Biby Trail - Path to the Tuscarora
By Dan and Ellen Feer
The Cadillac Crew spent the August work trip helping Tuscarora Central District Manager, Bill Greenan continue improving the Biby Trail. For some of the Cadillac Crew, this was their second2nd trip to this gem of a side trail to the Tuscarora, and for others, a new experience. The Biby trail is the only access to the Tuscarora for several miles. For those who were first timers to the trail and heard that it was only ¾ of a mile long, the hiker brain said, “oh, that’s not so bad.” It’s not long after the realization hits you that you have just entered a ¾ mile long scree slope. It was the Crew’s job to make the journey down a little bit easier 100 yards at a time.
The Devils Nose crew had done excellent work before us, so we started where they stopped by de-rocking and improving the tread to the next bend in the trail where the elevation dropped by six feet or more and continued across a boulder field.
The crew took a few moments to enjoy the trail, with its moss-covered rocks, dappled sun and dense canopy while project manager Robert Fina dropped a few dead trees in the work area. After the all-clear, groups split up to tackle different jobs. Tread improvements always seem to require lots of mineral soil only found in a dirt mine started a few feet off the trail. Rockbars, picks, and shovels began to remove toe catchers and smooth the tread, and rocks suitable for steps were scouted and transportation arranged.
The team switched tasks throughout the day, learning new skills like how to use a grip hoist to move 1,000 pound rocks or lending a hand fitting rocks together. By late afternoon, hikers noticed significant improvement. The tread was smoother, the transition from soil tread to the boulder field was a perfectly fit tiled tread that any kitchen designer would envy, and a nine-step stairway curved gracefully back toward the trailhead.
We stayed a bit longer than usual because the weather was cooler, and on Sunday we planned to do some work for our new host, the Camp Rock Enon Scout Reservation. We got back to the reservation, cleaned up (Peter Haupt swam in the lake), laid out happy hour snacks, and prepared to be overwhelmed by a dinner of multiple entrees, sides, and several desserts.
The scout reservation has a trail that connects to the Tuscarora. We used string trimmers and loppers to clear the trail, a gas-powered hammer drill to set rocks up to be moved by the grip hoist into a stream bed to make a steppingstone crossing, and shovels and buckets to protect a bridge from the encroaching creek. In a half day of work, we opened the trail and made it passable by off-road vehicles for emergencies.
By Sunday afternoon, Janet Arici, Karen Brown, Kirsten Elowsky, Dan Feer, Ellen Feer, Robert Fina, Chris Glembocki, Erica Glembocki, Bill Greenan, Peter Haupt, Neil Hopper, Marty Martin, Don Oellerich, Steve Phillips, Ellen Shaw, Kate Walker, Dan Wooley, and Mark Wrobel had done a huge amount of work that will last for years.
Each month we choose to be with each other to do things that benefit so many. It is hard work, yet so rewarding. Next month, we’ll do it again. You’re welcome to join us. Send us a note to ccrewpatc@gmail.com if you’re interested. No experience needed, just sturdy shoes and curiosity.
