HIKING & PADDLING NEWS

Contents

• Next Two Months at a Glance
• Hiking
• Paddling
• For The Record

HIKING

FUN FEST MOONLIGHT HIKE
(Scheduled: Thursday, 4 August 94)
Leader: Steve Falling (615.392.0832)
Rating: Easy
Again this year the club will be helping the Bays Mountain Park staff with the Moonlight Hike around the lake (about 2 miles).  About 400 hikers turned out last year for this event so it gives the club some good publicity.  Volunteers are needed to walk with the crowd and to keep the hikers on the correct trail.  The hike begins at 8:00 PM and finishes up about 10:00 PM.  If you are willing to help out with this event, please contact Steve Falling as soon as possible at 392-0832 for more information.

DEVIL'S BACKBONE, WARRIORS PATH PARK
(Scheduled: Saturday, 13 August 94)
Leader: Collins Chew (615.239.6237)
Rating: Easy
This will be an easy hike close to Kingsport.  We will hike the Devils Backbone Trail in Warriors Path State Park to the spectacular cliffs overlooking Ft. Patrick Henry Lake and down to the Fall Creek embayment.  We will then explore the newly added nature walk trail through an old farm.  Meet in front of Eastman Personnel, Bldg. 215 at 9:00 AM or at the end of the bridge at the golf course in Warriors Path Park at 9:20 AM.  Bring water and a snack if you wish and wear comfortable shoes.  The hike should be about 4 miles and we should return by lunch time.  Call Collins Chew at 239-6237 for more information or to let me know you are going.

KONNAROCK CREW - DOLL FLATS RELOCATION
(Scheduled: 18-22 August 94)
Leader: Joe DeLoach (Telephone 615.753.7903)
Rating: Celebration Time!
Our final week of Konnarock Crew time for 1994 will also be the final week of work on the Doll Flats relocation which began last year.  Excellent progress has been made this year including two weeks of Konnarock time and a very good turnout of Club folks and students from Appalachian State in April.  This relocation has been quite challenging thus far and the last week will be no exception, so your help is still very much needed.   The reward will be knowing that you helped move the Trail from a dangerous location to a safe and beautiful one.  There are plenty of things to do and the more folks we have, the easier the work is.  If you'd like to help open what will be one of our nicest sections of the Appalachian Trail please call Joe DeLoach at 753.7903 or Ed Oliver at 349.6668.

VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL
(Scheduled: Saturday, 20 August 94)
Leader: Paul Worsham (615.239.5672)
Rating: Easy
Contact trip leader for details.

TEHCC SUMMER PICNIC
(Scheduled: Saturday, 20 Aug 94)
Leader: Steve Perri (615.349.5091)
Difficulty: Fun
The TEHCC is holding our annual picnic on Saturday, Aug. 20, 1994 in the Roan Mountain area at a location to be determined at a later date.  The picnic will be held in conjunction with the Konnarock Crew's last week helping our club complete the trail relocation at Doll Flats.  We will also have the benefit of several agency partners and the Konnarock Crew present at the picnic which should be a nice social occasion to wrap up the summer.  Our dinner menu will consist of hotdogs, hamburgers with a variety of side dishes, and cookies and fruit for dessert with a variety of soft drinks.  Since the club usually provides this event for the cooperative assistance of the Konnarock Crew and Agency partners, a small monetary donation for food and supplies will be graciously accepted.  Since we have no means of determining the number of participants at this time, we would like to request an RSVP by August 17 so that we can plan accordingly for a projected attendance.  To RSVP or for more information please call Steve Perri at 349.5091 or Joe Deloach at 753.7903.

HIKE TENN. 91 TO U.S. 421
(Scheduled: Saturday, 27 August 94)
Leader: Theona Moorehouse (615.246.7283)
Rated: Easy to Moderate
This hike will start at Tenn 91 on the Carter/Johnson county line.  We will follow the A.T. along Cross Mountain between Iron and Holston Mountains.  The trail follows low ridges, small streams, and swampy areas for the first two miles, then a fairly long grade climbing Rich Knob.  We will have lunch at the Double Springs Shelter, which is 3.5 miles into the hike.  We will then hike 3.4 miles downhill.  There are occasional glimpses of South Holston Lake along the way.  The right side of the trail edges private lands.  Some of the abandoned pastures are open enough to give good vies of the pastoral countryside along Shady Valley.

Meet in B-215 parking lot at 8 AM for an 8:15 AM departure.  We will drop a car at U.S. 421 and go on to Tenn. 91 to begin the hike.  Total distance is 6.9 miles and is rated easy to moderate.  Bring lunch.

SOUTHERN REGIONAL MULTI-CLUB MEET
(Scheduled: 2-5 September 94)
Leader: Joe DeLoach (615.753.7903)
Rating: FUN
The annual Southern Regional Multi-Club Meet for A.T.-maintaining clubs in the Southern Region is being hosted by the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club this year.   The meeting will be held at The Campground at Natural Bridge, near Exit #175 off I-81.  Tent and RV camping is available, and many hikes and other activities are planned.  For more information please call Joe DeLoach at 615.753.7903.

SOUTH BEYOND 6000 HIKE - MOUNT MITCHELL AND BLACK MOUNTAINS
(Scheduled: 3 September 94)
Leader: Joe DeLoach (Telephone 615.753.7903)
Rating: Difficult
The Black Mountains are the highest mountains in the Eastern United States, with 15 named peaks (and several unnamed peaks) over 6000 feet elevation.  The great majority of people only drive to the highest, Mount Mitchell (6684'), and do not experience the great hiking opportunities of this range.  Late summer is one of the best times for hiking in the high country because of the relatively good weather and the many ripe blackberries and blueberries.  On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend we'll be looking for these while bagging up to six of the Beyond 6000 peaks.  Current plans are to hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway at the intersection with the road leading to Mount Mitchell State Park along the crest over Mount Mitchell to Deep Gap, then descend to Carolina Hemlocks State Park.  This is a strenuous hike of around 12 miles.  Although all the climbing is at high elevations and the entire hike is on trails the ridge is very rugged.   Depending on the wishes of the group a shorter hike from the Parkway to Mount Craig and back to Mount Mitchell could be chosen.  This still gets three Beyond 6000 peaks and makes a much shorter car shuttle.  In either case, the rewards will hopefully include great views and great eats.  For more information call Joe DeLoach at 753.7903.

PADDLING

FRENCH BROAD
(Scheduled: Saturday, 6 Aug 94)
Leader: Bob Tonnies (615.477.8126)
Rating: II-III
The French Broad is one of the more reliable rivers in the area.  It can usually be counted on to have water, even in the late summer.  Depending on the water level and group, we can run either Barnard to Stackhouse or all the way down to Hot Springs.   The rapids are typically Class II-III; although Frank Bell Rapid is a Class IV, there is a straightforward alternate route.  Please contact Bob Tonnies for details.

WATAUGA RIVER TRIP, (BELOW THE DAM)
(Scheduled: Saturday, 13 Aug 94)
Leader: Ed Montgomery (615.357.8721)
Rating: II
This river offers cold fast moving class II whitewater with a mini-gorge section that is quite beautiful.  I once had a close encounter with a mountain goat on this section and almost lost it.  We will put in at the Ball Park in Etown and paddle to the old steam plant.  This is an easy run that can be fun for all skill levels.   We will meet at the Burger King in Colonial Heights at 9:00am and combine boats.   This is a dam controlled river and we may have to alter our meeting time based on the generating schedule.  Please preregister - 357.8721.  Plan to bring standard safety equipment, cold water gear and lunch.

NOLICHUCKY GORGE
(Scheduled: 27 August 94)
Leader: Dewey Fuller (615.764.7340)
Rating: III-IV
The Nolichucky Gorge is a class III-IV run that features some of the most spectacular scenery in the eastern U.S.  This is intended as a first timers trip for those who have been paddling for a while and feel they are ready to take on "the gorge".   Of course, those who are familiar with the run and have made it many times before are also welcome on the trip.  If the water level is too high for a first timers run on the gorge we will find something of comparable difficulty to run such as Big Laurel Creek in North Carolina.  Contact Dewey Fuller (615.764.7340) for details.

FOR THE RECORD

SOUTHWEST CANYONS EXPEDITION
14-31 May 94
(Bruce Cunningham reporting)
The highlight of this trip was the six days and five nights spent rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  We put in at Lee's Ferry (Mile 0), not far below Glen Canyon Dam and at Whitmore Wash (Mile 188) we were helicoptered out from the canyon bottom.  Water flow was quite low, making the rapids very challenging.   We appreciated our waterproof suits as the water splashing upon us was frigid.   Along the way we disembarked to explore side canyons and Anasazi ruins.  The final days found several of our ladies (who had approached the journey with apprehension) riding the pontoons at the bow, laughing in the spray.  Nights were spent on sandy beaches, with delicious hot meals.  After dinner we relaxed under clear skies adorned with a waxing moon and Jupiter and Venus sparkling their brightest.

On a full-day tour of Canyon de Chelly, we visited Indian ruins tucked in the recesses of the canyon walls and our Navajo guide told us much history and folklore.  At Bryce Canyon, we ambled down among the brightly-colored spires of rock.  On our ascent up "Wall Street" we were reminded of our age by a class of elementary school students, who raced past us with tireless energy, fired up, no doubt, with the anticipation of the end of the school year.  Not far from Bryce, we explored Kodachrome Basin, discovering still different formations, some spires being the solidified cores of ancient geysers, where the elements had eroded away the softer surrounding material.

Other days we hiked Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Navajo National Monument and Hovenweep.  At undeveloped Mule Canyon we had the fun of discovering Indian ruins on our own.  Mesa Verde and Chaco Culture National Historical Park rounded out our itinerary.  The 29-mile dirt road in to Chaco was also a good test for our leased "Anasazi" (translates to mean 'ancient one') 15 passenger Ford van.  It met all the challenges we presented it, and even "sang" to us with its melodious fan belt!

What better way to end a 17-day sojourn that with a home-cooked dinner and hospitality provided by Lisa (nee Newland) and Andy Kwas at their hilltop mini-ranch in an Albuquerque suburb!  Making all or part of the expedition were Penny and Richard Jones, Barbara and Ron Garland, Bobbie and Gordon Newland, Ray Hunt, Andy Kwas, and Mary and Bruce Cunningham.

SOUTH BEYOND 6000 HIKE AND FINISH THE A.T. - NEWFOUND GAP TO CLINGMAN'S DOME
25 June 94
(G. S. Luttrell reporting)
We accomplished several things on this trip: we bagged two of the South Beyond 6000 peaks, Mount Collins and Clingmans Dome; I completed the A.T.; and, friends and family all had a good time hiking in near ideal conditions with cool temperatures and sunny weather.   We dropped off most of the hikers at Newfound Gap, spotted two vans at Clingman's Dome, then returned to Newfound Gap to begin.  Most everyone started the hike with jackets and long sleeves, but these were soon removed and not needed once we hit the trail.  Someone asked why we didn't do it the easy way from the opposite direction, and it gave me a good opportunity to explain the way the South Beyond 6000 peaks are qualified; and besides, I thought it would be unique to complete the A.T. at its highest point.  I didn't know how I would react emotionally to taking that last step, because I had witnessed how through-hikers cry, throw their hiking sticks into the air, and kiss the ground (or rocks) at the end, Mount Katahdin.  My reaction was more like the feeling you get from sinking a birdie putt, netting a 20" trout, winning a big tennis match, or finally reaching the summit of a mountain with a lovely view.  After a few victory pictures and Dr. Pepper toasts, we stopped by The Happy Hiker Store in Gatlinburg, and all the A.T. Finishers from our group had pictures taken and posted on the wall with other Finishers.  Then we had a BBQ feast at Buddy's to complete a nice day of hiking.  We had 16 hikers on this trip, and the hiker's experience ranged from veteran A.T. finishers to at least one who had never hiked on any trail.  My A.T. hiking compadres with whom I shared many adventures from Georgia to Maine, joining me on this final section: Gether Irick, Don Baker, Emmett Dougherty, and Owen Holbrook.   Also, sharing this special day with me: Birthe Borup, Griff Johnson, Missy Luttrell, Dr. Arvell Luttrell, Billy Luttrell, Alison Peake (Alison can trace her ancestry to Cornelius Rex Peake, Grassy Ridge), Cresson Hall, Teronya Holmes, James Holmes, Rick Hamill, and Craig Devault.

WATAUGA DAM TO U.S. 321
25 June 94
(Tim McClain reporting)
June 25 was a great day for this short hike beginning at the Watauga Dam.  Spent a lot of time at the dam enjoying the view.  After conducting a rock throwing contest to see who could throw the biggest rock from the dam and hit the water, we proceeded on a short hike to the shelter.  Enjoyed lunch at the shelter and entertained ourselves reading passages from the log book which someone from California had left in the shelter for hikers to record their thoughts.  Since we only had one vehicle on this trip, we returned to the dam instead of proceeding to Highway 321 as originally planned.   Participating in this hike were Whitney Pugh, Brenda Nalisnic, and Peggy, Emily, Erika, Tim McClain.

LECONTE LODGE HIKE
9-10 July 94
(Cris Moorehouse reporting)
Paulette Hall, Katherine Hall, Whit Parham, Ruth Ketron, and Theona Moorehouse followed me for 8 miles up the Boulevard Trail to LeConte Lodge.  We followed the A.T. for 2.7 miles then changed to the Boulevard Trail.  We all agreed this is an easy trail which allows many stops for the fantastic mountain views.  Another plus was glorious white rhododendron as well as many other wildflowers.  We saw several deer, one of which started to join us for lunch until he saw what hikers eat for lunch.   The weather was perfect for the Saturday stroll upward and we arrived at 2 PM, having left the parking lot at 9 AM.

We came down the Trillium Gap Trail to Trillium Gap and changed to the Brushy Mountain Trail.  We were on the downward trail for 4.5 hours, spending the last hour in a downpour.  In addition much of the Brushy Mountain Trail was taken over by spring and summer growth which included some painful nettles.  Over all it was a pleasant weekend from our 5 AM Saturday departure until our 5 PM Sunday return.  Renee and Emmett Dougherty alone with their nephew Jason hiked up Alum Cave and were at the lodge when we arrived.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ALONG THE A.T.
(Joe DeLoach, A.T. Committee Chair, reporting)
The Appalachian Trail is the longest continuous footpath in the world.   A key word is "footpath".  The Trail is not designed for other users such as ATVs, motorcycles, bicycles, or horses.  As such these users are not allowed on the Appalachian Trail (except in a very few areas, such as the Smokies, and significant damage is occurring there due to horse use).  Illegal use of the A.T. is fairly frequent in our area, most commonly by horses followed by motorized vehicles.   Problem areas include the balds of the Roan Highlands, Iron Mountain Gap, and McQueen's Gap.  We aren't the only Club with this problem - I saw horse tracks on a new Trail relocation at Springer Mountain just days after it was completed!

While in many cases the illegal users are merely unaware of the laws and are not belligerent, the possibility of violence always exist.  Hikers are strongly discouraged not to confront illegal Trail users.  The best way to respond to illegal use of the Appalachian Trail, or any other foot-travel-only Trail, is to contact the U. S. Forest Service.  Each ranger district has a law enforcement officer that can cross district or state lines if necessary to investigate a problem.  These law enforcement officers no longer report to the district rangers but to a state law enforcement officer (in Tennessee, Malcolm Jowers) who in turn reports to the regional Forest Service Office in Atlanta.  The telephone numbers of the ranger districts can be found in a telephone book under U. S. Government - Agriculture Dept. of, Forest Service.  An example of how this system can work occurred recently at Iron Mountain Gap.  A hiker noted about 20 horsemen on the Trail north of Iron Mountain Gap.  The hiker called the Unaka Ranger District in Erwin, and a law enforcement officer from the Nolichucky Ranger District in Greeneville was able to take the call and wrote 14 tickets for illegal use on the Trail (there were several juveniles present).  Remember, DON'T take matters into your own hands - notify the Forest Service.