Upper Pinch In March 8 2016

Checked and photographed waterbars created 11/11/15 and built two more dug ones, above some maple wood waterbars that had filled with silt, moved the silt over to fill in trail as I cleaned them out.  Spent three hours working, commute is up to 6 (total). 

Nine hours, one worker Jim d

https://goo.gl/photos/wY7gH3JdyyDgNPB66

Link to photos- I added descriptions.

Great day in the woods.

Pinch In 11/11/2015

time spent: 7 hours

number of workers: one Jim de

work accomplished:  Made 5 and 1/2 waterbars, I gave up on one of them, too many rocks.

Never got more than 150 yards from the trailhead, working on the steep part.  One tree across trail I cleared.

All in all a good day in the woods.

Saw 3 bear hunters on the trail- going to look for dogs I think, lots more in the parking lot.  Saw 3 hikers that had done RJ and were going down PI, evidently doing the loop

Upper Pinch In Aug 2,2015

I clipped upper pinch in (down to the cliff area) after a busy day at the cabin.  3 hours on the trail and parking area 2 hours driving, 5 total.  It was just me.

Saw one appreciative hiker, I needed some time in the woods.  It was a great evening.

There is one tree trunk awkward to cross I started on it but didn't have enough time to make the two required cuts.

Cabin and Conley Cove

Date of work: 6/13/2015

number of workers- 1 Jim deFriess for this report

time spent: 12.5 hours includes commute

Work done: Met for safety meeting with USFS at info Cabin

The group then went to cabin trail and built water dips- 6-8 I think.  In the upper 300 yds of the trail, I participated.

After we finished on Cabin I drove to Old Conley, ate lunch and felt up to more, so I used shears as I descended CC trail, pretty much just clipping briers and stuff over the trail.

I walked down to the first difficult tree crossing took out the pulaski and chipped away at it, Me myself and I took turns, and I didn't make the cut initially wide enough so after hearing Ken's great advice in my ears - Which Mike repeated at the safety meeting.

I also heard my son Jared saying when chopping with a pulaski just let it drop, I tend to try and swing faster which can really wear a person out, good thing I was taking turns with myself.  Finally got through the first tree then wrestled it off the trail after making a second cut to allow rotation. 

I went further down the trail past the copperhead tree which isall but gone, to another tree across the trail.  Started nice and wide thanks Ken, and kept chopping but not swinging hard - thanks Jared.  Chopped through it and wrestled it off the trail.

Both trees were HARD, the one might have been Locust, the other probably red oak.  Watched yellow jackets or hornets building a nest about 10' off the trail near the downhill cut.  I didn't get close enough to identify.  I was worried for a while a chip might fly and hit the nest, They didn't bother me - probably waiting for me to leave.

I was low enough I was into nettle by that point so I clipped it with the slingblade back up the trail, then walked out, it was about all I could do.

Great day in the woods- I miss doing that.

Rock Jock May 16 2015

Number of workers 2
time spent 18 I think - includes commute
Date of work 16 May 2015
Work accomplished:

Ken and I contributed to the work day in the following way.  First we clipped the south entrance of rockjock down to the "packchecker" - tree across trail you have to duck under.

Then we took a route we had discovered from Kistler down to mid RJ south of razor point and clipped very well about 1000' going south.  It was hot and after lunch we clipped a little more then turned around since we had a not so easy climb out.

We used loppers for brushing and shears for the trail clean up.

So much fun to work with Ken- a good day in the woods- he coined the phrase packchecker.

PI -LGT south of PI to DF

date of work: 3/14/2015

number of workers: 1 Jim d

time spent: 9 hours includes commute

work done: the bulk of the work was building 2 waterbars and cleaning a 3rd below Falcon rock on Pinch In trail (1st link is a pic of the area)

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcd3P9hPdfiHwmHj3eErwQAmis8NX1OTdaG7csq8T53ELW4krBfJGDedvmi6508F6upWystRui89mQt3Hcp5cTJv9FLvIqgXv9eYwZzWT1yxx6E_bTqd2l33O5U1kqgIu0f3xnFvGJr0/w334-h250-p-no/

Then I went down to LGT and south to Daffodil Flats.  I did some light clipping on the way in, particularly the rhodo in the path near Pinch In.  After visiting Daffodil flats

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsa-GZ8WKdS-2EiFJMYoQx69MLWZMX-xo1r97ye-aodtR3RHGAHlhzIIdAZ0z8oBz0vgag4g4IyOHKzLAXpiTnSFOfsDu1IOuFHOSnZ0T3rYhRZinII9HUKHKWsNj5Pk4W9-UmT5ofZ1s/w335-h250-p-no/

I then hiked back out throwing some brush out of the trail.  The LGT is followable with no major obstructions but lots of minor ones where trees have fallen partially blocking there is a double fall (2 trees stacked one on the other across the trail) which was probable the most awkward place to get through.  I was too tired on the way out and starting to worry about time - or I would have cut it.

Got out of Pinch In probably around sunset.  It was dark by the time I got home.

Pinch In Feb 8-2015

Time spent 5.5 hours (includes commute) subtracted off trail time

number of workers 1- Jim de Friess

work done:  clipped briers only while descending to the lower part of Pinch In.  OInce below the cliff area I built a few water features, chopping one dead leaning pine down and using it, 8 years post fire it was well hardened. Plus it was leaning across the trail such that I could chop with no danger to me.   The lower 10' is now a waterbar.  I built a few more down the ridge, and on the way out up the ridge.

Where the trail turns off the ridge I went off trail, lots of briers and devil's walking stick trees, but I pushed through them down to the shaded bluff area (200 yards).  From there I wanted to find a way to LGT south, so I tried the south ridge.  it initially looked promising but was too steep ultimately.  After coming down it through downed trees I easily found the LGT.  I went north and then down into the flat bottom land beside the river.  Found a campsite and then looked for a place to sit for lunch.  Found/made some poles and lashed a tripod to try out my hammock chair.  The perfect trees with river view are never there, with the tripod -although it took time to make - I was able to place it in the shade for lunch.  My crosspiece broke, I needed a green stick, and just used a cord.  Had a good seat perfectly shaded, as the sun moved it warmed my back after lunch which I didn't mind I think I did actually doze as I looked up stream hoping to see a bear.

The LGT has lots of limbs on it, I threw some off before taking my shortcut back to Pinch In.  Once on Pinch In I worked back up getting out around 5pm.  Saw 2 hikers and a dog ahead of me when I got on the trail. they were soon out of site.  Another couple passed me, near the top a dog caught up with me followed by his owner, they passed me too.

Great day in the woods.

13 December 2014 Upper Pinch In

I spent 4 hours working 6 total (with commute) checking the condition of Pinch In trail.  Went to Falcon rock sat and watched the gorge a few minutes then lopped on the way out, mostly the small hardwood trees that tend to crowd the trail in the spring.  The laurel or punctatum I only cut if it was in the trail.  Also cut lots of briers.

Cut one tree across the trail, but it could be stepped over.

Saw 4 exploring in the mountain goat falls area and a couple with two dogs.  The trail has held up well.

No pics, but it did happen, great day to be in the woods

Cabin Trail 9/11-9/23/2014

Friends of Linville Gorge Cabin Trail Walk-through, Summer 2014

Grandfather Ranger District Adopt-a-Trail Volunteer Report

Name of Adopted Trail: Cabin Trail, NW Quadrant, LGWA.

Name of Individual/Group: Christopher B, Friends of Linville Gorge.

Total Number of Volunteers Participating: 3.

Timeline of Volunteer Days/ Hours

Thursday, September 11, 2014. Verbal OK from Debbie T to clear Cabin

 Trail as its new adopter. 4 hours, clear brush & litter in parking area.

Friday, September 12, FOLG ratifies Cabin Trail adoption by group. 3-1/2 hours.

Saturday, September 13, Cut and remove two phone-pole sized hemlocks. 4-1/2

 hours.

Sunday, September, 14, Two volunteers trim path. 3-1/2 hours.

Monday, September 15. 4 hours.

Tuesday, September 16. 4-1/2 hours.

Wednesday, September 17. 1-1/2 hours.

Monday, September 22. Cut and remove 3 hemlocks. 4-1/2. Trail cleared.

Total hours: 30.

Cabin Trail seems to be draining properly since former rain-bar work has held up

well. 5 new rainbars added. 6 downed trees removed. Litter cleanup. Looking

good, from your wilderness host Chris B. Tuesday September 23,2014

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http://jd-jimsblog.blogspot.com

North Rock Jock 9-21-2014

Date of work : 9/21/2014

Number of workers: 2 Jim d and Ken C

Time spent: 20 hours - includes commutes

work done: Clipped RJ from the North end to Hackers point, 1 yellow jacket nest- nobody stung.  Great day in the woods.  That end is read for leaf season.

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http://jd-jimsblog.blogspot.com

Conley Cove 09 Aug 2014

Time spent 10 hours- includes commute

number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

Work accomplished: Sling bladed the low stuff uphill along Conley Cove from the RJ intersection down toward the river.  Was passed by multiple hikers heading to the river including a family of four with two small children.  After they passed me I cleared a tree across the trail, and heard them talking.  It wasn't long until I got to the big down oak, the bank below had washed away and it was tougher to cross.  Same tree the baby copperhead was on last year.  I decided I had to clear it to the extent I could, and four cuts later with some shoving I got most of it off the trail.  Its still an awkward step over but much better.  Did about another 150 yards then ate late lunch on a log.  Decided I was too tired to try and make it the rest of the way to the river.  Just when the sling blade would have been most useful.  Oh well another day.

Used shears on the way out, the sling blade did the low stuff but the entire trail had some higher stuff to clip.  So clipped it on the way out.  Cleared one block switchback with the pulaski and cut in a bypass around another blocked switchback.  A 4' hemlock had the top fall out of it across a switchback- right at the 4'er plumbing.  Guess they were upset it got discovered, so I cut a path around the trunk.  Clipped all the way out as darkness began to fall.

Good day in the gorge, and the middle part of Conley Cove is in good shape.  Sure was wanting to wail on some stinging nettle - oh well next time.  No rain just fog, would have liked a little rain. 

Lower Pinch In May 29 and 30

Dates of work: May 29 and 30

Number of workers: 1 Jim d

time spent: 18 hours (includes commute)

Work done:

Hiked down Pinch In clipping below Falcon rock, built a few waterbars, was trying to get to where the trail turns off the ridge and concentrate on that part, but it was slow going getting there, a couple places needed additional attention.  Finally got to the top of the turn off the ridge worked the upper part.  Heard thunder getting serious so I surveyed and clipped minimally to the bottom then north on LGT to the first campsite.  South along the river just slightly to camp,right beside the river.  Tarp was up and hammock as the rain started.  Got in the hammock to listen to God speak.

Double obstruction across LGT at that campsite.  One tree over the other both about 2' in diameter Hemlock on bottom and red oak on top.  Another of those existed across Pinch In but I was able to cut a route around to the up hill side.  There was another double obstruction and it too was routed around.

Concentrated on the section going up to the ridge this morning by adding water features, then clipped up the ridge today.  At the top of the ridge I rested and saw rain in the gorge all I got was a sprinkle.

Hiked up in the sun then near the top another front hit and the thunder was picking up, made it to the truck before the rain got me.

Good days in the gorge.

Pinch In again

date of work: 5/20/2014

number of workers: 1 Jim d

time spent: 9 hours - includes commute

Work done: worked from where I quit previously down to Falcon rock, putting in waterbars and clipping.  It was a great day in the gorge.  Pinch in is in good shape to falcon rock don't know when I'll get the lower third.

Pinch In 5-13-2014

date of work 5/13/2014

number of workers: 1 Jim d

time spent: 10 hours includes commute

Work done: Continued from where I left off last Friday clipping down the hill on PI.  Got to the place where the trail goes right (going down) but a camp site and creek access are left - at the top of the cliff area.  Creek was flowing nicely - I got water from it.  Continued the waterbar project.  Some of my dug waterbars from previous fun trips were filled in and it was obvious the trail was the drainage.  Using logs where I could on top of the dirt - seems to help them last longer I built I don't know how many but got them down to the cliff area.

In one particular section 2 fire dead hemlocks had finally fallen across the trail, one I had made a waterbar before but its a large tree very difficult to cross just up the trail another fell.  I was able to cut it once and scoot it then let the trail go around the trees to the north side.  That actually sort of gives trail reversion (to the extent PI allows).  While resting I noticed there are about 10 more dead hemlocks in the area - 2 of which will almost assuredly fall across the trail.  The rest may.

I was going to to help them fall and hopefully control direction somewhat but after watching them vibrate in the wind and knowing the tree I just cut had snapped in a good place (requiring only one cut).  I couldn't get Ken C's voice out of my head  "don't do it - the top could break off while chopping and kill you." which is true that is a real possibility, a rope and spotter would be quite prudent.

That little section is widow maker alley for now.

A good day in the woods, was surprised I had spent 8 hours and it was a tough hike out.  A set of Easton trekking poles were about 300 yards down the trail on the side - not broke or anything.  I carried them to the trail head.

May 9 2014 Upper GI - wait PI

Date of work May, 9 2014

number of workers: 1 (been too long again Jim d)

time spent: 5.5 hours (includes commute

Work accomplished: Light clipping on upper part of Pinch in trail = maybe got 1/4 of the way down clipping and removing trees across trail.  Where I quit three trees killed by thr fire 7 years ago had fallen in or along the trail.  Made a water bar out of two of them, the third was hardened red oak and I was out of gas.  Fortunately its easily stepped over.  I was generally pleased at how open the trail seemed, things had leafed out but not fully, on the parts I worked its a solid 4' wide corridor now with minimal clipping required.  Briers and blackberry and devil's walking stick shaved it it was even looking at the trail.

Also good news is that the trees are forming canopy over the trail which will mean more shade - not shady by any means just less brutally sunny.

The waterbars previously put in were holding up well, some of the smaller ones had been kicked through, but most are big enough trees that people have stepped over them, and they didn't need major cleaning.  There is also an ample number of them so very little evidence of water running down the trail and continuing to rut (at least the upper part).  I think its a model for how a steep trail should be done- OK I'm biased.

Ran out of gas too soon, fed the bugs well - forgot repellent, so went back to the truck.  I think that trail gets a little steeper every year.....

Wonderful to be out there though

Southern RJ March 30, 2014

Date of work: March 30, 2014

time spent: 28 hours (3 workers- includes commutes)

Number of workers: 3 Jim d, Ken, and Mike

work done:  The primary goal was to check conditions and clip between Mossy Falls and Tee shirt point along Rock Jock.  This would mean the entire trail has been clipped over the last 6 months.

On the way in from the south end, some light clipping was done and a couple of trees in the back of Mossy canyon were removed from the trail.  Several remain, but they are mainly step overs.

Once passed Mossy falls we clipped to tee shirt point turn then up the hill slightly tying into the point Ken and I had clipped to coming south about three weeks ago.

The wind was up so there may be more and new deadfall across RJ but the trail is discernible and followable all the way through.

It was a great day, started cool and cloudy with snow flurries, ended with a full sun exit out of the south end of RJ. 

upper Pinch In 11-29-2013

Date of work: 11/29/13

Time spent : 8 hours includes commute

Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

Work accomplished:

Was a little disappointed to see tape across the trail head and in reading the notice discovered entering the area makes one subject to a $5k fine.  So I clipped around the paking lot, everything high within the confines then one person wide pass around the outside of the parking boundaries.  While clipping I thought to call Ken and ask about trail closures.

He reminded me that they had been rescinded for the hunters sake, and I did remember seeing that.  Getting the signs down I guess wasn't as great a priority as putting them up was.

With that information I started down the trail.  I wanted to check my waterbars having had this feeling that they had been removed by fire watchers in prep for possibly using Pinch In if the fire jumped the river.

Happily I can report they were all in good shape and required very little maint.  I did clean out a few that were near full but and built a couple more, but mostly I just clipped the trail back to proper width.  A sling blade may have been a better tool than shears.

Clipped and made a few additional waterbars, repositioned some step over logs as waterbars, That I previously was unable to do from being tired.  The logs I chopped were full of moisture and froze, so that helps them break up, and a pulaski chop through them.

Worked to the point a couple hundred yards above the cliff area, intend to put in more water features in that last little bit as I work down the hill on the middle third.  Hope to camp sometime to work the lower third. 

It was a good day in the woods, saw for people hiking in with backpacks to enjoy the gorge.

Northern RJ 8/4/2013

Date of work: 8/04/2013

number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

Time spent: 11 hours -includes commute

Work done: Starting from Old Conley fire ring I clipped south, just minimally the stuff across the trail and thin too.  My goal was to get as far south as I could and try and keep moving clipping waht was sticking over the trail, trying to make sure it was followable if not wide. 

At the top of the gulley in what is generally called Blue Jay canyon there was a tree across the trail, its where Ken and I turned around when we last worked RJ.  After about an hour and a half it was in two and I was able to scoot the trunk making it passable.  Now there are two trunks hanging over the trail - one in fern canyon, one in blue jay canyon. 

After the tree trunk I worked and clipped south all the way past the turn to sunshine point, somewhere in moonshine canyon but not to south end of it.

I turned and retreated back north clipping more but walking at near normal pace.  Had lunch at bean camp in the hammock then snoozed a bit.  Watered up at Blue jay falls, then made it to the truck.

Rj is discernible all the way into moonshine canyon.  There are a couple duck unders.  I'll post a few pictures at some point.

Babel Tower July 7

Date of work: 7/7/2013

Number of workers: 1 Jim d

time spent 8 hours( includes commute)

work accomplished: was planning to clip lower Babel.  When I got there upper Babel was a creek, so I took my time and built one waterbar when it got just ridiculously deep.  Worked on some other water features.

Where the wet spring crosses the trail 3 or four waterbars were needed.  I feel good that I was able to get most of the water off the trail quicker.  There are so many little springs with it being so wet.

I finally got to where clipping had ended two weeks ago, and the waterbar was doing its job.  This is in the upper ditch area.  I spent the rest of my time clipping the ditch and building cleaning waterfeatures that were in that section.

One of the little springs I noticed was coming out in the trail in one of the deeper sections, so I clear cut the downhill side berm filling the clippings in the deep part.  The trail goes down the berm for about 20' then back into the existing part, at the bottom I created another waterbar- first opportunity to help keep the water from going further down the trail.  It needs some tread work I was losing steam by this point.  I clipped further down, I'm close to the bottom of the ditch.

I walked out.  No rain on me while in the woods, some on the way up and on the way home, it was a good day in the woods.

Upper Babel Tower trail

Date : 6/23/2013

Number of workers: 2  Jim d and Mel B

time spent: 17 hours (includes commutes)

Work accomplished: Clipped Babel growth back as we descended getting to the uppermost waterbar in the ditch area.  It was in good shape and had not grown shut, but we widened it.

We cleared a couple trees - one requiring two pulaski cuts, and a big mess near the stone bridge.  It had been passable but is now better.

At the waterbar the water was end running and back onto the trail, so digging happened to get it off the trail with rocks place to prevent people (hopefully) from end running the lengthened waterbar and helping water to get back on the trail.

It was a great day in the woods.