The new year has been in full swing for nearly two weeks now. We've seen a lot of weather here in East Tennessee, and due to that, there's sure to be some damage on the trails we know and love. If your resolution for 2011 was to give back then there's plenty of opportunities. I know that we enjoy getting on the trail and hiking until our hearts are content, but if it wasn't for the volunteers who sacrifice their weekends to maintain the trails we love, our hike would be more laborious, or worse - unavailable - to us to enjoy.
One of our favorite camping and hiking destinations is Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, TN. There's over 80 miles worth of trail hiking at Frozen Head and to keep these trails up takes a lot of hard work. This weekend on Saturday, January 15th will be the first of many opportunities to give back. Everyone wishing to volunteer should meet at the park office/visitor center at 9am equipped with a daypack and water, appropriate clothing for the weather, sturdy hiking shoes, and a will to work/give back.
Work to be done will be announced before hitting the trail. Moderate hiking maybe required. Work should be completed and crews returning to the visitor center by 3:00pm or before.
If you can't make it this weekend, don't fret. There will be plenty more opportunities throughout the year. The rest of the year's volunteer trail maintenance dates are March 19, May 21, June 4 (this is the same day as National Trail's Day), July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, and November 19.
So be sure to make an effort to give back to your local, state, or national parks if you can. We'd love to be at this one, but I'm on call this weekend. Hopefully, we can make it to the next date.
For a complete list of volunteer trail days and other events at Frozen Head State Park go here.
Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
First Hike of 2011 - Lake Trail to Ole Mill Trail - Big Ridge State Park
Old man winter has been working overtime this year in Southern Appalachia. I believe we've had more snow days this winter than the previous few winters combined and early in the season to boot. An inch here, two inches there, we've even had an ice day where everything was covered with a tenth of an inch of ice. Needless to say, it's been tough trying to get out for the first hike of the year. Temps have rarely gotten above freezing, and the one or two days that we had balmy 40 plus temps it was during the work week. Go figure.
It was another one of those weeks where the weathermen were just as clueless on the weather as always. Wednesday was supposed to be rainy. We ended up with 1.5 inches of white fluffy "rain". Friday it was supposed to snow 2 inches. We had a wintery mix instead and none of it stuck because the ground was too wet and warm. Saturday was supposed to be the day with no snow, a high of 32F, and sunny. It was for the most part, but wind chills were down in the teens. Sunday turned out to be the clear day we were looking for, but the high was only 30F. 
We couldn't stand it any longer. All over the blogosphere, people - hikers - were out having fun on the trails. It was time we got a piece of the action. After much deliberation and consideration of the weather, Robin and I decided the Lake Trail at Big Ridge State Park would be the safest choice for our first hike of 2011. When the temps are below freezing, and you haven't a clue as to how much snow might still be on the ground, and threat of more winter weather coming in at some point, you want to make sure you are a) prepared, b) on a familiar trail, and c) not too far from the car or emergency assistance if the need arises.
The Lake Trail is one we've hiked several times, as it's not very far from home. Matter of fact, Big Ridge is only a 10 minute drive from the house if that. The trail is 1.5 miles end to end and the elevation gain is approximately +/- 100ft. The Lake Trail offers wonderful views of Big Ridge Lake, plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities, 
It was definitely cold out, but beautiful nonetheless as we hiked. Big Ridge Lake, we had noticed, was mostly frozen. It was a thin freeze so nothing we'd dare to walk out on. On the second foot bridge, we noticed a deer track in the snow, but we weren't lucky enough to see said deer. As we came to Snodderly Cemetery we heard a very creepy, eerie noise. At first we thought it was birds. However, the more we listened, we realized it was too loud to be birds. It was all around us, or so it seemed. The best description of it is the sound of steal cables snapping like in the movies when you hear an elevator cable snapping or something like that.
As I said before, we were at Snodderly Cemetery and this spot in the trail is right alongside the lake across from the boat house and swimming area. It dawned on us that it must be the lake that was making that sound. To prove this we walked to the bank and pitched rocks onto the frozen water. Sure enough, we reproduced the sound, although it wasn't as loud. We must have stood there a good five or ten minutes just pitching rocks and sticks and listening to the sounds it produced and watching the debris glide across the lake. It was the first time we had heard such a noise in nature and it was the first time Robin had seen Big Ridge Lake frozen this early in the winter. Come to think of it, it's the first time I had ever seen the lake frozen.
After our fun with the lake sounds, we continued on our way. Before long we reached the dam and the connection to Dark Hollow West. We stuck around the dam for a bit. On one side, frozen Big Ridge Lake. On the other, unfrozen Norris Lake. Again Robin played with the sounds of the frozen lake by throwing handfuls of rocks and pebbles. We took several pictures and I had been shooting video off and on, some of it of Robin tossing rocks onto the frozen lake. I just hope I was able to capture the sound.
Several minutes later, we noticed the wind had picked up a bit and our cheeks told us it was getting colder. So on up the trail we headed. The other side of the dam is only a half mile long, but contains the largest ascent if approaching from the dam. Before the climb the trail connects with the Loyston Overlook trail around .10 miles past the dam. At this point we decided to head up to the overlook, which climbs up about 150 ft and loops around the overlook. It's only a .25 mile detour and from the top, it offers a wonderful view out onto the Loyston Sea area of Norris Lake. Of course the view is through the trees, so I'd imagine in the thick of summer it's harder to see.
Once we were finished admiring the view, we headed back down and finished up the trail. Just before the finish is another side trail to Meditation Point which offers a gazebo to sit and look out onto part of Big Ridge Lake, at least during the winter. We decided to just finish the trail instead of taking this trail the .15 miles to the point as it was getting colder and time was becoming an issue. We also still had to walk back to the car, which was parked at the gristmill. We decided as we walked past the boat house and towards the park road that we would walk the Ole Mill trail back to the gristmill. It's an easy trail that meanders .3 miles from the cabins to the gristmill along side the lake. Around the lake and especially along the Ole Mill trail, there is plenty of evidence of beaver work. We even imagined at one point that one beaver must have been pretty disappointed after all his hard work was for not because the felled tree was caught by another tree and fell short of landing in the lake.
It was indeed a great hike and a much needed one at that. Just before exiting the trail we turned to look out across the lake for one last view and was graced with a view that certainly God provided - a brilliant sun setting across the snowy banks of the lake and a sun dog that was absolutely amazing. 2.8 miles later and we were standing back in the gristmill parking lot feeling pleased, satisfied, cold, hungry, and 97.2 miles away from our 100 mile goal.Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin
Monday, January 10, 2011
Another Snowy Day
It's been another snowy day in East Tennessee. Overnight, most of Tennessee seen snow. We knew the system was coming, and I hardly slept out of sheer excitement. I kept getting up and creeping to the kitchen to check our back deck for signs of accumulation. It doesn't see much sun in the winter due to the ridgeline, so we still had a dusting on it from a day or so ago. By 5am, though, I was noticing more and by 6am we had at least an inch.
I finally got some sleep after that, but still woke up early to a fresh coating of snow. A couple inches covered everything. I absolutely love fresh snow, especially waking to it in the morning.Most places were closed today, as most people a little south of us got more. I saw on Facebook that some of our friends near Chattanooga were reporting 7 inches or more. We didn't get near that much, but it was enough to prevent us from trying to make it off this ridge and up the next one - the two ridges that stand between us and the urban world. This all meant one thing - no school, no work (although, he did check in multiple times during the day) = PLAY TIME!
I sat around waiting for most of the morning. Teens sleep in way too long! It was a good thing really, even though my patience had worn thin, and I thought long and hard plotting the multiple ways to wake teenagers (and my husband!) abruptly. None of these would have been nice. It was right in the middle of my strategy planning when, as luck would have it (for them!), they all roused from dreamland. I gave them a few minutes to shake the cobwebs then Clover and I began insisting that we go out and play. It didn't take much to convince them, and we were all out in the snow in no time.
We spent an hour out there. Clover played frisbee, we sledded and "skied", threw lots of snowballs, and the girls made a snow lady to graphic to post here (silly girls!). It really was too cold to be out any longer. But we had fun nonetheless, and have spent the remainder of our "snowed-in" time cuddled up cozy in the house.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Beside the Sun
God painted us this portrait today just as we were leaving the trail.
How glorious to behold the wonder of the sunset with its companion pups!
Friday, January 7, 2011
How to Act on the Trail
I just finished reading a post on backpacker.com about trail etiquette and it got me to thinking. How many of you consider the impact you have on the trail and on others while you are out hiking? We all love the trail, otherwise we wouldn't be out there right? But have you ever stopped to consider if your being out on the trail has affected anyone else's experience? If so, I can only hope that it is in a positive manner. I hope the effects of my being on the trail have been positive for others.The article covered 5 simple rules to consider while being on the trail.
Rule 1: Give the uphill hiker the right of way.
Rule 2: Leave rock cairns alone. (Those piles of rocks on the side of a trail)
Rule 3: If you have to go number 2 do it as far from the trail and as far from water as possible.
Rule 4: Be friendly and greet other hikers.
Rule 5: Stay off the phone.
Most of these are pretty self explanatory especially after you've read the article. As for us, I think we do a pretty good job of following those unwritten rules. It's not our trail, it's everyone's trail and we should all be able to enjoy it, the solitude, the natural beauty, etc. I think there are a few more rules that could be passed along or at least remembered.
1. Leave no trace - There's nothing more appalling on a trail than seeing someone's garbage lying about. If you've packed it in, pack it out. Countless number of times have we seen garbage laying on the side of the trail, and typically it's from someone who has no care about their surroundings and aren't normally hikers, but are rather going to a swimming hole or heard about a waterfall so they just want to check it out. Along that same vein, however, we who love our woods should be diligent in picking up the trash that others have left behind. True, we shouldn't have to pick up after the negligent, but we shouldn't have to pick up after our kids either. However, if you have the means and it's not too much of a burden, pick up that empty soda bottle and dispose of it. It may not be your trash but every little bit helps. Think of it as your own volunteer effort to help maintain our trails and restore the beauty we are all out there to see.
2. Resist the urge to pick those pretty flowers - I'm pretty sure we've all been guilty of this at one time or another. Yes they are absolutely beautiful and would most definitely look gorgeous in your hair over your ear. Or your female trail mate might smile upon receiving the fresh picked trail flower. However, if you pick it, then no one else can enjoy it. Think of the time were it looks like there might have been a flower on the trail but you missed out because someone before you picked it. Let others share those glimpses of beauty and leave the flowers be.
3. Mind your canine pals - I've seen countless debates about dogs on trails. There has been arguments for and against them. We have Clover Beene, and in most instances we keep her on a leash while on a trail. Pretty much every park that allows our four-legged friends to accompany us on the trail, also require that they be on a leash. If that is the rule, then follow it. It's that simple. Sometimes however, you want to let Rover off to go at his/her own will. In some cases that maybe okay. If you do this make sure your dog is trained well enough to listen to and obey your commands. There are instances when we let Clover off the leash and it's usually when there doesn't appear to be anyone else on the trail. However, there have been times where we've been surprised that people are on the trail. Clover is well behaved, trail-trained, and she listens mostly - and mostly to Robin because she's spent the most time training her. It's not a major chore to call her to us and leash her instantly the second we see someone on the trail, and we've also trained her to stay on the trail (in other words, she doesn't venture off ahead making her own path in the woods). There are some who don't give it any thought at all and their dogs come bounding down the trail. We normally don't mind this, especially if Clover is not with us, but there are some who do and for us I'm not too keen on it when I have Clover as she gets quite nervous around other people and dogs. We all need to take this into consideration and think about our fellow hikers.Okay, I could expound more, but I think I will leave it at that. Just remember that the trails we have are not a right but a privilege that many have provided for us to enjoy. Let's remember that while we are out on the trail, others may also be on it. If there isn't someone on the trail there will be before long. While something primordial may well up inside us while we gallivant in the woods just begging to be let loose, let's have a little restraint or at least maybe keep some sort of civility and respect about us so that others can thoroughly enjoy the trails we love so much.
Now I turn to you, our readers, what other unwritten rules do you follow while out on the trail? Let us know what else we may not have covered, realized or forgotten. Until next time...
Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin
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