Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally

The 32nd annual Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally was held today at Konnarock Community Center. Lots of different options were available for the morning and afternoon sessions. We had the kids so our choices were a bit limited, particularly because we didn't arrive until mid-morning. Even though we missed the morning trips, which left at 8AM, we had fun at the community center. Our two year old played on the playground and we had a picnic lunch together. Lots of fun.

At 1:00 we joined the crowd making selections for which outing to go on for the afternoon. We had intended to go on the salamander hunt but after asking about the terrain, we decided it was probably to much with the kids. Fortunately, we got in on an interpretive walk down the Creeper Trail by Ed Morgan. Ed literally wrote the book (along with Ed Davis of Emory and Henry College) on the Creeper Trail. It's now in its third printing and is the definitive guide to the trail. In addition, Ed serves on the Abingdon Town Council, which has oversight and management of a portion of the trail so his interest in the trail is professional as well as personal.

Parking at Creek Junction, we were joined by one other rally participant, Mary, who lives in Seven Mile Ford. I carried the two year old in the backpack and my wife pushed the baby in the jogger stroller. Ed led us down the trail about two miles and back, telling stories and tales about the trail. We learned about the warbler that flourished in the transitional forest that regrew after extensive logging (ending around 1930). One in every three trees harvested from this forest in the early 1900s was a chestnut. This was before the aphid from China came over and caused such damage.

The main speaker for the rally last night was a scientist who is working on a new aphid and disease resistent variety of chestnut to be reintroduced. Ed talked about the stream health of Whitetop Laurel running alongside the trail and how the take limits on trout have made this one of the best fishing streams in Virginia.

We passed many fishermen along the way as well as a steady stream of bikers. One biker I recognized as he approached. It was Lawrence Dye, on the return portion of his daily ride up to the top and back.

After returning to Creek Junction, the group dispersed but we stayed around for a while. Our son enjoyed throwing rocks in the stream and we took some photos. I also talked to a fisherman who was down from New Hampshire on an annual trip to fish with some friends.

All in all, it was a great day, outside with the family on the Creeper Trail.