| This part of the page is on the trail that
leads to the top of Stony Man Mountain. On my May trip I noticed that
people were on top of the Mountain and decided that I would hike to the
top when the weather was cooler. When I arrived at the parking area it was
early and there was only one car parked in the parking area. In the
parking area the temperature was 50°F and I am sure that it was cooler
than that at the top. The air was clear and crisp, and the sun was bright
the first day after hurricane
Ivan had passed through the area.
The Stony Man Mountain trail is an offshoot of the
Appalachian Trail. When I
arrived at the top of the Mountain I was taking pictures, and I realize
some great thing. I was telling my dog about this great thing when I
realized I was not alone. I said hello, and quickly put the leash back on
my dog. I don't remember whatever it was that I realized. This hiker was
from Germany and it was her last day before she had to return to Germany.
So she was trying to cram in all the sites that she could into this one
day because of the reins from the hurricane. It was her only day to be on
the trails. We hiked together for the next couple of overviews before we
parted ways. We met one group of hikers on the trail. Ida was so
amazed of the amount of land dedicated to the park. Back in Europe than
natural lands dedicated to preserving the forest are mostly narrow strips
of land. I told her that I was thankful for public land set aside for
preservation. And then I pointed out dead Canadian spruce trees below us
and told her about Spruce Needle Rust. Then I explain to her that the park
service has decided not to do anything about Spruce Needle Rust. That the
cost to not justify saving of these great trees. My opinion may be the
cost is too high for the entire forest, but could they just pick one park
and save the Canadian spruce. |
