Carolina Mountain Club

Hike - Save trails - Make friends

August 8, 2007

Hiking News | CMC Calendar

        Please send me your hiking news, hike and maintenance reports by Monday evening at 9 P.M. before the newsletter comes out, that is, by Monday evening August 20, 2007 to Danny Bernstein danny@hikertohiker.com. Include your email address at the end of your story. Thank you.

       The CMC Calendar is meant to answer the perennial question "When is this happening again?" It is also meant to prevent conflicts between competing CMC events. Please check it often.

How to join the Carolina Mountain Club
1. Go to www.carolinamtnclub.org
2. Click on “How to Join” (upper-left on web page)
3. Print out the “CMC Application Form”
4. Fill it Out, write a check for your dues and ...5. Mail to CMC, PO Box 68, Asheville NC 28802

       For CMC members only - Send all address and email changes to Jean Gard at jeangard@charter.net. If you are a non-member subscriber, you need to go back into "subscribe" and change it there yourself.

What's Happening in the Next Two Weeks

Join Us and Build the Trail! Saturday August 11!

This is your last chance this summer to extend the MST west of Balsam Gap.

When: August 11, 2007
This is your last opportunity to give something back for all the fun and enjoyment you have had on the trails this past spring. We hope to have a large group help us complete another piece of the MST going south to the Cascade/Woodfin over look, south of Balsam Gap, BRP mile 447

Meeting Place: Moose Café at 9:00 AM for car pooling or at the Parkway Maintenance Office, Balsam Gap intersection with Rt. 74/23 south of Waynesville or BRP Mile 447 Overlook @ 9:30 A.M.

Tools will be available but if you have digging tools of your own, please bring them. Please call all your friends and acquaintances and invite them. The bigger the group, the more the fun!!! Piet Bodenhorst

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Other Important News

A.T.C. Conference

The A.T.C. Conference was held last month in Mahwah, New Jersey. Fifteen CMC members went. Read the report, here and see some pictures.

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CMC History and Presidents

If you go to the Pack Memorial Library in Asheville, you'll find bound copies of Let's Go from the 1930s till 2000. They're in the reference section, with the call number 796.06 MON. With a lot of help from former CMC presidents and Bruce Bente, a list of past presidents was recreated. It's not complete yet but take a look at the list. If you have any corrections or additions, please let me know. Danny

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Conservation

State Budget Includes Money for Conservation

In response to letters sent to WNC state legislators, the Conservation Committee received responses from two state legislators indicating strong support in the General Assembly  for land conservation.  Thanks to everyone who wrote to their state legislators! The Land for Tomorrow organization reported: The General Assembly and the Governor signed into law the state budget for 2007 and 2008, which included $128 million over two years for land and water conservation. (It isn't $1 billion over five years, but it does show commitment and helps meet immediate needs).

• $100 million in COPs bonds (Certificates of Participation) to be distributed to the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (to be paid back through those same funds) $20 million in COPs bonds to Division of Marine Fisheries for beach access projects (to be paid back through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund)
• $8 million of appropriations to the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
  For more information, contact.Ruth Hartzler

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You may have heard some strange things about the sale of Chimney Rock Park to the State of North Carolina. So, what’s the real scoop? Check out some frequently asked questions below. Don’t see yours? Send it to us! (link to prandevents@chimneyrockpark.com)

Who owns Chimney Rock Park?

On May 21, 2007, the State of North Carolina acquired Chimney Rock Park from the Morse family, whose four generations of family members shared the park with millions of guests for over 100 years.

The State of North Carolina has contracted with Chimney Rock Management, LLC (CRM) to operate the park in a manner consistent with the way the park was run by the Morse family for 105 years. CRM is a new company formed by several senior staff members and many of the same smiling faces that guests have come to know over the years.

Is Chimney Rock Park a state park?

The park is now managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation as a unit of the state parks system, but is being managed on a different model than other state parks. Since the park offers a variety of high-maintenance amenities and the state does not have a system in place to support those, the state has an agreement with CRM to continue to operate the park as they have done for many years.

The state parks system continues to acquire land in Hickory Nut Gorge to add to the state park. This new state park was originally authorized in 2005 as Hickory Nut Gorge State Park. But with the acquisition of Chimney Rock, legislation has been introduced to re-authorize the entire park as Chimney Rock State Park. This fits well with the state’s tradition of naming state parks after prominent natural features.

Will there continue to be an admission charge?

Yes. While other state parks charge no admission fee (other than a per-vehicle parking fee at three reservoirs), Chimney Rock Park offers additional amenities not found at other state parks, including trail walkers for guest safety, an elevator making the views accessible to everyone and shuttle services.

Will Chimney Rock Park close at the end of this year?

No. Initial reports at the time of the sale indicated that the park might close at the end of 2007 for transitioning. This will NOT be the case. CRM will continue to operate the park year round for the next several years.

I purchased an Annual Pass. Will it still be good?

Yes. Annual Passes are guaranteed to be honored for admission for one year from the month of purchase. So, come soon and come often!

Now that the state owns the park, will I be able to bring my own gear and climb the Rock?

No. Under an exclusive agreement between Fox Mountain Guides and Chimney Rock Management, climbing is permitted only under their direction and guidance with only their approved equipment. This is a requirement of CRM’s liability insurance and ensures the safety of all the Park’s guests.

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Heard on the Ground

Adopt an MST Section

The following sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail are available for adoption:
1. Haywood Gap to green Mountain Trail Junction (3 miles)
2. Green Mountain Trail Junction to NC 215 (4 miles)
3. BRP Headquarters (Trail Spur) to I-40 (one mile)

These are all beautiful sections that provide great personal satisfaction in caring for them. Contact Don Walton at donwalton@bellsouth.net or 654-9904.

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Maintenance Reports created by Don Walton

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Heard on the Trail

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