Ole Rocky Top – Feb. 28, 2014
Tough day on the trail today. The sky was battleship grey, and a cold wind out of the south pushed us up the mountain to our work site. We had eight Traildog volunteers today, including a new volunteer Brady Auld, who joined us as we worked our way across the north face of Brady Mountain. This section of the trail is growing more rocky by the foot, and in places, there is little or no no soil, just layers of gray rock. As we worked we could hear thunder to the southwest, and within an hour we were working in sleet that beat on our unprotected ears but didn’t slow us down as we completed another 1/4 mile of finished tread today.
It is an area of sweeping views to the northwest of the lake and the rolling hills around the bays west of the Brady Mountain Resort. We are currently approaching an area we have dubbed as “Balanced Rock”, where there is a twenty five foot high outcropping topped by a pyramid shaped boulder balanced precariously atop the outcropping. There is an array of large lichen and moss covered boulders surrounding this outcropping and lining the edge of the Trail, making this one of the most scenic spots along this section of the Trail.
The views of the bay in and around the Brady Mountain Resort from this section take advantage of the blowdown from the tornado that passed through this area almost three years ago.
Tomorrow, Saturday March 1st, we will have another work day and will be supported by a team of ten airmen from the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Arkansas. We will meet at 9:30 am at the intersection of Brady Mountain Road and Forest Service road WO04 located five miles north of US 270 West . The good folks at Shangri La Resort, some the Trail’s strongest supporters, will be providing lunch for tomorrow’s crew.
The weather for tomorrow is forecast to be in the 60’s with no rain and sun breaking through after lunch. It will cool in the morning, so wear layers, and bring your fluids for the trail and lunch.
Thanks,
Jerry