LGTrailwork

South RJ - near the road

2012-02-05T16:13:00.001-05:00

Date of work: Feb. 5, 2012
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
Time spent: 4 hours - includes commute
Work done: Upper south end of RJ, I cut down 5 trees and worked on or built 10 waterbars. I only worked down to sitting rock (1/3 of the way to the cliffs).

There was one particular tree across the trail, a big maple - hard as rock and waist high. The bases of these trees however are rotten so they break off at ground level. Since another even bigger one was leaning unfavorably I decided to cut it down too. Most of the other leaning trees were rotten and ready, I only cut the the rotten leaners.

I've had a great two days in the woods.

PI and LGT (route from PI to DF)- work report

2012-02-04T21:23:00.001-05:00

https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/February42012PinchInAndLGT

Pics from a trailwork trip Sat Feb 4, 2012

Work done: surveyed Pinch In trail, and LGT from Pinch In (PI) south to Daffodil flats (DF). Cleared a blocked section of LGT, and worked on waterbars and switchbacks on Pinch In. All Pulaski work, and the route from PI parking to DF is hikeable.

Time spent : 8 hours including commute

Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)

I hiked down PI in only cleaning out a few waterbars and planning future ones. I also considered minor switchback possibilities for the lower parts of PI that are the steepest or where the footing seemed such that someone could fall.

At the bottom of PI I went south on LGT, the goal was to get to DF, then work on the way back. Once at DF I took some pictures and then started back. I cleared a few trees and limbs and cleared a section that I had bypassed last April. I then closed the bypass. When I got close to the bottom land heading north I went off trail following the river. There was three fire rings, although none had looked recently used, 6-7 tires, but the woods were open and walking along the river was beautiful.

At the north end I rejoined LGT and then again went off trail to the river, following the river upstream coming back out at a campsite with a blue barrel.

Once on PI there was some new deadfall, and I removed just enough to easily get around. By this point I needed my energy. I did stop a couple time to debranch step over trees. Once starting up the steep part, when I got to a slick spot I took alternative routes to avoid it. One such route went right through a stand of devil's walking stick trees, I cut/debranched the trees, but did not do any tread modification.

Near the top I finished cutting a tree I had chipped at over several trips. There was two more Maples across the trail that could be stepped over that could be cut, and boy are they hard. They'll have to wait.

It was a great day in the woods and I sure needed it.

Dec 18th mid RJ

2011-12-18T17:37:00.001-05:00

Date of work: Dec 18th
Number of workers: 2 - Jim de Friess, Ken Crump
Time spent: 10 hours, includes commutes

Work done: Went to the middle of RJ and primarily did some tread work just south of Zen creek. Two trees fell in the old trail a couple years ago, and we had bypassed it just up the hill. Occasionally people go across the trunk and then find the next one, its obvious. Since the trees are huge and still in the trail, we did tread work to make the bypass permanent and tied it into the trail well. About 150 feet of tread work.

We then headed off toward the south side of Bluejay to the tree across the trail just above waist high. Its not there anymore. We cleared a few trees as part of the tread work and along the way to Bluejay.

A good day in the woods with a great person.

Dec 15, 2011 Uppermost Pinch In

2011-12-17T09:18:00.001-05:00

Date of work: Dec 15th 2011
number of workers : 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent: 3 hours (includes partial commute)
work done: reworked and built waterbars on the uppermost part of Pinch In. I think I did eight features to help runoff run off the trail instead of down. I would use a log on top of the waterbar to hopefully keep it from being trampled, but rather stepped over. We'll see how that works.

I only spent two hours on the trail, then went and cut a load of wood.

It was a great day.

Upper Pinch In - Dec. 11, 2011

2011-12-11T15:37:00.001-05:00

Date of work: Dec 11, 2011
Number of workers: 2 Jim and Terri de Friess
Time spent : 9 hours

Work done: My wife and I went out to Pinch In and walked down to the cliff area. Several more trees had fallen since the Thanksgiving weekend trip when I had been there last. I was able to chop the higher ones and either remove them, or reduce them to step overs. I also cleaned and re-established some waterbars. Terri clipped while I chopped.

At the cliffs we took a break (briefly). There was enough wind and the temps were in the 40s, so getting cooled off quickly happened.

Then I put the pulaski on my pack and took out shears, and we clipped the trail on the way out.

Upper PI is in decent shape. I always have thoughts of what can be done better, but who doesn't?

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

Southern LGT November 25th

2011-12-11T15:28:00.001-05:00

Date of work: November 25th, 2011
number of workers: 2 - Jim de Friess, Wayne Stines
Time spent:8.5 hours- includes partial commute, since our trip was not exclusively a work trip.

Work accomplished: Wayne and I backpacked in to camp along Pinch In trail, and then headed south toward daffodil flats (DF). We threw debris out of the trail and came to one area where people had been bypassing a trail blockage on the uphill side. It was a rather awkward bypass.

We continued south to an area just north of DF, where the trail come back to a point right along the river. We decided at that point to turn around. Last April I had noticed a campsite near the river and abandoned gear. It was still there. Wayne and I bagged it up and ultimately put it on a pole between us, and headed back toward our campsite. On the way back we stopped and cleared the place that was blocked with pulaski. From PI to almost DF along LGT should be in decent shape, one other area is blocked but bypassed, it would take a while to clear that one.

Once in camp, we sorted the trash and burned what we could. We divided up what wouldn't burn and carried it up PI the next day. It consisted of several pots, silverware, three glass bottles and two used propane cylinders.

October 11, 2011 northern RJ

2011-10-11T19:18:00.001-04:00

Date of work: 10-11-2011
Number of workers: 3 Jim d, Ken C, and Michael H
Time spent: 19 hours - includes commutes
Work done: The steep ascent to the south out of Fern canyon was addressed by cutting some nearly flat step like cuts, carefully and at an angle to hopefully allow water to run off, and not down the trail.

Clipping was also very thoroughly done from Hacker's point to the turn south beyond split rock.

We noticed a tree across the trail that will have to be crawled under south of split rock. The pulaski was behind the clippers so we were'nt able to address it on this trip. Aside from that RJ should be clear and open and clipped at least a little all the way through, being thinnest in moonshine canyon and south.

Great leaves, today. Rain was light, and we had a great day.

Oct 6, 2011 mid Rock jock

2011-10-06T23:01:00.001-04:00

Date of work :10-6-2011
number of workers: 2 - Ken Crump and Jim de Friess
time spent: 17 hours includes commute
Work done: Ken and I went in to mid Rock Jock to work on trees across the trail that were a little higher than step over. We worked on 4 waist high trees. Two side by side about 300 yards from Split Rock, a big pine just north of the next creek heading south (Zen creek) and another just before the second creek heading south (Razor creek). If my memory serves all the difficult trees to cross have been addressed for the entire trail. We'd like to do a little more work on the pine near Zen creek, but we were able to cut it once and leverage the top part to the north creating a gap that can be stepped through.

The other work we did was to clip the trail from about 300 yards south of split rock all the way to razor creek very well.

The thin spots (need more clipping) in the trail are from razor creek south to somewhere on the other side of Moonshine canyon. Also from hackers point to beyond split rock.

The trail however is discernible and open, and now has four less hard trees to cross.

The leaves were beautiful, and it was a great day in the woods with great company.

9-25-2011 RJ

2011-09-25T23:22:00.001-04:00

Date of work: 9-25-2011
number of workers : 2 Jim de Friess, and Ken Crump
time spent : 22 hours includes commutes
Work done: We clipped from Mossy falls (where we got to last Tuesday) all the way past Tee shirt point and into the back of the next canyon. We clipped thoroughly that section. 4 hours or so of clipping. At about 2pm, we continued heading north, clipping less and moving faster. We through hiked RJ all the way to old Conley. We took our time on the one brief section in Blue Jay where the growth was so thick at the top of the loose rocks.

The southern 1.5 miles is in good shape, the northern 1.5 miles is in good shape. Its a little thin in the middle but its followable.

All our work was clipping, we do know where some trees are across the trail though. There is a big one between Zen creek and split rock. We were beat though, and decided to save it for another day. The truck at the north end looked good. It was a great day Ken

My pictures are at

https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September252011

south RJ 9-20-2011

2011-09-20T17:53:00.001-04:00

Date of work: 9-20-2011
number of workers: 4 Ken C, William F, Karen B, and Jim d
Time spent: 11 hours travel, 26 hours on the trail - total
Work done: We clipped growth and chopped a few trees from the ridge where RJ turns north from the south entrance all the way to mossy falls.

We met at Pinch In, William did some side exploring, and surveyed upper Pinch In. There are some trees across it. Then he joined the other three of us on RJ, and we worked through the back of Mossy Canyon and around to Mossy Falls. Ken and William went further and I know they made it to tee- shirt point, we saw Williams shirt. Very appropriate name. One of them will have to comment on the amount of clipping they did beyond the falls. The falls by the way was running, very slowly, but enough we filled water bottles.

The work was mostly clipping back the summer growth, there was one maple on the south side of Mossy that would be real awkward to cross so we took the time to remove it. There was also some new dead fall across the part of the trail down the first hill from the road we cleared on the way in.

There is a good crop of Poison Ivy just on the north side of the back of the canyon at the trail for those with that allergy. I clipped it back as best I could, so its out of the trail for now.

Couldn't ask for a better group of workers. They made sure of their footing first, then clipped accordingly. It was a great day in the woods, the leaves were mostly green, but definitely already some color

Thanks.

link to Sept 5 pics

2011-09-05T20:35:00.001-04:00

The original one isn't working

https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September52011RJ

9-5-2011 Southern RJ

2011-09-05T18:00:00.001-04:00

Date of work: 9-5-2011
Time spent: 8 hours includes commute
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
Work accomplished:- in a nutshell clipping along the trail, some waterbars cleaned others made, removed or worked around major obstacles.

Well after much hem hawing I decided to go out and do some trail work, sorry Billy- didn't tell him. I watched the rain and decided it would be light until sometime in the afternoon. So I proceeded out to the south end of RJ and picked up where Ken and Michael left off last week. It was misty with limited visibility all the way up Kistler and lightly raining when I parked, so I decided to clip my way down the hill to the cliffs, and actually got down the ridge to where it turns off the ridge. I clipped slowly and thoroughly, and stopped a couple times to pull out the pulaski to chop trees that were in the way. The first of the trees was the pine that has been hanging a while, and most people are going under, I helped it to go ahead and fall, and trimmed the end up so people could easily get around.

A while later a tree was more than knee high across the trail so the pulaski had to come out again for it. Also on the way down I used trunks at angles across the trail to start waterbars. I would finish them on the way out. A log someone steps over is a great way to protect a waterbar.

Nearing the bottom there was two trees blocking the trail, a Pine and a hardwood. I chopped the pine to separate it from its stump, which made it lower. The hardwood can be stepped over. At this point there was no "clearing the trail" but a route around the blockage was easy enough and in the trail corridor.

The rain was off and on, and the camera was tucked inside a plastic bag in my pack. After a couple hours it was probably the only dry thing I had. I even removed my glasses very early on since they fogged up and I could see better without them. I did get some pictures near the bottom when the rain stopped and the fog cleared briefly. The fog rolled in and out at that point and the rain was anywhere from none to heavy. I didn't care, an open ended day of trail fun is a rarity for me, all I had to do was get out by dark.

In one part of the trail it looked like a dead pine was hanging over the trail being propped up by a dead rhodo. It appeared that when it fell it would fall along the trail. So I cut the rhodo, and the pine didn't fall, it was still hanging on - but now it was even more likely it would fall, so I cut the pine down. It proceeded to arch across the trail. At that point I cut the top of it off, and then I really had a blockage arched very low across the trail. Well the third cut on the pine got it on the ground finally- whew.

Further down there was a hole in the ground on the uphill side of the trail. I looked in and didn't see anything while it was raining. On the way out I looked again, and saw the gold and black yellowjackets looking back. I actually think they were relieved to see me rather than the bear that dug the hole.

Well I cut through the locust down the ridge to finish, but it wasn't that bad. I think the trail is discernible, beyond where I stopped, but it needs some clipping too. On the way back out I cleaned out waterbars, and moved some dirt to help finish making the ones I started on the way down. It was a great day in the woods, and the weather was perfect for trail fun.

Photos at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September52011RJ#

8-30-2011 Northern RJ

2011-08-30T17:29:00.001-04:00

Date of work: 8/30/2011
Number of workers3: Jim d, Ken C, and Michael H
time spent: 29 hours includes commutes
Work done: We thoroughly clipped the Northern end of RJ from Conley Cove trail to one of the side routes out to Fern point. This also involved removing two newly fallen trees, and the hemlock across the trail in fern canyon (at least partially). Any trees remaining across the trail are below knee height for an average adult.

Heading south out of fern canyon after the steep climb where its starts to level but is still not to the top, Ken found a yellow jacket nest on the uphill side of the trail. He immediately upon noticing them quit clipping on their front porch and was not stung. The nest is along the trail, and we passed it going out and coming back without incident. That is probably the only area of North RJ that could use some more minimal clipping.

On an earlier trip Ken and I had worked from Hackers back to fern, so we're confident the trail is in great shape on the north end at least to Hackers. Its ready for the fall hiking season, and we saw a few maples turning along with the sourwood trees.

Ken and Michael may have done additional work since I had to leave early (1:30), so this may need amending. It was a great day in the woods with two wonderful people, and swinging that Pulaski in Fern canyon did my spirit a world of good. Almost as much good as getting to spend time with Ken and Michael.

Upper Babel tower trail 7-16-2011

2011-07-16T16:08:00.000-04:00

Date of work : 7/16/2011
number of workers: 3 - Jim and Jared de Friess and Ken Toole
time spent: 6.5 hours each (includes commute)
Work done: Shear, lopper, and Pulaski work as needed in the upper 1/4 of the trail. We initially talked of walking to the bottom and cutting our way out, but soon discovered the trail had closed in somewhat, and our light clipping became full blown. We worked our way to below the twin trees across the trail that I call the "gateway to the gorge". One bigger trunk was across the trail around the corner below that. People had found a bypass, and we just widened it. Further down I saw yellow jackets swarming on the up hill side of the trail so I clipped mostly to the down hill side and just a little on the uphill side. An old hornets nest was there above the swarm, so it seems to be a popular spot for stinging insects. When we got to the place with the first good view we noticed a waist high tree across the trail, that had to be either awkwardly gone over or crawled under. One cut later and Ken T was able to stand the lower trunk back up such that it is off the trail. 100 feet further another double tree was blocking the trail. People were getting through, but could easily slide off trail down the trunk as it rotted. The smaller tree was on top and we soon had it cut and laying on the downhill edge of the trail, and then notched out the stump of the bigger tree for a foot hold. We clipped about another 100 feet or so and checked just a little further ahead for more trees across the trail, but didn't see any. Two tricky places were either removed or made better. We had clipped about 4 hours - which flew by so we were having a great time.

While clipping down multiple people passed us, and most of our clippings were landing in the trail to mulch it. One commented that they thought the cuttings on the trail made it more slippery. The day's weather consisted of a misty rain, 65F, and all the rocks were wet already, most were wonderfully appreciative as the trail was wide enough where we had worked, they weren't getting wet walking through the bushes. On the way out we flung clippings out of the way in what we would consider the trickiest areas. Coming up the hill was a little less slippery anyway.

It was great working with Ken T, he got to see what we normally do, and worked cautiously. I hope there are many other work trips. Babel might be my work destination for a while until cooler temps come along.

Thanks Ken and Jared.

July 7th 2011 Brushy Ridge Trail

2011-07-08T07:18:00.001-04:00

The wife and I hiked Brushy Ridge trail to the point where it starts descending steeply into the gorge, just before we did a little off trail exploring to the north. On the way back we took the side route to reference rock where we took a break. While on BRT and when I had the loppers I actively cut some of the briers and and lower hanging fauna to make the trail even a little more friendly. Don't get me wrong it was easily discernible and had no major obstructions, I just lightly clipped as we went.

It was a good day in the woods, the gnats were bad initially, on the way out the nearby t-storm had caused more breezes and they were not noticeable. We did not get rained on.

6/5/2011 northern RJ

2011-06-05T17:57:00.001-04:00

Date of work: 6/5/2011
number of workers:1 (Jim de Friess)
time spent:6 hours includes commute

Work done: Arrived and got ready to hike at old Conley by 10 am. Ken popped out of the woods startling me. We hiked to Hacker's point clipping only what was sticking out on the trail. At Hacker's we decided to clip back toward Old Conley. We had discussed going further, but looking back, I'm glad we didn't. We clipped really well from hackers back to the south side of Fern canyon at that point we were feeling tired and clipped faster- not being as thorough and leaving some. I guess Ken made fern canyon look good, after that we it was quick clipping.

There was one tree at the turn people use to fern point, that Ken chopped, we moved and then cleaned up the trail.

At Jason's puddle we went out to lost dog, but decided not to hang hammocks, opting for the campsite at old Conley instead. We came out by lost dog pond which was down to mud only.

At Old Conley we hung hammocks, had a snack and whittled some - off the clock. There was an occasional black fly- looking for Jason, some mosquitos, but it was in the shade- not cold but cooler - pleasant. A few hikers went by.

It was a great day in the woods with Ken. The sun sapped up all my energy though.

RJ is in good shape from Conley to Hacker's

Pinch In and Conley Cove Mid May 2011

2011-05-19T20:46:00.001-04:00

Dates of work: May 14, 15, 18, 19
Number of workers :1 Jim de Friess
Time spent: includes commutes :10 hours
Work done: Clipping on Pinch In (14th)- shear work clipping back the growth that has started encroaching on the trail. Not to 4' wide, but making sure the path is clear and discernible.

Waterbars on lower Pinch In (15th) - cleaned out the lower ones, constructed some, cleared tree obstructions. Pinch In has no major blockages, but 1/4 down remains a substantial tree that could be cut wider if a crosscut team is available.

Clipping on Conley 18th and 19th- using shears to trim back briers, blackberries and nettles encroaching on the trail. There is a discernible path. At the lowest most switchback a 2' hardwood fell across the trail blocking it twice. I clipped in the bypass to the north of it so crossing it twice can be avoided. Further down about halfway between the last switchback and LGT another significant tree is across the trail, that has to be climbed over. The footing for this is very tricky, and I should have notched it, but did not- wish I had. It would be good to have a team for this one as well. There are some other trees across Conley but they can be much more easily negotiated.

I've gotten some gorge days in, it feels like its been forever.

Wolfpit trail and MST to river

2011-04-29T21:54:00.001-04:00

https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/Apr292011ShortoffMSTarea?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOcs-jzscjYGQ#

Photos at link above.

Date of work: 4/29/2011

Number of Workers: 1 Jim de Friess

Time spent : 6 hours including commute

Work accomplished: I was planning to camp along the lower part of MST and work the mile of trail or so as it ascends Shortoff. Leaving Wolfpit I ascended to a point where 2 orange flags were to the left of the trail at a sharp right hand bend. Following the path by the flags it remained on contour and took me to the MST on the ridge just above where the cliff ends to the NW.

I descended MST about a 100 yards and headed over to survey the terrain to the NW. MST was in fabulous shape, clipped about 4' wide for the as far as I could see up and down. After surveying I descended to another part to get a better MST look to the SW. Clear.

I hiked up the hill and found the trail condition consistent all the way to the intersection with the trail to wolfpit. At that intersection I descended and de-limbed a tree. The rest of the way down I cleared waterbars. Where water was actively running down the trail I looked for the first opportunity to divert it. There are sections that have water running down the trail 20-30'. At one particular point I noticed the waterbar was diverting it off the trail, however it was coming right back on 15' later. I cut two pine logs to build a better (longer) waterbar to prevent it from running back on- I was successful. Where the water does still run down the trail, I tried to channel it to one side. In that one area, prior, the water was running about 100' down the trail, now its about 30'.

The waterbars have held up well, the trail was mostly dry. One was filled up and I couldn't clear it- I was tired and a lot of digging would be required. Near the trail head there was another tree across the trail. Its gone.

A good day in the woods, the trail up Shortoff from Wolfpit and MST down to the river are in wonderful shape.

South LGT and PI April 19-21

2011-04-21T21:15:00.001-04:00

https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/52GorgeHours?authkey=Gv1sRgCNGXyerTsPzfmwE#

This is a link to photos as part of a three day two night trip into Linville gorge.

Dates of work: 4-19 through 4-21

Number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess

Time spent : purely a guess - 20 hours? Including commute (7 on the 19th, 8 on the 20th, and 5 on the 21st)

Work done: Checked PinchIn and LGT south of PinchIn with the purpose in mind of clearing major obstacles I had heard were making hiking more difficult.

I cleared trees with Pulaski unless they could be stepped over, or were too big. All the majors obstacles to trail navigation are gone. There were places were multiple trees blocked the trail, and hikers had been finding their way around. On most occasions I was able to clear the original trail. Two exceptions where I clipped in the bypass were one, in an area with about a 3' drop where a slide had occurred (not recently). The bypass has a dropoff too, but being narrower its a little easier to deal with. The second one was in an area where water clearly pooled in the trail area, and hikers where bypassing around to the west. I left this one because it would be easier to negotiate in an active rainstorm.

My other tool was loppers and I was trying for width and height. 60% of the obstructions just needed to be tossed off the trail. In the areas where the trail tunnels through rhodo I left it a little lower than I wanted to in areas. People who hike should be awake. With the loppers I cut the smaller green and dead to clear the trail.

PinchIn had a tree across the lower part, but most work was done on LGT. I feel its around 2 miles from the PinchIn LGT intersection to the Dellinger Chimney and I am pleased to report the trail is much better.

LGT could use some shearing in places, and there was a poison ivy vine bigger than my leg- which I didn't mess with. But I had no shears. PinchIn needs some shearing too. Both are in good shape.

On a personal note I did some cooking and had a great time.

a minor workday on north RJ

2011-04-10T16:52:00.001-04:00

Not knowing if govt is shutdown or not you may have to disregard.

My pics are at

https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/Apr102011Rockjock#

Date of work 4/10/2011.

Time spent : about 4 hours including commute. This was at least partly a recreational hike.

Work done: removed trail obstructions with a pulaski

Notable, the three foot high Hemlock between split rock and Zen creek was cut twice, and no longer has to be crawled over. We cleared some other logs too, and notched the ones we left.

It was a great day with great company. Thanks Ken.

RockJock March 11 and 12, 2011

2011-03-12T15:53:00.001-05:00

Well I did about 4 hours of work (Pulaski only), all totaled on RJ over two days. I cut a tree in Mossy Canyon. I cleared some brush north of tee shirt point, and made a downed tree passable between split rock and Zen creek. Finally helping Ken with two leaners. RJ has even fewer obstructions, and nothing major. Big tree in Mossy canyon that can be gotten passed and a hemlock across the trail in Fern canyon I would say are the greatest obstacles.

I left work at 1pm and went straight to the gorge and parked up the hill around the corner from the south RJ entrance. It was breezy and cool, by the bottom of the hill I was down to a tee shirt. I worked my way through Mossy taking a few breaks, and stopped to cut the tree. Then I proceeded around and down to Mossy Falls taking another break there.

I made good time to tee shirt, and then left the pack at the trail above tee shirt to explore the ridge going down. My former boss had heard of climbing in Crevasse, and I wanted to see what it was like before taking him on a RJ tour. Below the falls and on the ridge at the cliff edge was an area that was fairly flat and had live pine trees. Lots of briers on the ridge down though, not a trip for shorts. I went back up the ridge to my backpack, where I caught my breath.

Then I proceeded north clearing a new fallen tree that wasn't there last week. It consisted of breaking off limbs, more could be done. I made good time to sunshine point, again leaving the trail to check out camping possibilities. I found one spot that looked good, but the sun was still high enough, I decided to push north.

I crossed Zen creek, and took a picture of it overflowing its catch basin. I went to the area north of Zen where I had camped before, and decided to camp below the trail, and go ahead and create a space. It was little stick heaven and I put up the hammock. I also scoped out a little - the way to Zen Canyon overlook, seeing lots of downed big trees I decided my attempt Saturday would be to head east close to the cliff edge. Darkness was closing so I went back to camp.

Four guys called out from RJ asking how far it was to Conley Cove. Not sure where they were from, I didn't ask.

The amount of downed wood out there is nuts. I built a small fire about 18" across and watched it closely. In any direction from the fire about 10' or less there was plenty of wood. I cooked supper ate, then watched it as I burned a few more sticks. Since I didn't let it get big I realized I was standing around the fire shivering, so I quit feeding it, let it get small and put a rock on top, and then went to bed.

I had to get up twice during the night, the first time I stumbled down the hill and caught some briers between my toes. I have gorge tattoos there now. I noticed the sun was getting close to rising, but got tired of waiting on it and got up. Good thing too, there were enough clouds, the sunrise was not crisp.

Once dressed I executed my plan to find Zen canyon overlook. A sea of scrub pines awaited, and I made progress back to the south, arriving near some cliffs. I noticed the place I was wanting to get to was on the south side of the creek, so I crossed the creek and headed west, gaining elevation and found a way to the top. Then down to the point. Somebody had been there recently, but boy was it brushy.

Leaving the point I noticed some old flagging, and followed it. Then a double, I turned and crossed the creek. Saw two more heading up the hill to the north west, and then lost them. At that point I looked for the least obstructed route NW up the hill. After picking my way through, I found RJ in about 100'.

The turn to point where I came out is easy to find. RJ is heading basically south and turns west into the canyon where it crosses the creek. After making the turn about 100' up the hill you will see a 8+" live tree to your left leaning way over (less than 45 degrees). Turn there go under the tree head south, when you see the point head diagonal (SE) to the creek just below Zen overlook point, cross creek head West looking for a route up to the ridge, and then down the ridge.

After getting back to the trail, I went back to my camp and finished packing. I checked the fire with the back of my hand and stirred it, cold out. I then proceeded north.

About 200 yards from there the trail turned down hill, and a new tree was down. Its root ball was right in the trail, and its trunk fell just to the south side of the trail. I cleared the limbs and two trees it fell on that blocked the route- they were saplings. Its passable.

Nothing else really to note until I got close to Split Rock. I was looking for footprints where L.O.S.T. starts, because I knew several were going to hike it today. I didn't see any. As I rounded the corner, I saw people in BlueJay Canyon- the group coming for L.O.S.T. I "Hollar"ed for Ken, who saw me, we met at the top of the gully.

After talking a few minutes they headed for L.O.S.T., and I headed down into BlueJay. I took a break in BlueJay and Ken got them started then came back. I ascended out of BlueJay, stopping at Hacker's. Ken stayed back at one of the overlooks to make sure they got started well, and then caught back up with me at the flat rock North of Hacker's that looks down on it. We walked out cutting two trees and taking a whack or two at some others.

Ken gave me a ride to my truck.

It was great days in the woods.

Photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/Mar122011RockjockTrip#

photos from RJ work 3-3-2011

2011-03-07T13:03:00.001-05:00

Photo link for RJ work 3/3/2011

https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/Mar32011RockJock#

Rock Jock 3-3-2011

2011-03-03T15:52:00.001-05:00

Date of work: 3-3-2011
Number of workers : 2 Jim de Friess, James Kirby
Time spent: 8 hours each (includes commutes).

Work done: Well basically we through hiked Rock Jock, and removed major obstacles and clipped here and there.

We found Rock Jock just where we left it.

The plan was to work the south end, hike in and out that way, but I got to thinking - why not through hike it. If the obstruction Muttly reported was far enough north it would be easier to come out that way anyway. So I met him James just before 8 and we ferried my truck to Old Conley. From there we drove back and entered from the south end. Several trees were down on the initial descent to the cliff but we were able to clear them.

On around through Mossy canyon we stopped as needed to throw stuff out and cut a few as needed. One tree in Mossy we cut the end off and the trunk slid down the hill blocking the trail in a worse fashion, so we had to cut it again. James' daddy called him "lightening" when he was growing up, cause he couldn't hit the same place with an axe twice.

We took a break at mossy falls, and then headed toward Tee-shirt. That log I across the trail about half way was two cut and now it can be backpacked through. James wound up with the shears and clipped a lot through there.

At tee shirt we started the climb toward the turn in the back of that canyon, and I clipped some- while James removed brush.

We went through the next two canyons clearing trees that couldn't be stepped over, and clipping, and I pointed out the turn down to sunshine point. James said that would be a good camping spot. I did not recognize the path climbers have used to ascend to the road, all I saw was brush, I probably walked right by it thinking we had to be further south.

In Moonshine canyon just north of the creek we found the tree Muttly did. Two limbs were head high and we cut them, and removed a piece of trunk that was free. One of the limbs required two cuts and James joked about carrying it out for firewood. He said the tree itself would last someone a whole year, I reminded he'd need a long winch to get it to the road. The tree can be negotiated, James made a nice foot notch in the biggest part of the trunk.

Less than 500 yards easy we got to the point Ken and I stopped on our last trip, when we worked just south of razor creek. Up the hill from razor creek we cut some- but not through on the burnt pine log where I lost trail and headed up to the road once upon a time.

Very little was done all the way to split rock and past. Where the hemlock had fallen and I cleared in December there were branches across the trail. We started clearing them and I noticed the hemlock had a hardwood tree laying on top of it. The tree in the corner on the downhill side was missing its top, as it fell right on top of the hemlock from middle to downhill side. So we cleared limbs through there again.

We took a break at Blue Jay Falls- I warned him of the upcoming climb.

At Hackers I took his picture. We saw hikers out by the edge near lost dog pond. One had on a dark blue shirt that stuck out. We continued our climb up beyond hackers and caught our breath on the flat spot that looks down on Hackers from the North.

Then through fern, where I told James that big hemlock needed to "season" more. We hiked by Jason's puddle, up and around, and I showed him the side trails as we passed and described where they went.

We made it back to the truck, and I drove us back to his truck.

It was a great day in the woods. I think James enjoyed himself, and I think he'll want to hike with other gorge rats. From seeing him swing the pulaski and clip briars I think he's another gorge rat.

Rock Jock is in good shape, there are some obstacles, but nothing major. The ruts on Kistler have mostly been filled in and it was easy driving.

Photo link for Wolfpit work 2-22-2011

2011-02-22T21:15:00.001-05:00

https://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/Wolfpit?feat=email#

Wolfpit Trail 2-22-2011

2011-02-22T15:24:00.001-05:00

Date of work: 2-22-2011
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent: 6.5 hours -includes commute
Work done: Lopped back trees and built waterbars from where I had finished continuing up the hill until the trail intersected with MTS. At MTS, I hung flagging saying "MTS to river" at the start of that path, "MTS to summit" at the start of the proper trail up, and "trail to wolfpit parking" back along the trail I had been working on. The gully (old jeep road) or whatever it is up shortoff has also been getting traffic. All the trails looked like they had been getting regular use. On a dead tree at the intersection of the trails someone had wrapped orange duct tape around a dead tree. I put notes and arrows on it indicating what trail goes what way. Its hard to believe anyone gets confused there - but I still hear an occasional story of someone heading to the river when they meant to go to the parking lot.

I don't believe MTS has been worked in that area since what little I did starting down the ridge last Fall. When Spring springs- the trail to the river will be briery and narrow. Up to the top probably gets enough day hike traffic.

I then sheared back down to where I had started.

The waterbars from previous trips seem to be working and I cleaned them out with my foot as I walked. Where I had sheared previously it seems the hikers are walking on the grass beside the two foot bare area that the trail used to be, so the trail width is widening to about what it needs to be. There were a couple trees across the trail but they definitely encouraged hikers to walk and cross them at a better area than they might otherwise- so I left them.

There is a spring active, and I guess it crosses the trail a couple times actually on its way down. In two sections the spring runs down the trail about 20' before being diverted off, not the best scenario, but its a project for later.

Near the bottom there is some additional work I'd like to do in terms of rebuilding a dip or two, that are no longer effective. Just one or two of those would be a trip all by themselves.

I did take pictures, but it might be a while (like tomorrow) before I get them posted. It was a great day in the woods.

2011-01-23T19:56:00.001-05:00

Time spent :9 hours -including commute
Workers: 1, Ken Crump
Work: Clean logs and fallen brush from Rockjock to Razor Creek area.

Jim and I had a good day out there today. Like he said, I lost count, but I think we removed
4 to 6 small trees before we made it to Bluejay. There was some trimming of limbs encroaching from
the sides too and fallen limb removal.

At Bluejay we worked at getting the butt end of the large fallen Hemlock off the trail. Up until
now it was necessary to practically crawl over it. Now only the lower portion is left, and it creates
a step. As it decays we'll be able to clean it all out.

From there, there was one tree at Split Rock we've been going under for a while. It is no more.
Between there and Razor Creek there were several more, along with the ones Jim mentioned
in the creek drainage and just beyond it. On the way out we took out one "widow maker" that
was leaning over the trail, and did some more 'sprucing up'.

The weather was just right, and the ground was mostly frozen. It was a great day to be on the
trail, and it was nice to get back to work out there. Thanks for a good time, Jim!

Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ojc/sets/72157625765804763/

Ken

Northern RJ 1-23-2011

2011-01-23T19:23:00.001-05:00

Time spent :8 hours -includes commute

Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)

work done:

I met Ken at the old Conley entrance and we hiked south on RJ using our Pulaskis to clear trees off the trail. We didn't clear everything, but we got some of the worse ones. We worked on a few trees prior to Blue Jay canyon, but spent a lot of time in Blue Jay on the trunk of the big tree, I had previously cleared. It was good to have two to move some of the cuts.

We continued south, and cleared as we went, Ken was counting but lost track I think. There was a tree at split rock, around the corner there were more. One big hemlock we left, its hard to cross but its 16" in diameter or so and would require two cuts, it can be gotten around. It seemed there was always another tree. We made getting to Zen creek a goal and cleared brush out of the trail there. We went further south checking the bypass around the huge tree that fell in the trail, and tweaked it some. We checked conditions at the razor point turn and went on to razor creek. At razor creek there was an 8" hemlock 3' high across the trail requiring two cuts so we did that, another trunk was in the low spot mostly blocking the trail and just south was a leaner that was hard to go around. We got it, then turned around, and headed back toward the trucks.

Rock Jock is much easier to hike, a few bigger trees remain.

We took our time and did a few tweaks coming out. It was a good day in the woods with good company.

Pinch In check, 1-8-2011

2011-01-08T17:16:00.001-05:00

Date of work: 1/8/2011

Time spent: 7 hours includes commute

Number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)

Work accomplished: This was a pulaski only trip, cut the smaller trees across the trail out of the way on the way down. Make and clean waterbars, pick up trash on the way out.

On the way out I had to put on chains once I got to the dirt part of 105. I barely made it up to the first curve to the left. In that curve I put on chains. The federal law enforcement officer passed me as well as a black 4wd truck. With chains I had no trouble getting to Pinch In Trail head and parking. The snow got deeper as I went up being about 3-4 inches deep at the parking lot.

I started down the trail and cut or moved a few knee high trees on the way down. Cold wood chops well. Below Falcon rock I started looking to implement water features, and created a few easy ones. At the turn off the ridge into the woods great care was taken and I mostly paralleled the trail. At the bottom I made a mental note of the turn that cuts over to LGT south, and then went to the trail head at the bottom. Beyond that there was debris on LGT so i cleared some of that and went to the creek which was running well.

I think I slipped twice on the way down.

On the way up I looked for trash, I had fished a dog food can out of the woods leaving it on the trail going down, and was looking for the bottled waters someone had discarded off to the south side of the trail. I found two empties but not the fulls, maybe the snow had it covered. I tried not to take long breaks coming up, maybe a couple breaths and look for the next step. I think I put in a waterbar or two on the way up as well.

An icy wind blew across the ridge, I asked it to come back in August. The trail seems to be getting shorter for me. I made it to the truck and headed out, the road had improved and I was able to take the chains off just below pinnacle.

I'm glad I went and except for cold feet on the way home it was a good day. The slushy snow melted through my shoe, and then caked on ice on the way out. They finally thawed out about 1/3 of the way home. Need dry shoes and socks for next snow hike- mental note.

Pictures below.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/PinchInWork182011#

Lower Pinch In 1/3/2011

2011-01-03T19:44:00.001-05:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/PinchInWorkTrip132011#

Photos above

Date of work: 1/3/2011

time spent:9 hours, includes commute

number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)

Work accomplished: I descended Pinch In trail, having always wanted to walk further down the ridge to the trees. This is beyond where the trail turns and descends into the woods. Winter was the time to do it, no snakes to worry about, and better visibility without leaves. Its about 200 yards from where the trail turns off the ridge down the ridge to the trees. There is actually two low spots with some up hill following the ridge. The brush is about 8' tall and is mostly devil's walking stick.

I finally arrived at the ridge top to find some survey flags laying on the ground, and some stakes with flagging on them- one of those study plots. Its probably 150' above the river and it is steep down all the way around, except back up the ridge. I think the growth to the south might be minimal enough to find an easier path off of it, I continued heading east and it got really steep. I made it down with no problems, there were lots of deer tracks but they mostly side-hilled. There were oaks on top, with acorns all over the ground.

At the bottom, finding LGT was easy. I came out just north of where the river comes back together after splitting in high water. I threw some brush off of LGT and hiked north. Seeing some flagging to the west I investigated, and found another study plot. Since the brush was minimal further west I investigated by heading over the next rise. I found a fire circle on the south east of a cleared circle, maybe 75-100' in diameter. Off to the northwest there appeared to be what looked like a trail. No brush no debris and about 8' wide fairly straight. I ascended this path and finally got to some trees down partially blocking it. Threw them out of the way and it got narrower still. A fresh de-branched pine limb was beside it further up, and about 50' further I popped out on Pinch In. I'm guessing I was about 100-150 yards from the bottom of it, and did not walk to the end to check.

Rather I started ascending. Came to a hemlock across the trail, and de-branched a path around it and back to the trail. There were a few other trees, I made it passable, and not completely clear, certainly back-packable. I found another study plot- well I knew it was there -south of Pinch in and looked for flagging that might lead back to the ridge top, but didn't see anything. At that point I got to the steep section.

I've been re-thinking trees across the trail, I think if angled well they can make waterbars and trap sediment keeping the trail from washing away. I certainly am going to try and keep the step over to less than a foot. A de-branched step over trunk is a good thing. So using tree trunks and some digging I water barred all the way up the steep section- where convenient. Up on the ridge I need about three burned trunks brought down and place across the trail in a couple places in the steep part, there were no trees to use there. I think what I've done has held up well on that steep part.

I worked up the ridge, one brief section had crept off the ridge, and draining it was an issue, so at that point I went up the ridge, but did not block the existing path.

At another point there is a very brief and steep section with stumps. The trail and the water go straight downhill, but the ridge is wide at that point, so I angled up and back to see what a switchback might look like there. It would be easier to channel water off the trail, with it for sure. Again nothing but considering an option. The existing trail almost needs trunks about every two feet

The rest of the way up I think the trail is in marvelous shape, I do want to place some trunks across it at angles to effectively make waterbars. Even though the trail is on the high ground, it has a slight channel maybe an inch or two deep allowing water to run down the trail. I dug out waterbars in a couple places and made some, but fatigue was setting in.

I sat on a stump taking a break and was passed by a hiker heading down. A younger fellow wearing shorts, he came out to Pinch In for exercise evidently, as he said he was going down and back, it was all he had time for. I continued up taking rest breaks frequently. About 200 yards from the top the hiker passed me going up. He said he turned around where the trail left the ridge. That would be about a mile and a half walk all totaled, quite an exercise. When I reached the parking lot he was cooling down, I guess. I drank the half quart of water I left in my truck, and cooled down some myself, but the truck seat was cold.

It was a wonderful day in the woods, too bad I couldn't have gotten more done over my Christmas break.

12-21-2010 Blue Jay blockage removed and 105 road conditions

2010-12-21T16:20:00.001-05:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/SolsticeTrailWorkBlueJayCanyon#

Pictures at link above.

Date of work:12/21/2010

time spent: 6 (includes commute)

number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

Work accomplished: we had heard that there was a tree down in Blue Jay canyon effectively blocking Rock Jock Trail. Unsure of exactly where and what I decided to go investigate. I took tools. The road conditions on 105 until just below pinnacle were clear, after Pinnacle there were icy spots. But enough clear to get me through to the top of Dogback mountain. At the top and just about ready to descend two hunters stopped me and advised me to turn around. The road was slick on the North side of dogback, 4wd vehicles were getting stuck. Somebody with four wheel drive and chains was able to pull them up yesterday but they had no intentions of going back down. They asked if I had chains, which I did and they said I'd probably be all right. A couple hundred yards beyond them I stopped and put on the chains, and the truck skated down the mountain. Steering was an adventure and my worry about getting out started. I did ride the brakes down so my fronts probably did skate. There were several place where the ditches had been cleaned out, and culverts found and tracks off the normal roadbed.

Anyway I made it to old Conley and parked. Gathered my gear and headed for Blue Jay. The north facing hills had a couple inches of snow, the south facing hills were almost completely clear. I made good time. I was using my pulaski as a walking stick. Shears and loppers in pack. At the bottom of the boulder field I saw no sign of blockage (little did I know it was just above- had I known what to look for) so I carefully negotiated my way up it. I was so glad to see that narrow spot widened by Michael, Ken and the others. At the top there was a tree down.

It was laying parallel to the trail and probably just on the downhill side of center. I could see the trail on the other side. As I was walking in there were two sets of footprints, a big and a medium. They did not go up the boulder field, I did find them on the other end of the tree and then could make out the bypass that was being used around the blockage. Basically a scramble from the lower end of the boulders to the trail at the south end of the blockage- about 40' of path and 20' elevation gain. Lots of blackberry through there too.

I started throwing limbs out of the trail, clipping what was still attached with loppers or chopping with pulaski depending on how big it was. Some stuff got stacked beside the down trunk to make for better footing. The rest tossed over the side. I moved a few rocks into position just below the point where you have to step up on the trunk to continue. It all cut and chopped more easily than I would have expected, and I got the trail clear to where the footprints rejoined it. Split rock is very near, but I didn't go to it due to snow covered trail.

At the stump end there is still a pretty good step over, but there are two ways to get up to the position to step. Anyone that can get through the boulders won't have any problem.

The trail is open for business.

The work went quicker than I expected, but having extra time to get out (and back up Dogback) was a good thing I decided. I worked my way back to the truck, stopping in a few places to catch my breath and take pictures.

At the truck I got in put it in one, about 1/3 to 1/2 gas pedal, and the truck never stopped climbing. Got pretty slow in the steepest part, but it kept pushing me up. At the top I took off the chains (prior to the paved part) and drove the rest of the way out.

It was a great day in the woods

Jim d

Southern RJ 11-10-2010

2010-11-27T18:32:00.001-05:00

Date of work 11-27-2010

Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

time spent:9 hours- includes commute

Work accomplished: Worked RJ from the back of Mossy canyon around to past Mossy falls with shears and pulaski as needed.

I had intended to camp at the Mossy falls- well sometimes you get the gorge and sometimes the gorge gets you. I arrived with aspirations of finding suitable poles and pitching my hammock in that area. The wind was whipping up when I parked, and there just isn't a place out there, without dead trees threatening. I could have slept on the ground but that would have been under a widomaker too. I don't think any of them will fall immanently but if you are wrong you are dead or hurt.

I did start a small fire before I gave up. It was scary how fast and easy that wood burned. I match started it, and consequently I kept the fire quite small. I threw some of wood over the cliff. The wind kept it fanned at times, even in the canyon.

I cleared the branches at the falls leaving just the trunk over the falls, its now much easier to get to the falls to get water. The falls was running by the way it took about 3 minutes to fill up a quart canteen at the best spot, there was probably 20 similar to less streams.

I took turns pondering hammock set up and doing trail work. I worked from the falls north up to the first hill top. Then back to check the fire and I worked the scramble part we refer to as Underwood's stairs. They are much better now. One trunk across the trail there, but easy to step over.

After doing Underwood's stairs I left the tools on top, and went back for the backpack. The fire was about out, but I put about 4 quarts of water on it and the rearranged the rocks to improve footing over toward the falls. This decided it for me to hike back out to the truck- putting my water on the fire. I watered the rocks too.

Then I snipped and walked south by the cave. I de-branched a pine trunk to make one area easier to pass. I got the little hemlocks near the big trunk I notched. At the back of Mossy I just walked out. A couple of trees that need to be straddled but I was tired and had a hill to climb.

I took a few pictures, very few, nearly lost my Rat Hat in the wind. I did see a laurel bloom (November bloom)- pretty neat. It was at the top of Underwood's stairs. I saw some icicles hanging from the falls when I got there- about 10am.

Next time I'll plan to go where there are suitable trees.

Jim d

Work day, 11nov2010, Rockjock trail

2010-11-13T20:24:00.001-05:00

Date of work: 11/11/2010
Workers: 1 Ken Crump
Time spent: 9.5 hours including commute
Work performed: Sheared Rockjock from back of Mossy Canyon to Zen Canyon. Removed fallen debris from trail.

Jim pretty much covered it, but like he said our goal was to make sure the trail was open and easy enough to follow.
Shearing involved anything that was hanging over the trail, and as much of the uphill side that we could get at a slow
walking pace. There were also a few decayed fallen trees that we were able to upend and flip out of the trail along
with associated limbs.

Overall the summer growth seems to be less heavy each year as the brush and small trees get larger and provide
more shade.

Hopefully we will be able to make a trip through soon and remove all the smaller logs. Most were easily stepped
over, but a couple are almost waist high and require sitting and swinging over.

Thanks for another great day in the woods Jim.

My photos are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ojc/sets/72157625243454689/

Ken

southern two-thirds of official RJ 11-11-2010

2010-11-11T22:54:00.000-05:00

Date of work: 11/11/2010
number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
Time spent:9 hours- includes commute
Work done: Shear work along Rock Jock trail from southern entrance to Zen creek, we also threw the light brush out of the trail.

The story: I met Ken at 8am at the south end of Rock Jock trail along NC 105. We started hiking down into the gorge and turned North through Mossy Canyon. Our plan was to try and get somewhere near the middle of RJ and then clip back south on the way out. We clipped minimally, but some as we progressed North.

At Mossy Canyon we looked for a way to avoid the really steep and tricky section we have named "Underwood's Stairs". There was a cliff preventing easy access to the saddle on the west side of Mossy point. We followed the trail to the top of the stairs. Coming down one section of the stairs we then headed North crossing the area above the Falls. We continued a slow descent and were able to work our way back to the trail without having to descend the part that must be scrambled up.

Once back on the trail I stopped briefly to get to flat rock below the trail to take some of the pictures of the mossy canyon area. It is fabulous.

Back on the trail we continued to Tee shirt point, clipping a narrow path to make the trail easier to follow. At tee shirt we began the climb I had realized was there from tee shirt to the back of the canyon when I backpacked South two weeks ago. I took a few pictures, and paced myself arriving at the back of the canyon along Rockjock.

From there the terrain is up and down, but no long sustained climbs or descends. We could see we were progressing toward Sunshine because it has some live big trees. We clipped the briers, the blackberries and the devil's walking sticks, mostly. Some grass when the sticker bushes were minimal.

Once above Sunshine point we saw a path out to it. Someone had de-brushed about a 10' corridor for a while and the path was well worn. In some respects the path down to Sunshine looked better (clearly more used) than the trail south that we had just come through on. We dressed RJ to make sure it looked like the primary trail. Hopefully people study their maps.

We went down to Sunshine point and took a break there, and lots of pictures. There was a chain bolted to a rock near a cliff, and the path had been well worn. Nice little plateau below the trees right at the cliffs. It would be hard to hammock camp there, but mature live trees and hammock camping possibilities exist up the hill from the plateau but still below Rock Jock (RJ).

After that detour we continued North on RJ. The trail here had been well used for a while. When we started our descent on the North side of the hill toward razor creek the growth was thicker. Ken wondered how the people going out to Sunshine had gotten there. Just then practically we saw a well worn path to the left up the hill. Ken investigated and found a fire circle. We would later see where this path goes.

We noticed that the north sides of hills seemed to have the thickest growth along RJ. We decided after discovering the side path to try and work RJ further north to the place where a 70' hemlock fell along the trail. The area has plenty of devil's walking stick, and we wanted to make sure people could find an easy way through. This took us to Zen creek.

We made it to Zen Creek meaning we had hiked from the South 2/3s of RJ. The path to Razor's edge was also well worn. We again tried to make sure RJ trail would be clear to anyone trying to follow it. We then worked our way back to the path heading west up the mountain.

A quick check of GPS showed that this path would need to gain 700' of elevation in about 0.3 miles (1500') of horizontal distance. We realized it would probably have parts steeper than Pinch In. We decided to follow it. There were regular rock stacks and as we ascended the brush had been cleared. A nettle thicket had been clipped back, it had briers and blackberries and it was steep- straight up the grade in places. As we progressed there started being switchbacks. Easy to follow once we ascended to the brushy part.

Eventually we popped out on the road near where the road starts to seriously descend Dogback toward Conley. Knowing now what to look for the path is clearly visible from the road, and there is a place to park about two cars across from it.

Once I had worked on an official trail, I think RJ, and tried to block a side path someone had created with brush, only to come back for the next work session and find the brush moved from where I had put it back into the official trail. Since that experience, I have only tried to make the official trails more inviting, and not block.

As we walked over Dogback along the road I considered the effort that someone put in to create those paths- too bad we can't get that kind of help for legal trail work. If the cliffs at Sunshine were the goal then the path from the road to Sunshine would be about 1/2 mile total. To get to Sunshine from either end of RJ would require about 2 miles of hiking, and require negotiating the loose rocks and Underwood's stairs in Mossy, or the loose rocks in Blue Jay canyon. I can certainly see why they did it, and it has been pointed out to me that the trails in the gorge were at one time a path that somebody took to some feature, and then came back to show someone else.

It was a great day in the woods, RJ is discernible all the way through. There are some trees that need to be removed from the trail, but that will be a later trip. The 60 degree weather helped my stamina. At 80 or above we wouldn't have gotten nearly as much accomplished. All days in the woods are good, but this one especially so.

Thanks Ken.

Pictures are at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/RockJockVeterans2010#

Trail up Shortoff

2010-11-06T22:33:00.001-04:00

Date of work: 11/6/2010
number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
time spent: 7.5 hours- includes commute

Work done: Continued from where I left off. I made or opened water bars, lopped the bigger trees, then sheared the trail and pushed uphill.

I went out there today thinking I was close to a turn west switchback, and then not far from MTS. As it turned out there are two abrupt left (west) turns and I started out below the lower one. I ended up at the upper one, and then walked up to the MTS intersection. 293 times my right foot touched on the way back to where I stopped. From there I covered about 270 right foot touches then coming back down the hill to where I started the day, and from where I stopped work back down to the truck was 1080 right foot touching. So I'm three fourths of the way up. Anything else up to now has been a guess, now I have data.

Very interesting day, there was horseshoe prints in the trail, but no trail apples. One place where the horse appeared to have done the other.

Several middle aged men passed by "been hiking up Shortoff for 25 years", all were appreciative and said they were glad the trail was getting some attention. It was several groups, that said the same thing, all from the triangle (Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill area). One wanted to know where he could send money to support trail work. Had I been thinking - I should have said I would take his donation- just kidding. Seriously if I can get some business cards with an AAT contact number, email address, etc- I could just pass them out to anyone that expresses interest. Lots of middle aged (50s) men camping on Shortoff tonight.

I think working that trail on a weekend as busy as it is, is great exposure for the AAT program.

I had two guys pass me, one is a neighbor of my first WPCC boss. We talked about him in a good way.

Two weeks ago I was sweating and hot out there doing trail work. Today I looked out and would have sworn I saw snow squalls off in the distance. Guess what one came over me and, it was snow. I worked in a couple of brief flurries. The cooler weather helped my stamina as well. The wind picked up at sunset, and it was a low hanging sun, and chilly in the shade walking out.

This now makes two consecutive Saturday adventures in the gorge. Totally awesome. On next Thursday I hope to do some work on Rock Jock - the South end.

Good days in the woods.

Wolfpit toward Shortoff

2010-10-24T19:45:00.001-04:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdefriess/ShortoffWork1024#

Pictures at this link, I captioned them.

Date of work: 10 -24- 2010
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
Time spent: 6 hours (includes commute)
Work done: Continued up the trail from Wolfpit toward Shortoff. This involved lopping a section and removing the debris, putting in waterbars when and where I could- some just required cleaning out, and then finishing it off with shears.

Some of the debris sticking over the trail was dry (bone dry) and I removed it to the down hill side in most cases. Then passed some smokers on my way out. I hope they aren't careless with their butts. May I make a suggestion that signs be posted reminding people to be careful with fire at trail heads.

I was passed by 5 children less than 4' tall, so I'm glad 'm doing this section. Number of adults: about 12, a very popular trail.

Another good day in the gorge.

Trail up south Shortoff 10-17-2010

2010-10-17T20:51:00.001-04:00

Date of work 10-17-2010
number of workers:one Jim de Friess
time spent 7 hours, includes commute.

Work accomplished: Built or opened water features (pulaski), removed larger trees in trail corridor (loppers), clipped the smaller stuff (shears). from the point I left off about another 300 yards up the trail. After reviewing maps, I'm a little past halfway to the MST intersection. The top of Shortoff looks closer in terms of vertical distance than the field at the house just before the parking area.

It was hot and buggy, the flies missed you Jason. Now I'll have welted elbows, I left repellent at home thinking "its cooler now".

I kept changing tools, and I believe in only having one tool per person, but I'm trying to be comprehensive in my trail work. What I've accomplished should be easier to maintain in the future.

Saw many people going up and then down, very popular trail, most spoke to me and thanked me, one offered to share water. I should have drank some and then let him top my canteen off. I eventually ended up with a headache, working after I ran out of water "just a little bit more".

One guy made the statement "Bridge should be out doing this". I should have countered with "whats wrong with you ?" but I didn't. Turns out he was a Nebo postal carrier, and I've seen how some of them can be. He said "all the guides state that the way to get to Shortoff is to come down from Tablerock". Postal workers???

An older couple walked by, I was taking a break, and he asked me if I was lost. She said he was kidding. When they came back down I asked him if he was lost, and I got a big grin. He then asked me if I was intending to clean off the whole mountain. I said I was going to just do the trail, and I wouldn't try and finish it today. He said that was a good plan.

Right before I quit 6 climbers came down, it was heading to dusk. Two were running down the trail. It was a shaded and cool walk back down the hill, which helped my headache. I was sore all over and tired getting in the truck, and the one climber (one of the runners) was doing stretches in the parking lot.

Stopped at 3-point for a drink, and one of my former students was working there.

No pics, I had the camera but didn't bother.

Jim d

Trail up Shortoff 9-18-2010

2010-09-18T21:31:00.000-04:00

Date of work: 9/18/2010
Number of workers: 2 - Jim and Jared de Friess
Time spent :6.5 hours total includes commute
Work done: Kept clipping up the hill.

We started late, and we didn't stay long. I worked about 2 hours and Jared worked about 30 minutes. He went up to the top of Shortoff, and mistakenly took MTS down the ridge for a while, before backtracking. There really needs to be a sign there, I'm considering putting some flagging up and using a sharpie to write notes stating where the trails go.

I clipped, cleaned out and water bars. There was a locust thicket on the trail and I did 2' on each side of the trail for about 100 yards. I left the hardwoods to grow and cut back what was shading them. There was a red oak trunk across the trail, I was able to cut it once and move it down the trail. One end is still in the trail (but can be walked around), the other makes a good place to sit and rest.

I still haven't made it as far as Ken and I did that one day, but the trail is in good shape where I've been.

A former student walked by, he said he had been wondering how to get in touch with me. I told him to just come to the gorge and hike. He saw my pic on lg.net (I'm guessing at Hackers)- he asked how hard that was to get to. He wants to do the loop down Pinch In, up LGT and out Conley. If we can get people on RJ its a good little loop.

Another good day in the gorge

14Sep2010 Rockjock

2010-09-14T17:46:00.003-04:00

Date: 14Sep2010
Workers: 1 Ken Crump
Trail: Rockjock (from south entrance)
Time spent: 8.5 hours including commute

Work Done:

Last time Jim and I worked a short way into the southernmost part of Mossy Canyon. My plan today was to hike straight in as far as the Mossy Cave, or possibly on around to just above Mossy falls, and work my way back out. Well, everytime we say we'll hike in and work out, we end up breaking that plan. I did it today too. I started clipping when I got to the point we left off last time. There were a few places that didn't need much. Over all, I think there are
fewer weeds and briars this year than last year. Maybe the fact that the bushes are getting taller is helping to shade out the briars and weeds. I sure hope so. I hit a patch of the spiny locust stuff just before Balanced Rock that was quite thick. A lot of the bushes on the side needed some trimming back, and this is only normal. The path across the flat "blueberry ridge" above Balanced Rock was fairly clear, but I trimmed a lot of the bear grass and it's flower stalks.

From there you head back into the deepest, darkest, wettest part of Mossy. Things were looking good at first, but then I started hitting more and more nettle and briars. This slowed things down quite a bit. The nettle was thick, and it took many cycles of the shears just to move along a foot or two. By the time I had cut to the far side of the canyon where the trail turns east toward the cave, I was at my turn around time and my left elbow was complaining quite a bit. So, since I was within a few hundred feet of my possible goal for the day, I decided that was close enough. I knew I'd find things to clip on the way out. It always looks different going in the other direction, and I had a hill to climb. I turned, and slowly worked my way out, stopping to take a break and eat a snack, just before heading up the hill.

I guess the big event of the day is the fact that the road is being graded. I noticed going up that the ditches had been pulled out. Then just north of Dobson road there was a grader parked in a pull off, and everything north of that had been graded. I heard them up there working all morning, even going up on Dogback for more work. As I came down the road, a second grader had worked well south of Pinnacle, and trucks had brought in new gravel for the bad places. I'd say they'll finish up down to the pavement tomorrow.

I saw no hikers today. Saw two different groups of turkey while going up the road this morning. Just the usual birds and lizards while in the woods.

I took some pictures. PHOTOS

Oh, the weather! It was cool this morning, but I left the truck with only a T shirt. I was feeling the sun before I was half way down the hill, but there was a good breeze. It became hot later, but the humidity was low, and the breeze kept up all day. Not too bad. Nuther great day in the woods.

Ken

trail from wolfpit parking

2010-09-12T21:04:00.000-04:00

Date of work: 9/12/2010
number of workers: 1 -Jim de Friess
Time spent: 6 hours includes commute
Work done: clipped and cleaned out waterbars on the lower part of the trail from wolfpit up toward shortoff.

I was late getting out there but I went. It was hot but it felt good to be out there. I clipped and cleaned out waterbars going up. When I ran out of water I did a little more then walked down hill to the truck. What a nice trail to work on.

Its clipped nice and wide in the section I did. I did not get up the hill as far as Ken and I did last summer when we did some. Pictures are posted at the link below. It was cooling down on the way home- very pleasant.

http://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/LowerWolfpitTrail#

MST and wolfpit (east) 9-6-2010

2010-09-06T16:53:00.000-04:00

Date of work: 9/6/2010
number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)
Time spent: 6.5 hours - includes commute

Work accomplished: cleaning out waterbars, establishing new ones, using loppers on larger trail obstructing growth.

I started out with the idea to hike to the MST and wolfpit trail intersection and then work a little down MST toward the river and end up working back down toward wolfpit.

On the way up I cleaned out waterbars with my feet as I went. I regretted that I had left the shears at home. I knew I was getting close but was also getting tired so I found a good sitting rock and rested. As it turns out I was about 100' from the intersection.

I took three before pics at the intersection- one each way (link at bottom). Then I worked about a 150' section back down toward wolfpit. There were about 5 cars in the parking area when I got there.

Not having shears I wasn't able to get the finished look I like to see after working on the trail, but I de-brushed the big stuff fairly wide with the loppers. I also cut a tree trunk across the trail to wolfpit and removed it, I was trying to make it clear which way the trail goes. The first blaze on MST down the hill was obscure again, so I cut back growth so it can be seen.

I had finished the small section back down and returned to the intersection of MST. I started clipping on the MST heading down hill to the river. Surprise surprise a woman hiker appeared coming up the MST. We spoke briefly she wanted to know what the trails were at the intersection, she seemed to have no clue. A few minutes later a man about her age appeared, followed by a cocker spaniel missing hair on its back. The woman asked the guy where the old man was and sure enough a third hiker appeared, an older fellow. The older fellow said that anyone that does trail maint was his hero. He said he does it too, but didn't say where. They were out scouting, and supposedly in a couple weeks they were going to bring a larger group in. All three of the hikers ascending MST were wearing shorts, and I saw a scratch or two, but not tears. They were going to ascend the old trail to the top (I had to take it years ago to avoid falcon closed areas) intersect the MST on top, and then come back through on MST taking the trail to wolfpit. There was sign that the trail up the old way had been used. So all four ways at that intersection looked about the same.

I worked down the MST, clipping back the larger growth that loppers are needed for, I maybe got around 100+ yards, and then decided to hike back up, get water and rest. I remembered what all had been crowding the trail on the way up, so after my rest I started back down toward wolpit, clipping on that.

The days are cooler now, but not enough. In just a few hundred feet I decided to head back for the truck. I had passed a couple of small kids walking up with their parents, so I tried to make it easier for them in a couple places. I was beat.

There is plenty of shear or slingblade work needed all along the trail.
At the lowest end, and where I worked today - loppers may not be of much use, but the trail between those two areas needs some lopper work.
A grouping of dead trees about knee high - saw might be in order. Cutting downed dry wood off the ground with a pulaski is tough, it tends to get hard.
Water bar cleaning/building with a pulaski can continue to be done as well.

Link to pics is below. The views were better than the pictures show. It was too bright and the sun washed out the photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/WolfpitMst#

South Rockjock 29Aug2010

2010-08-29T17:57:00.005-04:00

Date: August 29, 2010
Workers: 1 Ken Crump
Time spent: 8.0 hours including commute
Work done: Worked southern end of Rockjock Trail from the road to the drainage just south of Balanced Rock.

I made it to the trailhead a little early. After taking pictures of the signs, I trimmed grass at the trailhead, and cleaned the trail down to the point it starts to turn downhill. At the time I changed tools and started down the hill clipping and chopping back anything in the way. It wasn't long until Jim caught up and we worked together to the cliff edge where we took a break. Last year the ridge out to where Rockjock turns back into Mossy Canyon was just about closed up with low growing spiny locust. It wasn't so bad this year, so we walked on in to the first drainage in the canyon. There Jim cleared some rotten deadfall from the waterway and we
clipped and snipped our way back up the the ridge. Climbing back up the ridge we took an occasional whack at things that were missed on the way down. It always looks different going the other direction. At the top we took more sign photos and soon called it a day.

Photos are here.

Ken

Southern end of RJ work

2010-08-29T17:13:00.001-04:00

date of work August 29, 2010
number of workers: 1 (Jim de Friess)- Ken will file his own report
Time spent :7 hours including commute
Work done: We clipped Rock Jock from the southern entrance down to the Peninsula and beyond to the first hint of water. At that point we walked out.

More detail, I met Ken on RJ, he had clipped some near the top, I caught sight of him about 200 yards in. We worked down the hill clipping and widening. He had shears, and I tried a fire rake. The fire rake is pretty good at cleaning out water bars, and cutting - sometimes. If its a clean cut on the first whack it works well, if it takes repeated blows then shears are more efficient. We worked down the hill and went out to the cliff edge for a break. Aside from signs at the trail head- which we were glad to see, thats where I took all my pictures. From the cliff edge we walked along the trail back into to first sign of water and clipped out. There was stinging locust crowding the trail on the peninsula, and it got cut back. I would say the trail beyond can still be followed relatively easily, because it remains the path of least resistance. Even with growth we found only crowded or narrow areas, and none grown shut.

There is still plenty that can be done. We hiked up the hill and out. As we were leaving the peninsula we looked for signs of where people had off trailed to the south and could see none. Additionally there is a pretty good sized pine tree that has fallen across the route. Anyone hiking south on RJ will clearly see the trail turn north up the hill to the road.

Photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/SouthRJWork#

Conley Cove 18jul2010

2010-07-23T14:32:00.000-04:00

Date: 18jul2010
Workers: Ken Crump
Trail: Conley Cove
Time Spent: 9.5 hours including commute

Work done:

Clipped Conley Cove going down. Scouted the LGT for a bit, and clipped Conley Cove going back up.

Jim sure worked me hard today. I didn't know I had let myself go so badly. Conley whipped us coming up, and
we were moving slowly. Must be really out of shape. At supper earlier my right hand twisted up into a wicked
cramp, and it was all I could do to keep from yelling out in pain. That's what gripping a pair of shears all day
will do for an old man!

It WAS a great day though, and I sure enjoyed getting out there again. The rain missed us except for a few sprinkles, and
there was a nice breeze for a good part of the day. I'll take it over a day at work any time.
Thanks for another good day in the woods, Jim.

Ken

7-18-2010 Conley cove

2010-07-18T18:09:00.001-04:00

Date of work 7-18-2010
number of workers :one Jim de Friess- Ken will supply his own report
Hours worked :9 hours (includes commute)

Work accomplished we clipped Conley Cove on the way down and on the way back up. I would say the lowest third is in the best shape.

Now for the story.
I met Ken at 8:30 at Conley cove proper. The plan was to take a walk to the river, look at the LGT for signs of work, and then clip Conley on the way up. We had brought hammocks and planned to lollygag some, maybe not even make it to the river. So much for plans, about 1/3 way down we were into full fledged clipping and clipped to the bottom. Then we hiked north looking at cut trees along LGT. Some were, others not, still some across the trail. We passed some campers, said we were doing trail work and they asked if we cut the stinging stuff. We also passed three grateful hikers on the way down and they asked the same question. Evidently stinging nettle has quite a reputation. We saw a house sized rock in the river and worked down to it taking a break in the shade.

Then we started back clipping on the way up. About a third of the way up I think we were spent, I know I was. We talked coming down, but going up it was relatively silent. Our clipping got less. We made it back to the trucks with a couple rest stops.

On the way home there was quite a shower in the lower gorge near Shortoff that I could see from Dogback (where it wasn't raining). I met two vehicles at the top of the paved part, backing back down myself both times.

It was shears only, thankfully Ken talked me into leaving the pulaski in the truck.

Normally our ambitions outweigh our capabilities- we end up doing less than planned. This time we accomplished far more than we set out to do. It was a great day with great company as always.

Ken has pics, I forgot my cam.

Lower Pinch In trailwork July 6-7, 2010

2010-07-07T17:11:00.000-04:00

Oh the facts first:
Dates of work July 6 and 7
number of workers: 1 - Jim de Friess
time spent (on trailwork including commute) : 9 hours
Work accomplished: shear work and waterbar cleaning/rebuilding on the lower 1/4 of Pinch In

Now for the story:
Arrived at TH about 9 am and was the only vehicle there. Hiked down Pinch In, I cleaned a few waterbars on the way, in retrospect I wish I had done more. Once off the ridge and into the woods I looked for a route to and across the creek that is north of Pinch In. I off trail hiked to it, looked around and then came back to Pinch In -all with a backpack. My the dead fall was a lot. Considered camping by the trail, then decided I needed to go where I planned and develop a campsite, so I went again. This time I looked for suitable hammock trees, and found the spot I had looked at before. My the dead fall was a lot. So I pushed down hill toward LGT. I saw three 5 gallon bucket containers approximately 100' above the trail, and noticed some flagging. The containers had all been opened and the salt and pepper shakers were laying on the ground, I figured the bears had inspected them. It mostly looked like cooking utensils. I got to LGT and headed north to the first campsite. I had changed my mind and decided camping along the river would be good. In that site there was a camp chair, a tree stand looking thing- (low mounted, I figure they use it as a seat), a garbage bag tied shut. In sitting there resting the bugs found me. This would just not do. So I hiked back up Pinch in looking for hammock trees, and found two too far apart but saw another two about the right distance so went and set up tarp and hammock. Finally getting my pack off. Incidentally where I finally camped and where I first left the trail was about 100' apart.

I ate lunch and I rested, I'm sure I took a nap.

When I woke I grabbed the tools and headed for the steep section that climbs to the ridge, and worked on water bars and shearing. I had plans to get up to the ridge top but I got hot, tired and about halfway (as it turns out). I rested and then left my water bottle there at a good sitting log. The log is across the trail, but it sits good, and can be stepped over so I left it. Once back at camp I discovered I had left the water bottle, so I took a break before retrieving it (it was probably 300 yards away).

With the water bottle retrieved I filled it up and headed for the river. Remembering the state of the campsite to the north, I decided to go south on LGT- which needs work- it could use brushing out. I wasn't sure there would be a campsite, and I remember looking down on the river from a bluff with Ken once, but I kept going and the trail headed downhill to a campsite on the river. The fire pit must have had 15-20 cans in it, all the food was burned out. There were egg shells nearby, I thought at first glimpse it might be toilet paper, so I was glad to see it wasn't. Anyway down the bank was the river. The water was moving here, it was below rapids but it felt good to get into. I brought my creek shoes, so slipping wasn't an issue. I just sat there in some of the lighter current. The water was very refreshing. I had to keep moving though or the trout would come nibble on me. Little 1" trout (I think that is what they were) look like guppies.

I watched the water for about an hour -almost getting too cool, and then decided I was hungry, so I got out and headed back to camp. Ate in my hammock and felt really good and refreshed. Too early for bed but not for note reviewing and snoozing. Realizing I was snoozing I went ahead and got the over sheet/tarp Ken gave me and the sleeping bag. No bugs and perfect temp. A person walked by near dark, no pack and carrying a sleeping bag, I said Hi. I must have snoozed through others passing.

Well it was finally dark enough for bed 8:30, so I got out and in the sleeping bag, well it mostly just covered me - no foam pad under, and it was very comfortable. I turned the flashlight on once in the middle of the night, just to check my tarp which was fine- other than that my flashlight was not needed. Dead weight for the trail.

I woke up sometime after 6 as it was getting light. Ate breakfast and broke camp. It was comfortable and no sun. I started the days trailwork where I left off yesterday. Shearing and using pulaski working up to the ridge- with the backpack on - so I know it can be done. I was eventually in the sun. At the ridge I put the pulaski on the pack and just used the shears. I was hoping to get to Falcon rock, but fatigue told me to put the shears away (about 300 yards below Falcon Rock).

At that point it was hike out. I took multiple breaks and drank my water gator-ade mix. It was still brutal in the sun, and I took two rests in the full sun. Finally I got up to shade (small at first- tucked in beside a tree) but then bigger. It covered the trail in places. I hiked stopping in the shady places, and sometimes even taking off the pack (about every third stop). I knew I didn't have far to go, but was pretty well spent at this point. About 200 yards from the parking lot I quit stopping and made it out. There was breezes at times the whole way up, and as the day progressed they were less refreshing, although having the air stirred helped.

I figured I left camp about 7am and made it to the truck at 1pm, not a speed record I realize. It was a great time in the woods.

Upper Conley blockage cleared

2010-07-03T22:50:00.001-04:00

I arrived at Old Conley at around 8 am and hiked down to the double blockage of Conley, just below the intersection with RJ. Upon reflection, there were 11 different tree trunks across the trail from the ice storm, some effectively had crossed/closed the trail twice since it was at a switchback.

I started cutting the largest trunks on the uphill side. I got two cuts on the top tree of the first blockage, and had started the bigger trunk below on the uphill side when Ken called out "save some for us". I replied "there is all you want", and he and Michael then showed up.

Over the next two hours the three of us then chipped away at the blockages. It is always good to work with Ken and Michael, and we had a good time. Resting and talking as needed. When we were finished, there were no tree trunks across the trail in that area. Ken cut two more further down the trail that were in sight.

I don't know how Michael and Ken felt, I had a family obligation to go to, but I was sore the rest of the day. It felt good to get that section of trail cleared, and maybe it was a little more than we thought it would be, but its done.

I worked three hours and had two for commute.

I've done trailwork since I updated

2010-06-27T15:10:00.002-04:00

As of June 27, 2010

I'm confident that RJ is through hike able

I'm confident Pinch In is in good shape.

LGT from Pinch In to Conley Cove had light clipping.

Some clipping was done on Conley Cove. It does need more work though.

Upper Pinch In 11-12-2009

2009-11-12T23:35:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-07T23:01:00.001-05:00

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

2009-10-22T15:31:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-15T15:04:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-03T15:48:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-01T22:07:00.001-04:00

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

2009-09-25T16:23:00.000-04:00

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

2009-09-25T07:45:00.001-04:00

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

2009-09-17T21:42:00.001-04:00

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

2009-09-11T08:56:00.001-04:00

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

2009-09-11T01:06:00.001-04:00

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

2009-08-26T07:37:00.001-04:00

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

2009-08-06T15:54:00.000-04:00

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

2009-07-20T23:44:00.001-04:00

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

2009-07-20T08:14:00.001-04:00

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

2009-07-19T21:50:00.001-04:00

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

2009-07-16T20:53:00.001-04:00

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

2009-07-15T09:04:00.001-04:00

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

2009-07-11T19:46:00.001-04:00

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

2009-07-09T15:07:00.001-04:00

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)

2009-06-20T20:55:00.003-04:00

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

2009-06-18T22:22:00.002-04:00

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

2009-06-18T20:47:00.001-04:00

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

2009-06-15T11:37:00.001-04:00

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