Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Tryon Creek Daytrippers

Daytrippers hiking the Toutle River Trail, Washington
In the Fall of 1980 Barbara Orloff, then-Director of the Friends, suggested that volunteer Andi Gassman organize a hiking club. Thus, the Daytrippers hiking group was born.

The Daytrippers meet on Tuesdays and hit the proverbial trail for either a moderate hike (between 5 – 12 miles in length with negligible to 3000-feet elevation gain) or an easier “ramble” (shorter in length and less than 1000-feet elevation gain). Each year they meet in the Nature Center to plan their annual hiking schedule and, at season’s end, they enjoy a potluck with an awards ceremony for hikers’ achievements on the trail.

The Daytrippers consider Tryon Creek their home base and although they occasionally hike in the park their adventurous spirits take them beyond, to the gorge, coast, and mountains, trying to keep the roundtrip under 200 miles. They strive not to repeat hikes for at least three years. Sharon Hawley, who has been active with the Daytrippers since 1998, notes that with “the almost unparalleled hiking opportunities in this area, we are truly blessed!”

The group has a wonderful social dynamic (and still retains some of the original members). Participants look out for each other, share a common love of the trail, and deep friendships and bonds develop (a few marriages have resulted from hiking together!).

The Daytrippers welcome new hikers. Please visit this link for more information: http://home.comcast.net/~l-simmons/daytrippers.htm
 Hope to see you on the trail!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Volunteers contribute their time to Save the Forest

Big thanks to Moss Adams volunteers!
A few weeks ago the slopes of ravines finally became dry enough that we could safely pull ivy there.  Since then a Saturday work party and three other groups have worked in the upper reaches of High Creek’s branches and the lower part of the first ravine north of High Creek.  Among these groups was a contingent from the accounting firm, Moss Adams, in a work party facilitated by SOLV.

Another area only recently dry enough to work in is the boggy middle of the North Horse Loop.  With blackberry removal accomplished first, groups of teens from Self Enhancement and Aspiring Youth have been making inroads on the ivy there.  Other individuals have worked scattered patches of ivy skipped last winter due to wet conditions.

At the same time three of our most active volunteers have been cutting ivy on trees deep in the area between Old Main and Iron Mountain trails, saving the forest there until the probably distant year when the ivy around the trees is pulled from the ground.  While covering that area we’ve found several patches of wild European clematis, which we dug out.

(Submitted by FOTC Board President and Volunteer Par Excellence, Phil Hamilton)