Summer 2022
Sweet Summertime in the Uwharries! An inviting seat by the water at the Town of Star Little River Passive Park. Photo by Kim Andersen.
From the Chair
David Craft
Bus Driver
I want to thank the 42 hardy souls who came out to our annual hike and meeting. Postponed from Janaury, we enjoyed some early spring ephemeral blooms along our way to the visit the new shelter, Crystal's Place, named for the one who inspires so much good work in the Uwharries, Crystal Cockman with the Three Rivers Land Trust. We are looking at our 2023 event returning in January in an indoor space. More on that in the fall.
Uwharrie Trailblazers Annual Meeting attendees hiked to the new shelter - Crystal’s Place Shelter - the morning of April 9, 2022. Photo courtesy of David Craft.
We enjoyed Chili prepared by Jim Plant and Nanci Petrucelli and Kim Andersen. Others contributed sides and other items.
Gary Freeze, retired professor of history at Catawba College, provided some great background on our Uwharries.
In 2015 and 2016 the club built over a mile of trail a few miles west of Star in a future town park, Star Little River Passive Park. After some fits and starts, highway bridge replacement, the town has opened the park. We need to return and rework our trails in this part of the Uwharries. Look for more info soon.
Sign at entrance to Little River Park. Photo by David Craft.
Step construction at Little River Park. Photo by David Craft.
Enjoy the summer. on average, days start becoming cooler on July 20th.
See you at the Fall Thru Hike, October 13-16
Michael Baker
by Michael Baker and Kim Andersen
Michael Baker is originally from Indiana. A University of Kentucky alum and retired CPA, he is relatively new on the Uwharrie Trailblazer scene but in just a few years has become a stalwart presence on trail work days and a wonderful source of both strength and humor on the trail. This is how he got here - in his words:
I have been hiking regularly ever since I retired over ten years ago. While hiking I have always thought it was my duty to pick up trash and move dead tree limbs off the trail. I have done this on state park trails, wilderness trails and the Uwharrie National Recreational Trail. I think it helps. If everybody does a little helping as they use the trail then it will be better for all who use the trail.
I have also always operated on the belief that I would never ask somebody to do something I was not willing to do myself. Translating this belief into a hike setting, I do not expect others to maintain trails unless I am willing to do what I can to maintain a trail. Whatever that might be given the trail situation.
Michael Baker, center, hiking in the Uwharries with his two daughters Callender Baker and Paige Baker Critzer, left, Don Childrey, and Anthony Younger of Three Rivers Land Trust.
I adopted a trail after meeting Jim Plant two years ago. He suggested joining the Uwharrie Trailblazers and attending a workday on the Uwharrie Trail. At the workday I met some other hikers who gave time to make the trails better. I learned what good trail maintenance was and that there was some theory to maintaining trails.
There are other members of the Trailblazer who give significantly more time than I do and I want to thank them. Their efforts inspire me.
Michael Baker (far right) shares the expertise he has acquired on erosion and water control at the June 11, 2022 Uwharrie Trailblazers Trail Adoption Orientation. Photo by Steve Chase.
And hiking is a family affair - last May Michael brought his daughters on the Three Rivers Land Trust Spring Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike! Thank you, Michael Baker, for all that you have brought to the Uwharrie Trail and the UTB!!!
In camp at Yates Place with daughters (l-r) Paige Baker Critzer, Michael Baker, and Callender Baker at yates Placeduring the Uwharrie Thru Hike!
Finishing the Spring 2022 Uwharrie Thru Hike with daughters (l-r) Paige Baker Critzer and Callender Baker.
Deep River State Trail
Photos and text by Mary Joan Pugh
Randolph County is fortunate to have a National Trail – The Uwharrie National Recreation Trail and a State Trail - Deep River State Trail (DRST). Designated in 2007, the DRST extends 125 miles from Jamestown to Sanford through five counties. Randleman, Franklinville and Ramseur in Randolph County have been the most active having constructed 5 miles: Randleman – 1.5; Franklinville – 1.75 + .75 (Faith Rock) and Ramseur – .6 + .6 miles.
Trailhead sign at Ramseur Rail Trail Section.
Given the progress, the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority (RCTDA) organized the Deep River Trail Task Force in 2015 to assist the small municipalities in obtaining grants and constructing trails. RCTDA also funded a Conceptual Plan for 15 miles of land and paddle trails which was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 2017.
In 2019, the Task Force merged with other trail groups including the Uwharrie TrailBlazers and all eight municipalities to form the Randolph County Trails Advisory Council (RCTAC). Since the five miles completed are in three separate municipalities, one of the first projects was signage and a brochure. In 2020 in partnership with the RCTDA, Piedmont Legacy Trails and the City of Asheboro; 27 trailhead and directional signs were installed and a DRST Brochure produced and distributed to all three DRST municipalities and the welcome and visitor centers in NC. Digital copies of the DRST Brochure are available on the Heart of NC Visitors Bureau website which promotes the Trail via social and print media - http://bit.ly/DeepRiverStateTrail. The Piedmont Legacy Trail also was persuaded to produce a Randolph County Trail Guide at https://www.piedmonttrails.org/trails-near-asheboro/ including a one-page Summary.
Other DRST projects funded since formation of the RCTAC include:
Recreational Trail Program (RTP) ($100,000) for Blueway from Worthville (Randleman) to Central Falls (Asheboro) – NC Wildlife Resources Commission is constructing a wildlife ramp at Worthville Dam/Bridge. Asheboro is acquiring land for river access at Old Liberty Rd.
RTP ($100,000) for Worthville to Randleman Greenway extension – adds 1.5 miles for total of 3 miles.
RTP ($100,000), County ($300,000) for Sandy Creek Pedestrian Bridge – connects Franklinville to Ramseur for a total of 2.5 miles one way plus Faith Rock (.75).
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) ($155,000) for Ramseur - extends trail, establishes a trailhead at old Depot and provides portage around Ramseur Dam at Leonard Park
In 2022, the Great Trail State Coalition of 33 trail groups persuaded the NC General Assembly for the first time to appropriate State funds for trails with the creation of the Complete the Trail Fund which provided $29.25 million for the 12 State Trails. As a result, DRST is allocated $860,828 for natural surface trails and $49,500 for capacity building funds. Since DRST does not have a non-profit organization associated with it, Piedmont Land Conservancy agreed to be the State Trail Partner and administer the funds.
With Randolph County being the only DRST jurisdiction with a Conceptual Plan and projects ready to fund, the $860,828 is planned to construct trail on the Franklinville to Cedar Falls section which will add 2.75 miles to the Franklinville/Faith Rock to Ramseur for a total of 6 miles one way. This section features a hydroelectric plant, bridge over Bush Creek, trailheads at Sapona Mills and the new NC Textile Museum and river access at Loflin Pond Rd Bridge.
View from Faith Rock near Franklinville.
After seeing the high usage of trails during the Covid pandemic, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners recognized that one of the bright spots was having five miles of trails along Deep River for family and friends to have a safe place to go outdoors to exercise and have peace of mind. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that Trails are no longer a “good to have” amenity. They are essential to not only physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual health and wellness. They decided to appropriate $1 million for the DRST. Those funds are allocated for the match for the Sandy Creek Bridge, engineering studies for the five bridges needed, a conceptual plan for the 3 miles that the County Landfill has along the Deep River and construction of that section.
View along Franklinville to Cedar Falls section.
The GTSC also persuaded the NC General Assembly to pass legislation designating 2023 Year of the Trail. Events are planned for all 100 counties to get State legislators and local elected officials out on trails to experience first- hand the health/wellness, economic and quality of life benefits of trails. Be thinking about what trails and what events you would like to celebrate 2023 Year of the Trail.
Above photos (L-R): Railroad bed near Franklinville at Bush Creek; Worthville Dam near proposed NC Wildlife Resources Boat Ramp.
News from TRLT
by Emily Callicutt, Land Protection Specialist, TRLT
The year 2022 started off on a high note for TRLT and the Uwharrie National Forest with the completion of two projects that protect the viewshed of the Uwharrie Trail.
The first project was the transfer of the Dark Mountain Property. This property was purchased by TRLT in 2018, and was transferred to the US Forest Service in March of 2022. TRLT and the US Forest Service celebrated with achievement with a Ribbon Cutting event. The peak of the 70-acre property is the highest peak in Montgomery County at roughly 940ft in elevation. This site is central to local folklore and several interesting features are located on this property as mentioned in Joe Moffitt’s book, An Afternoon Hike into the Past, including Liquor Springs, Painted Rocks, and Outlaw Cave. This transfer is an incredible addition to the Uwharrie National Forest, as the property adjoins a small portion of the Uwharrie Trail, helping protect the viewshed of the trail.
L-R: Crystal Cockman, Terry Savery, Rodney Smith, and Travis Morehead at the Dark Mountain Ribbon Cutting. Photo courtesy TRLT.
The second project is the acquisition of the Watery Branch Headwaters Property. Watery Branch Headwaters is 210-acre tract that adjoins the Uwharrie Trail in an area where the US Forest Service land is very narrow. TRLT acquired the property in March of 2022. The majority of the property is a beautiful hardwood forest and has frontage on several tributaries of Watery Branch, which is a pristine stream in the area.
The property also contains the new trail shelter named “Crystal’s Place” built by the Uwharrie Trailblazers. Called Crystal’s Place to honor longtime Uwharrie Trail enthusiast and TRLT leader Crystal Cockman, this shelter was partially funded by the Randolph EMC’s Sharing Success Community Grant and received a generous lumber donation from Troy Lumber. The shelter is available for all trail hikers and backpackers to use. This acquisition is an important step in protecting the view of the Uwharrie Trail.
Do you want to see both of these properties while supporting local conservation? Join TRLT for the 12th TRLT Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike this fall! The fall hike will take place on October 13-16, 2022. This is a 4-day, 40-mile backpacking trip on the full length of the historic Uwharrie National Recreational Trail. The Uwharrie Trail is known for its cultural and natural significance, including unique features such as gold mines, rare plants and wildlife, ghost stories, and more. Join us for an awesome backpacking trip through some of the oldest mountains in the world. The thru hike will go from south to north, starting at the Highway 24/27 Trailhead and ending at the Tot Hill/Talbott’s Branch trailhead on Tot Hill Farm Road. To register for the event, please visit the TRLT website.
If you are unable to hike but would still like to participate in the Thru Hike, TRLT would love to have your support as a Trail Angel! Trail Angels are an integral part of the thru hike, helping with aid stations, hiker check-ins, and helping with meals. The thru hike would not be a success without the support of our wonderful trail angels! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact emily@trlt.org.
Visit TRLT online for more information on all their activities - including a fundraising raffle chock full of wonderful luxury prizes!
How You Can Help in the Forest: The Uwharrie Trailblazer Work Crew’s Adopt-a-Trail Program
by Jim Plant
Yes, you can adopt a hiking trail in the Uwharrie National Forest through the Uwharrie Trailblazers. We have partnered with the Forest Service by adopting all the hiking trails in the National Forest. We’ve taken all 60 or so miles of hiking trails and divided them into 19 sections, from 2 to almost 6 miles in length. The average is just over 3 miles. There are still a few trails available for adoption.
We ask that each adopter walk their trail at least twice a year doing light maintenance, lopping, cleaning water bars, cleaning campsites along trails, removing debris, cutting small deadfalls with a handsaw and reporting your work by submitting a work report online. In reporting the hours worked, you should include drive time as well. It is important to report your work hours, The Forest Service uses volunteer work hours in applying for grants and other funds. It shows support at the local level which is used in these evaluations.
We started the program in the Spring of 2020 and kicked it off with an orientation event to give volunteer adopters some of the basics of trail maintenance. Right now, the Spring of 2022, the adoptions renew or are replaced for another 2 year term. On June 11 we held another adopter orientation in conjunction with our normal second Saturday of the month workday. Our dedicated Trail Bosses and Work Crew leaders gave presentations on the basics of trail maintenance.
Trail Adoption Orientation presenters (l-r): Matt McArthur, Gifford Del Grande, Michael Baker, and Steve Chase.
Gifford started off with a discussion on safety. When you’re out in the forest with tools, you have to take precautions. There is a lot to consider, hydration, personal protection equipment, hazards like snakes, ticks, stinging insects etc, and safe work practices. Those tools are sharp. Not only are they dangerous when in use but also while carrying them. And finally first aid supplies. When asked who had a first aid kit with them, about half the participants did.
Matt followed with a discussion on the tools we use and how we should use them. We have tools. You probably already have a handsaw, shovel and a lopper but you probably don’t have a Rogue Hoe, Pulaski, Mattock or McLeod. You might not even know what they are. That is where the orientation comes in. We have tools that can be borrowed and used for maintenance. We’ll try to make them available at a convenient location, so you can pick up and drop off as needed.
Trail maintenance tools in the UTB tool shed.
Michael’s presentation was on water. No, not water you drink. You need that too but water and how to divert it off the trail is by far, the area we spend the most time on. Today we are not building any water bars or diversions, we are just cleaning out the existing ones. Somehow, Michael managed to take the mundane topic of water erosion and turn it into a motivational speech.
Michael Baker dropping some erosion knowledge!
Finally, Steve Chase spoke about the saw crew. Only certified sawyers are permitted to use chainsaws or crosscut saws in the National Forest. In the designated wilderness area, chainsaws can not be used, hence the need for crosscut saws. The club has one and Steve is certified to operate it. The Trailblazers will be offering crosscut training certification later this summer. Since saws are inherently dangerous, hard hats, eye protection and sometimes chaps and steel toed boots are needed in addition to your normal personal protection equipment.
Steve talking about saws.
Then it was off into the woods in 4 groups. The saw crew had to walk over an hour to reach a couple downed trees. The other groups worked at cleaning water bars and runouts. With over 20 participants we were able to get a lot of work done.
The Legendary Ladies of the Longsaw getting it done!!! Photo by Steve Chase.
Our trail crew will not have regular workdays during July and August but we’ll be back out there every 2nd Saturday of the month again in September. You can join us, just sign up when we post work events on facebook.
Join us and help make the trails a better hiking experience or adopt a trail. Join us here.
Current Roster of Trail Adopters
If you are curious about the trail adoption program and/or interested in learning more about trail work, please take a look at the information online here, and contact the Uwharrie Trailblazes with any and all questions!!!
editorial policy
The contents of this newsletter are authored collaboratively by the Uwharrie Trailblazers steering committee unless otherwise attributed and are intended to illuminate, educate, and inspire all who enjoy the trails of the Uwharries. The newsletter is edited by Uwharrie Trailblazers club secretary Kim Andersen. We welcome suggestions and questions from all readers.
Please send feedback and questions via email to uwharrietrailblazers@gmail.com and visit us on Facebook!
