December 2008

 A year has passed since I first took the President’s position on the PMTA Board of Directors. A lot has happened over the last year with issues in the Park and on the Trail.

 Trail enhancing projects were completed such as getting DOT signs produced and installed for each of the parking lots on 190 and one for “No Name” parking lot. Now visitors, hikers, backpackers, or anyone traveling in either direction on Hwy 190 have a sign announcing the upcoming parking lot name as well as the PMT mile on the sign. This has always been confusing since the only road markers on Hwy 190 depicts the road mile which doesn’t correspond to the Trail mile. The PMTA furnished the poles, hardware, and time/labor to install the signs.

A new sign was installed at the cutoff to Dowdells Knob on top of the CCC built rock foundation for better visualization, mileage, and noting the PMT Trailhead.

 Two Nature Trails were designed and installed. After the Nature Trail was laid out, PMTA installed labeled wooden markers at each site to correspond to the written description of the item/s of interest near that marker. The PMTA also furnished holders for and printed the pamphlets for hikers and visitors to read on each trail. The new Nature Trails are located at Dowdells Knob and at the Trading Post/Mountain Creek Trail area.

 In April work on the WSPJ television tower on the east end of the PMT required shutting down the parking lot there for safety reasons. Jim Hall scrambled to get sawhorse type road blocks and signs made to assist Don McGhee to close the area while works completed replacing those huge support wires and work on the tower completed.

 In July new maps were printed with changes. We had one large map printed, framed, and installed at the Park Office to replace the old one there that had well over a dozen mistakes on it.  

August brought some huge storms and wind that blew down trees throughout the PMT and connector trails. Within a month all the blow downs and their locations had been identified and cleared. Thanks to all who report and worked on cleaning the trails of these trees.

 Carl Carson arranged and supervised the Boy Scout projects throughout the year. One large Scout project down at the Hatchery Ponds entailed cleaning out all the wood and trash from the larger pond. That project was conducted on days with snow and other days of sweltering heat. With the drought conditions for the last couple of years the ponds were dry and made access much easier.

A side trail, signs, benches, and some birdhouses were installed around one of the “hidden” ponds. Thanks to the scouts, their leaders, and PMTA volunteers that worked on those projects. Eagle Scout projects were a part of this effort and were completed by the scout/s in order to fulfill the requirements of becoming an Eagle Scout.

 A new campsite was proposed to the DNR near Jenkins Spring. The site was marked by the PMTA and studied by the DNR for approval. The site was approved and work began in the fall to complete the campsite. On an October workday PMTA volunteers and Boy Scouts, Troop 1, placed the final touches on the campsite. The trail was completed down the hill from the PMT and a  footbridge was installed across the small creek. A carsonite water sign was installed and rock steps installed down the back side of the campsite and hill to the creek at that point. The scouts carried rocks to place at each end of the footbridge and to make a couple of nice fire rings in the campsite.

On November first Jim Hall led an overnight backpacking and camping hike to the new site appropriately named “Jenkins Spring”. The campsite sign was installed that day and the group was the first to stay there. New signs were placed at Rocky Point and Mollyhugger parking lots with the campsite name and mileage to it from each lot.

 Last but not least, a new committee was appointed in July in order to assist Jim Cook in redesigning and updating the current PMTA website. We receive several inquiries and supply a lot of information to anyone coming to FDR Park and the PMTA through the website. The web has served us well to act as a bulletin board and information supplier for anyone who wants to come and enjoy the PMT. We hope to have the new changes up and running in 2009. The website address will remain the same, www.pinemountaintrail.org

New accounts in Facebook and My Space should be up and running in 2009 also.

 Thanks to all that have worked with me this year to promote and enhance the Pine Mountain Trail. Looks like I will need that help again in 2009 since I will be serving as PMTA President for another year. A”BIG” thanks to Jim Hall for his knowledge and assistance in informing me on past events and assisting me in keeping the members updated. The other person that I wish to thank is Carl Carson. Carl is always there when anyone needs him. Whether it is a shuttle from one area to another or back breaking work like clearing blowdowns a long way from any access roads, he is always ready and willing to lead the effort. Carl is also there for every monthly workday and most, if not all, of the guided hikes!

It is my desire that you will be inspired to take the time to help support the Pine Mountain Trail, the forest, and the Park that it runs through. This year brought many controversies that could change the mountain forever. I hope that the mountain’s natural progression will be undisturbed and allowed to carry on for future generations to enjoy and that no man leaves permanent scars that could destroy that enjoyment.

 Sam Burke

PMTA President