Sept 19-25 SAWS Crew in Birkhead Wilderness

In June of this year, a storm blew across Randolph County, toppling trees and cutting power. The Birkhead Wilderness lay right in its path. The damage was the worst I'd seem in the Uwharries in  45 years of living nearby. Most of what I saw was on the Birkhead Mountain Trail near Tot Hill. There were 3 main areas damage, 2 of which were in the Wilderness. And all of it was beyond the abilities of our Uwharrie Trailblazers work crew to cut through.The area outside the Wilderness was addressed by District Ranger Mike Spisak and his local Forest Service crew using chainsaws and a bulldozer. The Wilderness damage got addressed September 19-25 by the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS). The Forest Service contracted with them to clean up the trails. 

A six man (5 guys, 1 gal) showed up Wednesday morning at Tot Hill ready to work. Several of our Uwharrie Trailblazers were along to assist. The day begins with "Safety Circle" and the objectives of the day are announced. Each participant suggests an exercise and presents a safety concern for the day. Still while stretching, a question of the day is posed. One day it was what is our favorite aspect of the forest. Once the morning ritual has completed, we pack up and head out on the trail to look for fallen trees. It is a relatively cool day. The only one in the forecast. 

The SAWS group split into 2 three person groups with Mary Joan and myself aligning with one each. She in Josh's crew and I'm with Matt. When we reach the top of Coolers Knob, Josh's crew tackles the first obstacle while the rest of us move ahead so as not to impede their work. When we find a fallen tree, Matt does an assessment of how we are going to cut and what needs to be of concern. He must know which cuts to do in what order and if they are top or bottom bound cuts. And how will the tree react when it is cut. Are there any hazards above? When there is an attached rootball, you have to be aware of the possibility of the tree righting itself once cut. We are in a designated wilderness, so no motorized equipment is used. The small cuts are made by hand saws or axes. The big ones with a two man crosscut saw. 

I did not think the SAWS crew would make it through all the damage and then clear Robins Branch and Hannah Creek Trails. However, by midday, I began to think otherwise. We make excellent progress and I was amazed at the speed in which a crosscut sliced through a large log.

During that first day, we learned they were staying at a group campground by Badin Lake and making the long trip back and forth each day. One of our members, Gifford, learned this and used his connection with Mt Shepherd Retreat, to get them settled into cabins for the duration of their stay. Giff lined it all up and communicated it to me while I was working with the crew. I took them over to the retreat that afternoon after work and they decided to make the move the following day. I heard that it seemed like vacation in the air conditioned cabins. 

Their week in the Uwharries got hotter and hotter. I joined them again on the second to last day. Dave Gardener, Gifford and one other UTB member were in attendance. After the safety circle, we started out on the Robins Branch Trail and hiked all the way to the Thornburg junction without finding any damage. So, we turned back and retraced to Hannah Creek where we found lots of work. By early afternoon we had cleared to the Birkhead Mountain Trail. The guys were worried they'd not have enough work the following day. I decided to hike BMT all the way to the Robins Branch junction and photo everything I saw. When I returned, they were just finishing up for the day and stashing their gear. I showed the photos and it looked like a good day's work. 

When their work was done, UTB hosted them at Four Saints for beer and pizza. They had to get special permission for the beer part as they are not allowed to drink during their work stay.

When you walk these trails now, just take a look at the fabulous work the SAWS crew did. Thanks guys.