June 20 Uwharrie Trailblazers' Adopt Hiking Trails

The Uwharrie Trailblazers rolled out their trail adoption program earlier this year. The kick off was delayed due to the pandemic's restrictions. Volunteer work in the National Forest was not allowed for a couple months. Finally, that restriction was lifted and we are back working on trails. 

The club signed a trail adoption agreement with the forest service, adopting all hiking trails in the forest. We divided them up into 18 sections and asked members to adopt them. As of today, we have 17 of the 18 adopted, thanks to a great group of volunteers. Some are long time members and others just joining. 

Today was our orientation event, held at the future Walker Creek Trailhead. Earlier in the week, we had the area mowed since it was waist high and not conducive for such a gathering. We limited the number to under 20 (we had 19) and we established a 10 foot physical distancing guideline. Everyone showed up with face masks. Mine was dangling from my ear during the presentation. 

David Craft kicked things off, asking everyone to say a bit about themselves, where they lived and how they get involved. We had adopters from Angiers to Greensboro to Charlotte, and places between. Some are military veterans, several are involved with scouting, one adopting team is a Christian fathers and sons group, a tax specialist, a cowgirl (maybe that should be an equestrian), a couple of textile guys. an insurance man - and everyone is volunteer minded.

After introductions, I gave an overview of the adoption program. Dave Gardener lectured on trail safety. Finally, Gifford Del Grande showed off some brand new tools and how to use them.  

A short question and answer period added some good discussion. The painted trail blaze vs plastic "reassurance marker" subject was covered. When is the "gap" going to be closed. No definitive answer to that one. Can we use battery operated tools in the Wilderness? No. Seemingly, we covered it all except for the raging Bigfoot controversy. Dave failed to add that to his safety commentary. Just be mindful out in the forest. Especially if you carry candy bars. Bigfoot has a big sweet tooth for Zagat bars.  

Then we headed to the forest. Dave Gardener led a session on lopping. You may wonder why a session on lopping. There is more to it than you think. First off, you need a good lopper. Friskers is the brand of choice for the UTB work crew. Snip branches near the main stem or trunk of the tree to prevent a repeat cut for this season. Cut as if you are carrying a 4x8 piece of plywood through the forest. However, the first couple feet from the ground can be a narrower swath. And those pine trees don't grow back if you cut them at ground level, but other trees do. 

Gifford Del Grande led the other break out group. He demonstrated how to construct a run out. Once you know how it is constructed, you are better able to clear and repair one. Above, the guys and gals are embedding rocks on the lower side of the run out. Then packing soil on it.

After the work was done, Giff and I enjoyed some lemonade in the forest, face masks still partially attached.

Thanks to all our adopters who were able to make the orientation. It really felt like a community of kindred spirits.

Jun 1 Three Sisters Ridge

June 1 was a splendid day for a hike at Hanging Rock State Park. Sunny, low temperatures and low humidity was on the menu. Will and I met at the beginning of Orrell Road to set up our shuttle. Wearing Covid facemasks, we carpooled to the Visitor Center where we stepped on the trail to Hanging Rock itself. The first mile or so was on trail and then we stepped off toward the Three Sisters. We spent much time at the start of our off trail taking in the north and south views.

We had to make the obligatory stop at this cantelevered rock which has been discovered and vandalized with multiple spray paint taggings. The stone furniture here, gets more elaborate each visit.

Next stop was the big cave at the base of the cliffs. Not as "discovered" as the cantelevered rock, it does have some graffiti etched onto its sides. From here, we wanted to find a way back up on top of the outcropping without backtracking. We did find a scramble route up the rock face.

We stopped at this viewpoint to see the Indian face side of Moores Knob. Heading on, we followed the spine of the ridge as best we could, looking for easily traversed forest. The greenbrier covered pathways were behind us now.

It was a gnarley climb up Big Sister. We found this wonderful lookout on top. It continued to be a rough scramble atop Big Sister until we headed to the gap. At the gap with Middle Sister, there is remnants of an old road which crosses from one side to the other. The climb up Middle Sister is much easier, especially if you walk around to the other (East) side and backtrack to the top. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch here.

Little Sister has an old road along one side which some folks use to avoid the climb. I have found the climb easier than battling the Laurel and Rhododendron in the old road. Once on top, there is a long gradual decline down to Sheeprock. We tried to stay as close to the south side of the ridge to look for interesting views and outcroppings. Above is one we took advantage of. Note Will is sitting on top. We also located the keyhole we have seen previously. It is much more obscured with the trees fully leafed out. 

Finally, at Sheeprock, we spotted several patches of Greenland Stitchwort hiding in the rock crevices. Now, it is time to leave the ridge and look for a way down the mountainside. We follow my previous gps track and Will sees an possible route down on Avensa which we take. It was just 5 or 10 minutes of steepness we had to negotiate before we reached the old road with rock wall. I am surprised to see some recent trees chainsawed off the trail. It appears horses are using this old road often enough for there to be some heavy duty sawing.

We follow the old road back to the intersection with an another old road alongside the fields by Mill Creek. We pass several tobacco barns. We are just 10 minutes from the car when we decide to take a loop on old roads which I had a gps track of. These roads were not as easy to follow and we did have to push our way through some tall vegetation at a couple points.

Once we exit the forest, we are in the field with this beautiful chimney. We stopped to admire the rockwork. While there, I noticed a couple pines that appeared to have pink blooms in them. Wondering what kind of a vine that was, we investigated and see that it is Roses which have gone wild and are blooming all over the field. 

Great hike. I did pick up 4 ticks and have some other bites which could be early chiggers. That is my cue to "chigger up" for the summer.