The Little River
Watermark
Membership Newsletter for Friends of DuPont Forest Volume 5, Issue 3 September 2007 President’s Corner Gloria Clouse, FODF President
DuPont Forest had many visitors over the summer. Some were Friends of DuPont Forest has agreed to act as a fiscal agent for discovering it for the first time, while others returned to explore the new organization which is in the developmental stage. We are new areas and revisit favorite places. The serenity and beauty very excited about this project and will provide you with more in- of the area can be found while riding a bike, on the back of a formation as it gets underway. horse, or using your feet to hike, run, or just stroll through the trees and rocks. It is a great place to reconnect with nature. If A few of the leaves are starting to change and that can only mean you have not read The Last Child in the Woods: Saving our that the Tour de Falls is getting closer. On October 20, and 21, Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv, I would 2007, we will again provide shuttle buses for visitors to the for- recommend placing it on your reading list. Louv writes about est. We are happy to provide this service, especially to individuals the importance of the relationship between children and na- who are not physically able to visit all the sites on the tour. It is a ture. The fundamentals discussed in the book were the stimu- big undertaking and we would welcome your involvement. If you lus for a new organization known as Classroom Earth. Dr. John are interested in helping with the tour, please contact volun- Huie, of Warren Wilson College and Sandy Schenk , director of [email protected] or call 884-2006. We have a volunteer the Green River Preserve, a have formed a collaboration with job suited just for you! the public schools in Transylvania and Henderson counties to include outdoor experiences in DuPont Forest and surrounding Gloria Clouse, natural areas as a vital part of the school curriculum. Friends of DuPont Forest President
Inside this issue:
Unanticipated Event & New Trail Map Info 2
Upcoming Events, Trail Boss Needed & 3 Parking Lot Hosts
Move a Mtn. Day & New Fawn Lake Pier 4
Tour de Falls Flyer 5
Become a Trail Partner 6
Forest Updates by David Brown DSF Supervisor 7
Member Perspectives 8
Canoe Day & Conservation Opportunity 9
Membership Form 10 Patrick Shepherd tied for 1st place in the 2007 Friends of DuPont Forest Photography Contest. His photo was chosen to be on the cover of the 2007 edition of the DuPont State Forest Recreational Guide Map. Go to www.dupontforest.com to view other fantastic photos that were submitted.
Page 2 Unanticipated Tasks By David Brown, DSF Supervisor
Working for the NC Division of Forest Resources (DFR) involves a large variety of tasks. Some like fighting fire, marking timber or diagnosing in- sect and disease problems are things one would anticipate doing when working in the forestry profession. Occasionally there are tasks that are outside the norm, but never the less, necessary.
Since coming to DuPont State Forest in 2002, I have dealt with a few unan- ticipated tasks. The first was disassembling a pool table. After my wife and I moved into the DSF cottage we decided we did not need the pool table in the basement. It was offered to other DFR units, and the Training Facility in Kinston was the recipient. The only way to get it out the door and loaded onto a trailer was to take it apart. After a brief discussion with a pool table manufacturer, I discovered that taking a pool table apart was not too complicated.
Dealing with fatalities in a State Forest is a dreaded task, and not something I anticipated when entering the forestry profession in 1971. In the past five years we have had three. One was the result of a heart attack. The other two occurred when visitors slipped and fell, one at Wintergreen Falls and the other at Triple Falls. I am indebted to my staff for the very capable and professional man- ner in which they responded to these incidents.
Recently I was met with another unanticipated task - investigating a grave robbery. There are two graveyards in DSF, Thomas Cemetery and Moore Cemetery. Both date back to the 1800s. On August 29 th I received a call from a man that had visited Moore Cemetery near Hooker Falls, and reported he found an open grave. Richard Banks and I responded to the scene. The full length and width of Clinton Moore’s grave had been excavated to a depth of five feet. The crime was reported to the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Department, and Lieutenant Jeff Smith responded. Evidence was collected, and three individuals were arrested on Sep- tember 4. On August 30 th Clinton Moore, originally buried in 1905, was re-interred by Frank Cubero, Roberta Belcher and Alvin Barnwell. I feel sure that is not a task they anticipated when they left for work that morning.
Keep up to date with more events sponsored by the Friends of DuPont Forest by going to www.dupontforest.com.
Updated Maps Are Here Jeff Jennings, FODF Member & Webmaster
Friends of DuPont Forest has updated our recreation guide map that offers substantial advantages over other map alternatives. These maps are being sold by area merchants as a fundraiser to support trail and other needed improvements at DuPont State Forest.
The improved recreational guide map features:
• Greatly expanded trail descriptions • Color photos of most major attractions • Larger 17" x 22" size offers TWICE the area of other DuPont maps • Shaded relief technology makes it easier to see grade changes • New folded waterproof PolyArt synthetic stock is more convenient to handle • Major water crossing are marked • Trail Rating System (Difficult, Moderate, Easy) with distances in miles • Summary and directions to major attractions • Driving directions from several regional cities
You can purchase a map online at www.dupontforest.com for $8 each +$1.25 s/h. or order a map by mail for $8 each +$1.25 s/h + sales tax (NC only). Send checks to FODF Map Sales, 330 Franklin St, Brevard NC 28712. or you can purchase a map from one of our local merchants or accommodations that carry our maps. See the Accommodations page on our website for a complete list of map vendors.
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October 13 - Litter Haters Alert! The next assault on litter is scheduled for Saturday, October 13. Meet at Lake Imaging at 9 a.m. (Note the change in date, place and time from that listed in last January’s newsletter calendar). Sturdy shoes, long pants and a cap are advisable since they ward off poison ivy, ticks and the sun. If you have an orange vest and grabber, bring them. Our supply is based on first come, first serve.
You've all done so well in the past. On July 14, twenty-one people from FODF and the Carolina Conservancy cleared the roadsides of thirty-nine bags of garbage, two plastic pails filled with mystery guck and an old hi-fi turntable. Sightings were noted of one copperhead, a rather large rat and several ticks clinging to their unwel- coming hosts. We were and are a determined crew! Sad but true, the roadsides are filling up again. Educa- tion and persistence is the key. If interested or if you have any questions call Peg Bresnahan at 828-884- 6806 or email her at [email protected]
October 20 & 21 - TOUR DE FALLS This event becomes more popular each year. We need volunteers to park cars, open gates, sell tickets, sell maps, help visitors board the buses, work at each of the stops, act as tour guides, serve refreshments and donate refreshments. If you can help, e- mail us at [email protected] or call 884-2006 or 692-2929. Let us know which day(s) (Oct 20 or 21) and what time(s) (AM shift 8:45 - 12:45 or PM shift 12:30 - 4:45) you would like to volunteer. (more event information on next page)
October 25—Cemetery Hike Experience a night hike by the full moon. Tour the cemeteries located within the DuPont State Forest. Visit some of the spirits there. Meet at Hooker Falls Parking lot at 8pm & bring a flashlight, sturdy shoes. Contact John Carney at 862-3886 to sign up.
November 17th—Fall Hike FODF board member Bev Parlier will lead a fall hike on Nov 17th. This will be a moderate hike of 5-6 miles. Bring a lunch and wear sturdy shoes. We will meet at 10 a.m. at the Corn Mill Shoals Parking area. The hike will be on the trails around the rock quarry. Bev has biked or hiked ALL the trails in DuPont! Please email at [email protected] or call 828-883-9278 to register.
Trail Boss Needed
DO YOU KNOW WHAT A PULASKI OR MATTOCK IS? Mattock
Then we would like to talk to you! We have mem- bers who are willing to be trained for trail building and trail maintenance, but we need an experienced Trail Boss who can organize the training and work sessions and coordinate work projects with the For- est Staff. This is an area where we would like to expand volunteer service to DuPont forest. Please call 884-2006 or e-mail [email protected] if you have questions or suggestions. Pulaski
Fall Parking Lot Hosts
Each weekend from May through October, we try to staff the shelters at Hooker Falls or Buck Forest. Hosts give information, sell maps, have water available and generally greet visitors to the forest. During September and October we would like to train any members who would be interested in helping FODF in this way. We will pair you with seasoned Parking Lot Hosts who will be happy to “show you the ropes”. If you have an interest in helping please send your name and email to Bev Parlier at [email protected] or call 828-883-9278.
Page 4 Move A Mountain Day by John Carney, FODF Board Member
Brevard College students participated in Move A Mountain Day on August 27, 2007. This half day, college sponsored event, is a ser- vice-focused experience that allows new students, staff & volunteers to work on projects that directly impacts the community. ‘Cognosce ut Prosis’ is the college’s motto, meaning “Learn in order to Serve”. This was evident this past August, when approximately 20 students ascended on High Falls viewing area where they cleaned brush and helped with erosion control near the Triple Falls Shelter area.
David Brown, DSF Supervisor, conducting an Orientation & Brevard College students clearing brush near the High Falls Safety discussion to Brevard College students during Move a viewing area. Mountain Day.
Brevard College students during a lunch break . The erosion control work that was done at the Triple Falls Shel- ter area. Photos courtesy of FODF Board member John Carney New Pier Being Built Chris McDonnell, FODF Board Member
Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) has completed Phase 1 of a service learning project in DuPont State Forest. Phase 1 consisted of rebuilding the existing Fawn Lake Pier with pressure-treated lumber. Phase 2 will consist of WPCC constructing a ramp from the shore to the pier and building steps from the pier into the lake. When completed, this pier will be handicapped accessible. Other work that will be done by DuPont State Forest staff and volunteers will include rebuilding of the gazebo, and fencing around the area. WPCC has done other projects in the forest such as the steps at Triple Falls and the viewing platform at Bridal Veil. Because of WPCC's dedication and love of DuPont State Forest, FODF and the forest saved a considerable amount of money in labor on these projects. FODF supplies materials and food, and DuPont State Forest supplies assistance and support.
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Invites you to
Friends of DuPont Forest will again sponsor the Tour de Falls, a 12 mile tour by shuttle bus to four of DuPont Forest’s most spec- tacular sites: Triple Falls, High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Lake Julia. The Tour will take place on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21. Easy-to-enter shuttles will run every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., allowing visitors the chance to enjoy each site for as long as they like. Three of the sites have shelters with picnic tables and benches. Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras & picnic lunches and to take short hikes, or just enjoy the beauty of the falls and lake. The waterfalls and lake provide beautiful backdrops for family or scenic photographs. FODF will have volunteer members on each shuttle and at the four stops to assist where needed, and to answer questions. At Lake Julia, the last stop before returning to the parking lot, re- freshments will be served in the rustic lodge overlooking the lake.
DuPont Forest is located in both Henderson and Transylvania counties. The beginning of the tour is located adjacent to the Buck Forest entrance on Staton/ DuPont Road. Shuttles will leave every 15 minutes; no advance reservations are required. A $10 per person donation is requested. The Tour generally takes about 2 hours, depending on how long participants choose to spend at each stop.
Friends of DuPont Forest is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preserva- tion and improvement of the 10,400 acres of DuPont State Forest. The Tour de Falls weekends have been planned to provide families and those who cannot hike the distance required a chance to see the beauty of North Carolina’s fall foliage at some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Southeast. Partici- pants will also have the chance to see several FODF-sponsored projects, in- cluding a staircase to Triple Falls, new shelters and picnic tables at High and Triple Falls, and a new path and viewing area at Bridal Veil Falls.
For more information contact the FODF at 828/692-2929 or 828/884-2006, or visit the FODF website, www.dupontforest.com .
Photos courtesy of FODF Board Member, Nancy Black
Page 6 Trail Partnership Program When the trails in what we now know as DuPont State Forest were made, no one could have anticipated the heavy use they get today. It is now apparent that without serious corrective actions, many of the origi- nal trails we have grown to love will no longer exist in the future.
My Partnership
My favorite trail is:______
FODF, in partnership with the NC Division of Forest Resources, is dedi- Comments:______cated to a 100% sustainable trail system in this, the most visited public forest in North Carolina. A sustainable trail is easy to maintain and is built with all of the forces that affect. Water runoff is perhaps the biggest My tax deductible contribution: single, natural problem that trail builders face. Users, whether human, mechanical, or animal, also impact the trails. The key is to minimize # of Feet_____ X $5.OO=______that impact through good design and construction techniques.
Over 30,000 feet of trails were rehabilitated from Name:______2005-2007. FODF has Street:______committed $55,000 to Bri- ery Fork, Corn Mill Shoals, City:______Jim Branch, Laurel Ridge, Mine Mountain, Rea- State & Zip:______sonover Creek and other trails. Each of these trails E-mail:______offered its own challenges Method of Payment from steep grades with large washed-out sections Check to dangerous stream Visa crossings. These chal- Master Card lenges are being met by American Express designing multi-use trails for hikers, bikers & equestrians that each Discover group can use with mutual respect in cooperation with each other. Pay Pal Online Credit Card #______FODF is working hard to secure funds from Grants and other sources in order to supplement the funding of this work, but you, our members, Expiration Date______(code)______can truly make a significant difference by helping to preserve this unique place. Friends of DuPont Forest is asking for your help. Join us Partnerships will be listed in the FODF in protecting a legacy of nature at its best, by preserving and maintain- newsletter & on our website. ing the things you love about this special forest. This partnership will fund future trail work. There are over 80 miles of roads & trails in use in Please send this cutout panel to: DuPont Forest today with many miles desperately needing attention! At $5.00 a foot, each foot you Partner gets us that much closer to realizing Friends of DuPont Forest our goal of a 100% sustainable trail system. Your gift will be tax de- PO Box 2107 ductible. Brevard, NC 28718
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FOREST UPDATES By David Brown, DSF Supervisor
Hunting Season – Deer season opened on Saturday September 8 with a special opportunity hunt for disabled sportsmen. Deer sea- son will continue until early December. Hunting will be confined to Friday and Saturday each week. Visitors are encouraged to wear bright colors when venturing outside the hunting safety zones on these days. The three-week bear hunt that was proposed for Mon- day – Wednesday starting on October 29 is not a sure thing. As of September 11, 2007 the NC Wildlife Commission has not worked out all the details of the proposed hunt. They ruled that bear hunters will not be allowed to use dogs.
Visitor Center – Plans for the visitor center at Buck Forest access area have been approved by the State Construction Office. The project should go out for bids soon. The bad news is that the DFR Construction Engineer has left to take a similar position with the Division of Parks and Recreation. If will be difficult for the visitor center project to move forward until he is replaced.
Trail Contract – Trail Dynamics has been awarded a $15,500 contract for improvements to the Burnt Mountain and Ridgeline Trails and for making improvements near the High Falls viewing area. Work on the Burnt Mountain Trail includes reconstruction of drainage structures along 10,200 feet of trail and reconstructing up to 6,000 feet of the trail tread. A major portion of the Ridgeline Trail will be relocated on the side slope with a better grade. The 5,500-foot relocation project will reduce erosion and make the trail safer for hik- ers, bikers and horseback riders. Up to 1,000 feet of the old logging road will be converted to a single tract multi-use trail, and be- come part of the new Ridgeline Trail. At High Falls, the old crosstie steps between the picnic shelter and mid-slope viewing area will be removed. A short trail will be constructed to replace the steps. The work will start this fall, and the projects should be completed by next spring. The work is funded through a Recreational Trails Program Grant from the NC Division of Parks and Recreation, and by the Friends of DuPont Forest.
Conservation Road – We are still waiting for E. I. DuPont Nemours and Company to schedule the closing on the 34-acre tract of land be- low the Lake Julia Dam. The Council of State approved receiving the donation from DuPont at their June 5 th meeting. Once the transaction is completed visitors will be able to access Bridal Veil Falls from the Buck Forest parking lot. Currently they must come in from the Fawn Lake or Corn Mill Shoals access areas.
Pinnacle Mountain Road – A proposed meeting to discuss the status of Pinnacle Mountain Road and the proposal for NC DOT to abandon the road has not been scheduled. The drought and accompanying wildfire activity has kept many DFR employees tied up most of the sum- mer. DOT’s work to improve the road coupled with the lack of rainfall has helped the road remain in better condition than in recent years. Summer visitors at the end of Hooker Falls Trail
Hooker Falls – Hooker Falls has been a very popular spot for visitors this summer. The stream bank stabilization work completed in May improved the appearance of the poplar waterfront area. Thousands of visitors make the short walk from the Hooker Falls parking lot, and hundreds of visitors come by boat from the Cascade Lake Recreation Area. This area is in danger of being loved to death. The temporary fencing put up to protect newly planted vegetation has been trampled down. Many visitors do not carry out their trash. A rope swing had to be taken down, because it was a safety hazard.
Dogs Off Leash – DSF staff have begun issuing warning tickets for all dogs off leash violations. Dogs must be kept on a leash and under the control of the owner at all times, even when playing in the wa- ter. There are three reasons for this. (1) Dogs must not be allowed to bother other visitors. (2) Dogs must not bother wildlife or come in contact with rabid animals. (3) Dogs must not wonder away from the owner and become lost. Information from the warning tickets is entered into a database at the Forest Supervisor’s office. Repeat offenders will be issued a citation.
New Equipment Operator Hired for DSF— Richard Banks was hired to replace Bruce Redmon as the DSF Equipment Operator on August 1, 2007. He has already worked on Poplar Trail, Sheep Mountain Trail, Triple Falls Trail below the viewing area, and has graded portions of our gravel roads. Richard and his wife Jennifer are from McDowell County. He has previous experience operating heavy equip- ment for site development. He has always wanted to work in the natural resources field. Richard com- pleted several fire suppression courses prior to his employment at DSF. We welcome Richard to our staff, and look forward to working with him to maintain and improve our roads, trails and facilities.
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Share your pictures, memories, stories and more about the DuPont State Forest. Send your info to Nancy Black, Newsletter Editor, at [email protected] or call (828)884-2267. (Deadline for the January 2008 newsletter will be Dec 15, 2007)
Dear FODF, We are 87 and 89. We didn't know if we could or should take the Tour de Falls. It sounded like a wonderful Mother's Day gift. We voted 'yes', even with gray skies. Leo was jittery about getting lost or having car problems. But we did it! When I saw the signs and a man in uniform, it was joyous relief! Thanks for a great
organization. You are special! Thank you.
Dotti & Leo Farr Crossing over Reasonover Creek during the FODF Sponsored Hendersonville, NC Wildflower hike in April. Picture courtesy of FODF Member Linda Young
“And what is so rare, as a day in June?” With apologies to James Russell Lowell and Sir Lancelot’s vision, how about a night in May when the Blue Ghost Fireflies appear in the hushed darkness of DuPont Forest, delighting children of all ages. Mary Katherine Rollins, a ten year old visitor accompanying her Grandparents on the Blue Ghost walk, captured the wonder of the evening with this drawing. Fritz Ruppert, Kathleen Elliott and little Grace Durham sat quietly beside her on the side of the path leading to the haunts of the Blue Ghosts, as members of FODF strolled further into the forest. Watching with awe and wonder as the little blue lights hovered in pale moonlight, then moved slowly “like ballerinas” above the leaf litter on the forest floor, Mary Katherine described the scene as "amazing and peaceful, a bit of magic in our mountains." Article submitted by FODF Board member, Aleen Steinberg. Drawing by Mary Katherine Rollins
Canoe Day a Sizzling Success Page 9
Peg Bresnahan & Bev Parlier. 2007 Canoe Day Co-chairs The members’ only event on August 18 th at Lake Julia was enjoyed by seventy-five people. Despite the heat, many paddled under the sun in canoes donated by the Green River Pre- serve and Camp Carolina. It was a Saturday of camaraderie served up with hot dogs, ice tea provided by FODF and side dishes brought and shared by the participants. This was a grand way to meet new members and touch base with ones we hadn’t seen for awhile. Pictures courtesy of Bev Parlier Conservation Opportunity
Conservation Opportunity at Neighboring Terra Nova Center
The Terra Nova Center is a 198 acre retreat center bordering DuPont State Forest, just upstream on the Reasonover Creek.
The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy is working with Terra Nova on a plan to permanently conserve the forest and water resources of this important tract into the future.
This plan would prevent the 198 acres from being developed through a series of easements, with 18 acres of Nature Preserve being added to the State Forest along the Reasonover Creek.
The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy is working with private landowners throughout the region to find mutually beneficial solutions to conserve the beauty and natural resources of their land for future generations. Friends of DuPont Forest sup- ports CMLC in its efforts to work with property holders neighboring the State Forest.
More Information is available at both www.dupontforest.com/terranova.asp or at http://www.carolinamountain.org
Membership Get Involved Student (1 Year) $10 I would like to volunteer my time for the advancement of Forest Friend (1 Year) $25 Trail Building & Work Crew Family (1 Year) $35 Adopt-a-Hwy Litter Pick-Up Donate at a level of $50 or more, receive a free Friends of DuPont Special Events (Tour de Falls, Canoe Day, etc) Forest T-shirt ( S, M, L, XL, XXL ) Circle one Partner (1 Year) $50 Special Forest Interest/Educational Programs Supporter (1 Year) $100 Membership Services Hooker Falls Contributor (1 Year) $ 250 Parking Lot Greeters Triple Falls Contributor (1 Year) $ 500 Grant Writing High Falls Contributor (1 Year) $1000 DuPont State Forest History Program Forest Angel (1 Year) $1001+ Fundraising Efforts Additional Donation $______ Other ______ Save the stamps . Please E-mail my newsletter to the E-mail address listed below Mail this form to: Friends of DuPont Forest Receive a special Friends P.O. Box 2107 of DuPont Forest decal Brevard, NC 28712
Name ______Address______when you join or renew (Please print clearly) City ______State______ZIP______your membership with
FODF
Phone (______)______E-mail ______
Aleen Steinberg Steinberg Aleen
Sandy Schenk Schenk Sandy
Fred Roane Roane Fred
Jim Plick Plick Jim
Bev Parlier Parlier Bev
Lydia O’Dell O’Dell Lydia
Jeff Jennings Jennings Jeff
Lynn Harton Harton Lynn
Tom Fortener Fortener Tom
Tom Fanslow Fanslow Tom
Chuck Cordray Cordray Chuck
Karen Cutright Cutright Karen
Peg Bresnahan Bresnahan Peg
Nancy Black Black Nancy
Chris McDonnell, Treasurer Treasurer McDonnell, Chris
Rella Allred, Secretary Secretary Allred, Rella
John Carney, Vice President President Vice Carney, John
Gloria Clouse, President President Clouse, Gloria
FODF Board of Directors Directors of Board FODF
Brevard, NC 28712 28712 NC Brevard,
P.O. Box 2107 2107 Box P.O. Friends of DuPont Forest Forest DuPont of Friends