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)

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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

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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.