Fall 2022

Kids out and about having fun in the woods! Look at those bright happy faces!!! In this era of remote learning, online gaming, and addictive social media, it is downright inspirational.

Brody and Charlotte Siimpoeg, brother and sister who love the nature, outdoors, and the hiking experience. Photo by their father Remi Siimpoeg.

Uwharrie Trailblazer Remi Siimpoeg and his children Charlotte and Brody took a backpacking trip a few weeks ago - their second time in the Uwaharries and first time staying overnight. Remi says they hiked on the Dutchman Creek Trail for about five miles and camped at one of the small creeks. They all really liked the trail since it was not too difficult, but for the children it was still a small challenge on these hot days. They took many breaks and kept hydrated, and when they reached their destination, both kids set up their tent and sleep areas themselves - dad had only to give them pointers on what would be the best surface for their tent!!! Next morning, the children packed everything back together by themselves.

They were very proud and happy to have accomplished so much on their own and by working with each other and figuring things out together while Remi took a back seat.

What a gift it is introducing young people to hiking and backpacking and the self-reliance and confidence it teaches! And what a joy to see the love of the natural world and those lessons it teaches take root and grow in the next generation in spite of all the counter-influences that surround us on a daily basis.

Onward!

Kim Andersen

From the Chair

A project we assisted the Three Rivers Land Trust with back in 2016 has resurfaced - Star Little River Park!!!

Crystal Cockman and the then-known Land Trust for Central NC helped the town of Star acquire about 100 acres on the Little River West of Star including a place called The Forks. The Forks is an interesting and historically significant location where two branches of the Little River come together and there is a Native American fish weir. The Uwharrie Trailblazers built about .7 of a mile of trail including a nice set of rock steps leading up to a laurel bluff.

There are some things to be done after our work in order to open the park. DOT rebuilt the highway bridge in a way that disturbed trail access and created other problems. Fortunately Aaron Russel, a Star town commissioner, and I connected and scouted out the trails again. They'll need some raking and blazing. The handrails at the steps need some work as well.

We'll probably take a crew down one afternoon and work on the steps and schedule a workday on a Saturday to rake and blaze the trails. If you have interest in helping with an impromptu drop in to fix the trails, let me know.

UTB Board member Jared Byrd put together this great map of the park:

The property is quite pretty and lush. We are lucky to be a part of this project. We look forward to sharing it with you.

once upon a time

by Kathryn Waple

One day Mike Kirkpatrick had a dream… that he had traveled back in time and found himself decked out in retro gear. That dream will become a reality with the first ever Uwharrie Retro Hike!

The Uwharrie Retro Figure 8 will be the first organized retro hike ever. This hike will encompass a 21 mile journey of predominantly easy trail, with sections of moderately challenging terrain. This is a perfect route to put classic gear and yourself to the test.

Participants will have the opportunity to see classic gear in action on the trail, hear tales of past adventures around the campfire, and gain appreciation for the gear we have the luxury of using today. This is a rebel hike. There is no registration or sign up required.

Hikers are hiking at their own risk! This is a voluntary activity. Please hike safely and know your own limits. Be aware of your surroundings. The organizers, US Forest Service and any people or groups associated with the event assume no responsibility for people who choose to participate.

Please use this link to access all the details for this inaugural Retro Figure 8 hike!

Matt Mcarthur

I started my outdoor adventures growing up in Montana, Utah, and Arizona. High country skiing and hiking was something my family did on such a regular basis that I considered, or thought it was the “norm” for everyone. I remember weekends when our father would drop my 2 brothers and I, ages 15 and 11, on the west side of the Wasatch Mountain range, near Tooele UT, on a Friday afternoon to be picked up 13-17 miles east on Sunday afternoon. Our Family moved to NC in the 1980s, we landed in a place on NC HWY 134 near Howard Avenue. My brothers and I would spend countless hours in the woods, hunting, fishing, and wreaking havoc anywhere we could.

After graduating from Southwest Randolph High School in 1985, I spent 4 years in the 10th Mountain Division Light Infantry Division, 1st BN 22nd INF. It also gave me ample opportunity to develop outdoor skill craft in a different way. I returned to Asheboro in 1990 and met my wonderful wife, spent another 8 years trying to convince her that I was the one for her. We enjoyed rock climbing, mountain biking and camping together which were all platforms in which I thought I could show off!

I began my career in the construction industry in 1992 as a commercial carpenter and have been a project superintendent for the past 30 years. I am currently the General Superintendent for McFarland Construction based out of Charlotte and Raleigh.

I will have to blame Gifford Del Grande for introducing me to the Uwharrie Trailblazers. Several years ago, my son and I started hiking and camping. Gifford had also invited my son to several boy scout hiking adventures. Then he asked me if I would be interested in doing trail maintenance work one Saturday. It has been an adventure ever since.

Hiking 23 miles in two days in January 2022 with Gifford Del Grande!

Whether it was being part of the team that designed and built Crystal’s Place (shelter near watery branch), working on the cross-cut team with Steve [Chase], working water bars and general maintenance on the trail, or adopting a trail section, I consider myself honored and blessed to be part of a great group of people who have found a way to give back and support the Uwharrie trail system.

L: Fixing access to the Little River South of Troy. R: Working with a crew near Yates Place.

Matt McArthur

Scout Troop Loves Hiking The Uwharries

by David Harling, Troop Committee Chairman & Former Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 420 – Chartered 1929, Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, Laurinburg, NC

Troop 420 Scouts checking out the new trail shelter with Scoutmaster Kris Coleman (left) and Assistant Scoutmaster Andrew Batten (right). Photo by Jim Walters.

Beginning in the early 1970s, Boy Scout Troop 420 sponsored by the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church started an annual tradition of traveling from Laurinburg to the Uwharrie National Forest to challenge Scouts physically and mentally on the Dutchman Creek and Uwharrie Trails. Over the years the troop has had many leader changes and Scouts have walked through the troop meeting doors.

Without exception the greatest memories a Scout takes with him are those memories of the Troop’s annual Uwharrie trip. A teen Scout faces many challenges in today’s world. Learning how to manage and meet challenges head on are skills taught in the Boy Scout program. Backpacking especially creates a great challenge for a Scout. Scouts plan the hike, plan their equipment, personal lists and food needs. They look at the weather and the time of year to make sure that their plan will be adequate for their trip. They normally arrive at a trailhead on Friday night just after dark and with headlamps hit the trail for a short hike to a makeshift campsite. For the first time, some Scouts experience the bright stars and quiet woods.

Troop 420 camp at Yates Place. Photo by David Harling.

Up early the next morning, they begin a hike to enjoy God’s creation with every few steps along the trail. It is not unusual to come across some wonderful people on a day hike or out for the weekend. Many times, they pass another Boy Scout Troop and exchange questions like, where are ya’ll from? Or where are you heading? Backpacking can produce the unexpected many times along the trail. A high swollen creek needing to be crossed, a sudden hailstorm at supper time or the unexpected drop in temperature and much more may reveal that the hike plan may not prepared for everything. Two nights on the trail followed by a Sunday morning hike back to another trailhead bring a since of accomplishment for the young Scouts.

Eagle Scout Chris Walters prepares the evening campfire at Spencer’s Creek Camp while Life Scout Thomas Buie and Scout Corey McIntyre look on. Photo by Kris Coleman.

Nothing in their lives will challenge them more than a backpacking trip. No other activity will require they develop a plan that will yield a safe and comfortable experience like backpacking will. A few days later there will be a Troop meeting where Scouts will review their trip and critique their hike plan. Some will note their individual shortcomings like not having fresh batteries in their head lamp of not bringing rain gear. The group will grade their troop plan to find things that can be approved upon next time.

In 1995 one of our Scouts suggested we develop a patch for the Dutchman Creek and Uwharrie Trails to promote backpacking among Scout troops. The patch was developed and is sold to Scout troops and others to as a token of a great weekend memory in the Uwharries. A link to the patch purchase can be found HERE. Over the years the Troop has sold over one thousand patches to remind those how much fun backpacking can be.

Nothing more than backpacking will bring so many skills a Scout learns to one place. Troop 420 finds that backpacking teaches many life skills including planning, execution, evaluation. We also recognize that failure allows learning to take place. We look forward to many years of training youth to be great citizens. The memories of the annual Uwharrie backpacking trip are seared into their minds. They know they have overcome many challenges and know that backpacking the Uwharries played a big part in their success.

Many thanks to the Uwharrie Trail Club for keeping the trails open and safe. Your work is greatly appreciated.

Adoption Update

by Jim Plant

The Uwharrie Trailblazer Trail Adoption Program began in June 2020 with an Adopter Orientation kick off. Back in the middle of the pandemic, we had a socially distanced gathering at Walker Creek Trailhead. Just this summer, after two full years, the program renewed with most adopters opting to continue maintaining their trail section.

L-R: Steve Chase, Jim Plant, and Michael Baker brave the cold to install new signs!

We have a few newcomers joining the program. Welcome everyone.

Thanks in part to this program, our volunteer work hours have surged. Each year the Uwharrie Trailblazers report our work hours to the USFS. Those hours are then used to show local support when we or the USFS apply for grant money to improve hiking trails. This summer, you may have noted a professional trail crew working on the Uwharrie Trail from Route 109 north to Joe Moffitt Trailhead. The Forest Service was able to hire Trail Dynamics, a private firm specializing in hiking trail building, through a RTP grant. Our work hours were instrumental in obtaining this grant. Great job, Adopters. Keep those trails clear and don’t forget to report your work. It makes a difference.

L-R: Chris Gerken, Jim Plant, Mary Joan Pugh, Merritt Maness, and David Craft hard at work keeping up the trails of the Uwharries.

News From TRLT

By Emily Callicutt, Land Protection Specialist, TRLT

This past spring, Three Rivers Land Trust held their 11th Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike. The hike began on Thursday, April 28, and was completed on Sunday, May 1st. The TRLT Thru Hike has become a staple event for the Land Trust, celebrating public access in the Uwharries.

Extraordinary volunteer, UTB Board member, and so much more - Dave Gardener (front in yellow) - receives a well-deserved round of applause from everyone for being the thru hike camp host not just this year but in many years past as well.

We want to give a big thank you to all the trail angels and volunteers who help make this event a success, it would not be possible without you!

This was also the first time TRLT Director of Development, Andrew Younger, participated in the hike.

When asked about his experience, this is what Andrew had to say:

“Backpack camping (backpacking) is a unique endeavor. It requires detailed planning and preparation for an extended physical excursion into the unknown. It’s not easy, but the TRLT Thru Hike does a pretty good job of making it so. This 4 day, 40 mile hike is probably one of the most enjoyable backpacking trips I’ve even taken and I highly recommend it.

The TRLT Spring 2022 Thru Hike was my first overnight trip into the Uwharrie National Forest and like most hikers, I grossly over packed. I did not need binoculars, I did not need to bring my own camping chair, and I most definitely did not need my hatchet. All a person really needs is sleeping accommodations and a few provisions and that is it- TRLT provides everything else. I vividly remember ending the first day’s hike, turning that final corner and seeing our campground with chairs already set up and hot food waiting for me and I thought to myself, “Why did I carry all this crap?”

An added bonus to the TRLT Thru Hike is the amazing people you meet along the way. Of course you’ll be blessed by the natural beauty of the Uwharrie National Forest and the serenity only found when you’re miles deep in in the woods, but what I didn’t expect was the awesome people you meet along the way. These fellow hikers provide much needed conversation during the difficult sections of trail and shared funny stories when sitting around the fire at night. They quickly become your close friends and add to an already fun-filled experience.

I’m grateful for the friends I made during those 4 days and I look forward to seeing them again (as well as meeting new friends) this fall. If you would like to join us for the Fall Thru-Hike October13-16, visit our website at trlt.org/events to register and check out the upcoming hikes, paddles, and more!”

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!

Uwharrie Trailblazers Newsletter