From the Chair for April

Ian Powell, Steering Committee Chair
It will soon be warming up and more people will be spending time outside
enjoying the trail and water.  Have you thought about what you are going to
make out of this spring and summer?  Do you have a big trip planned?  If you
have an activity or trip that you have been putting off for awhile, waiting for
the right time to take it, wait no more.  Make the plans and make it happen.
No one knows what the future will hold, so don’t get caught regretting never
hiking that trail or paddling that river.  If you are looking for some company
on this outing, I can guarantee that there is someone in the club who would
be willing to go with you.  So please consider posting your trip on the club’s
calendar.

Roaring Branch Trail up to High Butte, March 19th, 2011

Vic Hasler reporting

Located north of Big Stone Gap, VA, the Roaring Branch Trail is within the Jefferson National Forest. This hike ended up being 8 miles round trip with ~1400 ft elevation change requiring six and half hours to complete. The trail starts at the cascades (see photo), proceeds up the lush valley to the ridgeline, which is followed to the High Butte overlook. There are multiple stream crossings – mostly rock hopping, but one did end up needing to be waded. Blowdowns from the winter 2009 storms in the first 1.5 miles have been cleared by volunteers (per Forest Service ranger). The mid section, still along the creek, had not yet been maintained to remove several small tree falls plus trim back the rhododendron growth, thus required a few detours and lots of hand clipping. The upper section, emerging onto the ridge crest, changed to more open forest. At the overlook, lunch and the sunny day were enjoyed while peering down into Powell Valley. The return trip, downhill and with a more open path, was quick. Not much active wildlife was seen, except for several species of birds and a small snake on a rock in the trail. Out for the nearly spring day were Vic, Clark, and Ben Hasler. For more details, visit the TEHCC Trail Wiki’s entry for [[Roaring Branch Trail]].