Uwharrie Trailblazer "Trail Champion" Don Childrey gives us instructions on setting signs in the Birkhead Wilderness today. The UTB had the signs made by Andy Newcomb. Most have been set by master sign setter, Daniel Alexi and his scouts. The plan today is to enter the wilderness via the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission property on High Pine Church Road. We'll be installing 3 signs and carrying out the replaced ones.
We begin by walking about a mile on a very muddy, recently dozed access. Once in the wilderness, we followed an old road to the Camp 3 Trail. Here we split into 2 groups, just after I took a group photo.
One group hiked the Camp 3 Trail 1.1 miles to Camp 5 where their sign was to be placed. I walked with the group setting signs at the junction of Birkhead Mountain Trail and the old road we walked in on, and another at the junction of Birkhead Mountain and Robin Branch Trails.
The signs were heavy and it appeared as if we were headed to a crucifixion. The first thing I noted when it was my turn to shoulder the load, Daniel has rounded the edges of the posts, making it a bit more comfortable that having sharp edges.
Once we had set our signs, we regrouped with the others and headed back through Fern Valley visiting Bootleg Hollow along the way
We decided to leave the old sign with the new sign here. The old signs have character. I hope this one stands for a while.
The hole and the metal apparatus which looks like a crank used to haul buckets of dirt, or ore, from below, has been the subject of many stories and rural legends. I've heard it was leftover from the gold mining era. I've heard it is the Rush Mine. I'm sure there are other stories. Recently, Don met with Joey Moffitt, son of Uwharrie Trail founder, Joe Moffitt. Joey told Don he and a buddy fashioned the piece of metal and dug the hole. So, I will call it an "unnatural natural heritage spot".
Thanks to all the Trailblazers who turned out to work today on the Walker Creek section of trail as well and the sign setters.
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