Exploration in the Caura Valley, North Trinidad
11th April 2010
Trail Report by Gary Williams
A small group of us gathered at the UWI south gate start point
for what was supposed to be a visit to the revered Heights of Guanapo trail. I
was looking forward to revisiting this particular trail not having been back
since my infamous rollover at what is now called "Gary's corner".
Because of the small group and the amount of clearing that this trail would have
required, the group decided to postpone the visit to this trail for when we had
a better turnout.
Seven members in three vehicles set out to the Caura Valley via the Caura Royal
Road.
We did some exploration along a dusty trail leading from Caura Valley back to
the Acono Road. Here we found that what looked like four-wheel steering on
Sham's vehicle was actually a wheel that was coming off the axle thanks to some
absent wheel nuts! Retracing our steps on foot we discovered the wheelnuts along
the trail and quickly reinstalled them.
A few minutes later we were in the usual pool inside the Caura River where we
stopped for lunch and a refreshing river bath.
After lunch we proceeded further along to the site where the bridge had
collapsed. We decided to drag a fallen tree from the side of the hill up to the
bridge. We cut the tree using a chainsaw and got two poles which we strapped
together across the divide. This was just enough to allow the vehicles to cross.
We left the Caura Valley at about 3pm satisfied that we achieved the crossing
that the club had dreamed of doing for several years.