Crew 2: Spy Rock
working with Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail ClubCrew 1 journeyed north once again, this time to start a three-week project with the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC). This year’s NBATC-Konnarock project is unique in that the crew is building brand new trail – no rehab and no relocation of existing trail.
Before the crew hit the ground, hikers had a choose-your-own-adventure challenge to get up to the summit of Spy Rock. There was no existing trail or established way to get to the 360 degree views. Numerous routes had been climbed/hiked-in over the years and none of them could be hardened or improved to offer the safe access the NBATC-USFS-ATC partnership was looking for.
A brand new trail route was flagged, cleared by NBATC Club volunteers, and ready and waiting for our Konnarock-stars to dig in, get dirty, and dust off the hammer drill & generator.
In addition to the side trail construction, another high priority task was on the docket. A globally rare plant population finds its home on top of the granitic dome of Spy Rock, within the rock crevices and low spots. With time, increased visitor usage, and trampling the rare plant community has taken a hit and the number of thriving plants has dramatically decreased.
With the help of ATC, NBATC, and the USFS a plan was designed and approved to set metal rods into the rock to create a low rope barrier that will (hopefully) limit visitor trampling and access, essentially cordoning off the majority of the rare plant habitat while still offering hikers enough area to enjoy the amazing views. This work was completed within the first two days of the Konnarock week by Conner McBane, ATC Natural Resource Specialist, and a handful of dedicated and sunscreen-lathered NBATC volunteers.
Due to the rock dome nature of Spy Rock the crew came prepared with a generator, hammer drill, sections upon sections of 1” and ½” rebar, and enough masonry adhesive to fill up your bathtub. NBATC volunteers were gracious enough to fell a couple larger black locust trees before the crew arrived to help with quick log step construction. Most of the heavy gear used by the crew was driven most of the way in on a UTV by the USFS, saving the backs, minds, and hydration levels of volunteers and staff.
As the crew days ticked by the days were filled with the sounds of the rock drill and generator as rebar was set into the rock to support log steps, rock steps, and rock cribbing. The work was slow, but the terrain and materials involved required it. By the end of the week two major step construction projects were well on their way to completion.
One can’t forget to mention a certain Mr. Sandy Bell. Some might know him as a retired Navy Command Master Chief Diver, others may know him as one of the committed Hardcore-Konnarock volunteer crew leaders, or as the guy who knows every. single. knot. Due to Josh Reynolds taking a week off for a wedding, the Konnarock crew staff was down one leader.
Sandy stepped up and took the reins of KNRK1, the well-marked Konnarock crew van, and acted as an Assistant Crew Leader to Jerry Kyle for the week. Some volunteers, after working with the volunteer Assistant Crew Leader, remarked how Sandy should come out of retirement and become ATC staff as a trail crew leader in 2020.
A huge thank you to one of the best A.T. Maintaining Clubs around, NBATC, for all of their support and generosity during this crew week. They helped with materials, lining up USFS UTV support, brought out Club volunteers every day to work with Krock, and of course for the crew dinner and drinks at the camping area. Just as big of a thank you goes out to Sandy Bell, and all of the other Konnarock volunteers who came out and suffered through some hotter-than-hot days to complete some serious work. Thank you!
With the help of ATC, NBATC, and the USFS a plan was designed and approved to set metal rods into the rock to create a low rope barrier that will (hopefully) limit visitor trampling and access, essentially cordoning off the majority of the rare plant habitat while still offering hikers enough area to enjoy the amazing views. This work was completed within the first two days of the Konnarock week by Conner McBane, ATC Natural Resource Specialist, and a handful of dedicated and sunscreen-lathered NBATC volunteers.
A huge thank you to one of the best A.T. Maintaining Clubs around, NBATC, for all of their support and generosity during this crew week. They helped with materials, lining up USFS UTV support, brought out Club volunteers every day to work with Krock, and of course for the crew dinner and drinks at the camping area. Just as big of a thank you goes out to Sandy Bell, and all of the other Konnarock volunteers who came out and suffered through some hotter-than-hot days to complete some serious work. Thank you!
--Josh Kloehn, Resource Manager
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