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November 14, 2008

NIGHT HIKE….but not quite a moon lit hike.

Madeline Kessler enjoying the night hike and the glo-sticks

Well all day Friday I kept wondering if the rain would spoil our plans for our night hike. Calls back and forth with Sam Burke were ending with “we’ll see.” Around 4 p.m. the bottom fell out ….again. Within 30 minutes the sun was out and the clouds rolling north from Columbus. We were going to have this hike! The clouds did in fact roll on and the rain did not come back. Around 6:30 several of us met up at the park office and had a comfortable picnic supper (including my son Jonathan Hall and brother Eddie Hall, Jo Myers, Drew and daughter Madeline Kessler along with Marianne Behrens.) Around seven we all headed down 190 toward the Country Store parking lot (stopping at the Overlook Crossing to put out some light sticks at the trail crossings.)

There were already a number of other folks at the parking lot ready to hike come 7:30. Co-hike leader Sam Burke, Mark Hughes, Bill Vang, Harry Pruitt, Don Flynn, Gus-Molly-Matt & Mary Beth Callaway, and Sherry Pierce. Soon afterwards, arrived Carl Carlson with grandchildren Haley Smulksi and Conner Carlson followed by others including Donna Hernandez, Linda & John Kaminsky, Judy & Connie Satterfield, Ricky & Vince Hood, Jennifer Hayes, Michael Farmer and Peggy Roberts.

Jonathan made the rounds making sure everyone signed the roster. Sam, Mark and I passed out light sticks and others greeted folks.

After our pre-hike greeting the line of 30 hikers headed north along 190 to the Chestnut Oak Trail starting point for our hike. Just 5 minutes into the hike we stopped and all got quiet….You could hear faintly in the distance the music from Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights (and continued to be able to hear it for another 2 miles or so.)

Several times we’d pause and listen and just rest a minute or two. Down near Little Bridges Campsite we took a little longer break. Then it was through the “tunnel” of mountain laurel and little bridges and up hill through the series of switchbacks to the Overlook Crossing. At the road several folks got rides back to the Country Store with Carl or left in their own vehicles. Then it was an easy walk the last mile.

We came off the trail just before 10 p.m. without one drop of rain falling on us hikers.

A few of the smaller hikers fell a couple times, but no damage done and everyone was accounted for (checked their names off our roster) and out of the woods.

Lots of folks I feel didn’t join us this year on the night hike because they feared getting rained on. No rain and I made the whole hike in a t-shirt. Great weather. Only thing we missed was a full moon shining above us, but it tried hard to peak out from the clouds a couple times just before reached the end of our hike…. Jim Hall

PMTA Backpacking trip to NEW Jenkins Springs Campsite Nov 1, 2008 Perfect….That is only word to sum up the whole trip. Mid morning Saturday, Johnny Brewer called as he was traveling from south Alabama to remark what great day for hiking it was going to be and it was. The sky was so clear and the temperature, just cool enough. We were to meet up at the FDR state park office parking lot about 1 p.m. and when we arrived several folks were anxiously waiting to hit the trail. Some folks had been on our annual trip before and we had a couple new comers. With permit in hand and parking passes we headed out to Fox Den Cove Parking Lot, then shuttled some vehicles over to Mollyhugger Hill. By about 1:45 p.m. we were loaded up and ready for a group photo. Jim- Helen & Jonathan Hall (Columbus), Bill Vang (Columbus), Drew Kessler (West Point),Ronnie-Tracy & Matthew Heard (Gay, Ga.), Sherry Pierce (Cataula), Mark & Tamara Hughes (LaGrange), Rebecca Hughes Wynne & Ley Wynne (LaGrange), Johnny & Grant Brewer (Andalusia, Al.), Don Flynn (LaGrange), Ken Smith, Kayleigh Manion (Newnan), Doug & Flethcher Ament (Atlanta & Andalusia.) We had just over 2 miles to hike in Saturday to our campsite which was Jenkins Spring Campsite. We took the sign for the camp in with us and put it on the post. See, we were the first to use the campsite just completed October 18^th. With tents up (and Drew’s hammock) and gear stored in them, the group began gathering around the main fire ring to rest and get to know one another. Wasn’t long before we had a fire going which sure felt good. Around 5:30, all us hungry folks had stoves out and food warming. By dark it was time for S’mores. A little while later I urged everyone to again introduce themselves and tell about what they do for a living etc. We had a wide range of age and occupations in the group (3 teachers, banker, aircraft mechanic, police officer, 4 students, 2 computer specialist, home repairs and home cleaner just to name a few.) Beside the students, the adult age ranged from about 22-67. Everyone got along great and we had a grand time sitting around that warm fire. But by about 9:30 , most everyone had eased on to their tents. The temperature was supposed to get down to the mid to upper 30’s but no way did it go below upper 40’s! Just right. Ronnie Heard was up first Sunday to get the fire back going. After breakfast, some folks got an early start out going home which was ok. It took till about 9:15 for rest of us to get packed up and slowly making our way east toward Mollyhugger Hill Parking Lot. We covered the next beautiful 2.8 miles by just after 11 a.m. The leaf colors were just awesome with the bright sun shining down through them. At Mollyhugger Hill Parking Lot we said our goodbyes to old friend and to our new friends. Then Jonathan & I put up the new sign near the parking lot and later near Fox Den Cove leading other backpackers to what we feel is the best campsite now….Jenkins Spring Campsite. - Jim Hall

August 9 Hike

Bill Vang led this 4 mile hike on the East End Loop.

National Trails Day Hike

June 7, 2008

Hot! That is the first word to describe the day for out 2008 National Trails Day hike. Was it the heat or gas prices that kept hikers away? Don't know but only 16 folks joined up (vs. over 50 two years ago.)

When we (my wife Helen and our niece Miriam Hibbard) arrived about 9:30 at the Dowdell Knob Trailhead only PMTA board member Carl Carlson was there. A young couple with three cute little girls (ages 3 1/2, 5 and 7) showed up, as did our PMTA friend Harry Pruitt, PMTA board members Mark and Daniel Hughes and Pat Harrell from the Alabama side of Lake Harding north of Columbus. Just after the hikers took off, another guy from LaGrange and his 30 year old daughter drove up. I related the hikers left 15 minutes before, but I waiting around and then my plan was taking a "short cut" and meet up with them. So they rode with me to the shortcut and we joined the group resting at Brown Dog spring.

The young couple with the small girls had hiked ahead of our main group and we caught up with them.

All in all we had a good time hiking along at a rather relaxed, slower pace so as not to get too hot. We took a extended lunch break at Spark Creek Campsite before heading up the mountain the last 1.3 miles.

Didn't see any wildlife, but did see one oak-leaf hydrangea blooming near Brown Dog Spring. We are sad to report that large American Chestnut Tree east of Mile 15 appears quite dead now.

Wished more folks had joined us for the hike. We were prepared with lots of Gatorade, soft drinks, water, grapes, apples and bananas and Nature Valley Granola Bars for about 50! But, with just 16 folks, everyone won something like National Trails Day t-shirts or a PMT shirt or hat. We had lots of stuff left over.

Mark and Daniel Hughes, Nasser Nikanejan and daughter Cynthia Welch

Again, we had a good time talking and taking it easy on this HOT June hike.

Jim Hall

May 3, 2008 Hike

Nice day with the threat of thundershowers and a small group to hike today. Carl Carson, Bill Vang, Danny Rock, Mark Hughes, Sopee Webb, Marianne Behers, Greg Labyak, Brenda Burke, and myself made up today's hikers. No dogs or children on this hike. Welcome to Greg. This was his first hike with the PMTA. I think that many things were happening thoughout Columbus and various fairs around gave people lots of choices of recreation this weekend. Great day for the hike that started from the WJSP (TV) Tower parking lot on the East end of the trail a few minutes after 10am. The rhododendrons were just beginning to reach full bloom. Those in less light still had unopened buds. We did see several wild azaleas along the trail today that were at the end of their blooms. Several species of ferns were identified and looked healthy and beautiful.

We enjoyed the cool breezes and the sound of water running in Wolfden Branch beside the trail. We crossed the branch several times before reaching Csonka and Cascade Falls. Carl Carson left the group at the Slippery Falls area and headed back to his truck at the TV Tower parking lot. He drove over and met us at the Rocky Point parking lot at the end of the hike to help shuttle people back to their cars.

From Cascade Falls and the Wolfden we made our way upwards toward Bumblebee Ridge. Just before the top of the ridge in the rocks along the side of the trail Danny Rock spotted a guarder snake. Several viewed the snake before moving on to the top. We took a short break here while I checked out the campsite. No one camping here now. The fire ring has several cans in it. Not sure why people think that these cans will burn and go away.

We continued the hike down the valley next to the Cascade Branch and past the concrete dam near the Warm Springs Foundation area. Lots of ferns and moss through this area. We did past a group of scouts? putting on their raingear just past the Old Sawmill campsite. I asked if they were going in or out. They said in. Since they were not going to the Old Sawmill campsite, Think they were headed to Sassafras Hill Campsite from the TV Tower end of the trail.

Sprinkles of rain turned a little harder as we rounded mile 20 and was going up the grade at Hogback Mountain. Most broke out some type of rain gear. The rain was off and on from that point to the parking lot but, not heavy. We arrived at the Rocky Point parking lot at about 12:40pm. All had a good hike of about 5 miles with 2-3 rest stops along the way. Everyone was shuttled back to the TV Tower parking lot and on their way before 1pm.

Sam Burke

64 hikers on the April 19, 2008 NIGHT HIKE from Dowdell Knob Trailhead

from Jim Hall

The expectation of a night hike with a moon actually visible is always something I worry about when planning a night hike date far in advance. Last night could not have been a better night for a hike. The moon came up early and it was great.

I put out an email notice telling of several of us bringing a picnic supper and eating around 6:30 prior to the 7:30 hike. We got several phone call inquires about the hike, and invited callers to bring a picnic supper too. We stopped by the park office on the way in to the park and talked to manager Don McGhee. Don said he’d had a Cub Scout group (about 30) staying at the Small Group Camp inquire about the hike and that they’d probably join us.

The skies were clear and it was just cool enough about 6:30 when we arrived at Dowdell Knob Trailhead Parking area.

Joining our family (Jim-Helen & Jonathan Hall) for supper were Gene, Christy & Shannon Wells, Jo Myers (who brought some great brownies), Carl Carlson and Sopie Webb (who shared her rice to go with the chili we brought.) Early to arrive for the hike were Barbara Begg (who brought some of her great cookies), Harry Pruitt, Laura Harris and Anita Adams. Later Ester Pittman and Melinda Johnson (from Box Springs) arrived for their first hike with us. We had ready at the trailhead the red plastic to put on hikers flashlights, and Gus Callaway helped with that (course he brought wife Mollie and children Mary Beth and ever eager to hike Matt and Grandma Suzanne Kiser.) Others on the hike included Drew Kessler and daughter Madeline (this was her first PMTA hike even though Drew has been with us on PMTA hikes and backpacking trips), John Kamisky, Brock Hernandex, Nancy Boykin, Mark & Renee Nolen, Greg Labyak, Susan-Blake & Shane Coleman, Shirley & Jesus Rios. Now along with the above folks, eight vehicles with adult and children from the Cub Scout group from Thomasville , Georgia arrived. We won’t list all their names but just want to say all the leaders were quite in control of the well mannered cubs and other children with the group. We made sure all had signed our sign in sheet and vehicles had park passes, then gave out chemical light sticks, necklaces and bracelets to all hikers.

After our pre-hike talk and group photo all 64 of us started out in a long line down the PMT. I told the hikers we were in no hurry and that we were not. By the time it got good and dark we were hiking along the cliff areas of Brown Dog Bluff. We took a break there, at the top of the ridge past Mile 16 and then the intersection of the Boottop and PMT as were turned west.

By the time we reached Dowdell Knob Road most all had “had enough fun.” Carl helped shuttle some adults back to Dowdell Knob but ten folks hiked the road back. Park Manager Don McGhee and wife Pam came up about that time to see how we were doing. He couldn’t get over how many showed up for the hike.

We had a great time. All came off the trail without a scratch that I know of. Thanks again to Carl for sticking around and doing the shuttle run. By the time I got the gate locked it was after 10 p.m. but again it was a great night for a hike…..JH

March 15, 2008 Hike

After the events in Atlanta on Friday night, I was wondering about the chances of a hike on Saturday morning and just how many people would show up. When we arrived, the wind was blowing hard and chilly through the country store parking lot, and our hardy band of hikers dressed in everything from shorts and t-shirts to layers of jackets, gloves and caps.

Lynne Lynch, Carl Carlson, Jo Myers, Brent and Charlie Grimes, Harry Pruitt, Chun Liman, Greg Labyak, Mark and Renee Nolan, Jerry, Sue, Tammy and Toby Jones, Peggie Roberts and her two dogs Ming and Sing, Bill Vang and Richard Daniel headed for the western terminus of the Pine Mountain Trail under a very overcast sky and a strong breeze from the south.

We took our group picture at the first crossing, with the vivid yellow of Carolina jasmine and pink-purple of Eastern redbud blooming behind us.

When we approached the CCC Hatchery Ponds, we took a detour through the newest Eagle Scout project, a side trail that skirts an old pond. Shortly after that, we hiked through the recent burn area. Recent rains hadn’t softened the scorching and only added a musky scent. A few hikers mentioned that their asthma was aggravated in that section and we tried to hurry through.

The 3.8 miles flew by, and soon we were at the Park Office.

Thanks to everyone who braved the weather to come hike with us, especially the first-timers, and we hope to see everyone on the April night hike!

Curtis Lynch

MLK Day Hike

January 21, 2008

photos by Jim Hall & Curtis Lynch

We had 21 hikers (Carl Carlson, Jo Myers, Jim Hall, Charles and Christine Eick, Joe and Deb Duenas, Dan and Carrie Morthland, Harry Pruitt, Curtis Lynch, Bill Vang, Sam Burke, Sopee Webb, Jack and Linda Combs, Jan Lockerbie, Joseph Tuite, Tecory Daniels, Jeff Green, Rick Lipp) for the 5 mile hike today starting from Fox Den Cove parking lot. The weather was brisk and the temperature hovered in the upper 30's for most of the hike. Glad we didn't start the hike until 1pm and for the weather to be a little warmer.


We headed from the parking lot east on the blue blazed Pine Mountain Trail. Snow from two days ago still covered most of the forest floor, especially the north side of the ridges and valleys. The contrast of the white snow, brown ground leaves, and the trees were beautiful. The birch trees were still clinging to their tanned and dried leaves.




Most of the trail was clear of snow and made the hike safe and enjoyable for all. We took several breaks along the way. We checked out the Big Knot and Beech Bottom campsites near mile 8 and 9 on the Pine Mountain Trail.

A break at the big poplar tree just before mile 10 was stopping place to fuel up for the upgrade of the next mile or so back toward Hwy 190. Between mile 10 and 11 everyone stopped to take a look at the "moose head tree" and the boundary lines of the park.

Sopee Webb, Curtis Lynch and Harry Pruitt


We arrived at Molly Hugger parking lot around 3:30pm and started shuttling people back to their cars at the starting point. All in all, a quite enjoyable hike on a beautiful winter day. Believe it or not, not one deer track was spotted anywhere in the snow along the five miles that we hiked! Sam Burke