Join mycologists David Lewis, Alan Rockefeller, and Jay Justice for a spooky 3 days of exploration in the deep East Texas forests.
SCHEDULE
Monday Afternoon 10/31/22: Cemetery Walk in Newton County | $15
Tuesday Morning 11/1/22 Big Thicket | $15
Tuesday Afternoon 11/1/22: Big Thicket | $15
Wednesday Morning 11/2/22: Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve | FREE
Tickets are limited and you can buy tickets at ($15) for each walk or purchase tickets for the entire 3 days ($40). Your ticket goes to support the mycologists, Central Texas Mycological Society and Watson Preserve. Camping & Lodging fees not included. Scroll for camping options in the area.
We will email ticket holders detailed meet-up times and locations for the dates you register for.
About Deep East Texas
The amazing Big Thicket National Preserve (BTNR) is made up of 113,114 acres where 10 ecosystems converge, which is why this area is known as the biological ark of America. The BTNP is made up of 9 land units and 6 water corridors. We will touch briefly on two as hunted by David Lewis, renowned mycologist and one of the authors of Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States . He also has several mushroom species named after him (though who's counting), some found in his front yard. As this is David's 'playground' he KNOWS where to go.
The 12-county Deep East Texas region stretches from Nacogdoches County south down to Tyler County, and from Trinity County eastward to Newton County on the Louisiana border. We will also be crossing over into SE Texas. https://www.east-texas.com/deep-east-texas.htm / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Texas
Generally, fall mushrooms that we may come across include oysters, Hericium, Hydnums, Cortinarius, and Amanitas.
PRO TIPS: Plan on allowing 1 hour to travel from locations where you might be lodging or camping because this area is really spread out. Make sure you have GPS and a local map downloaded to your phone or a paper map. There are many dead zones in the Big Thicket with no cell phone service.
WHAT WE WILL PROVIDE
UV Flashlights you can purchase (pre-sale link coming soon)
Field Guides & Field Data Slips
Water, Snacks
WHAT TO BRING
Water, Snacks
UV Flashlight
Basket, Knife, Small Tacklebox
Field Guide / Notebook
Camera
Rubber Boots / Waterproof Footwear
Mosquito Repellent or Mosquito netting
Camping Gear (if you are camping)
Lodging
Gateway Inn Motel
312 S Margaret Ave, Kirbyville, TX 75956 (409) 423-4611
Super 8 Kountze Big Thicket Natl Pres Area $50
990 N Pine St, Kountze, TX 77625 (409) 246-8680
Pinewood Inn & Suites $54
870 Hwy 96 S, Silsbee, TX 77656 409-385-5593
Woodville Inn $65 2 star
201 N Magnolia St, Woodville, TX 75979 +14092833741
CAMPING
All of the options below are approximately 45 miles from daily, foray meet-up points. Allow 1 hour of drive time to meeting points. HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you have at least a half tank of gas before wandering around the Big Thicket. It’s BIG. Make sure you have gps and a local map downloaded to your phone or a paper map. There are many dead zones in the Big Thicket with no cell phone service.
Big Thicket National Preserve Permits & Reservations
Backcountry camping permits are available for free at the visitor center in Kountze. No reservations needed.. Visitor Center 6102 FM 420, Kountze, Texas 77625. The phone is 409-951-6700.
Village Creek State Park, Lumberton
8854 Park Road 74, Lumberton, TX 77657 | (409) 755-7322
Indian Springs - RV, Tent, and Cabin Camping
6106 Holland Cemetary Rd.Kountze, TX 77625 | 409-781-3074
Martin Dies Jr. State Park, between Jasper and Woodville
634 Park Road 48 South Jasper, TX 75951 | (409) 384-5231
Steinhagen Lake HAS 2 or 3 Corps of Engineer Park with camping MAGNOLIA RIDGE
Colmesneil, Texas and SANDY CREEK Jasper, Texas
Tent, RV, Trailer, Caravan/Camper Van, Pickup Camper, Fifth Wheel
https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=M274871
Steinhagen Lake 890 Fm 92 Woodville, TX 75979 (409) 429-3491
Davy Crockett National Forest
18551 Texas 7, Kennard, TX 75847 (936) 655-2299
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Ratcliff Lake has 56 campsites, both first-come, first-served and reservable. Campsites in Dogwood Loop have electrical hookups and can accommodate vehicles up to 50 ft. Flush toilets, hot and cold showers and trash bins are also provided.