Thank you for tuning into the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail journal!

I spent the last two days at the Springs; yesterday was sunny, today cloudy.  Both days were mild, for mid-January, and it was very quiet and peaceful.  I was in heaven!

I started yesterday lighting some piles that were at the point where the main loop trail first emerges into the prairie.

I took these pictures this morning.  Its hard to tell, but I cut a bunch of Buckthorn way in the back left below, while waiting for the piles to burn down.

When I came to this spot at the end of the day today and looked out at the prairie, I was reminded of the grassy plains at the top of the Pitchstone Plateau, in the South West corner of Yellowstone National Park.  Last Fall, Pati and I scouted out a possible route from Lewis Lake across the Plateau to get to the famous Bubbler Hot Springs, where three forks of the the Bechler River meet.   It is two days hike to get to the Bubbler no matter which way you come from but well worth the effort.

Yesterday I tried to light some piles by the Marl pits but my torch quit working half way through.  I had better luck this morning and finished up there.

When things had settled down at the pits, I went over to the cut-off trail to clear an area by a huge White Oak tree where the trail is relatively close to the river.

The last time I opened a trail was at the Hartland Marsh.  I can’t wait till you all get a chance to walk this new trail.  You’re going to love it!

You can see the main loop trail outlined in white across the river.

Here is a view from the main loop trail looking North towards the big White Oak where I was cutting.

I’m going to try to remember to capture a water level reading whenever I go out.

After the gear was stowed away, I took a walk around, which I love to do, and got these pictures.  Rich Csavoy explained that the hole in the concrete of this old foundation on the cut-off trail was used to empty the fire place.

Yesterday’s sunset was very nice.

See you at the Springs!