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| Looking out over the Cumberland Valley from Rock Scree Trail |
Beginning at the bottom of the hill, at the Pine Plantation
parking area, and ending at the mansion at the top, I find rock scree to be of
the most challenging of the trails in the park. Whereas Kings Gap Road takes a
circuitous 4-miles route to the mansion, this trail is more direct, and the
elevation climb more substantial. It is just a little under two miles but
challenging. And once at the top, there is always the return trip to be made,
at least it is downhill from there. Still, it is one of my favorite trails because
of the change in scenery and the challenge.
Pine trees are among my favorites. The tall straight loblolly
pines in the Pine Plantation recreation area are inspiring. On a windy day,
such as this, the whooshing sound of air going through the pine needles is
amazing. Yet, many trees not doing well in this area. The number of dead and
downed trees is disturbing. I had to step over four downed trees at the
beginning of the walk. From the road it is apparent that many trees had been
feasted on by woodpeckers, doubtlessly ravished some infestation.
Despite being 50 degrees there is still some ice on small
ponds and, consequently, some very muddy stretches. But it is the first time I
have been on the trails at Kings Gap this year. Some snow is still on the
ground and trail on north side of the hills. My hike, on the second Saturday of
February, coincides with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, who gave his most
famous speech just thirty miles away in Gettysburg. Earlier in the week, it was the birthday of
Charles Dickens, who would often walk twelve miles a day. The day before, it
was the birthday of Patrick Leigh Fermor, one of the best travel writers and
who at eighteen began his walk across Europe in December 1933.
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| The Rock Scree |
The rocky path is tricky on good days, but a layer of dead
leaves hides rocks on which twisted ankles might occur. A scree, not a
particularly common word I think, is a collection of rocks that have fallen
from a higher elevation. A source notes that is comes from the old Norse word skritha,
meaning landslide. Just as I work my way
through the scree, I meet an older gentleman carrying an empty plastic root beer
bottle walking with an adolescent who never made eye contact with me. I took
the opportunity to move to the side of the path to let them pass, ostensibly to
be polite but actually needing a rest. The kindly man sheepishly said, “Picking
up trash… I hate when people do that…” I agreed with his sentiment, but
breathing heavily I just got out, “I know.” He continued, shaking his head, “So
disrespectful. Have a nice day!” I bade him a good day as well, recovered a
bit, and continued. The worse of the climb was over.
Near the top of the trail, close to the intersection of Forest
Heritage Trail, one of my old friends stands in silent vigil. It is a tall,
mature Black Gum tree, with most of its trunk rotted away. I know that it can
survive like this for years, but it has a terminal condition. You can see
through it, and the gap in its wood on the inside goes up a further three feet
from what is seen from the trail. It is susceptible to wind, and it is not
getting the optimal amount of nutrients from its roots. I like to walk by and
check on it when I am hiking in the area. Typically, I give it a pat as I go by
as an acknowledgment.
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| An old friend |
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