Monday, May 15, 2017

Apr 22 Pilot Creek Celebration

Pinxter Azalea

Friends of Sauratown Mountains honored and recognized its volunteers today (Earth Day) at the new Pilot Creek Trailhead at Pilot Mountain State Park. The 3.6 mile trail was built with volunteer labor saving the state an estimated $70,000. Although I did not put in any hours on this trailwork, it was one of my best moments as a Friends member, seeing the work we are doing for the state parks.

Cemetery at Pilot Creek Trailhead

Tucked away where the field meets the forest, an old family cemetery can be seen from the new trailhead. The trailhead is on Boyd Nelson Road and now has a state park sign, parking area and locust fence. 

Cake for our volunteers
Debbie Vaden opened the ceremony and passed it off to Don Bergey who gave out awards, t-shirts and spoke highly of the many volunteers that worked on this trail and other trails throughout the year.

Holding the awnings down


We had plenty of awnings on hand to sit under. However, the wind picked up and each leg of the awnings had to be held down. One awning flipped completely and t shirts blew off the table. We managed to hold the event and get the awning taken down. 

Turkey eggs

When it was time for the grand opening of the Pilot Creek Trail, we all walked through the field to where the trail enters the forest. Ranger Dylan Joyce, in charge of the park's trails, used a pair of loppers to cut the caution tape. When everyone cheered, a turkey flushed off her next about 30 feet from the group, revealing a nest of eggs. I hope she returned.

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