North Fork Mountain Trail (WV) March 19- 20

“Me too!!

The northern half it is.”

“So, we're gonna do a six and six?”

“yeah, something to that effect, maybe 8 and 4”

“That's cool.”

“"I like this plan!"
(Dr. Peter Venkman[Bill Murray], Ghostbusters, 1984)

One of my favorite quotes!

EarthNsky, get your ass better!!!”

“ghostbusters is a great and classic film. So much to quote from it.

I'm starting to feel better. I'm on the road to recovery. I bailed on my catskills trip, so that's two trips in a row I had to bail on.”

“the more we hike saturday, the less we hike on Sunday.”

“Shucks, we can camp in some nice spot behind some rocks to shelter us from the west.

Dr. Ray Stantz(Dan Akroyd)
"Where do those stairs go?"

Dr. Peter Venkman(Bill Murray)
"They go up!"”

“I am peekin at this trip. Got me a new jeep and rarin to git somewhere.
Hey mark, Hows it goin?
Ole Joe, dont forgit the hat!
Lookin forward to meetin da others also.
AQgain I am peekin, I am a fair weather hiker, ya know! YO BEAR!”

“it would be great to meet you, Yo'bear! hope you can make it!”

“Yo Bear, it's goin' downhill!!

Well, I'm a bit over the hill but still kickin' good!”

“Come on along Bear.
What kind of Jeep ya get?”

“woohoo, one more month until this trip. I can't wait.”

“Hey, how far from Nashvegas is this trail?”

“610 miles and 10 hours, according to mapquest”

“ouch.”

“You betcha, can't wait!”

“we're talking low mileage on this trip. I think, we'll be hanging out at the non-stop vistas and scrambling on the rock formations. We'll get full days in.”

“It's all good!”

“On the rocks, please !”

“Wahoo!”

“I'm more likely now that the mileage has been cut.”

“Coolness!!”

“awesome TNT! Happy Bday btw! Saddle up partner!”

“Anybody coming from or through the Greater Ciny area? I am interested and would like to carpool if possible.

The trip starts the day after my birthday so I think it would be a great present to myself.”

“I will be there fairly early on Friday with one or two others.

The starting place will be in the middle.

There is a nice grassy place to car camp under the trees.

Bring a chair.

Anybody got a map?”

“hello, I just got back from hiking the entire n. fork mtn. trail last weekend. Thanks to you guys we got the idea to stash some water at the half way point and so i only had to carry 2 gallons of water at a time. BUT guess what, at that parking area in the middle if you walk strait down the hill a little ways there is a spring spouting out water! It must dry up in the summer but let me tell you it was there 3 days ago. And we stayed at the most beautiful campsites EVER if you want me to let you in on where abouts they are just let me know. I had so much fun and I cant wait to go back when all the flowers are out, but with the leaves off the trees this time of year, you have a view almost ALL the time!”

“Cool!!

Does anyone have a link to topo maps?

We must figure out how to drive to the mid-point.”

“The maps in the DeHart book aren't so great. I'll take a look at them and see if I can come up with anything.”

“I see Jerbear as a maybe for this trip; doesn't he live out that way? I don't know if he's still planning to come, but maybe you could hook up with him?

Also, Dub is in Columbus (I think), so you might be able to work something out with him...
last edited: 2/23/05 9:22:16 PM”

“I called a friend today about going to this. He said he would have to check his calendar, I will have to email him to remind him to check it tomorrow...he is an airhead. He is a non-TTer.”

“Report here

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/36627,5.php

(insert slapping sound for shameless plug here)
last edited: 2/23/05 9:38:34 PM”

“Maps”

“Hopeville and Upper Tract Quads will do....

There's access via Smoke Hole Road near the picnic area....I think there's a road that goes straight up to the North Fork Trail from this area....”

“I have a Hopeville and may have Upper Tract as well.

When I go in there early I can flag the road for late arrivals.

I know the area and I'm sure I could find it without a map, but I couldn't exactly tell others how to get there.”

“I just don't remember how to get to the Smoke Hole area....if'n that's the place where we be a goin'....it just seems like a logical place to start....from there heading north it's about 10 or so miles...”

“thanks for the info Stratus”

“If you know where the northern trailhead is, I suppose the mid-point is a bit further south along the same road.”

“Well, that makes sense...”

“MarkO....in the immortal words of the Guiness Stout men...."Brilliant!!"

Yeah...I suppose that would be true....heading south would be a good I-dear....I don't have the quads but only going on memory....and at my age it's not too reliable....

I have the DeHart book and like someone else said...can't remember who...the maps are not very good....I'll have to dig the book out and see what it says....until then....always place the queen on top of the king.....she likes it that way....”

“Hey EarthNsky? So the plan is to meet in the middle. Hike north 6 or more miles and camp saturday, then sunday finish up at the northern trail head. Is this correct?”

“FR 79 trail head, near the mid point in approx 3.5 miles up the mountain on FR 79 from a junction with Co. 28/11 Smoke Hole RD.

Access to this junction is South from WV 28 near Cabins, or North from US 220 at upper Tract.

Too bad this trip isn't March 26 weekend right after a FULL MOON.

I hiked the entire trail in 2000 with a FULL MOON. Moonshine was GOOD, just ask Phantom or Sticks.”

“I h'ain't seen no discussion about shuttle arraignments. From what I see on the map in the WVA gazeteer there is going to be some major time to do this. The red lines have lots-o squigly spots so is this going to be a early a.m. task or a Friday p.m.? Otherwise we will get a late start on Saturday.”

“Yeah, frig, that be the plan. I guess we should start figuring out the shuttle plan. I'll be getting there pretty late Friday. It's about a 4 hour drive for me.”

“I'm coming down with ENS -- Lancaster is way too along the way for me to not tap that resource.

Hey Fridge (it's doable) -- no, um...were you talking about the glow from the thing in the sky or corn brandy? Because you know they were both good...
last edited: 2/27/05 10:56:06 AM”

“I am taking friday off and should be there by noon Friday.”

“Phantom/ The thing in the sky,LOL maybe Corn Candy too”

“I too will be there early Friday, and will bring a couple extra hikers.


March 25, 3:58 p.m. EST -- The Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation.”

“Yea the full moon I'm talkin you drink, Phantom knows all too well and Sticks. I would bet the Indians had this moon too when us Whities showed up.
last edited: 2/27/05 2:51:39 PM”

“Hey MarkO That is some cool info on the MOON, You got Indian Blood in ya?

In my home i have much art work and indian pottery. I enjoy Indian info. Thanks.”