wappapello section of the Ozark Trail with final meet-up TBD.
What to Bring: You will need to dress for the weather and trail work. Boots and layers of clothing work best. You will also need to wear sturdy boots, have a backpack, rain gear, plan for your lunches/snacks and have plenty of water. Bring your own camping gear and personal items. You will also need to bring a couple of gallons of water. Also a camp chair for sitting around the campfire as you enjoy dinner Saturday night.
PROVIDED: PPE(hard hats, work gloves, safety glasses), tools and fun filled day of building new trail!
If you have any questions, contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net See you soon!

Spring Time down at Udall - Construction
2021-04-30 08:30 - 2021-05-02 17:00 UTC | Udall Campground on Lake Norfork
Let’s see if we can find some Spring Wild flowers this time! We are returning to Norfork Lake at the Udall campground to continue construction of new trail. Gathering for all the fun, friendship, food and trail construction you would want for a grand weekend! Volunteers can arrive on Friday for a night of camping or gather Saturday morning at 8:30 am to do a short hike to the work site. Heads up for those wanting a warmer place to stay, you can contact Dawt Mill for availability of rooms for those who would like to be inside.
When signing up please let us know if you are camping, also if staying for dinner on Saturday evening so that we can prepare accordingly. We also will consider a 1/2 day construction on Sunday with a breakfast at the campground before hand. Let’s keep the momentum going!
What to Bring: You will need to dress for the weather and trail work. Boots and layers of clothing work best. You will also need to wear sturdy boots, have a backpack, rain gear, plan for your lunches/snacks and have plenty of water. Bring your own camping gear and personal items. You will also need to bring a couple of gallons of water as the water will be off. Also a camp chair for sitting around the campfire as you enjoy dinner Saturday night.
PROVIDED: PPE(hard hats, work gloves, safety glasses), tools and fun filled day of building new trail!
If you have any questions, contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net See you soon!

OTA Quarterly Board Meeting 4/24, 9 am
2021-04-24 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Ozark Trail Association, 406 W High Street, Potosi, MO, 63664, United States
The 2nd Quarter OTA Board meeting will be held via ZOOM for all Board members, OTA members and the general public. The meeting will begin at 9 am on Saturday, April 24.
If you are interested in participating, please respond in your comments when you register to receive the link for the meeting. If you have any questions, contact Kathie Brennan at kathie.brennan@staging.ozarktrail.com

Save the Date-Spring MEGA - Heading to Council Bluff Lake
2021-04-17 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | MO
UPDATE: The Spring MEGA will be held out of Council Bluff Lake Boar Head campground. We are formulating a plan for everyone to have a GREAT weekend while giving some TLC to the OT.
Save the Date for our Spring MEGA as we head to the Forest joining together to make the OT better. As we develop a plan more details will be posted.

MEGA Prep at Council Bluff - All hands on deck!
2021-04-16 09:00 - 16:30 UTC | Council Bluff Lake Campground
MEGA! MEGA! MEGA Prep! Come down early and join other OTA Volunteers to help prep the area that we will be doing a reroute to get out of some troughed trail tread. Work includes clearing the new corridor, leaf blowing and some sawing and flagging crew sections for Saturday.
Where: We’ll be based out of the MTNF Council Bluff Lake campground off of DD. Watch for signs at the entrance to CB and also at the campground if you would like to arrive on Thursday afternoon to start early on Friday.
Bring: Please remember to dress for the work and prepare for the weather by wearing long pants and hiking/work boots are required, as we are working on rough ground and using tools. Bring a backpack to carry your lunch, water, raingear, sunscreen and bug deterrent. Bring plenty of water (2 litres per person recommended) and remember to bring supplies for your fur buddies. Your camping equipment and extra food and water for meals not covered by the OTA. Don’t forget your camp chair for around the campfire at night. Also we are not sure if the water will be on so plan for bringing extra water.
Provided: PPE, hard hats, gloves, safety glasses and trail equipment to use on the trail. Wearing a hard hat is required on the MTNF while volunteering on the OT.
If you have any questions, please contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net

Blind Date on the OT...
2021-04-10 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Ozark Trail Association, 406 W High Street, Potosi, MO, 63664, United States
It’s gonna be a great day to meet up with other OTA Volunteers….but it’s not a date only the date of April 10!
Where: We’ll be based out of the the OTA house in Potosi meeting up at 8:30 am. TBD is where we will work.
Bring: Please remember to dress for the work and prepare for the weather by wearing long pants and hiking/work boots are required, as we are working on rough ground and using tools. Bring a backpack to carry your lunch, water, raingear, sunscreen and bug deterrent. Bring plenty of water (2 litres per person recommended) and remember to bring supplies for your fur buddies. Also extra food and water for meals not covered by the OTA. Don’t forget your camp chair for around the campfire at night.
Provided: PPE, hard hats, gloves, safety glasses and trail equipment to use on the trail. Wearing a hard hat is required on the MTNF while volunteering on the OT. Dinner will be provided on Saturday evening at the end of the work day. If you’d like to contribute a side or desert that would be awesome.
If you have any questions, please contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net

Soothe the Karkaghne Beast – Sutton Bluff
2021-04-03 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Sutton Bluff Campground, 7378 County Rd 849, Centerville, MO, 63633
Oh yes Spring will be in full color…we hope as we head to “Soothe the Karkaghne Beast”!
Where: We’ll be based out of the MTNF Sutton Bluff campground with camping if you would like to arrive on Friday staying through Sunday.
Bring: Please remember to dress for the work and prepare for the weather by wearing long pants and hiking/work boots are required, as we are working on rough ground and using tools. Bring a backpack to carry your lunch, water, raingear, sunscreen and bug deterrent. Bring plenty of water (2 litres per person recommended) and remember to bring supplies for your fur buddies. Your camping equipment and extra food and water for meals not covered by the OTA. Don’t forget your camp chair for around the campfire at night. Also we are not sure if the water will be on so plan for bringing extra water.
Provided: PPE, hard hats, gloves, safety glasses and trail equipment to use on the trail. Wearing a hard hat is required on the MTNF while volunteering on the OT. Dinner will be provided on Saturday evening at the end of the work day. If you’d like to contribute a side or desert that would be awesome.
If you have any questions, please contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net

"Luck of the Irish" at Winona extended week
2021-03-19 08:30 - 2021-03-25 16:30 UTC | Winona USFS Facility, Winona, MO
Join us for some “Lucky” days working on the Ozark Trail. This will be a multi day event for volunteers so when you sign up be sure to make sure you let us know what days you plan on attending for food and equipment planning. We will be based out of the Winona USFS facility with limited housing due to Covid restrictions but there is ample camping in the yard that is also available..
UPDATE: This is an OTA tradition…..Spend the weekend or more in the Winona area to give some love to the southern sections of the OT. Work will begin on Saturday through Thursday, March 25.
WHERE: USFS Winona facility on Hwy 19.
WHAT: Crews will be dispatched to various areas of the Eleven Point and Between the Rivers sections – to saw, lop, and repair sections in need. We will also be looking at Peck Ranch to get some work done there as well if time permits. Volunteers might be asked to help car pool to the various sites and there are some drives up to 45 minutes ONLY IF they feel comfortable.
TO BRING: You will need to dress for the weather and trail work. Boots and layers of clothing work best. You will also need to wear sturdy boots, have a backpack, rain gear, plan for your lunches/snacks and have plenty of water. If you have a favorite pair of loppers bring them along with work gloves. Bring your own camping gear and personal items as there is also a bathroom available.
PROVIDED: Dinner will be provided on Saturday night and if you’d like to help bring along a side dish to share or a desert. We’ll throw together a communal breakfast Sunday morning. Kathie will supply coffee needs if those attending can throw in breakfast fixings, i.e. eggs, ham, bread, fruit. NOTE: Other meals will be planned out accordingly so we NEED to know days you’ll be volunteering.
PPE(hard hats, work gloves, safety glasses), tools and fun filled days will be the best thing about this week! Be sure to also bring a camp chair for evening campfires. You
Questions? If you have any questions, please contact me, kathie.brennan@staging.ozarktrail.com Don’t hesitate to reach out via email. See you soon!

On the Ozark Trail - Middle Fork section
2021-03-13 08:30 - 16:30 UTC | Ozark Trail, MO, United States
Let’s get this party started as we “March into Spring” with a maintenance event on the Middle Fork section. It has been a while and everyone is looking to getting out in the Forest and working on the OT.
WHERE: We will be gathering Saturday morning at the Ozark Trail DD Trailhead off of Hwy 32/DD at 8:30 am. From there we will head to the work site up the road.
WHAT TO BRING: Please remember to dress for the work with long pants and hiking/work boots are required, as we are working on rough ground and using trail tools. Bring a backpack to carry your lunch, snacks, water and other supplies. Have raingear, sunscreen, and bug deterrent. Bring plenty of water (2 litres per person recommended) and remember to bring supplies for your fur buddies.
PROVIDED: PPE; a hard hat is required, gloves and safety glasses will be provided.
WORK TO BE DONE: The work involves tread restoration and a small reroute due to the creek bank eroding away. This will be a multi task day involving lopping and leaf blowing as well.
If you have any questions, please contact me, kathie.brennan@staging.ozarktrail.com

Annual OTA Members' Meeting
2021-03-07 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Online link will be sent prior to meeting
We’ll hold our first Annual Members’ Meeting on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 3PM CST. Members wishing to attend this online conference should register using the Sign Up button above. Connection details we be sent to registrants closer to the event.
If you have questions you’d like your OTA leadership to address during the video conference, please send them to AnnualMeeting@staging.ozarktrail.com and we’ll try to have the appropriate Officer or Committee Chair address them during their portion of the program.
See you then!

CANCELLED -Heading South to Udall -
2021-02-27 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Udall Campground on Lake Norfork
Ole’ Man Winter got his licks in but it looks like warmer temps are melting the snow so we are returning to Norfork Lake at Udall to continue construction of new trail. Gathering at the Udall campground, all the fun, friendship, food and trail construction you would want for a grand weekend! Volunteers can arrive on Friday for a night of camping or gather Saturday morning at 8:30 am to do a short hike to the work site. Heads up for those wanting a warmer place to stay, you can contact Dawt Mill for availability of rooms for those who would like to be inside.
When signing up please let us know if you are camping, also if staying for dinner on Saturday evening so that we can prepare accordingly. We also will consider a 1/2 day construction on Sunday with a breakfast at the campground before hand. Its been a cold snowy Febraury and we’re read to get out on the trail!
If you have any questions, contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net See you soon!

CANCELLED - Ladies, its' Your Day!
2021-02-19 17:00 - 2021-02-21 17:00 UTC | Current River State Park, Hwy 19, Salem, MO
A day for us ladies! We’ll be looking at a weekend of camping and doing maintenance on the Ozark Trail down on the Upper Current section of the Ozark Trail. More details will be posted as they are made.

CANCELLED - Heartfelt Day on the OT
2021-02-13 08:30 - 16:30 UTC | Ozark Trail, MO, United States
Ole’ Man Winter is bringing it on so stay warm this weekend!
Bring along your sweetheart for a day of giving some love back to a trail we all love! Also think about making it a weekend of celebrating the love of your life while giving some loving to the OT on Saturday and camping out.
More details will be posted closer to the event.

Super Bowl Sunday-Out there...
2021-02-07 08:30 - 16:30 UTC | Ozark Trail, MO, United States
Super Bowl Sunday means a Super Day on the Ozark Trail giving everyone enough time to get home and watch the best commercials to be seen this year! More details will be provided closer to the event.

OTA Trivia Night...virtual?
2021-02-06 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Zoom
Not sure how we’ll navigate this night but let’s make it another Trivia Night to remember….somehow in person or virtual. Details will be provided closer to the event date.

OTA Annual Board Meeting (Date Change)
2021-01-30 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Ozark Trail Association, 406 W High Street, Potosi, MO, 63664, United States
The 1st quarter OTA Board meeting will be held by Zoom meeting. This meeting will include discussion of committees, financials, operations and also the election of new board members and appointment of committee members.
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Ground Hog Day...over and over
2021-01-30 08:30 - 16:30 UTC | Ozark Trail Association, 406 W High Street, Potosi, MO, 63664, United States
Let’s get back on the OT to do some more of the same….leaf blowing, lopping, sawing and putting up more trail assurance markers! Where will we go? Stay tuned for more details closer to the event.

South to the Border - Udall
2021-01-23 08:30 - 2021-01-24 17:00 UTC | Udall Campground on Lake Norfork
We are returning to Norfolk Lake at Udall to continue construction of new trail. Gathering at the Udall campground, all the fun, friendship, food and trail construction you would want for a grand weekend! Volunteers can arrive on Friday for a night of camping or gather Saturday morning at 8:30 am to do a short hike to the work site.
More details will be provided closer to the event.

First Day Hike of 2021-On Your Own
2021-01-01 | Ozark Trail, MO, United States
Let’s begin the New Year with a hike in the woods along the Ozark Trail or anywhere you choose! You have over 430+ miles to explore with so many wonderful views, vistas and more! From fast flowing springs to river bluffs to rocky glades and green moss covered trail, you can find so many memorable places and sights. We all talk about New Year Resolutions so how about hiking so many miles on the Ozark Trail this year? Or make it a point to join a maintenance event with other OTA Volunteers in making sure the OT can be the best it can be in the coming year.
Be sure to share your First Day Hike on the Ozark Trail FB page so we all can see the amazing places we can visit this year on the Ozark Trail! Make 2021 a year so much better than ever!

Last Day Hike - On Your Own
2020-12-31 | Ozark Trail, MO, United States
Finish out 2020 with a walk in the woods….pick a favorite place along the Ozark Trail and enjoy with family. Take the time to reflect upon the past year and all the changes that we all have had to endure and count your blessings as well….we will!
Be sure to post a picture of the day on the Ozark Trail FB page to share the last hike of 2020!

Somewhere out there...heading to Udahl
2020-12-12 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | MO
Join us as we return to Udahl to continue with the monumental journey of connecting the Ozark Trail and the Ozark Highland Trail at the Missouri and Arkansas border. Details are being worked out but there will be camping, trail construction, campfire and talk of the future of these two trails. Plan on arriving Friday for a full day of construction on Saturday. Sunday will be an optional visit to the future trail construction sites.
DETAILS: Several of us will be down Thursday afternoon so that we are ready to do trail corridor preparation on Friday and then building on Saturday. We do have plans to have a traditional Saturday group dinner. Volunteers need to plan on providing your own lunch on Saturday and other meals during your stay as we will observe as much social distancing and safety as we can.
The OTA will supply all trail work tools, work PPE. We will also provide masks, hand sanitizer and touchless thermometer to do basic Covid screening on Friday and Saturday as you check-in.
Watch for the Green OTA arrow sign as you come into the Udall Campground. We will likely be the only group there but we will guide you in. Address of the campground is Udall Campground, State Hwy O, Udall, MO 65766
When you sign up for the event, please let us know when you plan to arrive as well any other volunteers attending. This makes it easier to plan for tools and food.
NOTE: If you have been to the doctor or been around someone who has been to the doctor in the last 2 weeks, or around anyone who has been symptomatic or you have any symptoms, please do not come to the event. We will have many other opportunities for you to join us for an event so in the meantime be safe..

The 3 "F's" Maintenance Event
2020-11-28 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Ozark Trail Assoc. Office, 406 West High Street, Potosi, Missouri, 63664
Tired of football, food and family? Time to hit the OT and enjoy the Forest by doing some maintenance to stretch those legs and work off a bit of the Thanksgiving leftovers.
Here’s the plan – We will be following Covid procedures so the drill is…if you have a cough, been exposed to someone recently with Covid, or have been to the Doctor in the past week, PLEASE do not attend. There will be other opportunities.
Where- We will meet Saturday morning at the OTA office on Hwy 8 at by 8:30 am. This allows volunteers to sign in, gather their gear and receive instructions. Volunteers need to be aware that there will be no car pooling and the work site is about 20 minutes to the west of Potosi.
Volunteers need to bring a backpack to carry water, snacks and your lunch, something to sit on, wear sturdy boots, glove(we have some if you need), layer clothing for the weather and be ready to have a great day in the Forest! The OTA will have hard hats, safety glasses, gloves and all the tools requred.
If you have questions, contact Terry Hawn at thawn@prodigy.net

OTA Quarterly Board Meeting
2020-11-21 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Ozark Trail Assoc. Office, 406 West High Street, Potosi, Missouri, 63664
The quarterly OTA Board of Directors meeting will be held by utilizing ZOOM and phone in capabilities.

Aid Station Volunteers for OT100m Run
2020-11-07 06:00 - 2020-11-08 14:00 UTC | Bass’ River Resort – Stephan’s Riverside Event Center, 204 Butts Rd, Steelville, MO
Aid Stations volunteers needed for the OT100m Endurance Run, 11/07/2020.
Here is your chance to cheer on some of the most elite trail runners in the nation by volunteering for several of the aid stations for the OT100m Endurance Run that begins at Hwy P TH and ends at Bass River Resort. OTA Volunteers are needed to help man several aid stations located along the run. Please sign up with availability on Saturday at the following: ozarktrail100@aol.com The race directors will contact you with the information about the times and aid stations.
Volunteers are also needed Thursday and Friday 11/5 and 11/6 to leaf blow the where the OT crosses the roads which makes a huge difference for the runners. There also may be some sawing to do as well. Volunteers will be based out of the OTA office in Potosi. Some meals will be provided. If you have volunteered before you know how much fun this is, if you haven’t now is the time to see the fruits of your labors on the OT by watching these elite trail runners take on the OT.

Prep for OT100m Endurance Run
2020-11-05 08:00 - 2020-11-06 17:00 UTC | Ozark Trail Assoc. Office, 406 West High Street, Potosi, Missouri, 63664
This is always the best time on putting some loving on the OT in preparation of the annual OT100m Endurance Run that covers the OT from Hwy 72 all the way up to Bass’ River Resort. Based out of the OTA office in Potosi, we will work through the miles making sure that the trail is in the best shape it can be for these world class elite trail runners from all over the nation. Work will include leaf blowing, sawing and lopping.
This is always a great time to showcase the work our OTA Volunteers do time after time. We will be following COVID-19 procedures and volunteers may need to utilize their own vehicles to get to the work areas.
There will be camping available along with a kitchen for meals. Please comment what days you will be able to volunteer.

Returning to the Upper Current Maintenance
2020-10-31 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Ozark National Scenic RIverways
We are heading down to the ONSR for some time on the newest section of the OT system, the Upper Current section. Details are being finalized for out base camp but we will be enjoying the fall colors of the area. Plans are to arrive on Friday and work a full day on Saturday and half a day on Sunday weather permitting.
Watch for more details.

Whoopin' it Up in Winona Plus Some!
2020-10-16 08:30 - 2020-10-22 17:00 UTC | Winona USFS Facility, Winona, MO
Mark your calendars for the one of the best times down south as we “Whoop It Up In Winona” based out of the Winona Forest Service facilities. We’re planning on an extended Work Week from Saturday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 24 to get more bang for the work needed to be done on different sections of the OT from the Current River section all the way over to the Eleven Point section. Plan to come for one day or multiple days as we tackle the trail involving some “TLC” sections and also help our adopters with needs they see that needs to be done.
NOTE: Due to Covid, there is only camping at this time in the yard under the pines. We will have access to a bathroom and kitchen. You can also camp under the pines in the yard. Even if you come for one day or more, you’ll have the BEST time…just ask those who make it a point to come back every year!!!
Dinner will be provided Saturday night, you will need to cover your breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Sunday morning we’ll have a communal breakfast. The rest of the week will be discussed based on the number of volunteers for the week. Covid procedures will be in place so be sure to bring the necessary items, mask, hand sanitizer, your favorite pair of gloves. We will provide hard hats that will be sanitized.
Other items to make your stay comfortable are camp chair, extra clothing for changes in the weather including rain gear. Sturdy hiking boots, long pants, a backpack to carry your water and food on the trail and bug spray.
A more detailed informational email will be sent out before the event. If you have any questions, email or contact Kathie at kathie.brennan@staging.ozarktrail.com or 573-382-8270.
Directions: Winona is just off of Hwy 60.

Fall MEGA at Bass's River Resort - Save the Date
2020-10-10 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Bass’ River Resort – Stephan’s Riverside Event Center, 204 Butts Rd, Steelville, MO
Save the date as we’ll be heading back to our favorite place to be to gather for working on the Ozark Trail, Bass River Resort just outside of Steeleville Missouri. Check back for more details including camping, fellowship, fun, food and or course a kicker of a raffle before a blazing bonfire and music under a star filled sky!

Fall MEGA Prep
2020-10-03 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Ozark Trail Assoc. Office, 406 West High Street, Potosi, Missouri, 63664
Join us as we prep the area for our Fall MEGA on the Berryman Trail in anticipation of a couple of small reroutes that will get users out of some unsavory trail. More details as we finalize them will be posted.
