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Relocation of Backbone Rock Trail with ASU

Carl Fritz reporting
Event Date: August 17th

The Watauga Global Community College of Appalachian State University (ASU) offers their incoming freshmen an optional orientation event to get acquainted with each other.  For the twelfth consecutive year they have partnered with Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club (TEHCC) to do a trail maintenance event!  Trail maintenance in groups provides many social opportunities in a work environment.  On this Friday August 17, we started the first relocation of the Backbone Rock Trail just south of Damascus.  Ninety seven students and five professors of Watauga College showed up in spite of a 70% prediction of rain (which did not materialize).  And very importantly we had 17 club members and friends who helped acquaint the students with trail digging. Continue reading “Relocation of Backbone Rock Trail with ASU”

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From the Chair

Vic Hasler, Steering Committee Chair

Ready to put your skills to a different use?  TEHCC is guided by a Steering Committee who informally manages the recreation club during lunchtime gatherings.  Help decide what initiatives should the club pursue?  We could use help figuring out how to best leverage technology.  Have fun selecting a speaker and menu (yum!) for two dinner meetings.  Interact with different groups to help increase our recreational opportunities.  The time commitment is not big, but the difference you can make is!  Contact a current Steering Committee member if you’re available.

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Beginner/Novice Whitewater Kayak Clinic, Trip Report

July 14-15, 2012
Scott Fisher reporting

We had a great group of new kayakers take the beginner class this past weekend.  The weather cooperated for the most part and we had a great time meeting new friends on the water.  We had three existing members and seven new APEs participate.  Please join me in congratulating Kelmara Kelly, Michelle Frazee, Todd Emma, Jeremiah Tomlinson, Penny Morgan, Marie Bradford, Haley Werth, Buck Mayzes, Mark Crass and Wade McKeehan.  All did a fantastic job and their progress throughout the weekend was obvious.  As is the APE way, let’s reach out to these folks to welcome them and include them in upcoming trips.

Special thanks to our AIs Steve Hagood, Stacey Lowe, Dave Walters, Donna Kestner and Sonia Millan for their time and expertise. Special thanks also to everyone who stepped up to loan our newcomers the gear they needed, especially Wes Bradley who year after year is there to provide boats and equipment for those who need them.

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Mt. LeConte Lodge, Trip Report


Vic Hasler Reporting

This year’s reservation was split into two hiking pairs.  Clark and Vic Hasler headed up Rainbow Falls Trail, while Steven Clark and Lindsey Renfro took the Alum Cave Trail up.  (Note:  The lodge register indicates that 90+% use this latter route.)  Clark Hasler had an up-close view of a bear which crossed the trail.  The clear and sunny day was 20oF cooler up on top, so a pleasant 50-70s versus the heat wave below.  Both groups arrived by early afternoon, thus time for naps and/or exploring.  After a rosy sunset, those in the office building were entertained by an informal bluegrass gig, playing in the light of kerosene lanterns, consisting of two guitars, a harmonica, and percussion using a plastic storage tub.  The morning had a crisp sunrise for any eyes that were open.  After breakfast, the two hiking pairs headed down with the Haslers taking the lesser used Bull Head Trail (only meeting two folks along the way).

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F/B: Laurel Fork Falls Hike, Trip Report

Sunday June 24th, 2012
Ian Powell reporting

Vic Hasler and I quickly carpooled from Colonial Heights to the Hampton trail entrance.  The day was a hot one in the 90s.  This route to the falls is an easy 2.4 miles.  Once there, we saw Bob Peoples and family.  Vic went up the rock stairs to the “High Water” trail to check on some geocaches while I hiked back the original route until we met at their intersection.  Overall, we saw several snakes and lizards, plus plenty of roadside fireworks stands on the way home.  The wiki for this trail (link) was updated with photos and map trace.

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AT: Hughes Gap to Little Rock Knob, Sunday August 26, 2012

Leader: Vic Hasler

This hike is along the [[Iron Mountain Gap to Carver’s Gap|Appalachian Trail]] through hardwood forest to great views at Little Rock Knob (elevation 4918′).  The round trip distance is 4.6 to 5 miles with 900’ rise (similar climb to Bays Mountain Firetower trail but over 3-4 times the distance).  Let’s leave promptly at 1pm from the parking lot below [[Meeting locations for TEHCC hikes|McDonalds in Colonial Heights]] for the hour (45-mile) drive.  Bring water, snack, comfortable footwear, rain gear, bug spray, and trekking poles.  Expected return is by 7pm depending on our hiking speed and desire to tarry at the overlook.  Please call/e-mail the hike leader for headcount to arrange transportation.

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Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition Gathering

Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition invites TEHCC members to Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau Gathering in September.

Members of the 40 hiking and trail maintenance clubs in the Southeast interested in hiking the trails on the Cumberland Plateau or wanting to know more about all aspects of trails and trail building/maintenance are invited to the 7th biennial meeting of the Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition (SEFTC) at Fall Creek Falls State Park in southeastern Tennessee near Pikeville on the Cumberland Plateau on September 20-23, 2012, about 70 miles north of Chattanooga.

The SEFTC is a coalition of most all the hiking and trail maintenance organizations in the Southeast, representing over 40 such clubs from Florida to Virginia and Kentucky.

The coalition leadership has planned a fun and informative four days.  There will be numerous trail-related workshops led by experts in the field.  A variety of hikes are planned, both inside this 25,000-acre state park and in the surrounding state/protected areas of the Cumberland Plateau.  Trail fellowship and a wide exchange of ideas are part of the offering.  Special speakers and entertainment will be yours each evening.

Much of the beautiful lakeview lodge, cabins, and campground have been reserved by SEFTC for this weekend.  Part-weekend registration and attendance is available for those not able to be present the full time.

Early registration now is encouraged. Some fees go up August 1, and there is a limit to housing with almost no alternatives nearby outside the park.

Go to website www.southeastfoottrails.org to learn more about the conference and for the registration form.  The website provides the basic information with links to the pages for registration, housing, meals, workshops, and hikes.