Work crews getting organized before heading out on their projects.
Saturday, the sun was shining on the crews as they met at the Humpback Visitor's Center and got their assignments and tools. Just down the sidewalk, at the Humpback Rocks Farm, it was eerily beautiful as fog hung around, back lit by the sun. Three crews were heading out: the Sawyer Crew to tackle Big Tree Jr., the Rockfish Crew to finish up stabilizing the trail on sections 1 and 2, and a third crew that was going to hike the approximately 6 miles of trail between the Humpback Picnic Area and Humpback Parking Lot. This 6-Mile Crew would scout the blue-blaze connector between the Picnic Area and the AT for future waterbars, clean fall leaves from existing waterbars, check new waterbars to make sure they are working properly and deal with any other maintenance issues along the way.
Since Daylight Savings time had ended, sunset was going to be around 5:00 so the crews were shooting for a goal of being off the trail around 4:30 and back at the Visitor's Center parking lot shortly thereafter. Everybody loaded up their gear and headed out ...... the 6-Mile Crew was headed south on the BRP to the Humpback Picnic Area. On the way, the views west across the Valley were so beautiful with fog, that we went on to the Greenstone Overlook for some fog pictures before doubling back to the HB Picnic Area gate.
Fog blanketing the Shenandoah Valley ..... view from Greenstone Overlook.
HB Picnic Area is closed for the season so we parked at the gates
and walked .......
.... to the blue-blaze connector trail to the AT.
Several strategic water bar locations were scouted for future work trips. In this photo, you can see that the trail is becoming 'cupped' or U-shaped from water erosion. The Pulaski marks the potential location of a future water bar. (Photo: Lori A.)
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Some folks use an apple or an orange to test the slope of a water bar and see exactly where the water will go. No one had an apple or an orange, so we had some fun and substituted a "banana roll"!
There are several significant waterbars at The Gully, an area that is very prone to water erosion and has suffered serious damage in years past, before the multiple water bars were installed.
Leaf debris raked out and dirt that has washed in has been dug back out. When waterbars are regularly maintained, like those on this section, routine maintenance is a lot easier because the debris that washes in doesn't have a chance to "pack" tightly.
Lower water bars just below The Gully. (Photo: Lori A.)
Fire rakes aren't the most comfortable tool to tote along for miles, but during spring/fall waterbar clean outs, they are indispensable and the tool of choice!
(Photo: Lori A.)
In The Gully, this check dam/step has washed on the lower side to become a step that is uncomfortably high. We knocked down the berm on the left and moved the dirt in front of the step to raise the landing a couple of inches. This will be watched ..... if the dirt doesn't pack/hold up, then some retaining rocks will have to be placed, making a landing 'terrace' arrangement.
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This is at the very top of The Gully. The AT is on the left, just above the pack, then takes a left turn down the steep hill just below the large branches. This picture is taken on the hill above the trail where a runoff ditch has been put in to take the water to the right and keep it from going straight and dumping on the AT. This runoff ditch is being cleared of leaves and from the condition of the dirt underneath, it is doing its job of diverting water.
Removing a root that has been exposed by water erosion. Once these roots wash out underneath and stick above the trail, they are generally cut out so some hapless hiker doesn't manage to get a foot underneath and take a major tumble. (Photo: Lori A.)
Battery Cliffs was a great place for lunch and to watch the fog. (Photo: Lori A.)
Leaving the Cliffs heading north, there is a very narrow tread and a major laurel bush trimming was done to widen up the area. Ed is heading off with the clippers so this is before ...... (Photo: Lori A.)
.......... and after the laurel bushes were trimmed back. (Photo: Lori A.)
Just past the Cliffs, a dead tree, that was still hard as iron, had fallen and was encroaching on the trail. This is how a very hard tree is trimmed with a very small fold-up saw.
Tag teaming was required!
FINALLY ........ got that limb cut off!
After cleaning out the waterbars installed this spring on Sec. 7 (working great!) and the waterbars installed this summer at Bear Spring (also doing the job!), we came to the former Big Tree Jr. blowdown area and were able to admire the great job done by the Sawyer Crew. At this point, the fog was really closing in at lower elevations. (Photo: Lori A.)
The AT and woods are beautiful in the fog, even as the fog was condensing on everything and falling from the trees like rain. (Photo: Lori A.)
We made it out of the woods around 5:00 as dark was falling. Everybody was a little wet from the condensing fog and tired from
digging and dealing with wet leaves on wet rocks ... a slick proposition
in places. It was a great day to be in the woods and we all felt really good with what we saw as we covered Sections 8A & B, 7, and 6 ........ especially satisfying was the confirmation that the newly installed waterbars were working, which meant they were properly sited when constructed, something that can be a tricky proposition. The AT along these sections has been "put to bed" for the winter .... fall leaves cleaned out of waterbars and off of steps, small blowdowns and debris removed, and projects for next year's work crews already being planned!
Thanks to everybody on the 6-Mile Crew for all the maintenance work that got accomplished while still having a really good time doing it!
Crew members: Lori A., John S., Ed F. & yours truly.
(Photos: All photos by Merlot unless otherwise noted)
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