We started a new chapter in the Scuppernong River Nature Trail restoration effort today as we began cutting the Buckthorn on the North side of the River. The area is scratched out in white on the map below. Our goal is to reopen The Lost Trail that bisects the loop trail, which I highlighted in white below. We want to clear the area between the trail and the River.
Mark Mamerow, who was assigned as my “buddy” almost 25 years ago when I started working at Northwestern Mutual, is still keeping an eye on me. He piled brush all day and made a great contribution. Rich Csavoy did some piling and cutting as well. And last, but not least, Pati came out to help pile brush and clear the “Sawmill Springs”.
Mark cleaned up the area by the bridge over the River at the Hotel Springs.
And After…
My before pictures on the North side of the River did not turn out, but here are a couple.
And after…
Lindsay and I have noticed a Spring just North of signpost #12 so we’ll call it the “Sawmill Springs”. We began clearing this one out today.
And after…
This still needs a bit of work.
We noticed this permit posted on the bridge over the Scuppernong River at signpost #5. This is where the Water Flow Gauges will be installed.
In case you were wondering, the algae bloom we reported at the Hotel Springs has completed disappeared.
Mark, Pati and I enjoyed the sunset from the Indian Campground.
Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail 
Paul, You take great pics! Keep up the good work out there, that is the best site you’ve worked on yet by a long shot and that’s saying alot!!! Chris
Thanks Chris!
Fantastic Paul (and crew!) – I will stop out this weekend and take a look. At some point, I’d like to discuss trail markers with you. We are going to work on updating the brochure to make sure it’s accurate and want to install new sign posts as part of that. Thanks for all your hard work everyone!
Thanks Anne! Don Dane mentioned that there was an Eagle Scout working on a project to install new trail markers.
I’m very excited about ‘the lost trail’ being reopened, or in my case ‘the new trail’. Cant wait!
For all of you fish lovers, we saw 5-6 Brook Trout hanging out at a bend in the river right by the Old Hotel site. The sunlight was at a perfect angle and we got a real good look at them. We also saw Brook Trout at the Emerald Spring.