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George Evans' Hiking Page

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Backcountry camping is dangerous if you don't have all the following items.

CAMP STOVE
If you are in an emergency you need a stove that will work under any conditions and never runs out of fuel. This disqualifies all gas or liquid fuel stoves no matter how good they are since they do run out of fuel. This leaves only wood stoves. Stoves with electric fans are also out since they run out of batteries and will not work under any conditions. The only commercially available stove that is light enough for backpacking left (as far as I know) is the Trailstove.

LIGHT
You don't want to be without some type of lamp when the sun goes down.

STRING
Good old-fashioned heavy-duty string could be the most important thing in your pack.

DUCT TAPE
Don't forget to pack a roll of duct tape, you can fix anything with the stuff.

MAKE A SHELTER

Find two 4 foot sturdy branches with "Y" shapes at the ends.

Find an 8 foot sturdy branch.

Pu the branches together into a pyramid with the longer branch towards the wind, make sure that they're securely joined, tie something around the top if you need to.

Line the two long walls with ribs consisting of branches resting against the long branch.

Cover the two long ribbed walls with smaller branches.

If you want to and you have plenty of time you can prepare the ground under the shelter ahead of time by digging down a few inches and burning a fire on the ground for a few hours and then covering the coals with the dirt from the dig. This way the ground in your shelter will be warm and dry all night long.

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Fritch, TX

Alibates Flint, distinctive for its varied coloration, occurs in dolomite outcrops atop Permain Aged Redbeds in the Canadian River breaks near Amarillo and Fritch, Texas. Early inhabitants left shallow pits as evidence and quarry activity.

CONTACTS

Email - rhonda_terry@nps.gov

Fax- 806-857-2319

Write to
P.O. Box 1460
Fritch, TX 79036

- or -
419 E. Broadway
Fritch, TX 79036

Phone
Visitor Information - (806) 857-3151

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The park can be viewed by guided tours only. Tours are offered daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Contact park headquarters for activitiy schedule. Off season tours are by advanced reservation only. No visitor center or self guided trails.

Getting There
PLANE - Amarillo International Airport, then by car to the monument.

CAR - Highway 136 to the Cas Johnson road (25 miles north of Amarillo, 7 miles south of Fritch). Follow Cas Johnson road 5 miles to the Bates Canyon contact station. Ranger or volunteer will meet participants there, then lead them in their vehicles 3 miles further to the monument site.

Weather & Climate
Four Seasons: Cool and rainy to hot and dry Winter lows: 0 - 10 degrees F, Summer highs: 95 - 105 degrees F, Annual rainfall: 20 inches

Accessibility
Contact station has wheelchair ramp. Outhouse wheelchair accessible. No visitor center or exhibits. Trail is short (1/2 mile), steep and is not wheelchair accessible.

CAMPING

McBride Campground at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Open All Year
There are no campgounds within Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. McBride Canyon is the closest campground to the monument. No designated camping sites. Beautiful area, with huge cottonwood trees shading the picnic tables. Chemical toilet, no water avaiable. No RV hookups or camping fee. Dirt road can become impassable during and after rain. Link to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area for more campground information.

FACILITIES

Ranger Stations
BATES CANYON CONTACT STATION
Location - 7 miles off highway 126 on the Cas Johnson road, just before the Bates Canyon boat ramp. Boat ramp closed.
Closures - Contact station closed while tours are being given.
Exhibits - None
Available Facilities - SPMA bookstore outlet. Outhouses are the only comfort facilities, no running water. No potable water avaialable.

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service

CAMP STOVE If you are in an emergency you need a stove that will work under any conditions and never runs out of fuel. This disqualifies all gas or liquid fuel stoves no matter how good they are since they do run out of fuel. This leaves only wood stoves. Stoves with electric fans are also out since they run out of batteries and will not work under any conditions. The only commercially available stove that is light enough for backpacking left (as far as I know) is the Trailstove.
LIGHT You don't want to be without some type of lamp when the sun goes down.
STRING Good old-fashioned heavy-duty string could be the most important thing in your pack.
DUCT TAPE Don't forget to pack a roll of duct tape, you can fix anything with the stuff.