Crystal Mountain TH to gate, Ballard Road, Greer East
|
Today
is to be a HOT day in town - 95F or a bit more. Time to head up in
elevation for cooler temps. There was a comment that the opening
portion of the Crystal Mountain trail was blocked by deadfall/windfall
trees. I had a thought to trek over and clear the trees - but someone
had already tended the task and the trail was open (to the, sadly,
locked gate at state land). Back down from the Crystal Mountain area I had a choice - head east and back to town or west and head up into the mountains a bit more. The day was early and I think there is another trail set up the canyon that I've yet to explore. Maps at hand - off to explore. Ballard Road (and related trails) seem to be logging access roads from ages back as the forest is mature. In several locations there remains a pile of wood. I don't know what they're called but to me they're refuse. It'd be nice to know when logging happened. Through the day, much of the trails were pine-tree-canyons with scant far reaching vistas. Clear a few trees. Pick up a fair bit of trash. A relaxing day in the forest. Length: 85.1 miles Elapsed time: 10h 28m Average speed: 8 mph |
| One
of the refuse piles... I think I passed perhaps seven or nine of them.
They are visible on satelite maps - pockets of "other" in a landscape
of green. |
| A
lateral - a trail extending across the face of a mountainside - it
neither ascends or decends - but connects with a trail that tends the
ascent/decent - often rocky and at a decently steep angle. |
| 8000 to 9000 feet elevation Aspen trees to be found. |
