Dec 16 Morrow Mountain Hike

Debris field on Morrow

Beginning at the Visitor Center, I first ran into a maintenance employee. He let me in the refurbished hall. The floors had been sanded and it looked very nice. He then mentioned the various issues they were having with stone work. Mortar in the Carolina Blue Stone floors and walls, was coming loose. They were trying to keep up with the most obvious damage but there was so much more. The entire wall along the parking area on top of Morrow was falling apart. The stone patio in back of the VC was in need of repair as well.

I began my hike toward Morrow Mountain. The trail is gently rolling until you get to Morrow. Then it gets steep. I hiked up and then around on the top loop, staring at the ground. Here the debris field from the prehistoric quarry is all around and under the trail. After having a snack at the old picnic shelter, I headed down through the wood off trail until I ended on the road. About 3/4 of mile later I located the Sugarloaf Trail and hiked up to the top of Sugarloaf. Then down and back to the VC. 

Yadkin & Uwharrie form the Pee Dee

This map shows a fish weir in the Pee Dee about the spot where the Uwharrie and Yadkin conflow. That spot is now under Lake Tillery. While visiting this spot after hiking, I saw a Kingfisher, just like the one pictured. Also, at this spot is a lot of mistletoe. The one below was displaying some berries.

Mistletoe berries

The seeds are spread by birds which eat them. There is a sticky substance on the seed which adheres to wood. The seeds contain a slight root tissue which begins to grow into a host tree while the seed is stuck to it. The Mistletoe provides its own photosynthesis until the mistletoe has worked its way into the host's conductive tissue. Once this has occurred, the host provides the mistletoe water and nutrients. Occasionally, the parasitic mistletoe will kill a branch. 

One variation of the mistletoe tradition of kissing underneath it, goes that for each kiss a berry is picked. When all the berries are picked, the kisses stop.