Hikers are missing the switchback located at the small seat and wooden table, with enough going straight past the bench that it now appears to be a viable trail. It peters out and they then climb back up the ridge to the old trail where they proceed to the summit. We'll get a sign up soon, but, meanwhile, please help redirect any lost souls you see out there!
One of the unintended consequences of the new switch back trail is the possibility of losing hikers. This happens when an adventurous hiker will attempt to shortcut straight down the hill to the next switchback, while coming back down the mountain. The problem arises due to the fact that the switchbacks aren't stacked up on the fall line, but skew back towards the parking lot.
When this happens, they most likely cross into the eastbound watershed from the Stomping Ground between the Big and Little Buffalo. If they're REALLY unlucky, they don't follow that watershed down to the Band Mill off Mole's Road, miss the loop trail around the Little Buffalo, and climb up into the watershed that empties out at Wendell Sutphin's on Buffalo Mountain Road.
That's what happened to a couple this past month. They wandered around in circles, finally hitting the trail from the Band Mill to Wendell's, cold and wet in the dark. Wendell gave them a ride back to their car in the parking lot.
So, if you see trail jumpers, ask them to please stay on the trail, and warn them about this possibility.
Buffalo Jack
The dust hadn't even settled on the new trail before Sam Price was making tracks on the new path.. UH, WHICH way is UP?
We have a heavy deer population on the Buffalo, and their grazing has a major negative impact on the many plant species here. This program culls the population and helps to preserve the unique environment.
Things should move forward this year on a proposed development at Rocky Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway. That was the highlight of an interview Congressman Rick Boucher gave The Floyd Press.
On a visit to Floyd, Boucher, the Ninth District Representative, said Congress has approved $1.2 million for the planning and development phase of the project. “I’m very optimistic the committee can come up with a recommendation on the development.”
Bid invitation with specifications published.
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1964/25244/BidInvitation.pdf
This is non-contiguous on the north slope of the Buffalo.
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1964/25244/KempTract.pdf
Claiborne Woodall and Bill stopped by today to get Bill introduced to the area, and to us. He's in the 20 week police academy, but should be on duty status by June. He'll be of the same genre as Al Cire, but based out of Abingdon.
Welcome to the Buffalo, Bill!
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