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May 13, 2023: Second Saturday Workday

Please join us for a great day of volunteering on the Bartram Trail for our Second Saturday Workday on May 13, 2023.

We’re planning to meet at the Appletree Group Campground trailhead and work from there. We may be able to get access to drive in a little closer to the trail where the reported blowdowns are.

Please bring work gloves, good boots, plenty of water, lunch, any meds you might need and esprit de corps.

We’ll meet at 9AM and wrap up at 3pm.

If you’re new to trail maintenance or just want to learn more, you can find more information here on our site. Don’t be shy, we’ll provide everything you need to enjoy your day while making a huge impact for future enjoyment of the Bartram Trail. The hard work of our volunteers is what keeps the 110 miles of trails open and usable all year long.

Please RSVP so we can plan the work and tool requirements.

Thank you for your volunteerism!

Bartram Trail Report for April, 2023

It’s been a busy April here as 2023’s spring season gets into full swing. Continue reading for our Bartram Trail report for April 2023, including recaps from special events, work days, hikes, and boating season!

April 2: Sound Bowl Meditation Hike

This was a special event hosted by our own Erin Hadjidakis, BRBTC Board Member and Talulah Gorge State Park Ranger. Erin led a small group of folks down the Puc Puggy Trail from Osage Overlook to a really nice spot near a babbling creek for a calming meditation session.

We’re looking forward to more special hiking events like this one. If you have any ideas for a special event you’d like to attend, please let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

April 8 10th: Second Saturday Workday

This one was no light effort for our experienced crew of volunteers. Following our Walking With Bartram section hike from Jones Gap to Hickory Knoll Road at the end of March, this crew hiked this section again with all the tools needed to clear the trail of a few large blowdowns that we encountered.

With the help of shuttling and pure grit, our volunteers spent a much longer day hiking and clearing the entire section. Special thanks to our trail bosses, Jim Chance and Phillip Rogers, for going above and beyond to scout, organize, and lead this workday. Absolute rock stars!

April 13: Scout the Little Tennessee River for Boating with Bartram

Following the great day on the Little Tennessee River that we had last year, substituting a lazy float for the unpopular “road-walk,” we once again hopped into the river to scout the section. This time, we’re looking to add even more Bartram Trail to the journey, so we met at the Hickory Knoll trailhead and carried our kayaks through the wildlife meadow to the river’s edge rather than putting in at the newly improved Riverside Drive put in. This added just under a mile to our river trip, and its worth it.

Fortunately for us, the river was lazy, the sky was clear, the air was cool, and we only encountered a single blockage. We readily made our way through the downed tree tangle with a Silky Katana Boy saw and removed the limbs to clear a path through on the right side of the river. No one makes hand-saws, ideal for this type of work, like Silky.

We’re looking forward to the upcoming trip with the full group and appreciate Alarka Expeditions for supplying the kayaks, gear, and shuttling logistics.

April 14: Flix, Food, and Brews at Outdoor 76

What a great turnout for this annual hiker appreciation event! Even though the weather was less than ideal, the crew at Outdoor 76 set up a couple of tents for the grills and got to cooking. “Flix” was optional as the gathering in the Rock House Lodge formed right on time and everyone enjoyed meeting and chatting with hikers, locals, and the staff.

Thanks to our partners Cory and Rob for their hospitality and support through this fundraiser, with beer sales benefitting the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy.

April 19: Bartram Writers Series with Kami Ahrens

You absolutely have to dig into The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Women: Stories of Landscape and Community in the Mountain South, written by our friend and BRBTC board member, Kami Ahrens. In another addition to our Bartram Writers Series, Brent Martin sits down with Kami at the Macon County Library for a discussion about her book, the process, and a few special stories from the women who shared their tales of life in Western North Carolina and North Georgia.

We’re working on getting an audio recording of the evening’s discussion made available as soon as possible.

April 20: William Bartram’s Birthday Celebration at Jack Johnston’s Garden in Otto

Group celebrating William Bartram's birthday at Jack Johnston's garden in Otto, NC

April 21: Third Friday Workday

The crew of 8 volunteers could not have asked for a nicer day out on the Bartram Trail for our Third Friday Workday. After meeting at Warwoman Dell, just outside of Clayton, GA in Rabun County, we split into 2 groups to work up from opposite ends of the trail and meet up again at the end of the day.

A crew of 3 worked in from the Pinnacle Trailhead towards Martins Creek Falls and continued on to Finney Creek. On this section, which provides access to the mid-point along the section between Warwoman Dell and Wilson Gap, we encountered a huge red oak that had also taken out some smaller trees and diverted hikers around the remaining stump. We made short order of this obstacle, enough to allow hikers to easily pass by on the established tread, safely.

The other crew spent the day mostly digging in the dirt to repair and widen tread that has worn over time, creating a narrow path for hikers and pushing them down-slope.

We greatly appreciate the efforts and time of our volunteers and the work they do to keep the Bartram Trail enjoyable for everyone. If you would like to give a little back to the trail, head over to our Events page for all our upcoming scheduled outings and RSVP for a day on the trail. Don’t be shy, we will provide everything you need.

If you would like to learn more, you can also hop over to our Trail Maintenance Basics page for some informative videos.

Trailhead at Pinnacle access to the Bartram Trail

April 21, 2023 Third Friday Work Day - Clearing a blowdown on the Bartram Tail

Iris patch on the Bartram Trail seen on our April 21 Third Friday Workday

Gorgeous spring plants on the Bartram Trail

Trail marker at Courthouse Gap on the Bartram Trail

Stopping for a rest and water at Martins Creek Falls on the Bartram Trail

Campsite on the Bartram trail near Martins Creek Falls

Water-tree found on our third Friday workday - Bartram Trail Report for April 2023

Flame Azalea on the Pinnacle access to Bartram Trail

April 22: Earth Day Hike in Español at Wayah Bald

Brent led a special outing in partnership with one of our Youth Conservation Corps stars, Estela Ruiz, who helped us bridge our love of the outdoors with a group of Spanish-speaking hikers in Macon County.

The group met at Wayah Bald for a short presentation, interpreted for the group by Estela and Brent, sharing the cultural significance of Wayah Bald, Bartram’s travels in the area, and inspiring folks to get out and explore our gorgeous region.

Estela’s family provided home-made tamales and snacks for the group to enjoy before stepping onto the trail for a short walk and talk. Special thanks to everyone who came out and helped organize this event.

April 22: Kinship Awe Walk and Contemplative Photography at Wayah Bald

Another amazing photography workshop on the Bartram Trail led by Susan Patrice from Kinship Photography Collective. Photographers of all skill and experience levels have been invited out on these Awe Walks, to learn techniques for being more aware of your surroundings and present in the moment, and to find inspiration from that moment. Susan teaches and leads these mindfulness practices, which can be used anywhere and at any time.

We’re now about two-thirds through the year-long With Rapture and Astonishment program and still have plenty of ways to get involved in the works. Head over to their website or Facebook page to learn more.

April 25: Trailhead Tuesday

We’re really starting to see the results from these regular visits to popular trailheads along the Bartram Trail! We’re also very grateful for the folks that have been joining us to help with light clean-up, restocking our information cards, and replacing maps as needed, to ensure that hikers are safe and enjoy the natural beauty that the Bartram Trail offsers.

This month, we had enough folks to visit Appletree Group Camp, Sawmill Gap, Wallace Branch, and Wayah Bald. We also had a couple of our regular trail maintainers, Phillip and David, out to the new section of the Bartram Trail to mow again and make sure the path is clear.

We’ve begun posting new placards made by Franklin Signs and Graphics at our kiosks. We will continue adding them along the Little Tennessee Greenway and new section of the trail, connecting the Macon County Rec Park with the Greenway. You may even see them along Main Street and in storefront windows. If you would like to help support the Bartram Trail by posting a placard in your window, please reach out to discuss.

Related, we have begun discussions with our local partner organizations to further promote and mark the trail through the Town of Franklin. These are exciting developments!

April 28: Boating with Bartram – Postponed to May 5, due to weather

We’ll send more information out to the group and may have some newly opened spots to join us for this trip, due to the reschedule.

March 24th Walking With Bartram: Jones Gap to Hickory Knoll

Spring was definitely in the air for this March 24th Walking With Bartram hike. This time, we hiked the section of the Bartram Trail from Jones Gap to Hickory Knoll Rd.

The weather was mild, sunny, with very clear blue skies. The morning started off a little chilly in the mid-40’s, but warmed up into the 70’s as the day progressed. Most of the group was stripping off layers and applying sunscreen before we broke for lunch.

Shuttle from Hickory Knoll to Jones Gap

The group met bright and early at the Hickory Knoll Road trailhead to get a headcount and organize shuttles to Jones Gap. It’s a bit of a drive up to the Jones Gap trailhead, but a lovely one on a gorgeous day like we had. Once to the top, we prepared for the hike.

Brent Martin and Bartram trail hikers at Jones Gap at the beginning of the March 24th Walking With Bartram hike. — Brent Martin and Bartram trail hikers at Jones Gap

Pre-Hike Traditions

As tradition, Brent Martin, Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy and William Bartram expert, read a passage from Bartram’s Travels. Following the brief reading, one of our members, Sharon Mandel and local yoga instructor, led the group in a short yoga routine to get everyone loosened up for the hike.

This section of the trail is relatively long at 9.6 miles, according to the North Carolina Bartram Trail Hiking Guide from John Ray. It also has some of the most elevation loss from its starting point at Jones Gap (~4500 ft) to Hickory Knoll Road (~2000 ft).

Hikers on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road on March 24th Walking With Bartram

Trail marker on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road

Hikers stopping to take in a view of Whiterock on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road

View of Whiterock on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road

From Jones Gap to Wolf Rock, the trail is a series of short ups and downs as it runs along the ridge-line of the Fishhawk Mountains. It then begins a steady descent with a couple of additional short climbs around Doubletop Gap and the Pinnacle.

This section has a good bit of notable overlooks, side trails, and other interesting features besides its rich forest. Along this section you’ll find open rock overlooks just off the Jones Gap Trailhead, Jones Knob, Whiterock Gap, Fishawk Mountain, and Wolf Rock. Each of these views are accessed from short side trails, with the exception of Wolf Rock which is right on the trail.

View from Wolf Rock on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road from March 24th Walking With Bartram — View from Wolf Rock on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road

If you have the energy and time to take these side trails, the views will certainly pay off, especially on a clear day. The views from Jones Gap and up the trail a bit to Jones Knob (4622 ft) includes Scaly Mountain and Tessentee Valley.

Taking the Fishawk Mountain spur will give you an expansive view to the west, including Yellow Mountain, if you’re lucky to have a clear view through the trees in the wintertime. Another feature on this spur trail is a plaque honoring William Bartram.

Old School Bus

Back of the old school bus on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road

Looking out at hikers from the old school bus on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road

The old school bus on the Bartram Trail between Jones Gap and Hickory Knoll Road from March 24th Walking With Bartram

A favorite feature of this section is the old school bus found along the trail, adjacent to a private parcel of land that was once an orchard and farm. The story is the old school bus provided shelter and equipment storage for workers on this remote piece of property.

On the final descent of our March 24th Walking With Bartram, approaching the Hickory Knoll trailhead, you’ll encounter some stone steps placed there by the Conservancy years ago. Some of these stone steps were recently moved to Warwoman Dell, so follow the dirt path of switchbacks down to the trailhead. Read more about our PLC Crew project to place these new stones at Warwoman Dell.

Next Time On The Bartram Trail

If you’re interested in joining us for the next section, we have a couple of options planned. Assuming the weather holds up for our late April trip, we plan to kayak down the Little Tennessee River. We’ll start at the Hickory Knoll trailhead, using the wildlife conservation meadow to access the river. This will be a 4-5 hour kayak trip down the Little Tennessee River, taking out at the Tassee Shelter on the Greenway.

Following that, we’re planning a shorter day-hike trip on the newest section of the Bartram Trail. The new section runs from the Macon County Fairgrounds and Rec Park on Wide Horizon Road through the Little Tennessee River Greenway to Main Street. We’ll then continue down Main Street to the Lazy Hiker for refreshments.

Bartram Trail Reroute: Connecting to the Little Tennessee Greenway (Part 1)

A little less road walk for Bartram Trail hikers with this reroute of the trail connecting to the Little Tennessee Greenway.

It’s been a long and winding road (so to speak) to get to where we are today, but the first new reroute of the Bartram Trail is in sight. After just a few hours of walking, measuring, and flagging, the Bartram Trail reroute connecting through the Macon County Recreation Park to the Little Tennessee Greenway is underway.

Continuing the great partnership we have with Mainspring Conservation Trust, Stewardship Manager Kelder Monar, met a few of us at the park to walk off the proposed trail through the wetlands area nearby. The group spent a good bit of time placing the small flags along the proposed path and discussed the next steps for the new section of trail.

Things are certainly moving forward and we’re hopeful that we’ll soon see the next phase taking shape. “Mowing and mulch” will likely be the near-future tread solution, once we have approval from the state regarding the proposed path through the wetlands.

Project partner representatives walking the wetlands and reroute area.

We like to think things are moving quickly at this point, as it was just a few weeks ago that we met with a much larger group to walk the wetlands and discuss planning and execution details. Representatives from Macon County, Town of Franklin, Mainspring Conservation Trust, and the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, walked the proposed trail route and discussed considerations. This was a long time following the original proposal developed by Jason Love in the spring of 2019.

Brent and Don surveying the field where the new Bartram Trail route will go

Love’s proposal, “Using a National Recreation Trail to Connect to Cherokee History and to Link the Town of Franklin to Nantahala National Forest: Expanding the Bartram Trail through the “vale of Tanase” and up Trimont Ridge,” outlined the various sections that would reroute hikers off the highway and back along paths that William Bartram may have actually strolled along. Certainly, native Cherokee inhabitants would have lived, traded, and traveled along these paths.

The Proposal

Love included in this proposal, which has been received very positively, several “intriguing highlights:”

The trail would follow a portion of the Franklin Greenway, bringing additional attention to this sometimes underfunded resource. This is where we are now!
The trail would pass by Nikwasi Mound, which was mentioned in Bartram’s Travels. There is currently renewed interest by both the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Town of Franklin to rejuvenate the area around the mound. A newly formed non-profit termed “The Nikwasi Initiative” is engaged in activities to help bring this important “Mother Town” mound out of obscurity. This is where we are now!
The trail would pass through downtown Franklin. Franklin is designated an “Appalachian Trail Community” and part of Franklin’s “brand” is being the gateway to hiking and the outdoors. Having a National Recreation Trail through downtown would help to strengthen this image. This is where we are now!
The trail would connect the Town of Franklin to Nantahala National Forest via the Trimont Ridge Trail. There are only about 3 properties that would need to be acquired to make this possible.
The trail would pass by old mica mines. These mines connect with Franklin’s past; the term Nikwasi means “Star Place” and is likely reference to the starry soils and stream lined with mica. It is well known that mica was mined in the area of Nikwasi and traded throughout North America. There are historic Cherokee mounds near the Trimont Ridge Trail. There is a mica mound that is about 6 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide that extends about 30 feet into bedrock. It would be interesting to see if this mine could be made safe for tourists; much is said about mica mining, but I don’t know of any mines that the public can enter.
The old Co-Op is an intriguing piece of property. It once housed the old State Prison. The primary center building is made of brick and is well-constructed. If this property were in Brevard or Asheville, it would already be turned into a hip brew-pub or concert venue. The county has tentative plans to purchase the property for a new Senior Center. The county already owns a 0.86 acre sliver of property on the west side of the property; this would be an ideal place to have trailhead parking. UPDATE: As of fall of 2022 we are working with Mainspring and the NCDOT on a right-of-way or easement access along the border of these properties.
The Bartram Trail eventually connects with the Appalachian Trail at Wayah Bald. Revitalizing the Trimont Ridge Trail would give AT hikers the opportunity to hike the Bartram Trail all the way into town for resupplies, etc. The Bartram Trail does indeed share about 1 mile with the Appalachian Trail from Wayah Bald to Winespring Gap.

Since this proposal, some goals and interests have changed the approach, but overall the plan is moving forward. While not walking along the highway is a huge benefit to hikers for their safety and general enjoyment of the hike, the secondary benefits to residents, businesses, and visitors are much more valuable.

Walking With Bartram

Check out this episode of Walking With Bartram to learn more about the current road-walk and future re-route.

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