EUFAULA, Okla.-Volunteers and park rangers recently spent a day removing debris, trimming trees and clearing the Younger Bend Trail in the Memorial Overlook at Eufaula Lake. The trail, which was created in 1995, was left impassible in 2007 by an ice storm.
Park Ranger Cathi Carr who helped organize the clean-up said, ”it seemed like every tree that fell down during that storm fell on the hiking path. Over the years the trail became overgrown from not being used.”
According to Carr, The trail grew so thick with brush that rangers had to spend several days prior to the clean-up using heavy equipment to make it passable enough for volunteers to enter.
“We have wanted to get this trail reopened for awhile,” Carr said. “We organized this clean-up and our volunteers and rangers worked extremely hard so that visitors can enjoy the trail once again.”
Throughout the trail, hikers are immersed in local history. Even the trail’s name itself has historical roots.
“The trail was named after an old town called Younger Bend that sat in the bend of the Canadian River,” said Rick Smither, Eufaula Lake park ranger. “The town got its name from outlaw Cole Younger.
The historical trek begins as hikers leave the Memorial Overlook and follow the trail along the top of the bluffs until it intersects with an old road, referred to as the Burma Trail. This trail was used to transport materials during the construction phase of Eufaula Dam. Hikers then travel part of the Burma Trail to transit from the top of the mountain to the lower elevations. This portion features some great views of the Canadian River Valley below Eufaula Dam.
As visitors continue to make their way along the trail, they will encounter an old pump house that was used to supply water to the Eufaula project office during construction days. The old pump is still inside and a closer look reveals it was manufactured by the Jacuzzi Brothers pumps.
The Younger Bend trail then makes its way back up the mountain to the trail head using another old road. This portion of the trail was an old wagon trail that most likely predates Oklahoma statehood and may have been used by “Queen of the Bandits” herself, outlaw Belle Starr.
Whether it’s walking in the footsteps of Starr or just enjoying a relaxing hike through the woods, thanks to the efforts of the volunteers and rangers visitors have yet another option to enjoy Eufaula Lake.