Traildogs - February 2/1/08
Good weather at last and a great day of digging. The pro team of USFS Rangers Josh and Joey completed the top of the mountain dig today taking the trail a half-mile to the precipitous edge of the south side of Hickory Nut Mountain. The view of the lake on this stretch of trail is everything we had hoped and planned for. This was a tough 1/2 mile very rocky and difficult to dig.
The bottom of the mountain team continued working toward the base Hickory Nut Mt. After gong over two miles on old roads the progress slowed significantly as we began the long climb in elevation that eventually will bring us to the summit of the mountain. This deep vast valley has a sense of solitude that is almost palatable.
An interesting event today as we digging on the east side of one of the hills that lead to Hickory Nut we opened a strong, clear spring just below the surface. We are in the process of armoring or lining it with stones and providing a pool for hikers to have source of cold spring water on a hot day.
WE will not have a lead team on the trail tomorrow Saturday Feb 2nd but if you would like to work on the trail go the Mountain Harbor trailhead parking then follow the forest service road 1.2 miles to where the road ends. Park and follow the new trail approx. 1.2 miles to where are digging where you will find a tool cache wrapped in blue tarp.
Monday Feb 5th we will have our lead team supporting the USFS machine operators as we try to reach the foot of Hickory Nut Mt. We will start at 9:00 am so follow the directions listed above to join the dig. If you call me on my cell at 501-276-5006 when you arrive we will give you a shuttle on a four-wheeler to the dig site to save you the hike. This will be our site and schedule for the entire week.
We will only have the machines for the next two weeks so all the help we can muster will be deeply appreciated in our effort to complete this most challenging section of the trail.
Bring your lunch and drinks and join next week.
Jerry Shields
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