Last April I set out to finally do more than set a good example and leave it better than I found it. I’d been to river and crag cleanups, but I spent most of my time on the trail and wanted to bring more attention to the places I love. I asked around to see if I could get some people to pick up trash with me on a hike. The idea was there, but my efforts were a bit too spur of the moment and I found myself hiking up to Raven Cliffs Falls with only my dog and some trash bags.
First and solo trail cleanup
After 4 hours bending over and picking up trash over 2.5 miles of trail, I was worn out. There had to be a way for me to get other like minded people together to tackle this work.
I decided to seek out a little guidance and inspiration. So I met up with Bryan Schroeder, Director of Stewardship a the Georgia Conservancy, to discuss some of my ideas. Before I knew it, he was sprinkling his special blend of magic and gave me a platform to reach some outdoor enthusiasts like myself.
Bryan Schroeder – Director of Stewardship, Georgia Conservnacy
Through Meetup’sGeorgia Outdoor Stewards, I organized my first stewardship hike in July. Only two people showed up, but they spent hours hiking, enjoying time around a waterfall, and picking up trash with me. Mission accomplished – I didn’t have to pick up and haul all the trash out by myself!
First stewardship hike at Panther Creek Falls
I have now now led 6 stewardship trips which have included hiking, camping, backpacking, and trail maintenance. Each time I am amazed at how total strangers not only let me take them out into the woods, but also pick up trash and do other work while they’re out there! These people are one of a kind and I can’t thank them enough for all the work they do.
We’ve picked up & carried loads of trash for miles,
Second trip out to Panther Creek
Toccoa River
Raven Cliffs Falls
First trip to Panther Creek
Blood Mountain shelter
worked in the rain,
A bit blurry, but shows these ladies smiling while working in the rain
had a little extra help along the way,
Complete strangers on the trail pitched in!
and gone hiking & camping throughout the beautiful north Georgia forest and mountains!
Dodd Creek
Panther Creek Falls
Campsite at Noontootla Creek
Springer Mountain summit
Campsite on Blood Mtn
Long Creek Falls
Blood Mountain Wilderness
It feels great to see the trails taken such good care of and I hope that everyone who’s attended knows how grateful I am for their help. I couldn’t do half as much without them!
ps – Can’t take credit for all the photos this time, especially all the group shots. Thanks goes out to people on the trips and a few unsuspecting bystanders.
This week we took a couple of days to scout out some new spots. It’s summer in the southeast which means I put up with gnats making constant attempts to fly into my eyeballs. I travel along poison ivy covered trails looking mad, as I swing trekking poles in a futile attempt to not wear ALL the spider webs. And sometimes I throw caution to the wind to sit with mosquitoes at the banks of a river or stream. More fun than you can handle?
Going through all that lovely summertime fun I still smile knowing the reasons I’ll get out there and do it again…
To explore and find new swimming holes like this…
Helton Creek Falls
For views like this…
from Tray Mountain
And for moments like these…
Hemlock Falls
It’s been some time since I’ve posted, but we’re still out there exploring just the same. I hope everyone’s getting outside as well, enjoying the summer!
This past weekend I ventured out to Obed. It’s a Wild and Scenic River, part of the National Park System, just south of Big South Fork. Both are part of the Cumberland Plateau and all my climbing friends were in disbelief I was going and not climbing. Definitely saw more people climbing than anything else while I was there.
I met up with a river guide friend of mine and although we had hoped to take his shredder down one of the creeks leading into the gorge, water levels turned this into a hike and swim trip. We camped at a primitive campsite where we only had to walk a few yards to be on the river bank. It was such a gorgeous scene each morning, watching the light dance on the water.
River’s edge by camp
I guess I should say a little something about my pup, since you’re getting to see him for the first time in this post. He’s almost a year old now and we have been camping and hiking since I first got him. We’re gearing up for a great fall backpacking trip once he turns a year and is ready to carry enough weight.
He’s still building his confidence swimming and we did make a little progress this trip….never would’ve thought it would be work to get a lab to love the water! You’ll start seeing more of him as I continue posting current trips.
Lilly Bluff
All three of us went to Lilly Bluff for a bit of hiking and playing in the water. We did a short 4 mile hike to get some great views up on the rim. Looks like a great spot to see the fall color change and even from up top the water was so clear you could see the riverbed.
After we finished getting hot and sweaty hiking, we got to play in the water. There are some pretty cool swimming holes just near Lilly bluff if you don’t mind getting past some algae covered rocks.
As I said before, the water was crystal clear and this made for great fish watching. Wish we had brought goggles….or a fly rod! We saw such beautiful fish in the shallow parts. I can only imagine what we might have found in the deeper pools.
This is definitely a trip worth taking. Would love to go back to fish, climb, and float down the river.
Aspen's Adventures 