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We had 8 brave souls show up for the work day this morning which started out at 14 degrees F. It was cold but thankfully the sun was shining and we didn’t have much wind.
We continued working on the new Dallas Branch trail, which was started after Thanksgiving on the Land Trust of North Alabama’s Monte Sano Mountain Preserve located in Northeast Huntsville, Alabama.
In preparation for the workday, the entire trail had been blown of leaves and debris which was instrumental in the group being so effective in their efforts. We broke out the tools and shortly after 9 a.m. began a short walk to where we began working clipping vines, grubbing (i.e. digging) out trees, cleaning the trail of brush, overhanging limbs, removing rocks, etc. We did take a short break and ate brownies but not to long because you’d begin to get cold again.
We knocked off at noon and ate pizza, provided by the Northeast Huntsville Civic Association, together and talked about trails, the hikers social coming up on Jan. 18th, plus other things. Tatyana helped in the group celebrating the Orthodox Christian Christmas which was yesterday with candy presents that we all received.
All of the high quality photos were provided by Kenn, who graciously supplied them and seemed to enjoy taking. If you’d like to get involved with Trail Crew work days, just send a text message with the word trail to 84483 and you’ll receive notifications.
All work and no play makes everyone dull so we knocked off a few minutes early to enjoy the view from Buzzards Roost and find the new Dallas Branch Trail. We looked but didn’t see any unusual animal tracks there.
Yesterday the McLeod Masters improved about 500 feet of the Oak Park Trail. The trail starts at the Oak Park baseball fields–just walk past the concession stand, heading toward the woods. There is a map at the kiosk. Enjoy the trails, and please join the Land Trust of North Alabama.
The new Dallas Branch trail on the Monte Sano Mountain Preserve of the Land Trust of North Alabama is now open!
Please get out and enjoy this new trail which runs beside the Dallas Branch creek. Here is the general location, easily found by hikers starting at the Oak Park baseball fields and following the Oak Park Trail toward the Buzzard’s Roost overlook.
Our work day started as all others: cleaning and sharpening our tools ahead of time. It’s a lot easier and safer to work with sharp tools.
We left the parking lot at 9 a.m. with 8 people who were itching to get out of the wind, get moving and get to work. It was a lot warmer than our last work day. 
We hiked in, began clearing the leaves on the last section and grubbing a couple of trees. Layers of clothes started coming off quickly.
We made our way down the trail filling holes and clearing out any debris that was blocking water flow.
We reached the point where the new Dallas Branch trail crosses the old Flat Rock trail. There is a big muddy swale there that we couldn’t fix, so we brought in a number of flat rocks for hikers to step on (hence the name, Flat Rock Trail).
The great part of working in a group is sharing other interests as we go. Richard and Aaron began talking about fossils, so we took a short side trip just to find a few fossils. It’s cool to think about the entire area underwater so many years ago.
We also learn about each other’s history: Alexis and Bill G. shared memories of serving our country as paratroopers. John collects sweatshirts from colleges that he never attended but they make great conversation starters. Robert was a calm, steady presence and asked good questions.
First official user of the trail.
Just as we finished, we greeted our first official user, a mountain biker who came down the trail with a big smile on his face! He was a little surprised to learn we weren’t also mountain bikers. We design the pathways to share the trails.
After our short trail opening ceremony, we hiked out and noticed we were missing a cohort. No man is left behind! Aaron went back to look for Bill. He came back alone, and just as we were all going back in to look for our lost cohort, Bill G. arrived, still smiling, announcing that he found the Appalachian Trail! Totally a light hearted joke.
Every trail needs tweaking and improving. If you can do yard work, you can help. To join us, just send a text message to 84483 with the word trail and you’ll receive notifications. McLeod Masters specialize in the trails of Land Trust property in Northeast Huntsville.
Enjoying pizza provided by the NE Hsv Civic Association.
Bill is happy he found his way back.
Eight hardy souls (some would say crazy souls ) came out this morning to continue blazing the new Dallas Branch trail on the Monte Sano Mountain Preserve of the Land Trust of North Alabama. These hardy/crazy people started out their day at 14 degrees F. Thankfully, the sun w
as shining and there wasn’t much wind.
In preparation for the workday, the entire trail was cleared of leaves and debris with a power-pack blower. This prep-work gave the volunteers a leg up so the group would see more progress. Shortly after 9 a.m. we began a short walk, tools in hand, to a point where we began working — clipping vines, grubbing (i.e. digging) out trees, cleaning the trail of brush, overhanging limbs, removing rocks, etc. Once we got to work, layers of warm clothes were decorating the trail. We took a short break and ate brownies but didn’t rest too long because we’d begin to get cold again.
The high quality photos were provided by Kenn, who graciously supplied them.
We knocked off at noon and ate pizza together near our cars. We talked about trails and the hikers social coming up on Jan. 18th, among other things. Tatyana added to the spirit of neighborly love by celebrating the Orthodox Christian Christmas with candy presents for everyone. As packed up, the group agreed that the pizza provided by the Northeast Huntsville Civic Association was a great plan for each meeting of the McLeod Masters.
If you’d like to get involved with McLeod Master trail work days, just send a text message to 84483 with the word trail and you’ll receive notifications. McLeod Masters specialize in the trails of Land Trust property in Northeast Huntsville.
nehsvcivicassn.com 