Author Archives: jordan

Max Patch Mountain Parking Area Repaired & Improved

The Forest Service has announced repairs and improvements to the parking area at Max Patch Mountain after vandals had their way with it earlier this year. It was a shame to see this beautiful place destroyed the way it was, but with a construction contract and the help of volunteers, it’s better now than it was before. Now would be an excellent time to get up there and see the spring green as it spreads up the mountainside! The full press release is below.

Volunteers Help Restore Max Patch in Pisgah National Forest

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C., May 13, 2013 - The U.S. Forest Service today announced the recent completion of work to repair the scenic Max Patch area of the Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest.

“Working with Forest Service personnel, dozens of volunteers donated close to 300 hours of service to help restore this popular site, and we’re grateful for their help,” said Acting District Ranger David McFee. “This partnership between the Forest Service and cooperating volunteers shows the combined commitment to protect, restore and improve the beauty of Max Patch.”

The Appalachian Ranger District collaborated with a number of volunteer organizations including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Club and Appalachian 4×4 Club to repair parts of Max Patch. Last winter, damage occurred to the Max Patch area when off-highway vehicles were driven in the area. The people responsible for the crime were found and cited.

The Forest Service and volunteers worked together to design a parking area that provides pedestrian access. The repair work also included the creation of a perimeter using native stones and plantings of Catawba rhododendron and mountain laurel. This project was made possible from funding by the Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Carolina Mountain Club. The Carolina Mountain Club and Appalachian 4×4 Club provided 50 volunteers who donated over 280 hours to restore the site with native plantings and soil stabilization. The work was completed over the course of three weeks.

Aspects of the project that could not be completed with volunteers were solicited through a contract administered by the Forest Service and awarded to a local contractor.

Max Patch sits next to the Tennessee state line in the Harmon Den area. At 4,629 feet this bald offers 360-degree vistas of Mount Mitchell to the east and Great Smoky Mountains to the southwest. An abundance of ferns and grasses blanket the bald, making it perfect for picnics. Fishing is offered at the pond past the main parking lot. Camping is prohibited at the bald. The Appalachian Trail crosses this area.

Illegal off-highway vehicle use caused damage to the Max Patch area this winter.Photo provide by Dwayne Stutzman
Thanks to volunteers, the scenic area has been repaired, just in time for the summer season.
Thanks to volunteers, the scenic area has been repaired, just in time for the summer season.

National Forests in North Carolina
U.S. Forest Service
160A Zillicoa St.
Asheville, N.C. 28801
Online: www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc
Contact: Stevin Westcott, 828-257-4215                                                                                                         

May 14, 2013Permalink Leave a comment

Crabtree Falls Trail Open, but Campground to Remain Closed

Due to the 5% decrease in the Park Service’s budget this year, the Crabtree Falls campground will remain closed throughout the 2013 season. This is in addition to several other closures along the road, and the cancellation of all of the Park’s normal seasonal interpretive programs. The Balsam Mountain campground, as well as Balsam Mountain Road and Heintooga Road near the Great Smoky Mountains, will also remain closed this year.

Visitors can still access the Crabtree Falls trail by parking at the visitor center parking area, and hiking up the road to the trailhead. You can find more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s official web site.

March 16, 2013Permalink 2 Comments

Forest Service Trail Strategy Document Completed

The US Forest Service has released the draft final Non-Motorized Trail Strategy document, which is available on their web site for review. The final Trail Strategy collaborative meeting for Pisgah is to be held tomorrow, Thursday Feb. 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the UNCA Sherrill Center, Mountain View Conference Room in Asheville. Agency employees will present key elements of the draft Trail Strategy document during the meeting. I will be attending the meeting to see what they have to say, and I’ll be sure to post any news from that meeting to this blog.

I haven’t had time to review the document, but keep in mind that the Forest Service touts this as an evolving plan that is still subject to change. There is still time for collaboration from the public on the trails on National Forests in NC. As the Forest Service starts the process of revising its Forest Plan, it is expected that the final Trail Strategy will contribute to that analysis as well.

February 13, 2013Permalink Leave a comment

Blue Ridge Parkway General Management Plan & Final EIS Announced

The National Park Service released the General Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Blue Ridge Parkway today. This begins a 30 day “no action” period, after which time they’ll officially select an alternative for implementation. While there is good stuff to be found in the plan, there is at least one sad piece of news to hikers that survived the planning process: the Craggy Pinnacle trail and overlook north of Asheville will be closed :(

There is no exact timetable on the implementation of the plan. You can get more information on the plan (including the entire 700+ page document for a good Saturday afternoon read).

Scratch that – don’t read the plan, it’s too late to do anything about it. Just go hike Craggy Pinnacle before it’s closed!

January 17, 2013Permalink Leave a comment

New Trail Shelter Completed on the AT

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail in the Standing Indian area of the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin, NC have a new trail shelter to enjoy. Located at the head of the Long Branch drainage, the new, sturdy structure replaces the old, dilapidated Big Springs Gap shelter nearby.

New Long Branch Shelter on the A.T. in the Standing Indian Basin
New Long Branch Shelter on the A.T. in the Standing Indian Basin

Official Forest Service Press Release about the Shelter

 

December 21, 2012Permalink Leave a comment

Forest Service Closes Shining Rock to Camping

The National Forests in NC just announced a camping ban, until further notice, in the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas, due to bear activity (trying to get food inside campers’ tents). The news release is below:

Date(s): Oct 17, 2012
Pisgah Forest, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service is closing the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas to overnight camping because of ongoing bear encounters with humans.

The areas will be closed to dispersed camping until further notice. The agency will monitor conditions to determine when it is safe to reopen the areas.

On Monday night, a bear damaged a tent and food bag. Two people were in the ent at the time of the encounter, but no injuries were sustained. The encounter is the latest in a series of bear encounters in recent weeks

Questions regarding the camping closure can be directed to the Pisgah Ranger District, 828-877-3265.

October 17, 2012Permalink Leave a comment

Catawba Falls Trailhead Added

We’ve added the Catawba Falls Trailhead page, which is a part of Pisgah National Forest’s Grandfather Ranger District near Old Fort, NC. Now that the parking area is officially open, this becomes one of the highly recommended waterfalls in the region for locals and out-of-town visitors alike. With the current hot weather, it’d also make a great spot to cool off. Check it out!

July 3, 2012Permalink Leave a comment

Forest Service Reminder: Linville Gorge Camping Permits

The Forest Service reminded Linville Gorge Wilderness visitors about weekend and holiday camping permits this summer. Permitting is in place from May 1 thru October 31 to ensure a good visitor experience in the gorge. The full press release is below.

Number of Permitted Users Limited for Weekend Camping in Linville Gorge

NEBO, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District reminds visitors that there are a limited number of permitted users allowed for weekend camping in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area of Pisgah National Forest. A total of 50 users per night can be permitted for weekend camping.

A permit is required for camping on weekends (Friday and Saturday) and on holidays from May 1 through October 31. Permits are not required for Sunday night camping, except when the following Monday is a holiday. No permit is needed for weekday camping. All campers are limited to a two-night and three-day stay at Linville Gorge. Day use permits are not required.

Forest staff will be in the gorge throughout the summer checking for compliance with permit requirements.

Permits are issued from the district ranger’s office by mail or in person. District offices can permit 35 users per night by reservation or walk-in. For permits, contact Grandfather Ranger District, 109 East Lawing Drive, Nebo, N.C. 28761, phone 828-652-2144.

The Linville Gorge Information Cabin can permit fifteen (15) users per night by walk-in only. The information cabin is located just off of Kistler Memorial Highway.

June 22, 2012Permalink Leave a comment