Date of work: Primarily 11/23, some light clipping on 11/24 eventually putting the shears away for the climb out.
Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
Time spent:8 hours (includes commute)
Work done: Just a walk through with light trail Maint on CC and LGT south of CC.
I had heard there were some trees across CC, and clipped until I found them. They appear to be the hard (old dry deads) so I tried to make it a little easier to negotiate. About 3/4s of the way down CC a red oak had fallen to block the upper and lower parts of a switchback The bypass hikers had put in was steep, so I spent about 30 mins clearing as best I could to open the switchback back up. There is a step over still at the edge of a ledge so I did not do anything to block the bypass, I had visions of ice. I only clipped slightly on CC and LGT, however the further south I went the more I clipped, especially areas I felt the trail would be confusing. I was hoping to get it clipped to where I had stopped clipping coming North of PI and did in fact complete that. The trail was completely blocked about 100 yards from where I had made it up from the south with the hiker bypass equally bad, but 6-8 cuts later 12' of trail was open and 60' of bypass unnecessary.
Met two hikers today on the way out that had lost the trail. They turned around when they met me after we discussed how far it was to the river crossing (we were 1-1.5 miles north of PI). I explained it to them, and later it occurred to me the maps show LGT crossing near Blue hole, while when someone mentions river crossing I think MST.
On the way out the two I mentioned told two more hikers heading south to talk to the "ranger". They too wanted to go to the river crossing. I estimated it at 6 miles for the MST one and rather involved. They were thinking just walk across the private land. I said they shouldn't do that and getting to that point wasn't easy near the private property anyway.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Pinch In and LGT (north of PI)
Date of work: 10-12-2012
Number of workers: 1 Jim de
Time spent: 10 hours (includes commute)
Hiked down PI to LGT clipping lightly, my summer clipping still had the trail in great shape.
Once at LGT I headed north clipping until I was just south of the feature known as the sphinx, Then I turned around, took a break and hiked back out PI
Sorry to report, but the trash at the PI trail head is still there...
Number of workers: 1 Jim de
Time spent: 10 hours (includes commute)
Hiked down PI to LGT clipping lightly, my summer clipping still had the trail in great shape.
Once at LGT I headed north clipping until I was just south of the feature known as the sphinx, Then I turned around, took a break and hiked back out PI
Sorry to report, but the trash at the PI trail head is still there...
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sept 3, 2012 Southern RJ
Date of work- 9/3/2012
number of workers: 2 Ken C and Jim d
Time spent : 9 for Ken 8 for Jim (includes commute)
Work done: Clipped and built water features on about the southern most mile of RJ trail. We didn't get into the deepest part of Mossy canyon, but we got to the north edge of that section. It was humid,warm, and foggy, some occasional light rain. Even a break of sun. Great day in the gorge with great company.
At Pinch in we saw a blue barrel and tree stand someone had hauled out apparently from the campsite at the river south of PI. Whoever did that we are grateful too. Last pic.
Pics
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September32012
number of workers: 2 Ken C and Jim d
Time spent : 9 for Ken 8 for Jim (includes commute)
Work done: Clipped and built water features on about the southern most mile of RJ trail. We didn't get into the deepest part of Mossy canyon, but we got to the north edge of that section. It was humid,warm, and foggy, some occasional light rain. Even a break of sun. Great day in the gorge with great company.
At Pinch in we saw a blue barrel and tree stand someone had hauled out apparently from the campsite at the river south of PI. Whoever did that we are grateful too. Last pic.
Pics
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/September32012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Babel tower and LGT south 7-20-2012
Date of work 8-20-2012
number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
time spent: 12 hours includes commute
Work done: clipped Babel (what remained) after clipping LGT south of Babel all the way past the switchbacks.
Details: hiked in clipping minimally only those things fully across the trail - OK and some others. The plan was to hike to at least blasted rock (where LGT was chiseled across the rock south of Babel), and then work back to the vehicle. It was overcast most of the day and I felt good so I continued south. Ken made a log chopping video on LGT -last time we worked together on it. The log is just north of the switchbacks, and we had come in from Spence to get there, so I knew anything south on LGT from where I stopped could be gotten from Spence. That was a major goal.
I clipped minimally in except around what we call hobo camp, getting through initially was more involved, and I knew it would be. I tried to make it passable on the way in.
At the turn around point I started back clipping more thoroughly. Back by camp hobo to the popular camp by the stream I clipped a little wider. From the popular camp back to Babel tower trailI clipped a little thinner since this part is getting more traffic than the trail to the south. In the ditch part of Babel tower I clipped very minimally just enough to keep open. It appeared someone has checked out the ridge, and hopefully official permission will be given to move the trail at least uphill some. At the last ridge overlook where the trail was built (I'm guessing by CCC) with a rock bed, I went back to clipping wider until I hit my exhaustion wall. I was about 200' below where I had stopped clipping on Babel descending on previous trips, and I didn't care if I clipped again today. I did though and that section is slightly narrower. Then I hiked out.
People:
Saw a group of boys in the popular camp on the way in, they were mostly in hammocks, and instead of pitched rainflys, they just laid polyethelene over the ridge line. Must of been two groups because they were in different parts of that camp.
On the way back clipping met a lone male backpacker just south of Hobo camp. He said 20 years ago getting lost on gorge trails was part of the adventure and that overall the trail now are easy to follow and he really appreciated it. He also asked if I was a gorge rat. Lets see 2+ miles from nearest TH clipping trail- mmmmm plus the patch on my hat. Took the canvas one.
Then I went back through popular camp and seeing all the boys had left, and seeing two younger boys with gear for about 4 playing at the fire pit trying to burn their fingers. I figured parents were at the river, I did not speak to them I usually don't speak to campers.
Further north a group of teenage women and two leaders passed me heading north. All backpacking all sweating and seeming to enjoy it. They thanked me that they had got to hike on clipped trail. The hobo area wasn't quite a brier patch but to follow the trail you had to look at the tread, and not the clearing in front of you (there wasn't any). I told them ahead was thinner. I would later see this same group near the TH at Babel. They were on the east side two nights ago, in the gorge last night and staying on the west side tonight (3 night trip). They thanked me again the second time I passed them.
On the way up Babel three male backpackers were coming down, one had a knee brace on each leg and was going extremely slowly- descending. I wasn't ascending very fast because I was clipping, and they weren't descending very fast because of him. I heard them 5 minutes before we met.
I took a video of the creek running in the popular camp, and some of the river without me talking where I took my break for lunch. I did get in the river, its gone back to cool- takes some getting used to, but I got used to it. A few pictures as well.
It was a great day, and I surprised my self at how much i got done. I had two quarts of water and a 20oz gatorade. A little more hydration I think would have been better.
number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess
time spent: 12 hours includes commute
Work done: clipped Babel (what remained) after clipping LGT south of Babel all the way past the switchbacks.
Details: hiked in clipping minimally only those things fully across the trail - OK and some others. The plan was to hike to at least blasted rock (where LGT was chiseled across the rock south of Babel), and then work back to the vehicle. It was overcast most of the day and I felt good so I continued south. Ken made a log chopping video on LGT -last time we worked together on it. The log is just north of the switchbacks, and we had come in from Spence to get there, so I knew anything south on LGT from where I stopped could be gotten from Spence. That was a major goal.
I clipped minimally in except around what we call hobo camp, getting through initially was more involved, and I knew it would be. I tried to make it passable on the way in.
At the turn around point I started back clipping more thoroughly. Back by camp hobo to the popular camp by the stream I clipped a little wider. From the popular camp back to Babel tower trailI clipped a little thinner since this part is getting more traffic than the trail to the south. In the ditch part of Babel tower I clipped very minimally just enough to keep open. It appeared someone has checked out the ridge, and hopefully official permission will be given to move the trail at least uphill some. At the last ridge overlook where the trail was built (I'm guessing by CCC) with a rock bed, I went back to clipping wider until I hit my exhaustion wall. I was about 200' below where I had stopped clipping on Babel descending on previous trips, and I didn't care if I clipped again today. I did though and that section is slightly narrower. Then I hiked out.
People:
Saw a group of boys in the popular camp on the way in, they were mostly in hammocks, and instead of pitched rainflys, they just laid polyethelene over the ridge line. Must of been two groups because they were in different parts of that camp.
On the way back clipping met a lone male backpacker just south of Hobo camp. He said 20 years ago getting lost on gorge trails was part of the adventure and that overall the trail now are easy to follow and he really appreciated it. He also asked if I was a gorge rat. Lets see 2+ miles from nearest TH clipping trail- mmmmm plus the patch on my hat. Took the canvas one.
Then I went back through popular camp and seeing all the boys had left, and seeing two younger boys with gear for about 4 playing at the fire pit trying to burn their fingers. I figured parents were at the river, I did not speak to them I usually don't speak to campers.
Further north a group of teenage women and two leaders passed me heading north. All backpacking all sweating and seeming to enjoy it. They thanked me that they had got to hike on clipped trail. The hobo area wasn't quite a brier patch but to follow the trail you had to look at the tread, and not the clearing in front of you (there wasn't any). I told them ahead was thinner. I would later see this same group near the TH at Babel. They were on the east side two nights ago, in the gorge last night and staying on the west side tonight (3 night trip). They thanked me again the second time I passed them.
On the way up Babel three male backpackers were coming down, one had a knee brace on each leg and was going extremely slowly- descending. I wasn't ascending very fast because I was clipping, and they weren't descending very fast because of him. I heard them 5 minutes before we met.
I took a video of the creek running in the popular camp, and some of the river without me talking where I took my break for lunch. I did get in the river, its gone back to cool- takes some getting used to, but I got used to it. A few pictures as well.
It was a great day, and I surprised my self at how much i got done. I had two quarts of water and a 20oz gatorade. A little more hydration I think would have been better.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
upper Babel Tower trail
Date: July 2 2012
Time spent: 6 hours- includes commute
number of workers: 1 Jim defriess
Work done: clipped Upper Babel Tower trail, cut one log, across the trail making it easier to cross. Clippings were left to mulch the trail. 6 hikers expressed thanks.
photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/July22012BabelTower
Great day in the woods.
Time spent: 6 hours- includes commute
number of workers: 1 Jim defriess
Work done: clipped Upper Babel Tower trail, cut one log, across the trail making it easier to cross. Clippings were left to mulch the trail. 6 hikers expressed thanks.
photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/July22012BabelTower
Great day in the woods.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
LGT- (Cabin to Babel) June 26, 2012
date of work: June 26, 2012
Number of wokers: 1 Jim de Friess
time spent :10 hours (includes commute)
work done: Parked at Babel Tower Trail head- walked up 105 to the Cabin Trail head. Descended Cabin trail- clipping very minimally. At LGT turned South and clipped (over several hours) all the way to about 100 yards north of where the trail crosses a creek. At that point I was at a place with a tree trunk across the trail and was pretty well exhausted. The tree trunk was resting on a boulder and I was able to slide it off and get it to the ground. I then chopped a tree down, and cut one off that the trunk had pinned making it far easier to get by for hikers. At that point I clipped I clipped a little less wide than I had been until I got to the spur trail leading to the river. North of the river turn I clipped a little wider hoping future hikers wanting to follow LGT would realize the trail goes uphill there.
I took the spur trail to the river for a relaxing swim. The water was pleasantly cool and not shockingly cold and was able to get right in. I drank some water and ate a snack and rested.
After the refreshing break I climbed back up to the LGT and clipped south toward Babel Tower. Trying for 2' wide and making sure anyone going through the boulders (in the trail) could easily see foot placement. I reached Babel tower, and took another break drinking half a quart of water. Then started up Babel Tower trail, clipping those things that were most prominent, but clipping with the idea of "keep moving" or stay at almost hike speed. Some things got missed. The lower 2/3rds of Babel Tower could use more clipping for sure. The upper 1/3 (where Muttly and I worked -a year ago?) was still in good shape except for a few places where quick growing blackberries had intruded. I only clipped some of them as the sun was nearing its setting point and I was pretty well spent. Babel clearly is getting traffic, so even though its narrow at the bottom its obvious. The LGT is getting less traffic, so I felt my time was well spent clipping wider along it and saving Babel for another time.
LGT since Father's day has had some clipping done between the North end and Babel tower. Minor clipping on LGT happened in March, so its a little easier to follow, but there are still narrow spots.
On the way out (dusk) saw rabbits in the road, having to almost stop before three of them would scatter. Saw a full grown Black bear in the road south of the turn to Dobson's knob - the low spot before Unnamed route- I was heading south. It was a beautiful bear and probably would tip the scales around 300 pounds- just guessing. It ran off when I closed within a 100 yards in my truck. There was a camera on my dashboard- but the surprise kept me from thinking about it. Saw a box turtle crossing the road too.
On the way in (11 am) a deer crossed just after the pavement turns dirt, and a turkey about 150 yards further up. The road had recently been scraped and I actually had to back down and carry more speed up the hill to the first sharp left hand turn. In the process of that a rock or something got between a rotating and non-rotating part of a wheel and made a terrible racket- for about a mile - finally vibrating out or wearing down. weird.
Three hikers had just come out Babel as I parked and were resting. They were hiking to their car at Cabin. They had parked at Cabin and hiked through- didn't ask where they stayed but it was at least one night. I told them where I was planning to clip- which sounded like the same route. They were done I was starting. They asked about finding out trail conditions. I told them about LGN (linvillegorge.net) with its forum and trail work blog. Maybe they'll register.
I think the bear was the highlight, made a couple videos and will load them and pics to the usual spots at some point. It was a great day in the woods.
Number of wokers: 1 Jim de Friess
time spent :10 hours (includes commute)
work done: Parked at Babel Tower Trail head- walked up 105 to the Cabin Trail head. Descended Cabin trail- clipping very minimally. At LGT turned South and clipped (over several hours) all the way to about 100 yards north of where the trail crosses a creek. At that point I was at a place with a tree trunk across the trail and was pretty well exhausted. The tree trunk was resting on a boulder and I was able to slide it off and get it to the ground. I then chopped a tree down, and cut one off that the trunk had pinned making it far easier to get by for hikers. At that point I clipped I clipped a little less wide than I had been until I got to the spur trail leading to the river. North of the river turn I clipped a little wider hoping future hikers wanting to follow LGT would realize the trail goes uphill there.
I took the spur trail to the river for a relaxing swim. The water was pleasantly cool and not shockingly cold and was able to get right in. I drank some water and ate a snack and rested.
After the refreshing break I climbed back up to the LGT and clipped south toward Babel Tower. Trying for 2' wide and making sure anyone going through the boulders (in the trail) could easily see foot placement. I reached Babel tower, and took another break drinking half a quart of water. Then started up Babel Tower trail, clipping those things that were most prominent, but clipping with the idea of "keep moving" or stay at almost hike speed. Some things got missed. The lower 2/3rds of Babel Tower could use more clipping for sure. The upper 1/3 (where Muttly and I worked -a year ago?) was still in good shape except for a few places where quick growing blackberries had intruded. I only clipped some of them as the sun was nearing its setting point and I was pretty well spent. Babel clearly is getting traffic, so even though its narrow at the bottom its obvious. The LGT is getting less traffic, so I felt my time was well spent clipping wider along it and saving Babel for another time.
LGT since Father's day has had some clipping done between the North end and Babel tower. Minor clipping on LGT happened in March, so its a little easier to follow, but there are still narrow spots.
On the way out (dusk) saw rabbits in the road, having to almost stop before three of them would scatter. Saw a full grown Black bear in the road south of the turn to Dobson's knob - the low spot before Unnamed route- I was heading south. It was a beautiful bear and probably would tip the scales around 300 pounds- just guessing. It ran off when I closed within a 100 yards in my truck. There was a camera on my dashboard- but the surprise kept me from thinking about it. Saw a box turtle crossing the road too.
On the way in (11 am) a deer crossed just after the pavement turns dirt, and a turkey about 150 yards further up. The road had recently been scraped and I actually had to back down and carry more speed up the hill to the first sharp left hand turn. In the process of that a rock or something got between a rotating and non-rotating part of a wheel and made a terrible racket- for about a mile - finally vibrating out or wearing down. weird.
Three hikers had just come out Babel as I parked and were resting. They were hiking to their car at Cabin. They had parked at Cabin and hiked through- didn't ask where they stayed but it was at least one night. I told them where I was planning to clip- which sounded like the same route. They were done I was starting. They asked about finding out trail conditions. I told them about LGN (linvillegorge.net) with its forum and trail work blog. Maybe they'll register.
I think the bear was the highlight, made a couple videos and will load them and pics to the usual spots at some point. It was a great day in the woods.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Cabin- LGT- Bynum Bluff 6-19-2012
Date of work: 6-19-2012
Number of workers: 3 (Jimd, Hikerman, and Ken)
Time spent: 26.5 hours combined (includes commutes)
Work accomplished: Hiked down Cabin trail clipping as needed, turned North on LGT clipped as needed, cleared one area with multiple trees across the trail, clipped to Bynum Bluff, ascended Bynum out.
The trail was a little narrow, but its better now.
Video at:
http://youtu.be/SKFimMS_nEY
Pictures at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/CabinLGTBynumBluffJune192012
A great day in the woods.
Number of workers: 3 (Jimd, Hikerman, and Ken)
Time spent: 26.5 hours combined (includes commutes)
Work accomplished: Hiked down Cabin trail clipping as needed, turned North on LGT clipped as needed, cleared one area with multiple trees across the trail, clipped to Bynum Bluff, ascended Bynum out.
The trail was a little narrow, but its better now.
Video at:
http://youtu.be/SKFimMS_nEY
Pictures at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110028009052849072738/CabinLGTBynumBluffJune192012
A great day in the woods.
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