Lower Conley Cove 6-11-2013

date of work: 6/11/2013

number of workers: Ken C, Tyler K, and Jim d

time spent: 25 hours, includes commutes

Work done: clipped Conley cove - finished clipping it all the way to the river, removed some tree obstructions.

4-5 trees still remain if a crosscut crew is available in the lower sections, generally the trail is passable. 

Saw two snakes - one at a recently downed oak tree (across the trail) 10" copperhead, another further down about 200 yards a 36" copperhead, the little one stayed put, the big one slithered out of the way to avoid injury by sling blade.

Had lunch at the river, and then inspected our work on the way out.

Great day in the woods, got nice and cool at the river but it was hot hiking out.  I wouldn't hike CC in shorts but one probably could.

Upper Conley Cove June 8, 2013

Date of work June 8, 2013

Number of workers: 2 Jim and Jared de Friess

time spent: 10 hours includes commute.

work (fun) accomplished: clipping and building water features to get water running down the trail off sooner.  We built 4 such features and clipped the trail to uniform width further down.  Optimistically its clipped nearly halfway down, maybe just under.

It was a great day in the woods.

LGT North of PI

Dates of work: June 4-6, 2013

Number of Workers: 2 Jim deFriess, Jonathan Kirk

time spent: 32 hours over three days

work done: light clipping on PI, primarily clipping LGT from PI to the point below CC where the trail turns away from the river.

It was a very narrow jungle out there and our pace was slow, but we tried to be thorough on the sections we did accomplish.

on Thursday about 10:30am we quit clipping and just walked out attending to a few trees but not anything comprehensive. We were at the last river camp site heading south before the trail veers away from the river gaining some elevation and distance from it.

North RJ and upper Conley Cove

Date of work: 5/18/2013

number of workers : 1 Jim de Friess

Time spent: 8 hours includes commute

Work accomplished: Trail maintenance mostly clipping with shears, some water bar construction and clean out, some fallen tree obstruction removal/minimizing.

Started on RJ at the fire ring below the Old Conley parking area, clipped/cleared North until intersection with Conley Cove.  At Conley Cove I clipped east (down hill) as far as the foot bridge.  Then returned to the RJ/CC intersection and clipped/cleared CC to the trail head.

Once there I road walked back to my vehicle, saw three hikers- 2 coming out that thanked me, and one going in.

A great day in the woods.

Southern RJ 5-14-2013

Date of work: 5/14/2013

Number of workers: 3 Ken T, Ken C, and Jim d

time spent: 26 hours (includes commutes)

Work accomplished:  Hiked to Mossy falls, made at least one waterbar - on the way out, removed downed trees across the trail, but mostly clipped growth.  From Mossy Falls to 105 the trail is in good shape.  Carried out the few pieces of trash we found.

Video uploading currently-  Will be at:

http://youtu.be/4-YVPqstBWo

Great day in the woods, thanks Ken^2

PI and LGT trashed campsite near the river

Date of work: May 9, 2013

number of workers: 3 Jim d, Tyler d and Jared de Friess

time spent: 24 hours includes commutes

Work done:  was asked to verify a trashed campsite we had heard about from a hiker.  Me and my two sons hiked in and found it as described 3 us army tents, and pots and pans and food.  The critters were in the food already as instant potatoes packages had been sampled in many directions.  We separated it into three groups, burnables, non- burnables, and what may still be interesting to critters- the opened and unopened food packs.

At this point we decided to burn what we could, Jared however decided to keep the tents, and carefully sorted the parts out and with the exception of missing stakes, we think we have three complete ones.  One doesn't have a bag.  If you would like a rescued tent from Linville gorge USA let us know.

So we gathered some wood which isn't easy in this campsite, I suggest we avoid using it for a while.  Then we started a fire and burned away.  After the tents were packed up and everything burned that we could we put the fire out.

A hiker came by - looking for fishing spots, he volunteered to carry the lantern remnant out.  I put the three tents in the pack, we then bagged three propane cylinders, and egg container, and a pocket knife.  Putting them in a bag hanging off the back of the backpack.  Jared carried the pack out, the last I saw of him was just as we left the tree line ascending to the ridge.  Guess that means we should have put more on him.  It was over thirty pounds easily.

I managed to get out once again, as it was hot and muggy coming up that ridge.

pictures:

https://plus.google.com/photos/110028009052849072738/albums/5876109238085815521?banner=pwa

PI once again

date of work: 5/3/2013

number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

time spent: 4 hours includes commute

Work done: continued down Pinch In removing trail obstructions and creating waterbars with them.  Nearing cliff edge area.  Son hiked to the river and back while I worked, he did carry out the pack and tools, I still couldn't keep up.

Forgot the camera so no pics, found and removed empty water bottle "propel" from the side of the trail.

Brief but good trip, the waterbars up the hill seem to be working well, and it was quite pleasing to see.  They are also substantial and should last a while with very little maintenance.

It was a great day in the woods.