Derocking the Roller Coaster
By Steve Phillips
Perfect weather, a great group of people, nice accommodations, and useful work--a productive weekend for the Cadillac Crew! On Friday afternoon, many of us arrived at the Blackburn Trail Center and enjoyed our dinners and seeing friends after we missed the June trip because of rain. The new caretaker had Blackburn ready for a crowd of about 20 but about 30 people showed up to work. The next morning, we ate a hearty breakfast, then headed to the worksite near Raven Rocks. The weather was clear, with a slight breeze, not too sunny or hot—in short, the kind of work weekend we had been waiting for.
After Cadillac Crew leaders Dan and Ellen Feer guided our safety review, we got our tools from Robert Fina and set to work. Our tasks included derocking the trail, then smoothing it with mineral soil we dug up nearby. We also needed to make sure that water would flow off rather than straight down the trail. The Crew was happy to welcome three new participants: Haley McLoud, Brett Moody, and Olivia O’Donnell. They were great workers!
Using rockbars, Bill Greenan, Neil Hopper, and Jim Palmisano moved rocks weighing up to 600 pounds from the trail. Removing obstacles was only the start. Robert Fina and Kate Walker found “dirt mines” and Aidan Badwhar, Ellen Shaw, Steve Phillips, and Janet Arici stockpiled valuable mineral soil.
We enjoyed a spectacular lunchtime view when we sat at Raven Rocks, then got back to work. Alice DeCarlo, Amanda Alleyne, Marty Martin, Mark Wrobel, Cat Randall, Molly McKinley, Brian Napier, Tysha Robinson, Ellen Feer, and Nina Blagrove helped smooth the trail, which included spreading that mineral soil and the tough job of using sledgehammers to break up rocks. Dan Feer led the way using the sledge to break up rocks we could not get out of the ground. Hard work, but fun to see progress. Throughout the day, we yelled “hikers up” or “hikers down” to alert the crew of others on the trail. Back at Blackburn, Chris and Erica Glembocki helped with weeding and other tasks needed to keep the center looking good.
On Saturday evening the crew had a great happy hour and dinner. Nina, Alice, and Martha Becton brought fresh vegetables and fruit from their gardens. After dinner District Manager Chris Brunton told us of his experiences building the original trail decades ago. There was singing, guitar playing and card playing and more story telling—a fun night for everyone. A newcomer, Olivia, beat many experienced hands at cards.
On Sunday, Martha not only helped smooth the trail, but led us in stretching exercises to keep us limber and healthy. She also brought the most valuable member of the Cadillac Crew, a good dog named Fred who quietly supervised. At noon, we returned to Blackburn, satisfied that one of the busiest stretches of the AT is safer and easier for hikers. The improved trail will prevent hikers from widening the path or creating social trails—thus limiting erosion.
Come join us! In August, we'll be working on the Biby Trail connection to the Tuscarora Trail and in September, we’ll be working near Massanutten. Email crew leaders Dan and Ellen Feer at ccrewpatc@gmail.com.