Over the last year there have been numerous Eagle Scout projects that were implemented to improve the Lone Star Hiking Trail in the Sam Houston National Forest.

In June 2024 Charles built a picnic table in the Double Lake Recreational Area. This is not your usual picnic table. It is a 100-year design created by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). The table uses no nails or screws and has tongue in groove joints that makes the construction of the table very challenging. Also, it weighed close to 500 pounds when completed.

100-year Picnic Table Design Created by the CCC

Another Scout started building a kiosk in June 2024 at Double Lake Recreational Area but was stopped from painting because of Hurricane Beryl. The kiosk weathered through the hurricane with flying colors! He finally was able to paint it in August, 2024.

Double Lake Recreational Area Kiosk

In January 2025 Eagle Scout Justin returned to the Big Creek Scenic Area with his team to put the finishing touches on a bridge project he did in the summer of 2024. The primary goal was to install ground anchors on his bridge on the Big Creek trail so it wouldn't wash downstream in the next big flood and to attach his Eagle Project plaque. While we had his team assembled, we also secured another bridge on the Big Creek Trail. After completing those two projects his group came back again along the White Oak trail to retrieve a bridge that had floated downstream in the 2024 spring floods. We had just enough horsepower to get the bridge back in place and secure it with anchors so we don't have to chase it down stream again. Thank you, Justin and your team.

Repositioning a Bridge on the White Oak Trail in the Big Creek Scenic Area

Near Trailhead # 2 Sand Branch, enjoy the puncheon bridge that a Scout installed in March 2025. The previous bridge disappeared after Hurricane Beryl. The job the Scouts did is so good it will stand up to several hurricanes (I know, I’m tempting the weather gods).

Puncheon Bridge near Trailhead # 2 Sand Branch

In April 2025, another Scout rebuilt and reinstalled a crib ladder between Trailhead #1 Richards and Trailhead # 2 Sand Branch. What made this even more challenging was that it was only a few hours after a controlled burn. There were fires all around the construction site and the area they had to hike into. The scouts thought it was pretty cool though.

Prescribed Burn on Richards

In May 2025, Eagle Scout Noah rebuilt and reinstalled a fifteen (15) foot crib ladder on the North part of the Stubblefield trail near Bath Lane. This is one of the longest crib ladders on the entire Lone Star Hiking Trail.

15 Foot Crib Ladder on North Stubblefield near Bath Lane

On July 12, 2025, Eagle Scout Isabella built a Crib Ladder on the 4 Notch Loop Trail and on August 2 Eagle Scout Russell built a Crib Ladder on the 4 Notch Main Trail.

Crib Ladders on Four Notch Loop and Four Notch Main Trail

As you hike the Lone Star Hiking Trail look down on the crib ladders and up on the kiosks and notice the names on the Eagle Scout dedication plaques. Thank you, Scouts, for your fine work on the Lone Star Hiking Trail!

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