Working to get the sign in place

Written by Dianne Noyes

It was hot digging in the dry soil along State Route 25/70 to complete installation of “Wolf Creek Trailhead“ signs for Special Trails Ranger Gray Buckles and Back Country Horseman volunteers, Herb Heinze, Tom Conner, Robert Slagle, and Dianne Noyes.

Today, June 3, 2010, Cherokee National Forest Special Trails Ranger Gray Buckles was joined by a cadre of Back Country Horsemen of Eastern Tennessee volunteers to complete installation of “Wolf Creek Trailhead“ signs along State Route 25/70 leading into the back country of the Wolf Creek Cherokee National Forest in Cocke and Greene County’s. It was a hot, dry day for the completion of this project begun earlier this spring. The Back Country Horsemen volunteers have already racked up 400 hours of trail work this year, clearing forestry trails and building new trails for equestrians, hikers and hunters. Reflective tape on the familiar brown forestry signs direct trail enthusiasts to the newly completed parking lot at the Wolf Creek trailhead to access the spectacular natural beauty of Wolf Creek and its waterfalls. For detailed maps of this natural wonder visit the Cherokee National Forest Service at 344 Ashville Highway (SR 70), Greeneville, Tennessee or call 423-638-4109. Wolf Creek is just one of a number of trail systems maintained by the Back Country Horseman in the Cherokee National Forest. For additional information or directions contact Herb Heinze of the www.bchet.org at 423-787-7476 or heinze2@netscape.com.

We took this video over the weekend while we were camping with the BCHET for the Spring Roundup. This is exactly why we choose Fastrack over the many others that are on the market!

It seems our geese had the eggs stolen again this year. I’ve got to figure out what is getting those eggs, and how I help protect them a little better. It’s sad to think we have only had one batch of gosling’s here in the past three years.  They were fun to watch, and I miss having them around.

We have our new wildlife feed plot in now. And, right on cue, we get a horse trapped in there. So, I’ve spent the morning unhooking the fence lines, and putting on handles. I knew as soon as we took Cisco out of the heard, and put him up to get ready for our camping trip this weekend, that one of the other horses would find a way into the plot!

Oh well, wasn’t bad, she’s not hurt or cut anywhere, and I”m pretty sure I know where she got in, which will be fixed later. But, handles are now on the fence so that if anybody else decides to try it, it will be easy to get them out.

I’m really looking forward to our camping trip with the horses this weekend. As we join our fellow BCHET members for some good riding time, fellowship, and spring weather (hopefully). We will be hitting a new campground this time, as Meadow Creek had a fire and lost some of their amenities (like the restaurant).

So, this trip, we are heading for Townsend, TN and Orchard Cove Stables. I’m sure our guys will feel very comfortable in these spacious stalls!

And the camping grounds like pretty nice too!

I just hope we don’t meet one of these guys out on the trail!

I’ll have more pictures and some good stories once we return! I hope everyone has been able to get out and start enjoying their horses, and the wonderful weather we have been having.

The  Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee have been working hard to improve the local trail systems for all users. Our last two workdays have been snowed out but we are determined to have the best trail system east of the Mississippi. So, come on out folks and give us a helping hand. (see details below)

The Unaka Mountain Trails Project is looking up. The parking lot is complete and we have received the go head to begin work on the Limestone Cove Trail (LCT). The trail is currently classified as a Hiking Trail Only. However, once we have cleared the brush and the trees from the trail and thus bring the trail up to horseback riding standards the trail will be reclassified to also allow horseback riding. This is a very important step in the  Unaka Mountain trail system. The completion of this project will provide a loop ride with the Stamping Ground Ridge Trail (SGRT). The SGRT leads to the top of Unaka Mountain and yes the Beauty Spot. Additional work will also be taking place at a later date, on the Stamping Ground Ridge Connector Trail. This trail will allow a complete loop from and to the new parking lot.

We can get this done this winter if we all pull together. If you can just volunteer one or two of your saturdays over the next few months we can make this happen. So, please come out and help.

COME ON TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER!

The Limestone Cove Trail Needs You!

We are looking for a few good folks to help make a dream come true. The trail is located in Unicoi in Limestone Cove.

Our primary goal is to prepare this trail for horseback riding classification. We will need to cut the brush back on both sides of the trail. There are also a several trees which have fallen across the trail which we will need to remove.

How can you help?

We need folks to remove the brush that will be cut from the trail. We need folks to operate hand tools; Lopping Shears, Bow Saws or other manual trimming devices.When?

Saturday Feb 6, 2010 9:00AM – Approximately 4:00PM
Where?

We will meet in Unicoi at the USDA Forestry Services building located at 4400 Unicoi Drive.

Contact: Larry Jeffers if you would like to help.

Not yet a member of BCHET? Give Larry a shout at his email, and he’ll hook you right up! Tell him Michelle and Nathan from Cloud 9 Ranch in Greeneville Sent ya! Why should you join BCHET? Find the reasons Here!