MST ~ Mountains to Sea Trail Watauga County

October Trail Opportunities

2011-10-10T06:55:00.003-04:00

The leaves are turning and the sun is shining- it is a perfect time to be in the mountains.

Our regular October workday will be on Saturday, October 15. We will meet at 8:30 am on the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of the intersection with US 321 (milepost 291.8) near Blowing Rock. Most of us will be working at that location to finish up the last section of trail in the Watauga section. The work will be digging into the hillside to create a flat trail bed across the slope. Bruce Wisely will be up here, building two bridges on Saturday. A few workers will be working with him.

On Sunday, October 16, we will be continuing with the work begun on Saturday. If there is time, we will move to another location just north of Raven Rock Overlook to finish up a small section of trail there. Bruce will be working on a set of steps and 1-2 people will be working with him. We will meet on Sunday at 8:30 am, but, if you are not with us on Saturday, call for the location.

If you arrive after 8:30 am, look for our orange MST WORK signs and the cars parked on the Parkway shoulder. Wear suitable work clothes including sturdy footwear and bring gloves, plenty of water and food for snacks and lunch. We will provide all necessary tools, but if you wish, bring your maddock, clippers or fire rake.

Please RSVP if you plan to work so that I can bring enough tools.

On Saturday and Sunday we have a group of students from Indiana University who will be helping us with maintenance work on the Tanawha Trail south of Price Lake Campground, supervised by Randy Johnson and Allen de Hart. They will be camping at Price Lake on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. On Saturday at 7:30 pm, Randy will be presenting a campfire talk on the MST, the Tanawha Trail and other aspects of hiking in the mountains. You are all welcome to join Randy, the students and the Park Service at the Price Lake amphitheater, which is in the campground on the lake side of the Parkway.

Thank you all for you dedication to the MST.
John Lanman

828-963-6901

John Lanman Update ~ Watauga Task Force Co-ordinator

2011-09-18T21:32:00.001-04:00

The Trail Crew from ASU came out in force to work on our last section of trail to be constructed. The weather was perfectly cool and the intermittent drizzle was hardly noticed.

Although we faced an extensive root network as we dug into the ground, we were able to finish about 2/3 of the digging work on this section. Good job!
Just a little more to go! We need to finish this section, then there are minor clearing work to do on about another 0.1 mile of trail, two bridges and one set of steps.

Hardly to be counted are the removal of a Lazy Boy chair that someone has thrown from the Parkway down onto the trail, stepping stones to be placed across the creek near the Goshen Creek Bridge, one more stile near Thunder Hill Overlook, treatment of the bees’ nest one of workers located (with her mattock).

The end is in sight (that is the end of construction and the beginning of maintenance).

Remember Jim Hallsey’s maintenance work days on the South Ashe sections September 22, 23, and 24.

Thank you for all you have done (and of course for all you are going to do).

John

828-963-6901

Update from John Saturday Sept 3

2011-08-29T22:04:00.000-04:00

Hey Friends,

Several of us decided just today to work on the trail on Saturday. Although this is short notice, I thought I would give you all the opportunity of joining us.
We will meet at 8:30 am just north of US 321, MP 291.8. Parking will be on the shoulder there. Look for our MST signs. The work will be mostly digging with mattocks and fire rakes. Those with come-along skills will be pulling out rhodie roots. We will provide the tools, just let me know if you are coming so I can bring enough. Wear suitable work clothes including sturdy footwear and gloves. Bring plenty of water, lunch and snacks.
Our work on August 20 was fruitful. Don, Barry, Mara and Marieta redid the section south of Raven Rock Overlook in accordance with Allen’s suggestions. The rest of us worked on the last little section at 321. We pretty much completed the chain saw work, began to pull out the large roots and did just a little leveling work. Everyone was very appreciative of the interesting project I planned for them. The estimate is we need 4-5 days more work on this section (some of you will be happy to learn that someone else made this estimate).
Chris and I spent Monday installing stiles. All the ladder stiles have been installed. We have one v-type stile remaining. Chris and I met “Francis” the mule at one of our stops. He came trotting over to us across the pasture and was very interested in us, what we were doing and what was in Chris’ backpack. I think what he was most interested in was the big hole in the fence and what was on the other side.
Hope to see some of you on Saturday.

John
828-963-6901

Randy Johnson produces the BIG DIG VIDEO ~ Watch it here now~

2011-08-08T07:29:00.001-04:00

Thank you Randy for all the work you have done for the MST and all of the High Country Trails. This one is GREAT!

Randy Johnson
Editor/Author
Website: www.randyjohnsonbooks.com
Video Channel: www.youtube.com/user/randyjohnsonbooks

The BIG DIG ~ July 16-17, 2011

2011-07-19T21:54:00.010-04:00

Where is the Parkway? Is this Thunderhill?

photo by Randy Johnson

It was a foggy and wet and rainy and did I mention DAMP kind of day on Saturday.

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt

Yes, this was the gathering point for the MST WATAUGA BIG DIG 2011

photo by Gerry Staninger

I will intersperse the words of John Lanman (JL) between photographs taken by our volunteers Randy Johnson (who stepped up as the official Big Dig Photographer), Paul Stahlschmidt, and Gerry Staninger.

photo by Gerry Staninger

"The combination of 15 workers we had on the trail on July 7 and 9, and the 54 workers we had at the Big Dig on July 16 and 17 pretty much FINISHED the major construction work on our section of the trail. YEAH! " JL

photo by Gerry Staninger

In spite of the rain, the crowd assembled and broke into four different work groups. Many veteran FMST trail builders converged on Thunderhill to help develop the last remaining few miles of the Watauga Section.

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt

"On Saturday, 49 workers braved the rain, coolness, fog and mud to work all day on the unfinished portions of the trail. " JL We had four crews working led by veterans Jim Hallsey, Bruce Wisely, Allen DeHart, and Don Bergey. Each crew went to different locations with different problems to solve. John and Allen consult on the plan for the day.

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt

The tools of the trade were distributed and they were off to the challenge of mountain trail construction!

photo by Randy Johnson

"Many of the workers traveled some distances to work with us- the longest I heard of was a 6 hour one way trip!" JL Bank of America has been a supporter of FMST and we were happy to have volunteers from the Charlotte area in these mountains.

photo by Randy Johnson

Measurements were made for the laying of the bridge footers.

photo by Randy Johnson

After setting the footers on either side of the creek the bridge framing was placed.

photo by Randy Johnson

Volunteers square and level the frame before placing uprights and treads.

photo by Randy Johnson

This was muddy, wet, slushy, sloppy work. Oh, not the bridge, just the workers! All of whom seemed oblivious to the circumstances under which the work must go on.

photo by Randy Johnson

Where there once was a wet bottom

photo by Randy Johnson

Now we have a bridge. "Bruce Wisely and his crew completed two bridges down near US 321 and on Sunday finished by placing railroad ties as steps on those two bridges and three others we had constructed previously." JL

photo by Randy Johnson

"Two of our task force members- Russ Widner and Mara Taylor- provided us with a great BBQ lunch (they are starting a BBQ catering and food truck business, Curlie Que Catering out of Deep Gap).

photo by Randy Johnson

Don Bergey and crew headed out onto the new section of trail for clearing and cutting a trail tread. "On Saturday, Don Bergey and his crew completed most of the trail in the section from Green Hill Road down to just above US 321. " JL

photo by Randy Johnson

Lopping off overhead and hanging branches along the way. Notice the rhododendron "snow" on the floor of the trail!

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt

The come-along was put to great use pulling out laurel and rhodies that were in the foot tread.

photo by Randy Johnson

Railroad ties cut into step size were hauled into the meadow and down to the creek.

photo by Randy Johnson

This team covered great distance carrying hefty timbers.

photo by Randy Johnson

Workers with good spirits (and good backs) are the foundation of MST volunteerism.

photo by Randy Johnson

Vast is the wilderness, grand is the meadow, but intimately we experience the trail, step by step by step.

photo by Randy Johnson

Always noticed, our bright orange road signs give parkway motorists a visible sign of the work we are doing for the MST.

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt
"Sunday we had 33 workers, including 5 who had not worked on Saturday." JL

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt
The weather cleared a bit and the lightness of the new day inspired a new beginning.

photo by Randy Johnson

As the gathering again assembled by mornings light

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt

and the camaraderie of the community was united

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt

new assignments were made and new teams were forged for completing the tasks of the day.

photo by Randy Johnson

While every volunteer plays an invaluable role in the building of our trails there are leaders among leaders who bear special credit. Professor Allen DeHart, trail master, founder of FMST, and mentor to us all was invaluable in his leadership for the BIG DIG 2011. "Allen and his crew of “wets” and “drys” worked under the Goshen Creek Bridge working rock, sand and imagination to create an interesting combination rock and dirt trail bed along High Shoals Creek, while deepening/improving the creek bed as well." JL

photo by Paul Stahlschmidt
John Lanman is our Watauga Task Force co-ordinator and leader. John coordinates, organizes, and inspires us all with his dedication to the effort to complete the Watauga Section. The BIG DIG is a huge undertaking involving 75 or more people. John is the keystone that bridges the volunteers to the trail. Thanks for all you do John.

photo by Randy Johnson

A badge of honor worn by our participants.

photo by Randy Johnson

It is great to see our t-shirts appearing on the trail. This volunteer was working near the Blowing Rock intersection.

"Jim Hallsey and his crew completed most of the trail connecting Thunder Hill with Raven Rock Overlook. Each of the sections were completed on Sunday morning." JL

John Lanman comments that "The effort and skills of the crews were amazing, especially considering the less than ideal working conditions (an understatement). Our only problem is that we ran out of work on Sunday before everyone was ready to quit. Individual thanks will be going out to the workers- an amazing effort."

"Special thanks go to Bing Oliver and Chick-Fil-A who kindly contributed chicken biscuits for the workers on Saturday morning and two of our task force members- Russ Widner and Mara Taylor- who provided us with a great BBQ lunch (they are starting a BBQ catering and food truck business, Curlie Que Catering out of Deep Gap). Thanks to Allen de Hart for arranging and managing the camping at Price Lake." JL

photo by Randy Johnson

And why do we do this?

I believe this photo by Randy Johnson gives us an answer.

We are workers in nature, providing connections to nature for others to discover nature. It is a drive that is within our nature.

In closing: All of these photos were contributed by Randy Johnson, Paul Stahlschmidt, and Gerry Staninger. Many thanks to you for sharing your images.

And, thanks to all of our hardworking volunteers. You are the ones who are making the North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail happen for generations to come.

DIG THIS ~ BIG DIGS.... JULY 16.17... WILLYOU BE THERE?

2011-07-06T21:39:00.005-04:00

Hey Folks, Its time for a Big Dig! Each year for the last three we have hosted a FMST fellowship and trail building weekend in these mountains.

This year we will be working near Blowing Rock off of the BlueRidge Parkway near milepost 291.

Temperatures are cool in the evenings, sometimes as low as mid 60s!

The daytime temps reach a soaring high seldom above 84.

You can expect afternoon showers that sometimes drop the temperature as much as 15 degrees in 10 minutes! Generally they pass quickly.

You will have noticed, the Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) are in full bloom now through mid July. (click to enlarge for best viewing)

Rosebay Rhododendron, also known as Greal Laurel or Great Rhododendron is a multi-trunked small tree or large shrub that is very common in the understory forests of slopes in these Watauga Mountains.

Rosebay Rhododendron blooms in early summer. Flower color ranges from light pink to white, though white is most common.

But the most remarkable color can be found in the budding blossoms. The flower buds are pinker than the opened flowers. The leaves are large, leathery, and evergreen.

There is a remakable symmetry to the blossoms ~ this one reminds me of fireworks exploding.

A newly opening bud is called a crown.

Seen from above and the side you can easily understand that term. My favorite "Crown" is the next photo, click to enlarge it to see its sweetness and moisture laden beauty~ Yummy eye candy!

We will be working in a Rhododendron thicket during the BIG DIG.... sometimes known locally as a Laurel Hell (though not truly a laurel) or sometimes called a Rhododendron Slick. Often they are 12-20 feet tall and you will look up to see the blossoms at this location along our trail.

Lest we crane our necks looking up and miss some of the finer discoveries found below.

This woodlands salamander was found along the trail at creek side near AHO this week.

This little critter is one of many species of Southern Appalachian salamanders.

Click to enlarge and you will notice this little fellow has a heart shaped spot on his side! In fact, all of these photos of this set are much more enjoyable to view in a large format. Check out the last one~

Time to move on along his way as he marches back toward a crack between the rocks.

There are so many wonders, large and small to discover within the Watauga forest

along the Mountains to Sea Trail.

I regret I will not be able to particpate in the Big Dig this year.

I have photographed our Big Dig events and covered them in this blog over the years. I hope you will take time to peruse the following links for an idea of the joys of trail fellowship and volunteer effort we share on the trail.

Big Dig October 2009

Big Dig part 2

Bridge Building Big Dig

Thunderhill area day two

Big Dig area to be worked on this year

Bid Dig area to be worked near Shoals Creek in July

I truly hope some of you will send me pictures to share from this event, please send me your photos.
You may email me photos to esheltonwilder@yahoo.com. I will compose a blogpost of your experiences soon. Thanks! I'm counting on you!!!

Have fun and enjoy your gifts of service to our MST~

Green Hill Southwest ~ June 11

2011-06-14T08:43:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful morning for trail building. How can one not love going to work with views like this?

We are beginning a new section of trail near Green Hill. We are working southwest near BRP MP 281.

This new trail segment will be a difficult and long process to develop. Passing through old growth forest and thickets of rhododendron slicks, this section is beautiful in its primitive state. I love the blossoms of mountain laurel on the forest floor.

Looking like snow on the ground. I am always inspired to see images on the ground that reflect the images above. In an Escher-like context, looking up and looking down in the same image!

These laurels are amazing this week in June. They look like snow clumps clustered on the branches.

Trail work this week was done on two days, Thursday and Saturday. Members of the Ashe County task force and the Watauga Task force combined efforts to move forward.

There is some rock to be negotiated over and around in this stretch.

But largely it will be a process of removing rhododendron and cutting a foot tread.

Our volunteers all have their personal gear and back packs. Our packs reflect our trail personae.

Marietta works to clear a stretch.

Don is busy cutting the upper edge on the next stretch to be leveled. The first cut is made along the flags.

Once that cut is made the foot tread is leveled below.

Chris works to dig out a root in the trail.

John and Keith are busy setting up the "come along" to pull large rhodies out of the trail.

The come along is anchored to a tree and then cabled to the base of the rhododendron.

Through crank and pull the entire rhododendron is pulled out

root ball and all. This would take a digger perhaps an half hour to remove with a mattock.

John removes the cable and prepares to move forward to the next challenge.

A close up encounter with a newly removed rhodie!

Trails end for the day and time to return to the entry port~

I opened this post with reference to the amazing Mountain Laurel to be found in the section. These laurels are some of the biggest I have ever seen in these mountains. The trunk of this low growing shrub is nearly 10 inches in diameter.

The canopy of flowers is nearly 25 feet high. This is one mighty, MIGHTY Mountain Laurel!

Solomon's seal is in bloom this week along the parkway and trail. There is always something to discover in nature along the trail. One reason I got involved with MST trail building was to provide myself with more opportunity to immerse myself in nature. Every element is intimate when you are creating trail in an isolated wilderness area.

One of the finest moments experienced on this day was brought by this small woods thrush. Don had mentioned he heard a "Veery" thrush call on Thursday. He assured me if he heard it again he would get my attention.

Amid the hammering of trail tools and chatter of workers Don's most excellent ear caught the amazing call of the Veery. We never saw it, but the call is very distinctive. According to Don, this bird has a double larynx. This allows it to make a double note call. A descending triple trill. It is the most amazing sound. Click here to hear this wonderful bird calling.

Thanks Don! (I did not take the two bird photos above and do not know the photo credit to post)

Stepping out at our maintenance access point Chris hauls equipment.

Marietta and others follow. We worked hard, we enjoyed fellowship, immersed ourselves in nature, and built some mighty fine trail!

Thanks to our volunteers. See you on the trail again soon I hope.

This weeks volunteers were John, Chris, Marietta, Shelton, Don, Keith, and

High Shoals Creek Work and Aho Ridge Trail Building

2011-05-25T09:57:00.003-04:00

On Saturday May 21 a group of the loyal volunteers of the Mountains to Sea Trail Crew gathered to create new trail foot tread and to put the creek back in the creek.

It is always inspiring to see old friends and meet new friends early in the fresh morning.

Folks who build trails together forge a team.

There are the leaders, organizers, and planners who coach us forward. Ashe County and Watauga County Task force leaders John Lanman and Jim Hallsey make plans and organize the effort.

The task force receives directions and locations to work and begins to gather the tools, gather the strength,
and muster the courage to climb that mountain one more time for the good of the cause.

I was assigned to the creek recovery team and we headed north to the work site. This location required getting into the creek and removing wash, debris, trees, and stone from the creek bed. We were working south of the convergence of Goshen Creek and High Shoals Creek.

Our sawyers went in first. With great difficulty while standing in the river, they skillfully cut up the jammed dams of winterfall and storm debris that had lodged in the creek around rocks and bolders. The clearing team then began to remove the flotsam from the logjams.

Professor Allen DeHart supervised and inspired us to get into the creek and open the channels that would allow the natural and unobstructed flow of the creek.

One of our elder trail volunteers and founder of the FMST, Allen DeHart explained that in 1998 when he first surveyed the area the trail path we are developing was an old road bed. In the last 12 years debris had created dams upstream which diverted water flow into our trail. Our work of the day was to open the blockage, recover the creek bed, and redirect the creek into its natural channel away from the trail and parkway.

We were fortunate to have student volunteers from the ASU Trail Crew join us on this day. Five strong workers gave us help and inspiration. It is always rewarding to see youngsters showing an interest and passion for the future of our trails.

We must cultivate interest in trails for the generations to come. Most people do not understand that if we are going to have our existing trails in the future

they will be maintained by the youngsters of today. For once in time, we were they; and in time, they will be we the few.

And if there will be new trails created after we are gone it will be because we teach and share our passions; not just for hiking on trails, but for the process and the journey of building new trail.

Working together with volunteers of all ages teaches the next generation of Friends of the Trails

the techniques and methods we used to bring them to this point along their journey as it intersects with our trail.

Chris ponders a solution to a problem at hand. I like to see obstacles as a challenge. When I call them problems, it is in the climbers context. The route is the path, and the problem is the challenge, an opportunity to overcome and resolve a problem. Often trail work is just that, a series of problems waiting for a solution to be discovered.

After moving many smaller boulders with muscle, rock bar, and fulcrum we were faced with the challenge of removing a large boulder that remained in the very middle of the channel we were opening. Once we found it would "wiggle" we had to develop a plan to move it!

Gary showed up with his "come along" and cable. Bruce had a mighty chain and we hooked it around the boulder. Anchored to the tree Gary began to set the tension on the come along.

Watch and learn~

With the use of a simple machine, a lever and pull, we can move mountains. Well, at least pieces of mighty and ancient terra firma.

With the pry bar and muscle Bruce maneuvers the boulder into the shoulder of the creek.

You can see the chain doing the pulling as these two pry bars set the stone in place.

Why would we do all this may be your thought at this point? Because from that boulder reinforced bend in the river we could build our creek side berm.

By moving all of the large stones to the side of the creek on the left we made a new shoulder to push the water toward its natural bend.

Where just a few hours ago there were years of logjam and debris filling this run, now there are cascades, a spill way for the flow, where the river will go.

To give you a better idea of the size of these stones, use my trail hat for scale.

All the stones in front of it we placed to build our berm.

Our trail will now have a dry foot tread,

the creek will not flow in our path.

The water has been returned to the river.

The flow of the river and tread of trail are parallel in natural harmony.

The work of the day a memory.

Let it flow.

Watauga Section AFLAME ~ thanks to our volunteers

2011-05-15T10:27:00.002-04:00

The flame azaleas are in full bloom this week on the Watauga Section of the Mountains to Sea Trail.

They range in hue from yellow to yellow orange to orange.

The most interesting of blossom forms, they always capture my attention.

The blossoms on this tree were nearly yellow, with just a bit of orange in the throat.

I love their form and sparse distribution on the tree.

This one was yellow orange in hue.

The full range can be seen in these photos completed with this nearly orange blossom.

Another of my higher up favorites is in bloom this week too~ Mountain Magnolia

Much smaller in size than the Souther Magnolia, these too have similar petals and a wonderful scent.

There is a real joy in finding a tree full of blossoms close enough to the ground to photograph.

The following is my favorite capture from the day of phlame photographing. I think the branch looks like a trail. I offer it to the hard working trail building volunteers listed below. You are the ten blossoms along this flame azalea trail~

A Gift of Thanks~

John Lanman, Ted Silver, Gerry Staninger, Lorris and Judy Pannell, Don Bergey, Chris Rasmussen, Marieta Warnstedt, Russ Widner, Mara Taylor.

peace~

March Workdays ~ "GalaxIng" Moments in Early Spring

2011-03-27T10:12:00.001-04:00

I have always enjoyed the rich earthy green

of the galax foliage

And the rich earthy red of galax foliage

And somewhere in between one might notice the
red/green/burgundy/verde all in the same patch

The tenderest and smallest of leaves
begins a brilliant red with soft and rounded edges

FRESH TRAIL ALERT!!!

Our Watauga County Task force under the leadership of John Lanman

And our Ashe County Task Force friends under the leadership of Jim Hallsey

Have been cutting fresh trail for the next section to be opened on the Watauga Mountains to Sea Trail.

And that sure was a happy thing to discover on my recent walk about.

In early spring, after the thawing,
the trail lays fresh and smells like winter earth warming.

This sweet curve was cut by our volunteers last weekend.
John says:

We had 8 workers a week ago and 9 last Saturday.

We did 400-450 feet of trail each day.

HUGE THANKS
for your good work goes out to:

John Lanman, Jim Hallsey, Marieta Warnstedt, Bruce Wisely,

Wylie Berry, Bob West, Gloria Marquez,

Keith Roberts, Gerry Staninger, Michael Franklin,

Steven Mierisch, Don Bergey.

The winter always drops the most fascinating lichens and mosses from high up in the trees.

I have never learned what to call these formations.

But this one I shall call "Dragonhead filamentus".

And thus arrives the end of the trail work for this posting. Isn't it interesting to look ahead and see where the work day ended and the next work will begin ~ ~ ~

In the next four photos notice the difference in three years of work. All of these shots are within a few thousand feet of each other on the same section of trail.

I like how the trail naturalizes over time.

Above is our most recent cut, barely two weeks old

Above is the work done in the fall of last year

This obstacle was avoided by the crew last fall.

This section was developed two years ago during the fall by volunteers and work crew

And this section was develpoped three years ago during the First Big Dig.

To all of our volunteers who work to open new MST trail

I offer the warmth of this heart.

HOW GALAXING!

How to Plant a Post ~ Our Trail Markers are Ready to be Installed

2011-03-06T10:15:00.001-05:00

So how does a trail marker get planted?

This simple looking trail post is not so simply planted.

These are the tools you will need to install a trail marker in these mountains. A rake, a measured post hole digger, a pike, a shovel, a hammer, spikes, loppers, post level, and gloves.

The pike is the most underrated tool used in the process of digging a hole. The digging end cuts the earth, roots, and dislodges stone.

The bull head end is used for tamping and compacting the earth around the post.

Once you know exactly where to put the post rake back the surface duff and vegetation. Use the pike to explore the area to determine where there is rock or roots your might have to work around.

If you try to dig only with a post hole digger you will wear yourself out. Use the pike to bust up the dirt six or more inches at a time and then use the post hole diggers to remove the loosened dirt.

There will be roots that the pike or the diggers will not remove. This is when the loppers come in handy to snip them out of the hole.

At this point the hole is round and nearly the correct depth of 2 feet.

The posts are 4 feet in length. The goal is to bury them 2 feet deep. Now check the depth and measure for accuracy.

Now insert the post in the hole before you hammer in the spikes. The importance of this step is to determine the face direction of the post. The post should be installed to face in the direction the hiker approaches the sign post. Once the direction is aligned make sure the white directional arrows are still accurate. The notch the edges in the hole so the post will sit properly in the direction it needs to face.

After this step you will remove the post from the hole to hammer in the spikes. But, do not do this until you have done this step. While the post is in the hole, begin to notch out the path for the spikes to slide into. (The 10 inch spikes will be on opposite sides of the post sticking out about 6 inches).

The spikes are set in the post at 12 inches from the bottom, so that is the depth you must clear into the hole to install the post with spikes.

The galvanized steel spikes are hammered into the post at 12 inches.
They should be left sticking out about 6 inches on opposite sides.
And why? you might ask are there spikes in the post. Well it stablizes it to some degree, but mostly, it makes it much more difficult for some prankster to pull up the trail marker on a dare or for a souvenier.

The post with spikes is now re-installed in the hole and left loosely standing. Before tamping in place make sure the face of the marker is still turned in the direction you want it to be.

The next tool needed is the post level. It is strapped onto the top of the post. The bubble indicators help correct the plumb of the post helping to install it truly vertical.

True vertical is especially difficult on sloped mountain locations with rock or roots.

This bubble is true, this post is vertical and plumb. Let the tamping begin.

Use the tamping end of the pike to compact the dirt above the spikes. Back fill with the shovel until all the dirt is re-compressed into the voids. It is helpful to have a second person at this time to keep an eye on the level and hold the post true while you tamp.

The job is nearly finished and all the tools are ready to return.

So there you have it, remember to take all the tools you'll need for the work of planting a post.

Hikers will be able to see from two sides of the post which directions the trail heads. This post did not get placed correctly, the face of the post should be turne about 30 degrees clockwise. My bad~

Same post in this photo as seen from the opposite side.

When the job is done correctly, perhaps you will earn the placement of the MST Hiker Icon.

Ironically, often the "Hiker" is heading in the opposite direction of the arrow.

Go figure ~ ;-)

Part 4 Southward Winter Walk ~ BRP 279.6 to BRP MP 280.5

2011-02-10T21:47:00.002-05:00

This contrary walk is a southward journey from section to section as they weave back and forth along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga.

Stepping out from the trail, just one week after the big snow there are still drift remnants at the end of part 3.

This part is one of our longer roadside stretches. At .9 mile it seems exposed after hiking the last 3 miles in the forest. But this is a nice "stepping out" with several open and big views. The west side shoulder of the road is the preferred route.

This lone pine stands against a Carolina Blue sky as a sentinel directing your attention along the roadside.

Soon a curve to the west opens ~

~ and rounds out into reverse curve to the east.

Across the open pasture on the west side of the BRP there is a great distant view of Elk Knob Mountain.

The pasture is a working horse farm.

This old row of maples stand stout from trimming over the years. In October they are gorgeous.

Friends recognize friendlies along the way. Perhaps hoping for a hand of hay or an apple.

The stable sits in the low west side of the valley.

You can see the old 421 highway beyond the stable, that's Wildcat Flea Market.Wildcat road is adjacent to this local attraction. The contrary hiker crossed Wildcat road in the precious section, part 3.

After a short climb the contrary hiker will notice a traffic sign on the east side of the parkway near BRP MP 280.5.

This speed limit sign is a landmark that indicates where the MST trail enters the forest again. The trail head is just about 15 feet beyond this sign on the east side of the BRP. It climbs into the rhododendron on the roadside bank.

I M or I AM ~ though I wonder if I would be if I had seen these shots being fired! ;-)

And here is the trail head, on the east side just past the speed limit sign.

The blue line indicates the trail as it passes along the shoulder of the BRP in this part. Forested trail is shown in Red. Notice the exit points onto the parway. You will also see Wildcat road and the curved road at the top is Old 421.

I am posting a map created by Arthur Kelley.

I have included a close-up section of the map for each of these parts to the Watauga Section. These maps have been constructed by Master mapmaker Arthur Kelley. Arthur has hiked all these sections, logged his GPS coordinates and overlaid them on the contour maps. They are also linked to Google Earth and you can explore from the overflight of this magnificent high country therein. This is a wonderful, helpful, and impressive volunteer effort from this friend of the MST. Thank you Arthur Kelly.

A link to his maps is provided here for your perusal.

ARTHUR KELLY MAPS HERE

Pileated Woodpecker~ Southward and Contrary ~ Part 3~ BRP MP 278.6 ~

2011-02-06T09:09:00.001-05:00

This is the next stretch of our trail when heading southward (contrary). Part 3 will take us from BRP MP 278.6 to MP 279.6.

From Part 2 readers will recall exiting the trail at the new guard rail. The entrance to the trail is directly across the parkway on the West side.

The beginning of this stretch is a short climb of about 100 yards. It levels out between two huge pine trees at the top of the knoll.

While clearing the trail this log fell into place against the quartz and has remained as a nice sitting point after the climb. From this seat Grandfather mountain can be seen in the winter view.

While I was sitting and enjoying the immersion in nature I kept hearing the hammering of a woodpecker on a nearby tree. I crept off trail until I found the source.

I had mounted my zoom lens on my camera in case I got lucky enough to get a shot. How exciting, a good capture of a Pileated Woodpecker. (click image to enlarge)
I fired off three quick pics. One challenge in photographing the big birds is they spook really easily. But, look at this photo! How cool to capture in a pic something you probably would have never seen in real life. I love this "dive".

Another pleasure was to walk awhile along a stretch that had not been trodden by the deer. Fresh footprints on new fallen snow~~~

Even in winter there are moments of green. These laurel leaves above rock lichen were refreshing to encounter.

The texture of the bark on this black gum tree is a favorite. I have called it black gum, but never confirmed it with the guides. Anyone know their trees for sure? Look here.

This was the first log bench I made. It is made from a piece of black gum log that we cleared.

Surrounding the sitting place is a ring of rocks that form a nice semi-circle to contemplate.

There are not a lot of large boulders along the first few miles of the Watauga Section. There is another outcropping of rock a little ways down from the gum tree that would be nice to sit upon. Someday perhaps the debris can be cleared and they can be explored.

The trail opens onto an old road bed at about the midpoint. I enjoy the contours as defined by the shadows in this shot.

And I always enjoy an "S" curve in the trail.

The deer have found our trail again and now we follow their prints.

I think of this as the "wiggles" forest because there are so many wiggly laurel trees.

These next three photos are a testimony to the survival and determination of the Laurel. This huge one fell in the ice storm last year and we had to cut it out of the trail.

In just one year it has sprouted. You can knock them down but they get right back up!

Nice pattern in the middle of the cut too.

Such determination to survive.

One of my favorite switchbacks. Blocked on the inside and outside of the turn by oak fells and debris. There will be no switchback shortcutting here!

The top side curves out with a sweet grace. I remember the day we cut this trail. (revisit here)

Near the end of this section the trail levels out at the top of the ridge.

Heading south the hiker will encounter this trail sign indicating a need to turn to your left ahead.

(on the south side, the northward hiker will see this signage)

The trail opens onto an old road bed at this point.

Which levels out into a thoroughfare!

The next point of note is a driveway at the end of this road. Note the blazes.

At the double blazes indicating a trail direction change the following information is provided: Turn Left (at driveway) Cross the Road (Wildcat Road) Turn Left on Second Road (Carrol Eldreth Road) and then Right onto the MST in forest.

Take a moment as you step out of the forest to cross the driveway to notice the distant view.

Snake Mountain on the left gets its name from the serpentine ridge line and Elk Knob on the right is our newest state park. There is a wonderful trail being constructed to the top of Elk Knob that I highly recommend.

As you step out from the driveway you will be crossing Wildcat Road. Look to the right as you leave the driveway and you will see Bill Stewarts wood pile. It has been greatly reduced this winter! (look here)

But, there is plenty left. If you are in need of good wood Bill is the man to see.

On the opposite side of the wood mans yard you will see a private road, Carrol Eldreth road. About 100 yards down this road on the right you will see our trail head.

There is an old oak whiskey barrel that sits just at the trail head.

This section winds in an S curve a few hundred yards to the bottom. These two cut offs from a poplar fall make a sweet seat for two children.

This is the exit point from the forest onto the parkway. This one is a treat because you can not see what a big view you will encounter on the other side until stepping out.

But, first there are some deep wind shaped drifts to be waded through.

One of these was almost three feet deep!

As you can see, our trail post is completely buried!

For each of these sections I am posting a map created by Arthur Kelley.

I will include a close-up section of the map for each of these parts to the Watauga Section. These maps have been constructed by Master mapmaker Arthur Kelley. Arthur has hike all these sections, logged his GPS coordinates and overlaid them on the contour maps. They are also linked to Google Earth and you can explore from the overflight of this magnificent high country therein. This is a wonderful, helpful, and impressive volunteer effort from this friend of the MST. Thank you Arthur Kelly.

A link to his maps is provided here for your perusal.

ARTHUR KELLY MAPS HERE

Southward Part 2 ~ the Contrary ~ Hike BRP MP 278-278.6

2011-01-27T09:50:00.002-05:00

Walking South on the Watauga Section of the MST is contrary to the normal hiking flow from the West, heading North. I'm not a contrary person by nature, but enjoy finding my own sense of direction.

This section begins directly across the BRParkway from the Milepost 278 marker. The marker is on the west side of the road, the trail head is on the east side.

The first trail blaze is just a few feet down the trail. Through this section the animals have adopted our trail in many locations.

There were quite a few deep drifts to push through. Some as deep as three feet. Much of this first section was built by Boy Scout volunteers: view here.

Can you guess what animal made this track through the deep snow? It took me a minute or two, but studying the way he waddles and drags low to the surface gave me the clue. If you've ever seen a Ground Hog scurry across the ground you will understand how these tracks belong to a "whistle pig".

The trees provided a windbreak and the drifts surround them like a white lava flow.

Often interesting visual forms were sculpted into the drifts.

The drifts were so deep along this stretch because directly across the parkway there is a wide open pasture that rises above an open valley on the north. The wind whips snow across the valley and up the pasture land. At the top of the ridge it dumps on the opposite side of the parkway creating huge drifts. Just around this curve I have seen 8 foot drifts that had to be dozed out to open passage on the BRP.

The trail winds up the mountain through a magnificent fern forest. You will recall this location from greener days. Look here. and here

Another bunch of critters that are loving our trail are the turkeys.

An easy track to recognize.

These peaceful birds are fun to encounter and I always see a peace symbol in their tracks.

But they can make a mess on the trail. Here they have stopped to search for food.

Scraping and digging and pecking around they can find ants under snow, grubs in the frost, and always leave a rustled mess after searching for dinner.

Perhaps a pac-man could gobble them up! Anyone remember that early technology game?

The colors of sunset are starting to creep into the sky/

At the top of the ridge is a flat open space that has come to be known as Dollyland. See here. The locust bench there provides a nice rest at the top of the climb.

Sitting on the bench your happy blogger looks toward Grandfather mountain in the last light of the day.

Walking out of Dollyland is a path followed by many forest critters.

I enjoy this stretch of close, dense, pine saplings that line the trail at this point.

They are significant in that they preclude the entrance to the "Dead Pine Forest".

Though there is beauty to the natural transfer of old growth to new forest, the Dead Pine Forest is an alarming awareness to be alert and safe through this section.

This 50 foot pine snapped and dropped right beside of our trail last week. How lucky the fall to land so close and yet not block our trail.

While one life decays it provides life source for another. Here is a wood pecker tree. Hammered for the carpenter ants and beetles that live in decaying pines the wood peckers find food within the failing pines.

The more I studied that woodpecker tree I began to notice I was being studied too. Click to enlarge and see what was in the top hole on the tree. :-)

This is the last leg on the north end of this section before stepping out and crossing the parkway. As I studied the tracks left by animals ahead I found interest in the next set of photos.

Curious about this line of dragging turkey footprints I figured out he must have been running.

The space between each step indicates a fast stride, but why is revealed in the next photo.

A predators print parallels the running bird tracks. I suspect he was being stalked by a coyote.

Near the bottom of this section our trail has been blocked by a new guard rail that has been installed along the parkway. As you see by the animal prints they have already found a new route out.

We have already flagged our new route out as well and as soon as spring construction resumes we will redirect the exit from this section.

Our new exit will allow hikers to do exactly what the animals are doing, walk around the end of the new guard rail.

And while I am talking about the new guard rails the BRP is installing let's take a look at the design and engineering of the structures. Unlike the old rails, these are reinforced on the back side with steel plates lug bolted along the length of the beam.

The beams are butt joined together at the posts with carriage bolts from the front side.

And bolted from the back with sunken lag bolts and washers.

I find the engineering of these safety features to be fascinating and the new guardrails to be an significant enhancement to the BRP. Our tax dollars at work for the benefit of our experience.

This stretch is about 400 feet long and was installed in just three days back in the fall.

I love the fresh warm look of the new timbers. This view is just adjacent to the step out on the parkway south of the trail entrance.

It is just a short walk to a long view ~ and that is worth the extra yards to discover.

For just around the bend the view opens up to see Grandfather mountain in the distance. Having walked out just near sunset I waited to capture this moment of light.

As the day begins to end, and the night begins again. Grandfather the sentinel, Tanawah anchors my place on this planet. Enjoy the quiet glow, experience the settling of the day, come visit the Watauga section of the Mountains to Sea Trail.

A link to his maps is provided here for your perusal.

ARTHUR KELLY MAPS HERE

Heading South ~ the Contrary Journey ~ Part 1

2011-01-23T08:43:00.001-05:00

With this post I begin a new series of hikes. I will call it the "Contrary Journey".

That is because I am hiking Southward and Westward on the Watauga Section. The traditional direction for hiking the MST is West to East or South to North through Watauga.

This is the trail marker and entry point at the North end of the Watauga Section near the 421/BR Parkway Bridge. BRP Milepost 276.7. I always enjoy beginning a trail and finding walking sticks propped against the trail head. Thanks! (BTW yours truly cut, carved, painted, and planted this marker).

My interests in hiking are as much about the exercise as they are about the wondrous discoveries that are made along the way. Right off the start on the pine tree beside the marker above there was a crack in the tree trunk and the most remarkable ice ringed hole was spotted therein.

This is the next interesting plant discovery. I really want someone to step up and tell me about this plant. First, it stands out because it is fresh and green in the snow covered terrain.

Not only green, but supple and tender even though we were having single digit temperatures only two days before and the temperature this day was in the 20s.

Here are a few close-ups that will help you recognize the plant. It is almost primitive looking in leaf formation and structure.

A top close up reveals the tender leaf, soft and flexible stalk, and coloration of purplish and green.

This above view shows the near perfect symmetry to the leafing pattern. I do hope someone can give me a name or type for this wonderful plant. We only saw about 6 specimens all withing 10 feet of each other. I have not seen this plant anywhere else on the trail. I have never seen such a tender plant thrive in such winter conditions.

An interesting trail construction feature on this stretch is the steep slope solution that was built. During the summer of 2009 posts were set about 8 feet apart and sunk four feet deep. Then locust tree cribbing was laid into place and the trail back filled.

In this photo you can sense how steep the slope is and how important the design of the trail cribbing was to creating a good foot tread. This stretch was designed and supervised by Professor Allen DeHart and constructed under the leadership of John Lanman and Shelton Wilder.

revisit here

here

and here

I have always enjoyed the rustle of birch leaves in winter forest. Gary and I were curious about the type of birch this might be.

Gary pinched off a leaf and twig stem for study.

First the smell test followed by the taste test. In our untrained observation we decided this was what the locals call cherry birch. What do you think?

This is one of the nicest views of the manner in which this trail hugs the contours of the curves around this mountain.

This is a panoramic shot. I took two photos and aligned them in PS to create a sense of the grand view and elevation of this section. It is right on the edge of the Blue Ridge escarpment and long range views open up toward Wilkesboro from this point.

At about midpoint there is a locust bench that provides a nice break and brings back familial memories to me. This is the bench my family constructed in the summer of 2010. revisit here

Yours truly taking a break and enjoying the view. Note the steep contour prior to rounding the curve at this rest stop.

The deer use our trail as their primary passing through here to the small trickling branch just down the way. I love that the animals use our trail. Perhaps it is us who interrupted their trail?

This deer was dragging snow clumps on the back of his hooves as he walked.
I've always enjoyed looking closely at their prints.

Here we begin to enter Holly Holler. This section faces south east and is filled with the most holly trees I have found yet along the trails. The trees begin high on the ridge.

The trail passes right through the middle of the Holly Holler and the colony continues down the hill and picks up on the other side of the parkway down the mountain. The berries were plentiful as late as last week on this female tree.

revisit here

We had a discussion of how one could insure to get a berry producing holly tree from seed. Is it true that all holly trees do not produce berries? How would one collect seeds that might produce mature trees that fruit?

I always love an "S" curve in the trail. I just find that a pleasing design that speaks to the challenges of creating a mountain trail.

Shadows on snow provide a good understanding of how successfully this trail foot tread is constructed. I enjoy seeing how the shadow curves, flattens on the tread, and then contours off the lower side.

People tracks! These are our boot tracks. Clearly evident are the imprints of the yaktrax we were wearing for snow and icy hiking. That little extra grip makes it easy to enjoy the hike without sliding and twisting ankles or slipping on the packed ice stretches.

Here we are, stepping out from the forest into the pasture near the end of this 1.2 mile section. This is one of my favorite North views along the Watauga Section. Most of the openings along our trail open to the South. In the distance from this area you can see Mt. Jefferson, Snake Mountain, Elk Knob, and Rich Mountain.

This exit point for this section is on the West side of the parkway across from Osbourne Mountain overlook.

From here we will walk across the parkway to the overlook where a first view of Grandfather mountain can be seen. The next section will begin at BRP milepost 278.

ARTHUR KELLY MAPS HERE

Confederate Trenches

2011-01-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

This is a short diversion from the trail postings. It is also just a short walk from the trail entrance to the Watauga Section near the 421/BR Parkway bridge. Just beyond our entry point to the east side of the road and around the first curve is a wide grassy area adjacent to the road.

It is a good place to park to walk down to the start of this section of the trail if hiking north to south. Over the edge of the drop off there are a series of Confederate Army trenches.

I have looked for them in the summer when the weeds and growth are high. I thought that we would take a look now that we can see the contours and try to better determine their location. The second low ridge is the down side of the trench. You can barely see the depth in this picture, but they are about 5 feet deep.

In this photo Gary stands so there is some "to human" scale on the upper end.

Here I strike a pose as if holding a long rifle defending my position in the high ground. We spent a good hour or so studying the angles and lay of the four trenches we could get to. From each of the trenches, it is obvious the strategic alignment they held for protecting the ridge and the entrance at the Deep Gap from the Piedmont invasions.

Though this is not part of the trail, it is an interesting sidebar that I hope to explore and learn more about in the future.

A Winter Wind and Wildflower Walkabout

2011-01-14T22:12:00.003-05:00

Finally, out and about after 5 days of winter storming

No more staying indoors, keeping the house warming.

Time for me to explore.

Stepping off the parkway and passing through this lumbered pile from last winters ice storm I find the trail from the Furmans Fence to Don Hayes Road.

One nice thing about this heavy deep snow is the piles of trail side debris are hidden beneath inches and inches of snow, masking the bramble of piles and piles of ice storm clearings.

The trail remains a smooth walk, a pleasure to the step.

On the south side of Don Hayes Road is this little creek and bridge.

Good memories of hard work and fun building this bridge with volunteers.

Remember this? click to link

"Running Man on Gum Tree Bark"

....I'm snow blinded, mirages appear, smooth white on white takes it toll and my attention turns to texture against the velvet of snow covering every surface.

"Dragon Landing on Hemlock Bark"

"Snow Dancers on Locust Bark"

"Sargasso Seahorse on Yellow Birch Bark"

I love a switchback, the turn and grace of rounding a curve.

In this forest today even downed trees are beauty,

broken branches a treat,

and then the delight of birch leaves chattering, adding the high note and brush to the sounds of winds rustle

That this leaf could produce sound is but one of the beautiful attributes of the winter birch. Seems today is a day of texture to be found.

Don Hayes Road passes under this small bridge beneath the parkway. It is but a single lane wide and one should be hasty in passing through this burrow.

For there is no room for passing and oh what a sight to see, not just for me, but surely for some family beyond over the ridge waiting for fuel to make it through the weeks ahead.

On the north side of Don Hayes the creek passes beneath this longer bridge we made in 2008. Click link here

In this little bottom by the creek the rhodies hold more snow that I have ever seen supported on such small branches.

At times they appear to be stuffing from pillows

support mounds of snow

becoming the ultimate snow ball blossom.

I enjoy finding artifacts of seasons past like this dried rhododendron blossom.

Back into the forest along the trail

around a perfect switchback

I encounter the shelf lichen tree

holding snow its shelf for all to see.

even the roots and runners of poison ivy are interesting to me

As I neared the edge of the pasture there was broom straw and queen Anne's lace

a beautiful snowball held in a crown of star jewels.

A spiral of summer fern

a tower takes a turn.

This was my favorite capture, difficult to get, white on white and such as that, this native delphinium blossom holds beauty even in winter.

And this, a Closed Gentian blossom stalk. This wildflower never opens its blossom (hence closed) and here in winter I understand how it spreads.

I tapped and shook it and tiny seeds spilled from the blossom pods. Only in winter will it open on its own.

I love seeing the contrast in evergreens and snow. This hemlock holds its share of the load.

One can only hope that these tiny hemlock seedlings will survive and provide a resistance to the woolly ageldid.

We are losing our hemlocks in this mountain range. These mighty trees stand bare, there is no green on their tops they are dead, drained by the ageldids.

Hopefully, some of the small seedlings will reach this height in 75 years beyond the blight brought on by these non native, imported, unstoppable pests.

The snow is deep, my feet are cold, its time to step out onto the parkway and head back home.

Always walking with my Gators and YakTrax in winter time. The gaters keep the snow out of my boots and the Yak Trax give me traction underfoot.

The wire coils bite into the packed and frozen snow.

It has been desolate and roaring, freezing and refreshing on this winter walk about.

But the parkway is mine, the wind and the snow devine, and I am fully here at this time.

And for all of that, this is the treasure offered to me today.

Winter Trails, Walks, and Past Journeys

2011-01-09T09:14:00.008-05:00

Hey Folks, We are in the throes of winter here in Watauga. These mountains are beautiful in all seasons but, winter offers a cloak of mystery to the beauty, a call for courage to the enthusists, and a strenght of mind and energy to hike on our trails.

I have not been able to much winter hiking this year so far. We have had unusually cold weather (7 degrees as I type) and I never hike alone in the winter.

So, I thought I would share some content and links from previous winter posts for your enjoyment. If you have any notes or photos of you winter walkabouts please send them to me to share.

Seeds

Trees fall in winter

pieces of nature growing

beneath our foot prints.

swhaiku 01-07-10

What is this?

Is it a track? Is this a trail marking?

(answer to be found later in this post :)

But there is beauty, and there is light, and the brightness of a crisp blue sky on a field of white is its' own reward after too many days of grey clouds and enclosing cabin fever indoors.

So I will take you along on this brief interlude

to see where I looked when I needed to look beyond

the limitations of winters' reality and recall the joy of a trail well known

and the gift it offers to all who make this journey. Remember this fence from the summer of 2009?

click here

I saw this then when photographing the virgins bower clematis vines in blossom and commented they would be beautiful in winter too.
Soon new blossoms will push out these old seeds.

Walking in this snow is a challenge. Because of the icing sometimes you do not even crunch though the surface. That is good because there are 10 inches of snow beneath this iced crust covering. However, you may go three steps on top and suddenly punch through 10 inches deep on the next step. Keeps a spring in your knees!
That doesn't mean it is easier when you don't crunch through though. Beneath the recent snow fall the layer of ice forms a solid sheet, sometimes inches deep that is as hard to walk on as oil on glass. I keep YAKTRAX on my boots at all times when winter hiking (and yes, clip in gators or other boot gaurds are absolutely necessary).

The sweet spots are where the sun has warmed a soft spot. You can tell from this photo that the critters figured that out long before me. :-)

Nature or beauty~

Calligraphic prints in snow
~know a place to go.

swhaiku 01-07-10
Where there is one, there will soon be others, like foot prints in the snow.
By creating our trails we create passage ways into nature
and the nature of things we have forgotten.

Like, what is the next photo and what does it have to do with trails, tracks, and "soon there will be others"?
When there is one turkey, there is another, and when there are hens, there will come gobblers. Strutting their presence into the territory. Claiming these trails for their own personal glory.

The photo above shows the thump and beat pattern of a turkey gobbler beating his outstretched wings on the icy and snow to challenge is territory and herd his hens. Marking his trail.

What is this photo? Is it some turkey bird marking its territory?

Nope, but Yes! This is evidence of a big turkey slipping on the ice on the other side of the bridge. ME!!! Time to get to the car and head home.Of course, this helps us remember why it all matters too.

Seeds

Here are a few links to other winter hiking posts on this blog.

Thunder Hill to Ravens Rock

Holly Holler in a Gentle Snow

Always in peace, shelton

Parkway Tree Project ~ Share the Journey ~ BRP 75th

2010-12-05T14:30:00.008-05:00

Hey Folks, winter is on us up here in these mountains. I am sure you feel it too.

I recently heard about the Blue Ridge Parkway Tree Project. I have three trees in the Watauga Section of the MST that I am going to recommend.

On Saturday I went to photograph the last of the three and to begin the photo selection process. I can only submit one photo for each tree. So you, my friends can help me decide by letting me know which capture you like the best from this posting.

The criteria for selection for this project include: images of trees within the Parkway boundaries that stand out as the most beautiful, the oldest or largest, trees that tell a story or have a place in history and those that are unique for their shape, species or character.

The photos above represent the Grandview Apple Orchard. In the first photo you can see the MST weaves gracefully through this orchard on the east side of the parkway.

There are perhaps a dozen fruit bearing trees remaining on the edge of this forest; some are red and and some golden. I feel certain they all would be considered "heritage seed lines".

I suspect the orchard was there when the BRP was cut through along this stretch. No doubt they are over 70 years old, perhaps even 100. You can tell by their form they have been knocked down by nature many times.

These trees can be found less than .2 miles north from the Grandview overlook near BRP MP 281.4.

Interestingly, just a short distance South from the Grandview Overlook the next colony of trees can be found that I think are significant to register.

This is a ridge on the east and south side of the BRP that drops off into Elk Valley. The ridge is adjacent to the Parkway and hikers pass by this habitat on the East shoulder as they step out of the forest trail near MP 282.4.

These photos were taken in early May and capture the grandeur of this cluster of Native Dogwood habitat. Trees in this stand reach heights of nearly 50 feet. They have survived on an incredibly steep southeast facing ridge. Many of our native dogwood trees have succumb to blight, insect, or storm damage in these mountains.

I do believe because they are on the south side and because they are truly on the edge of the Piedmont (just below the crest of the escarpment) that they must benefit from the warm air rising from the lower elevations to which they are a more prevalent species.

The last tree that I am submitting for recognition is the "Deep Gap Maple" standing due north of BRP MP 278 and across from Osbourne Mountain Overlook. I have studied this tree for 15 years and know it as a heritage tree for our community and for the BRP.

Here is a link to another blog of mine specifically about this tree.
Look here Deep Gap Maple
I hope you will take a look around on that blog too...see what you can find there in ;-)

The Deep Gap Maple can be seen from Highway 221, Old 421, and the Doc and Merle Watson Memorial Highway (new 421). It is truly a landmark maple and is unique in the fact that the BRP boundary posts form an inset perimeter around this mighty tree. There are concrete and medallion survey strikes and boundary posts defining the protected foot print for this tree.

In December of 2009 and early winter of 2010 this tree took quite a beating from the winter ice storms. Yet it remains standing and will self prune eventually regaining its habit (form) even with the scale of damage done to it by nature.

I like the dramatic light in this photo and will likely submit this one for the photo exhibit.

It is worth noting that there is a hilltop grave yard beneath this tree. It is marked as a cemetery on the national maps. The gravestones are all field stones with dates, initials, and a few names scratched into them. I took rubbings of stones with dates from the 1830s to the 1890s.

When I first began to explore on this hilltop this entire ridge was covered in a pine forest. Now the the forest is gone and the Christmas tree farm has encroached on the nature of this hillside. Many of the grave stones have been covered or lost.

I'd love to work with a group of volunteers clearing, cleaning, and recovering this heritage cemetery. I think an arborist could prune and shape the damaged limbs into healthy growth that might survive yet another 170 years.

Let me know if you have a favorite photo. I'd be interested in hearing from you in the comments section below or by email. I would also like to know if you have any information or stories associated with these trees. Doyou have significant trees in your awareness along the MST?

I just realized that this set of photos takes the viewer through all four seasons. From winter to fall there are moments in nature to discover if we take the time to explore with open eyes.

enjoy~ shelton

November 20 Trail Construction

2010-11-24T08:26:00.000-05:00

Starting this morning on the roadside of the BRP. These seed puffs of goldenrod were dazzling!

We had a good turn out for a late November work day. Six volunteers showed up to continue the progress south from Goshen Creek.

Task force leader John Lanman organized the work day and distributed tools.

I've been collecting photos from trail worker bumper stickers over the years and plan to do a trail workers gallery of memorable messages soon~

Today I will share a few steps about the process of cutting a trail tread. One of the most valuable tools is the mattock, sometimes called a Pulaski. In the photo above Don uses one if full swing mode. Notice his cut is along a straight line between the flags that have been placed for this section.

Much difficulty can be expected in the initial cut and pull with the mattock.

This cut is crucial and should be deep enough to cut through all roots that cross the trail from the upper edge.

The flat and broad edge of the mattock makes the first cut line as straight as possible between the two flags.

Here is an indication of the line cut and the length of the mattock.

Generally workers will take a section between flags and work from one point to the next in this order.
After a cut line has been made, the edge slice is pulled back with a fire rake.

Once raked back, indications of where additional digging and leveling is needed can be determined. This section has now been cut, pulled, and raked.

At this point the loppers come in handy. Loppers are used to cut roots below the tread surface, snipping the many fibrous and strong roots.

In this close up you can see the many hundreds of roots that may be revealed within a trail tread cut. It is not necessary to pull all of these up and remove them from the tread. These roots also provide stability to the dirt and upon compression made by walking help reinforce the foot tread. The general rule is if it is long enough to catch a toe of the boot it should be cut and removed.

A well cut edge is visible in this stretch. The grade of the foot tread is level and the surface has been raked.

James Jack is tackling a root that was large enough to be dug out completely on the other side of this fallen decaying tree.

Mark surveys his next stretch to be developed.

Lunch time, story time, memories and quiet reflection are a welcome break for our volunteers. From left to right: John, JamesJack, Gerry, Don, Mark, and camera man, Shelton were our volunteers today. Thanks all! Never underestimate the accomplishments of a dedicated few individuals!

This may well be the last colorful leaves of autumn. I was lucky to look up after break and spot this moment of intense sunlight on these few remaining maple leaves. It was pretty high up and I had to switch lens to zoom in and get this capture. In this quite, highlighted second I realized the final color of fall was making a transition into the grays and browns of winter.

And there is beauty and wonder to be found therein. As each of the seasons are but a never ending spiral of transitions, demise, and rebirth.

Here's wishing everyone a relaxing, rewarding, and thankful Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanks "Given" to all of our volunteers for their service.

Thanks "Given" for all the moments of wonder, beauty, and challenges provided in nature.

Thanks "Given" for the grace found in the giving.

Marching South ~ Ashe Volunteers Expand Territory in Watauga

2010-11-16T19:55:00.009-05:00

The frost lay heavy on this November morning. People 'round here call it a hard frost, a killin' frost.

Surely this wild buttercup will be frozen meltdown brown by tomorrow.

I'm never too hurried to stop and shoot, even at 7:00 am on the way to the storage shed to get the tools for the day there is time to discover beauty. This last rose of fall stands alone against the onset of winter. (click on photos to enlarge)

We had a good work crew today. Seven new friends from the South Ashe task force and four volunteers from the Watauga Crew.

Entering the forest and climbing the ridge toward the new trail I found these lines of light and shadow. Wishing our trail work would be in such an open area today instead of the rhododendron forest.

Reaching the starting point everyone took a few minutes to peel out of the extra layers, the climb had warmed us up. It might be 34 degrees outside, but we were toasty by now.

Our youngest crew member, Haywood, went right to work on a problem he was ready to tackle. He hung his pack on the hanger and started the dig.

Jim found a spot just down the trail to begin to level. Everyone went to a seperate but close spot to work. Trail building is a kind of puzzle to be solved, pieces worked on one at a time until they fit together at the edges and create a continuous new section.

Soon it was time for a break and everyone found a seat on the high bank to relax and refresh. In this photo (near to far) Tom, Russ, Barry, Don and Lorris relax within the brotherhood.

Chris and Marietta take a break and ponder the weeks ahead. Soon Chris will roll off the mountain for the winter. He'll be back on the trail in the Spring ready to march further south toward Blowing Rock.

Haywood and Granpa Jim are an inspiration to work with. Haywood has already developed the "SKILZ" it takes to build a trail. He coached me on a couple of decisions. Many times he pitched in at just the right moment to accomplish the task.

This would turn out to be one of the major challenges of the day. Removing huge "dugout canoe" that was buried many a century ago right smack dab in the middle of the trail! Why did those natives bury that hardwood canoe in our trail?

Here Chris begins to tackle this interesting problem under the watchful supervision of Haywood.

A few feet further down the trail Lorris and Russ wrestle a mighty rhodo root ball from the center of the trail. Jim says some of these can be 100 years old. In the progression of the forest they grow to the light, they get spindly and lay down, only to grow back up from the root ball again.

There is such a sense of accomplishment to pull those monsters out. Bravo!

But now, back to that canoe, (which was really a 10 foot hardwood root) that runs lateral in the middle of the trail. Seemingly it would be easy to remove. NOT! At one point there were five men working on this one problem.

The more prying and chopping and digging we did we discovered that on the underside of the root there were offshoot roots going straight down into the earth. Chris and Don and Haywood pry it up using the two mattoxs as a fulcrum and the rock bar as the lever.

Once it was pried up about 6 inches, Jim delivered the final assault with the axe on the underside roots.

It turned out to be massive! Chris wrestled it out and he and Don heaved it a good.... oh, 6 inches below the trail! ;-)

No penalty assessed for over celebration on that goal!! (I love this capture, click photo to enlarge)

Now there is trail where once there was none. Others will walk where we struggled. Someone coined the phrase "we work hard so you walk easily" to describe the trailbuilders motto.

Nothing compares to the smell, the feel, the refreshing walk on newly carved trail.

I went back up to the new section the next day with my trail dog for an inspection.

Oh what a pleasure to find passage through this rhododendron forest.

Wrestled from beneath the surface of the earth that behemoth of a root still lays menacingly along the trailside. GRRRRRRR....

Sometimes folks say a new trail cut looks like an injury in the forest. But just a few inches above there are patches of green moss and flora. I can assure you, in less that a year, the mosses will cover this section of bare earth and rebuild the community of life that lived along the path. In nature things become natural again.

Some of the most marvelously twisted Laurel trees are within this section. Ancient, gnarled, bent and tormented by the harsh winters in these mountains these laurels have a remarkable will to survive.

No where else have I seen such monumental laurel except these sections in Watauga. They are so tall they look like trees. Yes, Nature recovers from mans' intrusions.

This mighty oak log must have been 100 years old when it fell ~ at least 100 years ago. Until today it laid still, quiet, slowly becoming earth. We only hastened the process by cutting a trail through it this morning. And from this day forward each passing hiker, sniffing dog, and shooting photographer will notice and marvel at its ancient wonder.

Thanks to all of our volunteers who came out to build trail today:

Jim, Haywood, Chris, Marietta, Shelton, Don, Lorris, Tom, Barry, and Russ.

The experience is fleeting, but nature is eternal, nature is the constant, and in trail work, our nature is to be in the moment.

We build these trails

so others may go

where we have gone

when we are gone

from where we have been.

Dollyland Found ~ Dolly Rose

2010-10-19T06:08:00.010-04:00

This posting is a story told by Dolly Rose.

~ Thanks Dolly!~

"Two of my grandsons from Atlanta were up for the weekend. Calvin and his
older brother Jon Jay had been fortunate enough to work with Professor Allen de
Hart (Earth Daddy) and others several summers ago helping to flag the
Mountains to the Sea Trail.

"Calvin remembered the trail and its importance to me and to all hikers. When I told him of the dedication two weeks ago and that more of the trail was opened, he wanted to hike it. I had told him the below story of Dollyland and he was determined to go there.

"The first day I worked with Allen de Hart on the MST, Dave, Marietta,Gloria, Pam, myself and others helped with some clipping and flagging somewhere close to Osbourne Mt. Overlook. Then Allen sent the ladies off to look for an old concrete marker.

"The land was steep, and we were talking, slipping, sliding and giggling--we never found that post. I am not sure it was really there, but Allen tells the story of not being

able to see any of us but hearing all the laughter all down the hill.

"Later I was following quite a ways behind Allen and at the top of a knoll, I walked into this beautiful pine forest with only ferns underfoot-no other undergrowth. I drew in my breath and said "Oh my gosh, this is where the fairies dance." Allen heard me and agreed with me. Several months later he told me he had named that spot "Dollyland."

"Yesterday I found Dollyland again and yes, the fairies are still dancing there when they are not sitting and resting on the log bench! It was sorta where I thought it was, but we had to ride up and down the BRP to bring up those "locational memories"!

"I was a little skittish to take my 9 and 5 year old grandsons on an "unexplored" hike (especially since I had lead them astray the day before on Table Mountain)

"I noticed a couple who were walking towards where I thought Dollyland was and then saw them later after lunch going the opposite direction. Of course I had to interrupt their hike to ask questions.........and it was Philip and Lucia, Charger and Recharger friends that I haven't seen in years.

"I described Dollyland and they said they thought it was on that section
they had just walked through. Off we went-nine year old Calvin leading
the way, then five year old Grant and Grandma Dolly was the sweep. Mark
had agreed to meet us at the end of the new railings put up by the
parkway just south of the overlook.

"As we climbed the hill amongst the fallen leaves, hardwoods, a few pines and heavy undergrowth on the newly constructed MST, Calvin up ahead said, "Gayo, I found Dollyland!" And so he had - I was so excited when I broke into the white pines with only yellowing ferns underneath and I knew it was that magical place that I had seen only once, years before.

"I had told Calvin that he would know it when he saw it and he recognized
it from my description. He was sitting on the bench, waiting for me and
his brother with a huge smile on his face. We spent some time sitting on
the bench and talking about magical outdoor places, and how important
they are to everyone. We even met Mark and cajoled him to go back up the
hill with us so that he could share our discovery.

"Thanks to all the Chargers and Rechargers and all the others who have
worked so hard to make this trail available to all. The winter storm has
knocked many of the white pine branches down and we plan to have a
family clean up early next summer to give the fairies even more room to
dance. This quiet spot will always be special to Calvin and Grant--and
to me for sharing a beautiful memory with them on a special fall day."

Thanks for sharing Dolly,

I have a feeling soon we will see
Fairies

dancing amongst the ferns in

Dollyland ~

OH MY!

~~~~ Click to enlarge this photo
and look closely at 4:00 and 10:00 ~~~

Fairies Dancing in Autumn in Dollyland!

An Opening and a Ceremony for a Community of Trail Builders

2010-10-04T22:20:00.007-04:00

October 2, 2010 was a great day in these mountains.
We had a brisk 37 degrees at our place.

I headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and from the first glimpse through the 421 bridge I knew this was going to be a good day.

How could I pass Elk Mountain with out stopping to look out to the great beyond. I have always thought the high view from these mountains looks like the ocean. The undulating ripples of waves and waves of blues receding to the distant horizon.

I guess that gives new meaning to the Mountains to Sea trail. Traveling north to Jeffress Park I noted several new trail heads had been designated and posts were in place in the South Ashe section.

So here we go, off to a ceremony and celebration. Carry those flags high young man, march them forward into your generation, wave our banner, tell the world there is a new trail to be discovered here in Ashe and Watauga Counties.

So how do you open a trail? Let's have a ribbon cutting ceremony. Why a ceremony? A ceremony is a shared experience in which a community consciously participates to celebrate, recognize, or other wise mark a cultural event. Our ribbon was supported by a standard designed and built by Jim Hallsey using the work tools of the trail. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Here Jim is setting up his board of trail hikes he has organized for today. His granddaughter points to the trail she helped build. One thing that truly inspired me was to see so many children and grand children participating. It is indeed for them that we build trails for their future. While I am talking about kids, have you ever seen such a proud pack of Hallseys?

There is a joy, an excitement, and grace that offers inspiration beyond words in the faces of these children.

The Hallseys, parents, children, and grand children. Here is a family proud of the trails they have left behind and of the trails they have created for their future.

Many old friends and MST Trail builders were on hand for this momentous event.

Guests and friends, trail workers and family signed in and registered for the historic ceremony. I estimated nearly 200 people were present.

State dignitaries and officials from the Park Service were in attendance as well.

The Watauga Task force volunteers made a good showing as a team representing our sections efforts.

The Ashe team was out in full force with over 30 of their trail volunteers making it to the Ceremony.

I took two shots so everyone could be recognized in this crowd of trail creators. Remember, you can click the image to enlarge on this blog.

There were couples, families, folks who drove many miles to gather on this day to celebrate the opening of the South Ashe section of the MST. After photos were made dignitaries and leaders made recognitions.

Opening comments, welcomes, and introductions were made by Elizabeh King, FMST secretary.

Remarks were made by Monica Mayr, Deputy Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, NPS.

I'm going to do something a little different from here forward in this post. Of all the words that were spoken on October 2nd, and many quite eloquently; the ones that I wish to share verbatim are those spoken by Jim Hallsey, Task Force leader for the Southern Ashe Section of the MST. With his permission to print, I will intersperse his comments with the photos.

Please welcome Jim Hallsey, Father of the North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail and listen to the story he has to tell:

" Today we join in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 33rd anniversary of the Mountains to Sea Trail and Governor Perdue's proclamation of October as Mountains to Sea Trail Month. What better time also to dedicate two new sections of the trail?

"We are here because the Parkway is here. The Parkway is here through the efforts of citizens and staff alike to preserve this great natural and recreational resource. I commend Deputy Superintendent Mayr, the Asheville staff and the District ranger and maintenance staff for supporting the Mountains to Sea Trail and our volunteer efforts to build and maintain it.

I am particularly grateful for the support of District Ranger David Bauer and District Maintenance Chief James Choate and their staff. Their efforts in recovering the parkway for public use after the devastating December ice storm were truly heroic. Doesn't this place look great? You should have seen it the day after last Christmas.

"We are here also because North Carolina legislative leaders committed to establishing a statewide system of trails and have provided small grants to support our volunteer efforts. I am grateful for our partnership with the State Parks and Recreation Division and the State Trails Program. Thank you Deputy Director Tingley for making completion of the Mountains to Sea Trail a priority.

Thank you State Trails Coordinator Darrell McBane for managing the planning and financial process necessary to support volunteer task forces, local governments, state and federal agencies in our endeavors to realize the dream of a trail across North Carolina.

"We are here also because local leaders and citizen volunteers have embraced that dream and poured their heart into making it a reality. Are there other task force leaders here today? Steven Joines, Alleghany. Bob Benner, Central Blue Ridge? Randy Johnson, Grandfather Mountain? Bruce Wisely, Falls Lake? Thanks for your leadership!

It has been my privilege and honor to serve as the volunteer leader of the South Ashe Task Force of the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail. Dr. DeHart and I have been friends and colleagues for many decades. What a joy it was for me to receive the proposed trail route maps in September of 2005 and to begin with Allen the strenuous task of locating and marking the trail in the field.
"In April of 2007 we began construction of the trail at NC 16 heading south. The task was huge and the helpers few that first summer. One workday it was just my grandson and me that came out.

Seeing our plight, Jeff Brewer, founding president and the board of the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail sponsored a three day volunteer blitz known as the Big Dig. We had 33 volunteers that one weekend and built almost a mile of trail through hard digging on steep mountain sides.

"The word spread and more volunteers signed on. There were additional Big Dig weekends in 2008 and 2009 as well as a Big Spring Cleanup of ice storm debris in 2010. Another significant boost were two grants from the Recreation Trails Program which we received in 2008 and 2009. These grants purchased the hand tools we needed to get the job done. In September of 2009 we reached US 421 essentially completing the heavy clearing and digging work.

"I am proud to say that the South Ashe Section of the trail was built entirely by volunteers using only hand tools! Like the ones you see supporting our ceremonial ribbon.

"I hope you received a handout at registration listing all the volunteers who worked on the South Ashe Section for the last three and a half years. Everyone on that list is a hero in my mind whether they worked one day or dozens of days. Our workers included parents and children, grandparents and grand children. There were college students and retirees. Strangers quickly became friends and comrades in a goal that was bigger than any of us. I would like to recognize those volunteers who contributed more than 100 hours of trail work from 2007 through 2010.

"Sharon Anderson, Chuck Besaw, Jan Jones, Haywood Ferguson, Bob Johnson, Lorris Pannel, B Townes, John Smyre, Bruce Wisely, Allen deHart. B, Bruce and Ken Canter did most of the initial chainsaw clearing work and Lorris did a large part of the ice debris clearing this spring. And Chuck just started this spring.

"The following volunteers contributed more than 200 hours. Barry Clemmer, Tom Dillon, Steven Mierisch. This volunteer, Keith Roberts contributed more than 300 hours including days of chainsaw clearing of the ice debris. The following volunteers contributed more than 750 hours. Don Bergey, (the de facto assistant task force leader), and Husband of Jennie (AKA Grampa of Haywood, Hallsey and Hamilton).

The following volunteers contributed more than 750 hours. Don Bergey, (the de facto assistant task force leader), and Husband of Jennie (AKA Grampa of Haywood, Hallsey and Hamilton).
"I must thank my dear wife Jennie who has supported me and the South Ashe team every step of the way including arranging many of the details of today's luncheon. THANK YOU JENNIE!!

"In summary, 150 volunteers contributed a total of 6,700 hours and 730 worker days in the construction of the South Ashe Section. They averaged almost five workdays per volunteer with two logging in 85 and 100 days. A conservative estimate of the value of all this volunteer time and travel expenses would be $75,000!

In the process we have become a fellowship of friends who have literally had a hand in building this trail. Many more, perhaps thousands, after today will have their feet on the trail. But you, my dear friends, can always say you had a hand in building the trail!

"Please take the opportunity to thank them for the bruises, blisters, poison ivy rashes, bee stings, sweat, tears and laughter they put into the trail you get to walk on for the first time today.

"And now it is truly my pleasure, on behalf of the 150 volunteers of the South Ashe Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail to declare our section of the trail finished. We present this trail as a gift and legacy to the people, built by the people, for the benefit of all people today and for generations to come." ~ Jim Hallsey, Remarks October 2, 2010.

John Lanman offered humor and fact in his comments on behalf of the Watauga Task Force.

Dave Johnson who has served in the past as the Watauga leader made a presentation and comments about John and the Watauga Section.

The continuing presentations and ceremony were interesting and entertaining.

Don took the microphone and made a gifting to Jim of a placard designed and created by Keith Roberts.

Jim is truly touched by the craftsmanship and the meaning found in this gift from his co-workers and trail team mates.

I'd like to share the description written on the back and hope someone will send it to me (hint hint).

Carol Tingley, Deputy Director of the NC Division of Parks & Recreation made inspiring comments about the hopes for the future of our parks and trails and officially, did I say OFFICIALLY dedicated the opening of the South Ashe and Watauga sections of the North Carolina Mountains To Sea Trail.

Oh yes, and there was a Ribbon Cutting indeed!

I love this photo, there is that moment when, after all is said, the Deed is Done!

Food was bountiful, something for everyone in this pot luck luncheon. I kept feeling like I was at my church homecoming with all the good home cooked foods.

Here and there were conversations and memories being made.

Jim and John had planned out a few featured hikes and soon

it was time to do what we all love more than speaking, more than eating, even more than trail building (well maybe) and that was,

time to get out on the trail and follow our paths in this present and into our future on the MST.

I hope you have enjoyed this posting, it is long for my norm. But I felt it was a momentous event for our part of the state. Thank you Jim for sharing your comments with me. Thank you to everyone who worked to pull this together as a significant ceremonial event.

Thanks to everyone who worked on these sections of the trail.

In closing, I'll offer Jim's words to our future:

We present this trail as a gift and legacy to the people, built by the people, for the benefit of all people today and for generations to come." ~ Jim Hallsey, October 2, 2010.

Opening Day Hiking Opportunity October 2

2010-10-01T21:44:00.001-04:00

We will run a shuttle from Osborne Overlook to or from the trail south or north.

You will see the trail entry port sign on the west side opposite of the parking lot. Cross the parkway and head up along the fence line to enter this trail section. When walking north it is mostly a down hill trail.

This is the entry post and the trail is along the fence line. Look out across the valley at that point to see Elk, Snake, and Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

We ask that everyone wishing to take advantage of the hikes park at Osbourne Mountain Overlook (MP 277.8), which is 1.1 miles south of US 421. This is the only location with adequate parking. There are no rest rooms, water, or other facilities.

We will provide shuttles to the beginning and end of the hikes as needed up until 4 pm (or later if you have signed in). We would ask you to sign in with us at the Overlook and let us know when you finish and are off the trail.

From US 421 (MP 276.7) south to Osbourne Mountain Overlook (MP 277.8). This 1.25 miles of moderate trail traverses the sometimes steep hillside above the Parkway. This section was engineered and designed by Professor Allen DeHart.

Much of the work on this section was done by local volunteers under the leadership of John Lanman.

Park at the Overlook and we will shuttle you north to US 421 or you could walk North and we will shuttle you South back to your car. Hope to see you on the trail~ Anytime, 12-4:00 Saturday October 2.

This is the trail entry port at the North end of this section. It will be found at the intersection of the parkway and the off ramp to Hwy. 421 on the west side of the parkway.

If you are visiting or hiking stop by Jim's Produce on 421 just 1 mile west of the Parkway on Highway 421. You will find local produce, regional fresh fruit and vegetables, and many locally made jams, jellies, salsas, and sauces. Definitely one of the prettiest, cleanest, most delightful produce markets in our area. You'll be glad you stopped. Jim has over 20 varieties of apples available now.

Five Men, Three Bridges,One Day ~ Working 9-5 ~

2010-09-26T21:05:00.001-04:00

Here is the 6:00 am beginning of a bridge building day!

A stop by the shed to select the tools that might be needed in the course of the day.

We were working several miles from the storage shed, so in order to keep from coming back during the day I tried to make sure I had ample supplies for what ever we might encounter. I planned for three fully equipped teams should that many volunteers show up.

Layer it all in the back of the Honda for easy removing when we get to the work site.

Bruce Wisely, our bridge engineer, master builder, and mentor arrived with three cut and ready to assemble bridges.

He brought the bridges in the back of his truck and in his wagon layerd in sequence for taking off and building bridge one, two, and then three..

Bruce reaches out a friendly welcome and we unloaded the first bridge along the roadside near the creeks.

After hauling all the lumber through the forest the first step is to build the "box". The beams and the end joist are set in place.

Professor Allen de Hart joined us on this work day. Allen is the founder of FMST and the inspiration and motivation to our trail efforts in Watauga. Allen is our MST regional trail advisor. Here he inspects the box sitting on the footer before the next step.

Post holes are dug for the setting of the upright anchors to tie the bridge into. There was so much underground water that our holes filled with water almost instantly as we dug.

Next the joists are hammered to the beams. They provide support and help prevent bowing the beams.

At this point the joists are in place, the end plates attached, and the anchors are in place and attached.

Concrete has been added to the holes and we are ready to go vertical!

Gerry attaches one of the posts for the handrails. They are bolted on and locked with washers and nuts.

Question ~ How many Nuts does it take to build a 16 foot bridge?*
Judging from this picture one might think this was a DOT job!
*(20 nuts and five men :)

Gary attaches the handrail atop the posts to finish off Bridge #1 built in just under two hours.

The second bridge is actually over flowing water, a real creek, not just a boggy bottom~

The beams are layed out to start to determine the placement of the bridge.

Working over a real creek also means : "Feats in the Creeks", make that "Feets in the Creek :).

Gary cranks down on one of the post bolts. This bridge moved along much smoother and we finished the second one in even less time.

To evenly space the treads we developed a technique that used a standard measure of one rebar thickness. Allen guides us with rebar and stern discipline (ouch, no hitting) to progress with the foot tread.

This bridge moved along much smoother and we finished the second bridge before lunch!

Gary caught yours truly, your blogmaster, actually swinging a hammer!

This was one of my favorite photos of the day. Allen (on the left) is 85 years old and Alex, who is on the right, is 22 years old. With a difference of 63 years, these two made quite a team effort to finish this last bridge.

And we did, before 5:00, three bridges under our feet.

~Nice~

~ embedded ~

And it is time to head home for the day.

Many, MANY thanks to Bruce Wisely for designing, cutting, and delivering these bridges to us from his shop in Raleigh. Bruce is a patient teacher and master bridge man. He stakes his claim to five of the five bridges we have built in our Watauga Section.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our volunteers who came today to help us. Two from off the mountain, and three from Watauga. Thank you Gerry, Gary, Shelton, Alex, Allen, and Bruce. A good time and good work was had by all.

And thank you always to Allen, you have successfully led MST Watauga to accomplish so much over the last two years. We couldn't do it without you.

Sunday Morning Light

2010-09-12T22:15:00.004-04:00

7:00 am and ready for a sunrise

The morning rolls out across the valley clouds yellow as spun gold, fresh as Rapunzel romance, every morning is renewing, refreshing, re-invigorating in these hills.

My place is in this valley below; a little to the left of center, a lot like me.

After two weeks of weed whacking back these flowers to clear for the trail it was nice to experience them fresh again, in beauty, in Sunday morning light.

Callie dog paused at the first locust bench on the ridge above Carroll Gap. It seems small compared to the one we made last week.

Many of the pines on this ridge are dying or dead. Pine beetles? Acid rain? Natural selection? There are so many standing it looks like a skeleton forest.

Beneath the standing dead the next forest begins. Mostly pine saplings on the south side have begun to reclaim the forest floor.

On the north side the birches are establishing their dominance in the second growth.

In this monotone forest of demise this little spot of red leaf caught my eyes. I reached to collect what I saw as the first red leaf of autumn. I wanted to show it to my sweetie. ;-)

Alas, much to my surprise, when I pulled at the leaf, the entire tree came up, roots and all.

I must admit, I felt like I had yanked the last living specimen of red maple from the forest.

So I looked around and found just the right habitat and replanted this little charm. I am humbled, reminded that this is why we make these trails. So that intimate encounters with nature may occur. So that a sense of connection to something greater prevails upon us to discover, respect, rediscover, and protect Nature.

Perhaps the dying pines will give way to new birches and red maples. Perhaps this tiny tree will someday have to be pruned at trail's edge when it has become large enough to seed the next forest of maples. Perhaps I will check on this little one for a few years to come. Even when I am long gone, this maple will still be only beginning to belong on this mountain.

Walking out onto the parkway, around the curve to the big view.

Morning still hangs in the air, clearing sky above, a Sunday morning light walk behind me on the Watauga Section of the Mountains to Sea Trail. Someday, I hope you will come out too ~

A Bench for Section One

2010-09-07T06:16:00.000-04:00

I set aside these two locust logs in the spring of 2009 to be used to build a bench. Every time I would pass by over the last year and a half I would think to myself, I need to get that bench built.

Finally over Labor Day weekend I had some family help to get the project done.
Luke helped me haul that log down from the hill to the location for the bench. No kidding, I think it weighed about 350 pounds, locust is the most dense and heavy of our hardwoods. We made it about half way and decided to work on the footers a while.

Here I am bringing in the footers for our Lincoln log bench construction.

First cuts are made into the locust footer to be chopped out to create the cradle for the log.

Once these cuts are made it is time to chop them out.

Luke knocked out the fans and prepared the notch.

Then we went back and got the bench log and used gravity to help us get it the remaining 50 yards through the curve. End over end keeps part of the weight on the earth. Thanks Gravity!

A Bench is made and the first territorial claim is made by Callie dog!

A happy dog in a happy place sets the tone for the mid hike bench.

Emily and Luke enjoy a break on a bench that will last many years.

Here the family strikes a pose. Guess you could say this is a four seater!

Walking out in the end of summer, with the wildflowers rising 6 feet high it is time to recognize the transition to fall has begun.

I hope someday you will find a time to rest and sit upon the side of the trail and take in the wonder of these Blue Ridge Mountains from the Watauga Mountains to Sea section of trail.

Somewhere there is a trail!

2010-09-07T05:52:00.000-04:00

Somewhere there is a trail, a foot tread, a path beneath and through this summers growth!

It's not that the wildflowers aren't beautiful. I'd just like to be able to see my feet! :-)

There it is! I knew there was a wonderfully constructed foot tread through there somewhere!

Volunteers have been busy clearing away summer overgrowth in anticipation of the opening on October 2. In some places on the high side it requires cutting back nearly 8 feet just to get the wildflowers out of your face!

And once you can see the trail, then you can see this:

We are nearly completed with clearing, only a couple of miles to go. Come help us next Saturday, September 11, if you can.

You might see something like this:

Enjoy!

September Push for our October 2 Opening

2010-08-30T09:37:00.005-04:00

We are scheduling work days each Saturday during September to polish the finished trail for the dedication October 2. We will work on Saturdays September 4, 11, 18 and, if necessary, 25. The work will be weed eating, clipping and otherwise clearing the hikers' box and removal of debris.

We had 8 workers on Saturday August 29. Shaun, Paula, Gary, Gerry, John, Shclton, Tom, and Dianna. Tom was a new volunteer and drove up from Marion the spend the day on the trails in the high country. He found out about us on the WEB and thought it would be fun to volunteer.

Gary Paula Shaun and Shelton loaded into Gary's truck and headed down to Section 1. Paula got a gee whiz moment in the back of Gary's truck rounding curves on the parkway!

Shaun begins to find the tread with the weed eater. If there was minimal overgrowth there was minimal cutting done!

Volunteers, where would we be without them all? I am reminded of a Jefferson Airplane song, Volunteers to America ~ Many of us are fulfilling that dream albeit quite a few years post Airplane ;-)

In some places the trail can be completely obscured by 5-8 foot tall weeds.

After clearing the foot tread is revealed and clearance on the upper side is pushed back 5 feet to allow for upper weeds to lay down without being across the trail.

Even as we are clearing for safety we are alert to and protect beautiful plant specimens. I'm more than happy to skip a fern cluster like this beauty!

A passage through a mighty oak!

It was nice to see that the engineering we did on the cribbing and support for the steep stretch in Section one has held up and stabilized into a most excellent trail!

We finished up the section below Dr. Furman's home and south of his driveway, where there was a good bit of tread work that had to be done, especially around the little creek. It is now back to being one of the more beautiful sections of our trail. We then proceeded north and finished up half or more of the section just south of 421 and the section south of Osbourne Mountain Overlook. Workers will finish these sections during the week.

For Saturday, September 4, we will meet at 8:30 am at the old 421 connector near the Parkway School, MP 280.8. Hope to see you there.

Big Push Second Day

2010-06-15T06:51:00.001-04:00

We begun our second day of work at one of the most spectacular overlooks in the Watauga Section. We met at Thunderhill Overlook near Blowing Rock.

This was our morning view. After a day spent in the fog it was uplifting to witness such grand beauty and inspiring vision.

Duncan and Allen share a cup of tea as we organize our efforts and wait to begin our day.

Professor Allen DeHart is our FMST Trail Specialist and mentor for the Northwestern section of MST. He has served this project with dedicated enthusiasm and support since 1997. In the last two years he has helped bring our section from a few distant survey flags to the brink of approval.

Chris readies his saw for his days work focused close to the point while he stands on the edge of forever.

John Lanman, Watauga Task Force Leader and Marietta check their list and ready us for assignments. John had chosen locations and made preliminary plans for the Big Push effort and we now had our work "cut" out for us (pun intended :)

Into the forest we go. This is typical of the winter fall of limbs, branches, and trees that we encountered along our trail assignment.

Duncan stretches to remove a small fall with a bow saw.

Much can be accomplished even with hand tools.

This is an interesting photograph of Duncan balancing on an ancient oak bridge that we cross along this section.

We have decided to leave this tree where it lives. It is not a recent fall as is evidenced from the upturned branches, full and alive and growing upward while lying on its side for perhaps 50 years. The trail goes beneath it and hikers will enjoy the experience of stooping beneath this behemoth wonder of a mighty oak. Notice near the base and beneath Duncan's feet in the photo above an air fern cluster.

This is a beautiful example of life giving life, of the tenacity of survival as the air fern, mosses, and other plants have developed a symbiotic relationship with the host tree. These plants do not touch the ground and have migrated to the oak nearly 4 feet above the ground. Wonders of nature indeed.

Kate Dixon, our FMST Executive Director joined us on the trail and put in her hours as a volunteer working and serving us on our section in the high country.

As we rounded the next curve we spotted a family of orchids colonized right beside our trail!

These pink ladies slippers are one of many orchids we have in these Appalachian mountains. They are certainly one of the most eye catching and sensual beauties of the wild flowers we enjoy.

I enjoyed this previous sequence of photos, from the air fern to the chainsaw, the contrast of feminine and masculine, female and flower, debris and beauty, tender and powerful progress.

Meanwhile Duncan, Allen, Marietta, and Ann work along creek side removing debris and opening the stream flow.

Time for lunch and Allen and John confer on the afternoon assignments.

Roadside lunch is a sharing of manna and relaxation and fellowship.

Howdy Ann and Steve!

Back on the trail Shelton changes out his chain and readies for the afternoon work.

The mechanic sawyer must be able to make adjustments in the field along the trail to keep a days work underway.

Working through a downed cherry tree top Shelton gets the work done.

Steve studies the successful fall of a spring pole cut. He shaved the underside of the arch and allowed the drop to fall without barber poling back. Great work Steve!

Steve now is moving forward to the next challenge.

Our leaders in Watauga, John Lanman and Allen DeHart are pleased with our days progress. Thanks for all the planning, organization, and mentoring you two provide us on the trail.

This is why we do what we do. This fern stretch was cleared and debris removed to reveal a quiet stretch of pleasure for the hikers who pass this way.

Thanks to all the volunteers who came up to Watauga and Ashe to help with the Big Push. Also thanks to Jeff Eason who came out to gather photos and stories for a newspaper article he published in the Blowing Rocket and the Mountain Times. You can follow this link to his fine writing: Newspaper article here. Also thanks to Jeff for taking and sharing many of these photos in the latter portion of this post.

In peace and on the trail beyond ~ Enjoy ~

Big Push Recap and Appreciation

2010-06-03T22:19:00.012-04:00

It was one of those foggy spring mornings. Wetlands and wetair in the High Country.

We met early and split into crews to go out to different locations for work.

Taking time to say "Howdy" Marietta and Kate greet each other to start the day.

Will was one of our volunteer sawyers from off the mountain. Thanks for coming up.

Chris is one of our Watauga sawyers. A retired firefighter, Chris is always excited to get out on the trail for a days work.

Chris meet Will, Will you'll be working with Chris. Ready, Set, Go!

I have many photos to share and stories to tell about the Big Push weekend work in Watauga and Ashe county. It was a good week and we made tremendous progress.

A huge, and did I say HUGE thank you goes out to our volunteers:

Allen de Hart (Louisburg) (one of the initiators of the MST and founding father of FMST, currently serving as our MST Specialist for Black Mountain Campground to Stone Mountain)
Will Merritt (Winston Salem) ( Sawyer)
Anne Tribert (Raleigh)
John Jaskolka (New Bern) (President of FMST)
Duncan Brown (Raleigh)
Kate Dixon (Raleigh) (Executive Director of FMST)
Steve Lund (Cary) (Sawyer)
Steven Mierisch (Winston Salem)
Dwight Levi (Sawyer)
Shelton Wilder (Deep Gap) (Watauga Crew Leader) ( Sawyer) (Blog moderator)
Chris Rasmussen (Boone) ( Sawyer)
Marieta Warnstedt (Boone)
John Lanman (Boone) (Watauga Crew Leader and Task force co-ordinator)
Gerry Staninger (Boone) ( Sawyer)
Paul Stahlschmidt (Boone)
Margaret Lanman (Boone)
Sandy Sisson (Boone)

Please follow this link out to read an excellent MST FRONT PAGE newspaper article by Jeff Eason. Published in the Mountain Times and The Blowing Rocket on June 03, 2010. Thanks to Jeff Eason for doing this writing and for trudging up the uncleared trail to find us! You worked for this story and we appreciate your work.

Front page article click here!

More photos to come soon!

Trail Keepers, Sawyers, and Volunteers ~ A Study in the Field

2010-05-18T21:22:00.012-04:00

This is Crabtree Falls. It is not in our section, but is a nearby trail and waterfall.

I thought with the upcoming "Big Push" volunteer weekend near this would be motivational!

(see side bar for information on the Big Push and how you can volunteer to help too).

On Sunday a team of volunteers (bikers, hikers, helpers, and yours truly :) led by Greg and Chase (two mentors from the National Forest Service, NFS) worked to clear the trail to the falls. After the winter storms the trail was nearly impassable at some points.

The first tree fall we worked was a straight forward cut.

Shaun began bucking this tree at the center of the trail.

Good form and skill cut right through this tree.

Finishing off the second cut was as easy as the first cut had been.

Until, when in the drop, the saw blade was pinched.

This problem was simple and solved quickly with a wedge hammered in to gain release.

Does anyone know this wildflower? It was in abundance in the section we were working last Sunday. I also spotted wild sarsaparilla, dwarf crested iris, and pink ladies slippers.

(I have been informed this is Wood Betony, or Lousewort.) Thanks Jim and Paul!

This Ice fall dropped a tremendous tree right in the middle of the trail and along the length. This was an oak, about 30 inches in diameter, and must have been at least 75 years old.

The trunk size and lay was only part of the story. The entire top landed in the trail as well!

It is important to take a break frequently and we gave it up for a few minutes. In the break Chase provided one of the best demonstrations of "in the field chain sharpening" I have ever seen done.

He talked us through his technique

and we were able to see the edge being repaired before our eyes as he explained the process.

A firm stroke, a roll to the file, and on to the next tooth.

We cleaned it up good and moved forward on the trail toward the falls.

As we approached the falls a decision was made to make one last cut for the day. As trail lore and logger tales have it, that is always the most difficult problem of the day. And so did this turn out to be.

In this picture you can see a classic problem, chainsaw pinched in a bind between cuts. It is not a problem caused by mistakes necessarily, but a reality of the variety of challenges trail work incurs.

If you know sawing, you will note there was a slip notch (wedge cut) made above in the compression. This lay produced compression on the top and tension on the bottom. But when the undercut was made, the upper piece slid downhill and pinched the blade.

With the use of a wedge and an amazing understanding and knowledge of chainsawing Chase demonstrated how to solve the problem. He made a high cut, drove in the wedge with an axe, and voila'....

Out drops the saw!

Finishing up the challenge before an audience is always pressure. We had held back several groups of hikers who wanted to pass but the work area was not secure or safe yet.

Chase finished cleaning up and we let the hikers pass, problem solved.

And now the falls for your viewing pleasure.

I had never seen these falls, so it was quite a nice reward after 2 hours of driving and 6 hours of cutting to stand cool and refreshed beneath this 75 foot waterfall.

Can you hear the sounds of rushing, falling, cascading waters?

This weekend sawyers from across the state will come to work on the Watauga Section and the South Ashe section of the MST. Allen DeHart, John Lanman, and Jim Hallsey are co-ordinating this opportunity.

Contact information can be found in the Big Push Saw information at the top of this blog.

Volunteers are needed in many ways and I hope you will come out to help us.

Thanks in advance to all the volunteers. May your weekend be safe, and cool, and inspiring, and exhausting. Enjoy your time in the high country.

Check the weather at the top right corner of the opening page. Rays Weather is the best and most accurate source for weather information in these mountains. It will be cool, chilly if wet, but you will work up a sweat in the heat of the day. Bring layers you can peel off, wear clothe that wick, and expect a shower at any moment day or night~!

Building and Recovering our Trail

2010-05-09T10:36:00.001-04:00

There is so much going on this month on our trail. While most of what we see is the trail construction process. Building a trail also involves planning, organizing, politicking, and cooperation.

Recently John Lanman, Jim Hallsey, Shelton Wilder, and David Anderson met and walked sections of the trail in preparation for approval requests.

Discussions of details for completion and surveys and access were held in the field.

John, on the left above is the Watauga Task Force Leader and Jim, on the right above is the Ashe County Task Force Leader. These two have been coordinating efforts to open a 26 mile stretch of the MST in the High Country by October. The countless hours of planning and work that they give to this project is commendable at the highest level of appreciation.

David works for the NPS and is charged with many duties. This day he was assisting us in planning and GPS coordinating the walkable sections for future mapping.

Here David is checking the coordinates for a parkway boundary marker at the edge of a right of way along our trail.

But, getting there is no fast process. Our sawyers continue to remove winter debris.

Gerry has worked hard on the first three sections and made tremendous progress.

Here is an example of a Level 3 challenge on the Big Wall Section that Sawyer Chris has been clearing.

Chris had to examine this pickup stick pile of large hardwoods that have criss crossed and blocked our trail.

Just to give you a scale of the challenge, Shelton compares the size of this huge locust.

Here Chris takes a much needed break. Chris has the most skill and is the best sawyer in our team. I am amazed at the work he and Marietta and friends have been able to get done this month.

Here Marietta follows up behind Chris as he cuts, she clears. Such excellent team work moves our trail forward and southward!

This time of year it is not all work. One of the joys of being on the trail and in nature is the discovery of the wildflowers coming into blossom. This trillium above is one of many varieties we have along our trail.

The native dogwoods are in bloom this first week in May.

Here is a challenge, don't scroll down yet!

What is this wildflower which is about to unfold?

???

Yep, a Jack in the Pulpit blossom.

For a sense of scale an insight to the beauty, this calyx has been pulled back so you might see "Jack"
in his pulpit. Hope to see you on the trail soon!

April in Section 3 Volunteers ~ THANKS!

2010-04-25T10:15:00.002-04:00

We have been busy trying to recover from the winter storms and working on Section 3 in April.

John and Marietta discuss starting out the day along the Blue Ridge Parkway MP 278.5. Notice Marietta's unique balancing act (or is she planning to slice her apple?)

One of the remaining challenges in Section 3 is this crossover blow down of two Oak Trees.

In the upper center of this photo you can see our trail which goes directly under the foreground tree and uprooting the trail ahead with the root ball.

Chris and Marietta consider the challenges of this problem to remove.

There is much light work to do. Here Marietta is removing the light twigs and small branches from the trail. After the sawyers and the swampers have removed the debris there remains finger size and smaller twigs to be raked out of the trail.

We want to leave the leaves :-) and only remove the ankle turners and toe trippers. NOTICE: Marietta is wearing eye protection! Even lifting and moving small twigs and branches can slap your glasses off or scratch your eyes. I recommend safety glasses for all trail work.

John follows behind the sawyers removing small limbs and laps that were missed.

This is a typical entanglement of pick up sticks.

The ice dropped and snapped and piled many layers of large limbs.

Each limb and pile must be methodically worked through before any branches can be removed because they are so terrifically intertwined.

Two of our sawyers are beginning to solve a small crossed pile of branches.

Gerry steps in to remove a limb from a larger fall before starting on the trunk. Thanks for all you help this month! Wild flowers are starting to bloom along our sections of the MST!