Upper Pinch In 11-12-2009

Date of work: 11-12-2009
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
time spent: 6.5 hours (includes commute)

Work accomplished:
Well after considering working on RJ I decided to continue my work on
upper Pinch In. I thought it would be easy to tell where waterbars were
additionally needed after two days of rain.

I was pleasantly surprised at the leaf cover on the trail. Large
amounts of water flush leaves right off the trail and there were leaves
until I got to the section I had not worked on yet. At that point I saw
bare trail.

On the way down I chopped on the big tree across the trail, and decided
to be like Ken and chop it a little each time by. I continued down the
trail. Another 8" tree was across the trail, 1 cut and made it part of
a waterbar.

After that a tree leaning low across the trail, I removed it to the
downhill side.

After that the area where the trail had been blocked for a time had
still more down. I trimmed it back.

I finally got down past the last waterbar I built and the trail was
bare. So I started putting in more. Between 30 and 50' apart and I
took my time to make sure I thought they would drain well with little
maintenance. My older ones are holding up well.

I was in the relatively flat section just above the cliffs, where some
have tried to extend what they call Rock Jock to and past Pinch In. One
particular section had a steep place that I had noticed was always damp.
The downhill side had a mound of dirt from a tree at the place where a
waterbar was needed. I used the mound to fill in the rut as I dug the
waterbar. Placing stepping rocks and using the loose dirt to pack in
around. Interestingly enough I worked and walked around below this
water bar for a while, and when I came back it already was collecting
water. So I felt I made a good choice.

When I got to the bottom and ready to turn into the ravine that heads to
Falcon rock I quit. This leaves me a very small section above Falcon
rock to complete my waterbar project maybe 150-200 yards.

I then walked out to the rocks at the edge of the canyon to the north of
the trail. It reminded me very much of Mossy canyon. I took photos
looking down into it, but they don't do it justice. You need to be
there. I looked to see how many live trees there were and did find two
pines a suitable distance for hammock hanging at a lower level than the
plateau and before you get to the creek. It was really rushing down
into the canyon.

I walked back to the top and then east to the edge. I could have gone
further, but the rocks are narrow and being alone a slip could have been
not fun. There are live pines out on the point that are lower like the
one that died at hacker's point.

After taking some pics I headed back up and took some water bar pics on
the way out.

I also stopped at the big tree and chopped. It was going well and I did
in fact get it cut. Its stump was sawdust, so only one cut was
necessary, but moving it out of the trail was not easy.

Photos at Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdefriess/sets/72157622668625679/

It was a beautiful day, I got chilled getting out of the truck, mid 40s
and breezy. Breezy all day, I quickly shed my jacket, no rain.
Overcast mostly. I did see some sun on the way out.

A great day in the gorge. Haven't had a bad one yet.

11-7-2009 Northern Rock Jock

Date of work Nov. 7, 2009
Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
Time spent: 5 hours includes commute

Work accomplished: Light clipping and pulaski work.

I parked at old Conley and headed south on RJ with shears out, clipping,
but also trying to keep up a decent pace.

Fern canyon slowed me a little, but it was passable. Near hackers point
there was a 6" soft wood tree (hemlock?) across the trail. People had
been getting around it. I continued along clipping lightly (pulaski was
in the pack). Another 5" tree was across the trail in Blue jay. It was
easy to maneuver around as well. In the gully of Blue jay a big tree
had fallen across the trail. Plenty of limbs down, but as before people
had gotten through.

I rounded the corner past split rock and achieved the point (one of
them) I was shooting for. At this point the trail goes steeply uphill,
turns 90 degrees left and then crosses a rock requiring a pretty big
step down. Hiking north several months ago, I fell on my butt coming
down the steep part. I was going to see how hard it would be to bypass
the steep and the big step of rock.

At this point a group of late teen- 20 somethings passed me hiking
north. I didn't ask where they had been but I'm guessing razor's edge.
After they passed and their "friendly" dog growled at me I cut a path
that would miss the big step and the steep section. It tied in
beautifully I thought, and was about a 20' new section. I then blocked
the old section- very well.

At this point I checked the time, and it was too late to proceed further
south. I parked at 2:15 pm and I knew it would be dark by 6. My plan
was to be at the truck by 5:30. It was almost four, and I had passed
some trees that needed attention on the way in. There is another point
further south where the trail down to a creek crossing is very steep and
slippery, and another route could/should be put in. That will have to
wait for another day.

I had pulled out the pulaski to build the section, and now I put the
shears in my pack. I started heading for the truck.

Before split rock there was a 4" tree across the trail that wasn't on
the ground, it no longer is there. I then saw a leaner that I moved so
it would fall, and cleared it from the trail. The leaner just south of
split rock I left. It it gets cut, it looked to me like a lot of debris
will come down too. In Blue Jay I cleared the branches from the big
tree and beat on the trunk some. It will rot quickly, and its easy to
get through.

I cleared the small tree in Blue Jay that I walked around on the way in.
One cut and de-branching was all that was required.

Another leaner was removed on the climb up out of Blue Jay, and one was
left- its not ready. Hiking north there is the point where someone had
cleared out on the cliff edge, as opposed to the official trail. It
looked like both were getting about equal usage. It was never clear
where those that took the cliff then came back to the original trail, my
guess is that it is multiple places.

I walked out to hackers.

After hackers the tree across the trail required one cut and some
de-branching. Its gone.

About half way between hackers and the large flat rock I refer to as the
table (trail goes right over it) there was a huge dead tree right beside
the trail. It was leaning downhill away from the trail, but in looking
at it, I wondered why it was still standing. I weakened it on the down
hill side, then got above and whacked away. I quit and was about to
give up, and I heard it creaking, one more whack, and the creaks started
more-so. I watched it, it probably took it about 45 seconds of creaking
before it went. Then boom- instant view through the scrub pines.

Oh well enough fun. I cut some drainage for the low spots in fern
canyon. They were very wet. I also cleared leaves so Jason's puddle
will drain better.

Between hackers and the huge tree table rock went from being in the sun
to none- very quick. It would be interesting to see if you can see the
shadow move one day.

I hiked out to the truck. Got there at 5:31pm.

10/22/2009 Upper Pinch In

Date of work 10/22/2009
Number of workers 1 (Jim de Friess)
time spent 6 hours (includes commute)

I've started a waterbar project for Pinch In. My goal is to make the
trail down to Falcon rock marvelous. With this in mind I go out there
and look for places with evidence of water running down the trail, and
then waterbar accordingly. Calling them dips would not fit the
definition, but I do try and make a nice wide berm- they seem to hold up
far better.

I was just on Pinch In last week and two trees had fallen across the
trail in that time. One was 100' from the trail entrance. When it hit
it shattered (from brittleness) and no cuts were necessary. It was just
a matter of clearing the brush from the trail.

I cleaned out/built waterbars where I thought they were needed. Some
are as close as 20-30' apart, but the trail should hold up better.

Near the place where several trees had fallen across the trail and I had
it temporarily re-routed for a time - finally getting it open again
recently- there was yet another tree across the trail. It too was hard
and brittle, so it was easy to clear.

I looked at standing leaners on the way down. One being beside the
trail I weakened it in a direction I ultimately wanted it to fall. It
was hard wood, and I did no more chopping on standing deads. It is my
hope they will fall and break up as the one near the trail head did.
There are multiple that will eventually fall across the trail. I can't
count and walk up and out- sorry- I lose track. I would need to mark
something as I count. For that reason the number of waterbars put in is
a guess. I'm guessing 10-12 majors ones. 6-8 minor ones. The
difference being some parts of the trail a mound of dirt is all that is
required, the runoff is there. Other parts the water has been running
down the trail eroding it. To get the water off and berm, you need more
dirt and you have to dig further for drainage.

I didn't get as far as I wanted to, but I did make progress. I'm
pleased with it.

The maples are really showing off - green, yellow, orange and red all on
the same tree. Green is about gone higher up.

A wonderful day in the woods.

October 15, 2009 upper Pinchin

Date of work: 10-15-2009
number of workers: 1 Jim deFriess
time spent:5.5 hours - includes commute
Work accomplished: I hiked down to Falcon rock and worked the trail up
from there. I focused on waterbars, and getting water off the trail as
fast as possible. I also widened a little the trail in places.

I worked up to the point where some people cross Pinchin on what they
like to call Rockjock. Did a few waterbars above that, and then hiked
out.

Part of that section is the low spot and a natural drainage. I built a
few waterbars to get water off the trail, but if the volume is enough it
will come back on further downhill. Hopefully some will soak in off the
trail. I need to bring the trail just up hill on the north side of the
way it exists now, and then provide escape paths for water back to the
low spot.

It was very foggy, I took two pics, all they show is fog. A hunter
walked by, he was letting his dogs run up the gorge, and went down
Pinchin to try and cut them off. Trucks with dog cages were plentiful.

The temp was perfect, the rain was gentle, another great day in the
woods.

Work Report Conley Cove 1oct2009

Date: 1oct2009
Workers: 1 Ken Crump
Time:   8.5 hours including travel

Work Report:

I was about to forget to write this report.  Been busy.  Like Jim said, the
weather was much improved over the previous Thursday. 

We clipped down the trail, and sawed off the snags that were reaching out trying
to grab backpacks, along with a couple across the trail.  The trash detail took
a bit of time, but now things are nice and clean, at least to the south of Conley.

Like Jim said, there is a mess of stuff down immediately north of Conley.
It is crosscut work though, and won't be easy with that.  Also at least a couple
trees across Conley itself that will need to be cut at some point. 

We worked slowly back to the top, clipping as we went.  The small vegetation
is now very much under control.

So, we trimmed up and trashed out.

Another good day in the woods.

Thanks Jim.

Ken

Conley Cove Oct 1, 2009

Date of work: Oct 1, 2009
number of workers:1 ( Jim de Friess)
time spent: 8 hours (includes commute)

Work done: What a difference a week makes. After a hot, physically
draining, buggy trip on RJ last week. Ken and I met at Old Conley in a
cool gentle breeze. Leaving Gatorade in the creek to keep it cool we
clipped and sawed our way down Conley.

At the bottom we gathered trash to carry out, and enjoyed a snack
watching the river.

Then we clipped our way back up Conley, rescued the cool Gatorade from
the creek and drank it. I would say Conley is in good shape for fall
and winter. There is also less trash in the campsites at the bottom.

Ken pointed out that the big tree I thought was hemlock across the LGT
about 50' from Conley was an Oak (about 2' diameter). There is also a
new fallen Hickory (1.25 ') across the trail on near the bottom. Its a
low duck to get under, but possible. Everything else can be easily
stepped over- well- There is a uprooted trunk and a large log near it on
the uphill side that is hard to squeeze through.

We were in the woods 6 hours and I don't remember a bug buzzing me at
all. I was also able to mostly be in the shade.

Another good day in the woods, thanks Ken.

Jim d

Work Day 24Sep2009 South Rockjock

Date: 24Sep2009
Workers: 1  Ken Crump
Time Spent: 10 hours (includes commute)
Work Done:  Sheared Rockjock from road to beyond Crevasse Creek

I caught up with Jim's truck on the way up Kistler.  We parked and hit the
trail.  Like Jim said, we clipped lightly on the way down the hill, and probably
a little more intensely after passing through the back of Mossy canyon.

The objective was to work the area between Moonshine Canyone and Tshirt Point
really well.  We didn't quite make it do Moonshine due to time and the hot/humid/buggy
conditions, but the area from beyond Crevasse Creek back to Tshirt is now in really
good shape.  The trail beyond that was very discernable, so I'm sure Moonshine is
not too bad since we were there in July.

We also threw some deadfall out of the trail in several places.  There are a few
new logs down, but due to the weather conditions we left them for cooler times.
They can be gotten over easily.

I took a few photos, and I'll try to get those posted somewhere tonight.

We saw lizards, buzzards, a wood pecker, lots of deer tracks, a turkey on
Kistler, and Jim almost killed a Deere on 126 (that guy was really lucky).

Another good day in the woods Jim.  I enjoyed it in spite of the conditions.

Ken

Work report 9/24/2009 Southern RockJock

Date of work: 9/24/2009
Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
Time spent: 9.5 hours (includes commute)
Work accomplished: Shear work on the southern end of Rock Jock,
concentrated in the area north of Tee shirt point.

Details: I met Ken at the southern entrance of Rock Jock and we
proceeded down the trail. Our initial plan was to hike to Moonshine
canyon and work back, but we clipped a little along as we went north.

We made it to tee shirt in about 1.5 hours, and beyond there the trail
thinned significantly. It is still easily discernible, but the path is
crowded. We went two drainages past Tee shirt and out to point beyond
the second one furthest east along the trail. Clipping the non grass
(and some grass) back to where it should be.

We then hiked out pretty well spent from the full son, high humidity,
and 80 degree temps. The bugs were out too- all day.

In reflecting back to last year it took a lot more trips to get the
trail pushed north and open as far as we did yesterday in one trip. So
it is getting easier. Walking out -up the last hill to the road, tired
did not make me feel like it was getting easier however.

It was a good day in the woods, Mossy falls was flowing cool refreshing
water, and the company was first rate.

Sept 17th work report Conley Cove/RJ

Date of work: Sept 17, 2009
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
Time spent: 8.5 hours includes commute
Work accomplished: Shear work mostly, some pulaski, and hauled out some
trash. Details as follows.

I parked at "old conley" proceeded to RJ and sheared the small section
of RJ from the campsite to Conley cove trail. It could use some more,
but its much wider now. Sling blade may have been better- but left at
home.

At Conley Cove I turned right (down the hill and was planning to shear
only "worst offenders" as I proceeded down the trail. I get carried
away though. I left the truck at 9 am and got to the Conley Cove/LGT
intersection at 1:24 pm. With all the posts on snakes I kept my eyes
open. Conley could use some more work too, but it too is better.

At LGT I was planning to hike north to the downed trees I had heard
about. Standing at the trail intersection I counted 5 tree trunks
across LGT within 50' of Conley. Two of the trunks are small and on the
ground, easy to step over. One other is about a 2' diameter tree, which
I de-branched in one spot to allow a safer step over and around- it is
on the ground. The major obstruction is a 3+' diameter tree that fell
from a campsite above the trail all the way to the river. Someone had
placed (very well) rock steps up to the campsite, and the base of the
tree could be walked around going that way. I cleared to hopefully make
it obvious. The big tree is 1-2' above the trail where it crosses so
going around is the only option for now. The last trunk is beside the
big tree, and once I figured going around was the only option I paid it
no attention.

I then took out a trash bag and started getting trash out of the fire
rings north of Conley. I had nearly a bag full when I decided I better
check the fire ring to the south. It too had trash in it, I found a
rain suit, pair of pants, tee shirt (in the tree), and water container-
a big nice five gallon one south of the southern fire ring. I already
had a bag full of non-combustibles (cans, beer cans, bottles, and some
paper trash, so most of the garbage in the campsite south got left. I
did get the non- combustibles out of the fire ring though. I double
bagged and placed what I felt I could carry out in my pack and started
up the hill.

I had the pulaski out for the walk up. I slipped where the Boy Scouts
had helped me make a path around another fallen tree about 3/4s of the
way down. I was going to dig flatter places to put feet on the hill.
There was also a couple trees across the trail I noticed on the way down
that I was going to try and cut. First tree I came to cut real well,
then I cut in the foot falls. By the time I got near the top, I walked
over the last tree I was planning to cut- I was tired and heading for
the truck.

Lessons learned- I hate my internal frame back pack because it has no
compartments. I decided to use it today because I felt it would be good
to haul trash out with. No compartments mean only one bag of trash and
it can be fairly large. On the way down it had my pulaski in it, the
hip belt it had was way better than my normal day pack on my shoulders.
I now like that pack for trail work.

On the way down there was a yellow jacket nest beside the trail (near
the bottom) - looked like a bear had been in it, I looked but not too
close- its on the downhill side, it can't be missed.

I got away without water (by accident) and then spent 6.5 hours on the
trail. All the creeks were still flowing none to little. I was pretty
tired as I reached the top, and left a step over tree for another time.

I passed 2 people and a dog on the way down- they said they were
"heading out because they were too moist". It had rained all the way up
there hard, then at dogback it was just a mist. It only misted on me
all day- when it did anything. Just like last week (on Pinch In) there
was fog at the top, and better visibility at the bottom.

Other than the fall I referred to earlier which was really an unintended
slide, the most frightful thing was on the way out. I was near the
bottom and all of a sudden there was a tremendous crash about 20 yards
behind me and 10 yards off the trail on the uphill side. I went back to
investigate and saw a huge dead standing tree, I guess it lost a limb as
I walked by. I also heard the loud crack of a tree falling on the way
down.

The Boy scouts did a marvelous job in June. I could tell where they had
worked on the trail (lower Conley), and the areas that would normally be
drier required almost no clipping- although I can usually find something
to clip. The moister areas had growth, but 6-8" high only.

It was a wonderful day in the woods, I almost let the forecast persuade
me not to go. I'm sure glad I didn't - what a wonderful world the
creator made.

There is still a bag of garbage that can be gathered on LGT south of
Conley. The sights to the North look OK- you never get it all.

Work Report - Pinchin - 10September2009

Date of work: 9/10/2009
Workers: 1 - Ken Crump
time spent 10 hours includes commute
Work done:

As Jim said, he had the parking area looking good when William and I arrived just before 9am.

We pulled our gear together and started down the hill.  I carried shears and clipped some as
we went.  The upper third of the trail was already in good shape, so the snipping was occasional.

At the river trail, we took a short break, then William left us to explore downstream a bit.  Jim
and I turned back uphill and started to work. An old food can was the first trash.  Jim had
a bag, so he became the "trash hauler".  I won't mention the later items, but they have now been
removed.  When we exited the woods, the shearing started in earnest.  We were moving slow
and clipping a lot, so Pinchin really didn't even get our heart rates up.  Standing on the steep
slope while working was a challenge in places, but all in all it was an easy climb.  William
later caught up to us again and kept us entertained with stories and good conversation the
rest of the day.

Pinchin is now clipped nice and wide.  The only challenge is the hill itself.

Thanks Jim and William for another good day in the woods.

Ken

Sept 10, 2009 Lower Pinch In

Date of work: 9/10/2009
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
time spent 9.5 hours includes commute
work accomplished:

Pre work- I clipped around the parking lot on both sides of the barrier
as needed. I gathered 12 beer cans from the woods to the left as you
are exiting the parking area.

Ken and William got there and we walked to the bottom of Pinch In trail,
Ken clipped a little as we went down, I cleaned out a few waterbars. At
the bottom we turned around and worked up with shears. We clipped along
the entire lower 2/3s of the trail. We also picked up trash on the way
up.

William explored and kept us amused while we worked our way up the
trail.

I cut down a dead dogwood that was hanging over the trail, and cleaned a
waterbar or two on the way up, but it was mostly shear work. Widening
the trail- clipping back growth.

We saw sumac that was "just right" that a "lemonade" like substance
could be made from- Ken tried it - I passed. We saw bear foraging signs
and scat (right in the middle of the trail), we saw where deer had been
eating acorns.

The weather was nearly perfect, we started in a dense fog, and just
below falcon rock the visibility improved. It was overcast all day and
consequently remained cool- I would say 70s, and there was a hint of fog
when we got back to the parking lot at the end of the day. The dampness
also seem to make the green more vivid, and there is some early autumn
color starting to creep in. The sassafras, and sourwood was turning.

It was a great day in the woods with good company.

Thanks Ken and William.

Pinch In 8/25/2009 upper third

Date of work 8/25/2009
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
time spent: 5 hours- (includes commute)

Work accomplished: I knew from a previous hike that there was a
blockage on Pinch In about 1/4 of the way down it. The goal was to
remove it, so I hiked with shears out down to the blockage cutting
minimally.

The blockage consisted of three different trees, one was a hardwood, and
was low enough it could be stepped over. It got left in the trail.
Another was a dead (hemlock or pine) it was removed in two cuts and they
were both fairly easy cuts- nice soft wood.

The third tree was the top of another hardwood and required a lot of
cuts. I essentially had to de-branch it - four cuts through pieces the
size of my upper arm, and many more cuts and breaks of annoying smaller
stuff that still stuck out over the trail. I considered carrying a bow
saw, but didn't- all work was with a pulaski and some cuts were tougher
that they should have been.

Anyway except for the step over trunk across the trail, I finally got
the obstruction cleared. The bypass route that hikers had been using
was blocked- I had plenty of material for that. There is another
tree-dead right beside the trail- soft wood and its leaning such that it
will probably fall lengthwise down the trail blocking it yet again. I
think it should come down, but a rope and some help may be needed.
While working I heard a tree fall to the south of the trail- I'm
guessing a 100 yards or so- I heard a crack, then the thud. There was
occasionally a breeze but no real wind.

Below the blockage I removed I saw a prime sight for a mini trail dip,
so I went and dug it in. Some of the mini dips I have put in are really
holding up well. Others not so good. It appears to me if I can trail
dip to at least 2' of tread reversal maintenance becomes very minimal.

I started working back up the hill looking for places to start/clean out
more dips. I think having one about every 50' or so on that trail would
be good, Eventually I think I'll get there- adding a few on every trip.
Modifying or enhancing others.

I also sheared meticulously going up the hill. Non-grass was my primary
target, there is a lot of grass on Pinch In and its knee high in places.

There was another place with a tree trunk across the trail and I dug a
dip just above it, and used the trunk to hold the dirt. On the downhill
side the trunk off the trail becomes the water bar channel.

After several rounds of digging, and looking at my watch, I put the
pulaski away, and continued my slow walk out shearing. All the way to
the truck.

I saw nobody on the trail, the white (with camper shell) truck (USFS)
was the only other vehicle in the parking lot.

I did not take pictures, It was a great day in the woods, I accomplished
what I set out to do, and actually did more.

work report 8/6/2009 Pinch In

Date of work 8/6/2009
Number of workers: 1 really- two went but only one worked the other
packed out the backpack.

time spent: 5 hours includes commute

Work accomplished:

Since it was hot the pulaski stayed in the truck. Only the shears went
down. I clipped as we went down Pinch In trail.

It was very obvious where the trail was and I clipped it a little wider
in the more narrow places.

At the bottom but before the river, as you enter deep woods I veered off
the trail to the north, looked for a path to the creek , crossed the
creek and looked at the camping possibilities. My landmark for leaving
the trail is just as it turns back to the right.

Most of the tree canopy was alive, plenty of firewood, the creek had
running water in it. There was one area that looked like a good place
for a campfire. No trees were near, no branches overhanging and a small
hole in the canopy about 100' up. Its at least a 150 yards off the
trail, and a good location for camping. It may be too rocky for tents,
some rocks might have to be moved, but the slope just about right -
slight downslope.

I thought it might be a good place, and it is.

Jared and I returned to the trail and hiked out. 1 hour 20 minutes
getting down and surveying the campsite, 1 hour 40 minutes up and out.
He carried the backpack.

Oh there is several new fallen trees across Pinch In. There is a big
step over (20-24" diameter hardwood -one cut, and several further down-
looks like a couple of tree tops right in the middle of the trail.
Hikers have been detouring around to the south side, I cleared some
brush to make the detour a little easier. My pulaski was in the truck.
When I do clear it, blocking the detour will be no problem.

It was a good day in the woods, but I'm tired and sore.

Jim d

Trail work July 18 and 19th 2009

Date of trail work ...... 18 & 19, 2009

Number of workers .... 1

Time spent .................... 11.5 hours (includes commute from Oak Ridge)

 

Summary report:

 

Well this trip was part work and mostly pleasure ... listing just the amount of time worked and travel time ... not the night I spent.

 

Ken and I arrived a bit after 8:00 am and got cars moved in position and back to South Rock Jock ... and started the trip. It started out nice and cool with low humidity but it didn't take long to work up a serious sweat in the sun. We worked from the trail head to where Jim had ended up last trip.

 

Had a great day working with Ken. I'm not sure but bending over clipping brush and briars with a backpack ... probably wasn't my best plan! That said I think we did a great job of getting Rock Jock clean clear and easy to follow. Few trees that we still need cross cut work ... or cooler weather!

 

It was great meeting Jim along the trail and getting to meet his son.

 

Ken and I took out one cluster of trees and another one on the south end. I encountered on big tree on the north end on my walk out that needs a cross cut crew for sure ... it's located at N 36 52.360', W 081 54.270'.

 

Speaking on the walk out this morning ... Jim and Ken had it so clean and groomed ... I kind of snipped as I walked at just a few remaining stragglers .... and that's about it.

 

Ken's report covers a lot of what happened but I need to add ... the low blue berries were sweet and plentiful and a true treat of the trail after the burn is the growth of Blackberries! Yes ... I avoided cutting absolutely no briars ... EXCEPT those that grew Blackberries!!! Like Ken said ... should have had a stick of butter, suger and a little flour ... and I'd have had cobbler for dinner!

 

Had a great night above Razor's Edge ... slept like a baby in my hammock. Most of the water sources are nearly dried up along Rock Jock ... Mossy, Zen Creek and just a little flow on Bluejay ... but the stream on Razor almost to the cliffs ... has a bit more flow and a most excellent taste!

That stream can be found at N 35 52.367, W081 54.287.

 

Going to have to do that again ... great place to spend a night.

 

Regards .... Michael

 

Work Report - Rockjock - 19july2009

Work Date: 7/19/2009
Workers : 1 Kenneth Crump
time spent: 11.5 hours including commute time
Work done: Shearing summer growth along Rockjock Trail

I met Michael at Conley Cove just before 8:30am.  Michael was plannng to
thru-hike Rockjock, working along the way and to camp Sunday night somewhere
in the Razor's Edge area. We left his car at Conley and took mine to the
south end of the trail and were soon on the trail. The work zone started just
north of Tshirt point, but we did some light clipping before that, and removed
two trees along the way.  After Tshirt Point we were working both sides of the
trail with shears, trying to close the gap to where Jim had reached last Thursday
in Moonshine Canyon.

Despite the weather forecast, it was hot and sweaty work. Upon entering Moonshine
we had pretty much run out of energy, and began just making sure the trail was passable
and open. We made sure to get all the briars and clear the foot path, but cutting
wide was pretty much over.

There are two drainage areas in the back of Moonshine about 100 yards apart.
We stopped at the southern most one for a break.  I knew Jim's Thursday work
should have reached the northern drainage.  I hiked up there and found the end of
his work, then went back to Michael.  We were hearing voices up in the Chimney
area, then suddenly heard voices nearby.  Someone was coming!  After listening
a minute and hearing no more we started working again, rounded a corner to
find Jim clipping away.  Michael moved on north to find a camping spot while
Jim, Jared and I finished up that short area and then worked back to the north.

I failed to mention this earlier.  Michael and I were clearing the heavy weeds in
the back of the first drainage north of Tshirt, when I heard something snap ahead.
I looked up and saw a lady crossing a small pine log.  She was saying something, so
I figured there was someone else behind her.  Turned out there was not.  She
was alone, thru-hiking Rockjock.  She said she'd been this far south before, but
had turned around and gone back to the north. She was from Newton, NC, but if
she gave her name I've forgotten it.  We gave her some pointers for getting through
Mossy Canyon, and she continued on.  Wish I could get my wife to even enter
the woods!!

Since Jim was parked to the north, I hiked on through with them.  Jim and I
visited Michael's camp for a bit and returned his loppers we'd been using, then
we were off for Conley.  Jim and Jared gave me a ride back to my vehicle.

It was a long day, and I'm a little slow today, but Rockjock should be good
on into the fall now.

Ken

RockJock trailwork 7/19/2009

Date of work: 7/19/2009
Number of workers : 2 - Jim de Friess and Jared de Friess
time spent: about 5 hours each (including commute)
Work done: clipped back growth along RJ.

We hiked in from the North to where I quit Thursday and started clipping
to the south. In about 100 yards Michael and Ken popped around the
corner. Michael then proceeded North while Jared and I worked with Ken
on the trail corridor in Moonshine canyon.

ROCKJOCK has been clipped all the way through- spread the word.

Since it is so hard to get to we made sure we clipped wide. Ken had
been going all day so after about one hours work he was ready to go
visit Michael. We went with him.

It took us an hour to get to the trail head, an hour to hike into
Moonshine, an hours work, then two hours out.

On the way out we took a side trip (which I'm not counting as work
time). We went out toward Razor's edge. I saw the exact spot that I
fell at last year. The activity in the area now bypasses that spot.
I'll have to visit again when the leaves fall off the trees.

We then hiked out, I pointed out to Ken two places the trail needs a
minimal reroute (within its corridor) to avoid steep slippery hills. It
looks like it was flagged and built to avoid brush, but now that it
exists two tweaks are in order. He concurred.

I gave Ken a ride to his truck at the south entrance of RJ.

It was a good day in the woods.

Jim d

RockJock work 7/16/2009

Date of work: 7/16/2009
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
Time spent: 11 hours- includes commute.
Work done: shear work on Rockjock hiking from north to south. I also
moved a couple small trees that had fallen across the trail.

Now the story. Well I was going to go regardless. After what Ken did
Tuesday and the way the weather looked - I might have made the same
decision in his shoes. I left later than I thought but got to old
Conley about 8:30. There was a white US government plated vehicle
parked where we normally park to work on the southern part of RJ. It was
a small SUV. There was no occupant. From what I could tell driving by
Tuesday was a success.

I continued on and was passed by two USFS vehicles, a small ranger and a
small green SUV behind it- this was on Dog Back they were heading south
and me north. Maybe our forest service friends will enlighten us as to
their mission(s).

I parked at old Conley, didn't see Allen figured he wasn't coming since
Ken wasn't so I took my coca cola and was going to put it in the first
stream -so it would be cold on exit. Found the first stream not
running. So I decided to carry it to Jason's puddle. There was a tree
across the trail just past the first creek, I was able to push it out of
the trail. There was another on the decline toward Jason's puddle a
Rhodo, fortunately it broke easily, and I cleared it too.

Jason's puddle was dry. I was only clipping worst offenders, but
generally what Ken and I had done was looking pretty good. I decided to
carry my coke to Bluejay Falls.

At Bluejay Falls there were a couple drips, but no puddles. The coke
went into the pack, yes I carried it the rest of the way.

Now that both hands were free, I started clipping wider, I worked up the
boulder field which was passable then turned left at the top. The trail
was pretty thin, so I clipped it wide. All the way to split rock was
thin- not any more. At split rock I made a mental note that it would be
a good place to retreat to if a thunderstorm came along. The sky was
still threatening, I had seen some mist in the gorge. After split rock
it was still a little narrow so I kept clipping.

When I rounded the corner by the turn for one bat cave the trail was in
good shape. I clipped but I was able to make good time and distance.

When the trail turned uphill a few hundred yards before the next creek
crossing (which was only dripping too). I noticed a bunch of wasps.
Evidently I had disturbed their nest, and they were buzzing and crawling
out like they were drunk. I backup up about 10' and watched, they never
showed any interest in me, I guess they are used to a downed tree
disturbing their nest and having to relocate. In just a minute or so I
quickly went by them, then carefully clipped back to where I stopped
which was about a foot from their nest. There is also tree across the
trail before this point. I had it in my mind to try for tee shirt, so I
didn't take out the pulaski for it. It can be gotten under easily.

Beyond the wasps I clipped, and went through the next creek. The growth
was bad in patches, some of the trail looked good, other places it took
a while to clip through.

I passed the turn to razor's edge, which looked more used than the trail
beyond. I clipped the growth back going up the hill and through the
next drainage area (creek- which was also dry). The south side of that
canyon if that is what is is had some dense growth as well. I also
noticed now I had more sun than clouds.

Then it got better out of the canyon. Here another wasp landed on my
shear handles and started crawling up toward my hands. I put them down
suddenly and he was still on there. I was about to squash him when he
flew to a nearby tree and took off. Within a minute or two a hornet
landed on my handles. I was thinking mad wasps or hornets could be
worse than a snake, cause you couldn't get away if they decided to sting
you, and now I had a third encounter. I did notice at a break several
wasps crawling on my clippings, maybe they were grateful for sap access.

The trail started turning into the next canyon which I believe is
moonshine canyon. It looks like it has two (northern one is now dry)
stream crossings according to the map. It really got thick here. There
was evidence that someone had passed not too long ago, but they had to
swim through the growth. Right in the middle was a burnt tree trunk
across the trail (6" maybe) and probably hard as a rock. There was no
way (as fatigue was setting in) I was getting out the pulaski, so I
clipped around it and it can be stepped over- hopefully its one cut for
next time.

I really slowed at this point, fatigue and thick brush, but was
determined to get to a common reference point. I decided the stream bed
would be an appropriate stopping point but it was 200 yards away. I
clipped, I rested, I clipped, I rested. I finally walked to the stream
bed, clipped across it and slowly worked back.

The northern most stream bed in Moonshine is as far south as I got Ken-
sorry to say. I think that is right anyway - two stream beds south of
the turn to razor's edge. This one had the loose white (light colored)
rocks.

My back was hurting, my arms were tired, and I reasoned I had enough
liquid left for the walk out. So I turned around. I took four breaks
coming out. One just south of the turn to razor's. One where I slipped
coming down a hill - 600-700 yards south of the approximate turn for One
bat (that turn wasn't obvious). One at Bluejay Falls. I laid down on a
rock there. One at hacker's point.

With all the snake sightings I was a little on edge. I startled several
lizards, and when the took off I jumped too. That must have happened
5-6 times. I did not take my camera though. At hacker's the views were
great, the humidity had gone down, and there was only a hint of haze. I
watched two buzzards float up on an updraft.

I headed for the truck. Got there and drove home. When I got to lower
elevation the heat started getting to me. I made it home, cleaned up.
Got some ice and drank that coke.

It was a good day in the woods. I think we will have RJ more hiker
friendly and sooner than last year for the Fall show. Get the word out.
There is a hint of color along the trail (the low stuff where I cut). I
hope its an indicator that growing season is winding down, and the dry
weather now is hurting growth also.

Jim d

Training and Trail Work 14july2009

Trail:  Rockjock (south end)
Workers: Ken Crump,  Grant,  and Luke
Time Spent: 10.5 hours including class time and travel time (edit that if needed Pat, don't know if you include class time or not)

Work done:

After Grant and Luke had their class training in the morning we moved to the south end of Rockjock
trail, arriving there at about 11:30am.  Guess what?  The temporary signs I had hung about 9 feet
off the ground are already gone.  Saw no sign of them or the rope.  Oh well, I guess someone really
needed two Rockjock signs.

We started at the road and worked through the 200 feet or so  that needed attention there, using loppers
and shears.  These guys didn't really need any instruction.  The work seemed to come naturally to them.
After that area we decided to hike to the cliff edge and work on the way out.  We ended up going as far
as "Balanced Rock" where we took a short break. Then we started slowly back out working as we moved
along.  It was amazing how the plants have grown, trying to cover the trail just since Jim and I were there
a few weeks ago.  Our goal today was to make sure the trail bed was clear and visible and that hikers
could easily pass.  I think we accomplished that.

Just before coming out of the canyon we came to some deadfall that Jim and I had skipped due
to the heat and fatigue.  I decided to have a little pulaski demonstration. We ended up taking
turns and had it cleared up in just a few minutes.  From there we worked our way slowly back
up the hill clipping, shearing and cleaning some waterbars as we went.

It was a good day, and I think we accomplished a lot for an afternoon's work.  Grant and Luke are
easy to work with and seem to enjoy the challenge.  Thanks for the help on Rockjock guys.
I think you can handle anything you encounter without problems.

We saw no other hikers, only a few cars on the road. I did see a rabbit on Paddy's Creek Road, and
we saw  one hawk and a few vultures.  The low growing blueberries are nice and sweet. The bears
are gonna eat good this year.

Debbie and Pat, it was good to see you today and to meet Leigh.

Ken

July 11, 2009 Bynum Bluff trail

Date of work: July 11, 2009
Number of workers: 2 Jim and Jared de Friess
Time spent: 5 hours each- which includes commute
work accomplished:

We got bored and went to Bynum bluff. We started with shears and
loppers down the trail, when we got to where people weren't using the
switchback we discovered they had thrown the obstacles I placed there
Thursday out of the way. We widened the trail they are supposed to use,
and placed a bigger pile of brush to be moved in both the upper and
lower ends of the shortcut. There was also a standing dead tree (4") at
the lower end, I cut it down and fell it where people shouldn't have
been walking but were. Maybe....

While I was doing this, Jared went down to where we stopped being
thorough Thursday and worked his way back up. He only had shears, but
he was doing a fine job. Some loppers on the lower reaches may be in
order still. There is also some tread work that can be done where it
side hills on the way down.

Over all it is in much better shape. It was shady, no bugs, and 10
drops of rain on us and a thunder clap. A storm edge maybe went by.

It was a great day to be in the woods, and I watched a group use the
switchback they were supposed to as they hiked out.

09709 Bynum Bluff trailwork

Date of work: July 9, 2009
Number of workers: Jim deFriess and Mark Conforti
Time spent 6 hours: includes commute
Work accomplished:

We arrived at the trail head at 8am and proceeded to hike to the river.
Major stuff was clipped on the way down. The missed switchback was
clearly more used than the trail. Not having anything really big to
stack in it we continued down. On the lower end of the switchback it
was easier to block but still not too effectively. We wanted to get to
the river so we proceeded.

At the river we took in the beauty of the canyon, and watched the fish
for a brief period of time before starting back out. I had set an alarm
so we would get back early afternoon and we worked from the river up
several hundred yards. The trail in that area is very crowded, it
really needs Jason and his saws, but we opened it up considerably, both
of us using loppers. We may have gotten half way back to the LGT when
the alarm went off alerting us that it was time to head out.

At that point we cut a few things walking back up and out. We put a
dead tree in the missed switchback part of the trail and tried to make
the turn very obvious. At the other end of it we also paused to cut a
little extra to attempt to block the entrance to the steep shortcut and
encourage people to use the less steep route.

We ate some blueberries, some were ready- looks like there will be some
for the next several weeks.

It was a great joy working with Mark, I don't think he broke a sweat.
The weather was overcast, bugs were minimal. Another wonderful day in
the woods.

work report 6/20/2009 (Conley cove)

Date of work: 6/20/2009
Number of workers: 2 Jim and Jared de Friess
Time spent: 6 hours (includes commute)

Work accomplished: General trail maint on Conley Cove is a pretty good
summary. The details are as follows.

I was going to meet the Scouts from Charlotte at the Conley Cove trail
head just before 9am. I got there just after 8 am and noticed a note on
a van stating the scouts had already gone to the bottom of the hill.

Jared and I set out, he had the shears, I had the Pulaski. He started
trimming worst offenders, and I got ahead of him. I worked on some of
the muddy areas, trying to get active water off the trail. I also was
trying to get to the bottom pretty fast so I did minimal work going
down. Jared maintained a much slower pace shearing (he has a summer
cold and didn't feel well).

I met my first group of scouts by the 12" hickory that was across the
trail. They were in process of sawing it with a bow saw on the uphill
side. Another scout was chopping the other side with a hatchet, which
he eventually broke the handle on. Beyond them was the leader. They
had sent a group south on LGT to work about an hour and return, he had
passed on the information I had emailed him about trail corridor. He
was cleaning out a waterbar, and said others were working below.

They ended up using my pulaski to finish the hickory- at least the first
cut. I did tell them they had to watch out for cut trees sliding down
the hill and they were appropriately cautious. The second cut should
have been very straight forward as the trunk across the trail was
hanging in mid air.

I did give the leader an 1986 map, they had the national geographic
version- which only shows RJ going to about blue jay canyon. I pointed
out the Pinch In, LGT, Conley, and RJ "almost loop" as I call it and
told him that is where I concentrate. I also told him he send a group
down RJ , that some flagging existed, but it seemed to me I was planting
seeds for future efforts. I told them if they could get Conley done it
would be huge. He said something about I could talk to them at lunch,
but I didn't promise. Jared as you recall was working alone slowly
descending, and I had his water.

There was a tree- huge, that had fallen across the trail that I had to
pass on the way down. I told the leader I was heading for that
obstruction, and then probably up and out. The tree blocked the trail,
those passing below had to cross a 2' diameter trunk, and it appeared
some had slide down about 10-12' below the trail in their attempts.
Other hikers were going around on the uphill side. Coming down the
trail it was easy to get to the top side of the root ball, however the
established path was to slide down about a 70% slope while holding onto
a tulip poplar. I can't imagine how it was negotiated going up. My
plan was to notch it, and we did. I placed the notch too high, and
jumping back down on the trail on either side of the notch was not
without difficulty, because the trail had worn thin. About 16" of tread
width to hit and a steep hill awaiting pieces to give way. I didn't
think that was going to be a good solution long term. So I cut the
growth and the tulip poplar and made a less steep more backpacker
friendly climb to the uphill side of the root ball. One of the scouts
that was working with me had said he wanted to be a civil engineer, and
he helped a great deal. He was pleased with the bypass I instructed him
to build. If the trunk is cut, it may roll down the hill (another trail
section is below), or it may need to be rolled down the hill to have
decent tread width. Anyway that is for the experts to decide. It is
definitely more passable now. On the up uphill side and at the highest
point we made the tread a little more friendly.

While we were working in that area more Scouts showed up- those that had
driven up this morning. Also Jared.

I had walked down a narrow path, so Jared carried the Pulaski and I took
the shears on the way up. I clipped as I went, but Jared had made it
much better already. Not 4' wide, but a definitely noticeable clipping.
A couple areas I widened- Poison Ivy Ones, and some nettles.

There were two small trees across the trail one was cut right in the
middle and Jared and I cut the other one right in the middle. I hoped
the scouts would get another section of each with the bow saws.

I also worked where a stream crossed the trail, part of it was diverted
down the trail, I think I got it diverted to where only about 10' of the
trail will be an active stream, with plenty of rocks to step across.

Further up was another pine, waist high, we left it- hopefully for the
scouts. On the uphill side I could see a broken off trunk and the tree
was about 8" diameter where it needed to be cut.

At the RJ intersection it always seems wet, I 90 degreed a path across
the trail where some water could be diverted, and did a little tread
work where it looks like people had been sliding.

We made it out 4 hours after we went in. I passed a group of hikers who
claimed to have seen a copperhead on their way up. They said he was
leaving the trail area. The parking area at the trail head was full.

As to weather, it was cloudy all morning with the clouds breaking as we
returned to the car. Bugs were not a problem, a significant breeze
remained prevalent. Good conditions, but nevertheless I was spent.

Jared took me to Chik-Fil-A - dad's got a free milkshake for father's
day.

It is my hope the Scouts will help again in the future. It was a good
day in the woods. No pictures.

Jim d

6/18/2009 trailwork Southern Rock Jock

Date of work 6/18/2009
Number of workers:1 Jim de Friess
time spent 10 hours (even though two of that is commute- it is still way
too much time to be working in the gorge on a hot day)

I have very little to add to what Ken posted, I got there before he did
and trimmed the parking area. He pretty well described it.

I sling bladed way too long, but we got that part in good shape as he
said.

We noticed Poison Ivy crossing the trail near the back of Mossy Canyon,
and there was some on the road where we parked.

There were also some new trees across the trail, and since we were able
to step over them, we felt others could also. We were trying to get
near half way on the way in so we let them go, and on the way out we
were too tired.

SLOW-LOW is right.

I took no camera.

These posts are automatically going to a google blog at this address

http://lgtrailwork.blogspot.com/

>From ken's post he is highlighting the section of trail we worked -there
is a link. Michael's response went to the blog too. I deleted it from
the blog. Reply to all- kill the blog address, I wouldn't have thought
that would happen. Oh well.

Trail Work on Rockjock 18jun09

18jun2009
Trail: Rockjock 
Workers: Ken Crump
Time Spent: 10.5 hours including travel time

Work done:

I met Jim at the south end of Rockjock at about 8:15 this morning. Our tentative
plan was to hike to the Crevasse Creek area where I had worked to earlier in the
spring and try to work back to Mossy Falls where we had worked to from the south
last time.  Well, you know what they say about the "best laid plans".  We found
that with all the recent rain and warm weather, that the vegetation had grown heavily,
and in spots the trail was becoming almost overgrown again.  So, we ended up doing
some work as we descended to the cliff line, and then really picked up the pace in
Mossy Canyon.  Jim was using his sling, and I was working with shears. 

It was hot and sweaty work, but with a couple of short breaks, we made it to
the point known as Tshirt, and declared that our turn around point at around 2pm
or a little later. Tshirt is not quite as far as we'd talked about making it, but if
we'd continued I'm afraid we'd have become buzzard bait and we were both
drained of energy.  So, we turned around and started making our way back, doing
some clipping on the return trip also.  We took a good break at Mossy Falls, using
bandannas soaked in the cool water to refresh ourselves.  That and sitting in the
shade for a while seemed to help a lot.  After that it was navigate the slick wet rocks
in the back of the canyon and then make our way up the hill to the road.  We did
that in the only gear left SLOW-LOW. There is a short section near the road that
still needs some attention, but the rest of the area we covered today is now in pretty
good shape.  Who knows what will grow over the next few weeks though.

I have a trailwork map here:

http://www.linvillegorge.net/trailwork.html

Give it 20 seconds or so to load and the trails will be visible with some waypoints.
You can zoom in and out and move around.  A list of tracks will show up.  The
last two are Sunday's, and today's work areas. Clicking the track name will turn
them on and off. Today's track measured about 1.2 miles.  Sunday's about 0.6.

We didn't see a soul today, but the buzzards were watching us closely.
Thanks for another great day in the Gorge, Jim, and thanks for all your help.

Ken

June 14, 2009 Trail work -Northern Rock Jock

Date of work: June 14, 2009
Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
time spent: 7 hours includes commute
Work accomplished: Summary of work- we (me and Ken) clipped growth back
using a sling blade and shears.

We had posted to Yahoo to see if anyone wanted to join us for today's
work trip. We meet at Pinch In trail head, then go to the work site.

Today while we were waiting two men (father and son) pulled into the
parking lot. They inquired if we anything about trail work, and said
they were part of a Charlotte Scout troop that was planning to come to
the gorge next weekend for trail work.

They came this weekend to scout out the trails, their plan was to go
down Pinch In up LGT, and then turn around. We discussed their group
size (I was under the impression it would be about 30) and he said some
people had opted out of going since work would be involved. I told them
they should go down Pinch In then north and come out Conley. I also
told them a day trip down Babel to clip would be nice. They seemed most
interested in southern LGT, but were going to keep their options open.
He wanted to make it a yearly thing at least- we could always hope.

He wanted a trail maintenance demonstration for his boys, I said I might
be willing to do that for him. The USFS should have first chance though
if they can. He's thinking it needs to be on Saturday, I did give him my
telephone and email.

Ken and I then headed for old conley- the shortcut into north RJ. Once
we got to the trail we started clipping and widening. Flagging that may
have led an unsuspecting hiker down a spur trail was removed, and the
main trail was worked, new growth clipped back. We worked going uphill
and coasted down, that lasted all of one hill as we worked all of fern
canyon.

Coming out of fern we took a break, other than the large flat area that
looks down on hacker's point. We then decided to go to hacker's because
we had heard of some activity there, and wanted to see what was done.

At hackers, and part of the way down into bluejay we widened the trail
to a proper width and removed some of the spurious trail flagging. Our
effort focused on making the proper trail the most inviting.

Just passed where the trail turns right (or else you go out to hackers
point) about 20 yards down there is a steep rock. Ken went over it and
was working ahead. It looked like someone had done a little work to
make it so that a hiker would not have to go down that rock. I was
sling blading beside it when something moved. It was a copperhead,
right eyes, head shape, everything. He was laying just under the low
end of the rock - Ken passed about 2 feet from the edge on the rock. He
didn't like my sling blading in that area so he grew legs and ran (just
kidding- he definitely slithered) further under the rock. It all
happened so fast that a picture was not possible. We worked ahead and
when we came back on the way out we looked for it (or brothers, sisters,
cousins, etc) to no avail.

I said he grew legs so Michael would know that not only are briers
afraid of me. Of course a yellow hat and sling blade does make me
pretty scary.

I had an evening appointment so we turned and worked what we walked by
until Ken's watch said 5, then we only clipped major offenders as we
walked out.

When we got to the road the younger of the two men was walking back
toward Pinch In parking. They had decided not to go up Pinch In but
rather Conley. He and his father had separated (he was faster), and he
was to walk the road back to the car, and come back for dad. Ken gave
him a ride.

As we went up over Dogback mtn, he commented that his road walk would
have been "some hike".

What a wonderful gorge day, I met the scoutmaster bringing young trail
workers next weekend, and saw my first actual poisonous snake in the
gorge.

Jim d