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 was the first National Park I hit on my epic trip out West in the Summer of 2013. This lesser known and visited park offers such diverse landscapes having grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and even tundra! The park isn’t that big in terms of development, but there is so much to see and such diverse ecosystems juxtaposed together. I’m surprised more people don’t go, but appreciated having some awesome experiences here with very few and sometimes no people around at all.
I arrived in the late afternoon and then spent two fulls days here. I didn’t explore all it had to offer, but I did get to climb and play on the largest dunes in North America.
Campsite with the little ground squirrels
First ground squirrels of the trip
My campsite
First ground squirrels of the trip
Hike out on the dunes
Looking out to the dunes from camp
(From the dunes) Looking back at camp nestled at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Hiking on the dunes
Cone in the dessert
Clouds bringing an afternoon shower
After spending about half a day on the dunes, I went on a short hike towards Mosca Pass. I didn’t make it up to the pass, but I did get my first glimpse at the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. I was so taken by the beautiful Aspens and the incredible colors I saw in the crumbled rocks on the trail.
Beginning of the trail
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness: Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Looking back at the dunes from up high
Aspens
Back at camp to watch a gorgeous sunset over the dunes
Sunset over the dunes
Sunset over the dunes
The next day I went up South Zapata Trail. About a mile in you come to Zapata Falls. This is a popular spot and several people were here enjoying the falls and like me, getting their feet wet in the icy cold water.
Looking back towards the dunes
Zapata Falls
Sunning myself on a rock
The trail went on about 4 miles to the small alpine lake. From the waterfall I began to climb up away from the aspens and wildflowers toward the conifer forests of higher elevation.
Looking back towards the park
Old miner’s cabin
Old miner’s cabin
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness: Rio Grande National Forest
Mertensia (bluebells)
Colorado Columbine
South Zapata Creek
Finally I reached the treeline and saw a bit of grassy tundra. The only noise up there was the chirping of marmots and the wind rushing through the trees below.
Top of the treeline
First marmot sighting
South Zapata Lake (just left of my bag)
The total distance was just under 10 miles round trip. I had never seen this type of landscape before and I will forever remember this hike with fond memories.
I always find the drive itself to be part of the adventure. If I have the time on the way home I’m always looking to scout out a new destination, find a place to put up my hammock, enjoy a view, or continue exploring. Here are a few photos from the drive home from my most recent trip to Virginia. Much of the time we followed the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The first stop we made was at Linville Falls. I had been to the Linville Gorge Wilderness area, but had never stopped at the top to see the falls….until this trip.
Here are some shots from the parkway where the beautiful fall colors had just started coming out. The clouds were constantly rolling through, covering and then exposing the amazing views.
We stopped for one night and camped at Mt. Pisgah campground. It was a beautifully clear night and I laid down by the fire and stared off into the Milky Way for a long time. What’s even better is I got to snuggle up with this guy…
The last day of our drive home we caught some more views.
And then stopped by the Chattooga River to stretch our legs a bit.
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to spend two days running the Ocoee in a Shredder. Look it up, it’s one hell of a ride! Afterwards I had a day to get back home and I wanted to get a short hike in. I stopped by the Cherokee National Forest Ranger Station and met a super cool lady at the desk. She shared great stories of her time around the Ocoee River and recommended a hike nearby that was just under 4 miles with two beautiful waterfalls.
It was perfect for what I wanted to do, in the short time I had. I got to run, hike, scramble, and play in the water at the falls. Bonus – I had it all to myself! So for just a couple hours I had a piece of the forest, a little piece of paradise, all to myself.
I’ve been overwhelmingly vague at best about the location of this hike. One of the reason’s this hike was so great was that the only plan I had was to go somewhere I had never been. So get out there and explore a piece of the forest you don’t know and create your own adventure. That, in and of itself is half the fun.
Aspen's Adventures 