Trail Reports by CML Staff

Carolina Chickadee

Photo by Todd Arcos

Great Blue Heron Sculpture

Valle Crucis Community Park

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Don Mullaney

Trail Reports: Winter 2022/23 By CML Staff

Does your family enjoy hiking and exploring our local forests, parks and trails? Follow our “Trail Reports” in each issue for some of the latest developments on trails and public lands, and to learn about opportunities to discover our region’s biodiversity and rugged mountain beauty.

Winter Bird Walks

While many birds head south for the winter, we have a fair number of resident bird species that call the High Country “home” year round. Bird walks are wonderful in any season, but winter—when trees are leafless—can be a great time to spot birds. The High Country Audubon Society (HCAS), serving a five-county area (Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Wilkes counties), offers bird walks throughout the year.

Every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., winter birders meet at Valle Crucis Community Park in Valle Crucis, NC. With its assortment of habitat types—riparian forest, marsh, meadow and open field—the Park supports a wide diversity of birds. According to HCAS data, nearly 150 species of birds have been observed and at least 30 species nest in the area. Any time of the year, you may catch a glimpse of the following species: Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Osprey, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, and Northern Cardinal. During the winter, you may also see Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

Another regular Bird Walk is held at Brookshire Park in Boone on the first Saturday of each month throughout the year, rain or shine. Check out the High Country Audubon Society’s online calendar for up-to-date information for these walks, and more, at https://highcountryaudubon.org/. Here, you will also find an interactive map and species lists for birding sites throughout the fivecounty area. Valle Crucis Community Park: 2892 Broadstone Rd, Valle Crucis, NC 28691 (behind the Mast General Store Annex) Brookshire Park: 250 Brookshire Rd, Boone, North Carolina 28607

The Northern Peaks State Trail Project

The Northern Peaks of the High Country are situated between the mountain communities of Boone and West Jefferson, dividing the New River and Watauga River watersheds. The region is home to nationally significant biospheres with unique ecological diversity. The Northern Peaks are often referred to as the Amphibolite Mountains and include Howard Knob, Elk Knob, Snake Mountain, Three Top Mountain, The Peak, Paddy Mountain and Mount Jefferson.

The Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST), one of twelve State Trails in North Carolina, was authorized by the NC General Assembly in 2019. Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) is the lead organization for the construction of the trail, which will ultimately span 40 miles and connect Howard Knob Park in Boone to Mount Jefferson in Ashe County. “Our number one priority is the environmental impact

Continued on next page

Elk Knob State Park

Photo courtesy of VisitNC.com

Emerging Trillium

Photo by Nan Chase

of the trail,” said Jordan Sellers, BRC’s Northern Peaks State Trail Coordinator. “We are working diligently to do things the right way and to build a trail that’s consistent with BRC’s mission of protecting the places we love.”

Unlike state parks, which are operated and managed by the Division of Parks and Recreation, state trails are composed of multiple connected sections and depend on regional partnerships. Each section of the trail is sponsored by a federal, state or local government agency, nonprofit organization or private landowner. In recent months, the Ashe County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Aldermen of the Town of West Jefferson unanimously approved resolutions to endorse the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST).

Several parts of the trail are currently in the planning stages, including a significant portion of Elk Knob State Park. Follow the progress of the project at https://blueridgeconservancy.org/northern-peaks-trail. The NPST is a partnership between Blue Ridge Conservancy, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority, Ashe County, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, West Jefferson Tourism Development Authority, and the Town of Boone.

Save the Date: Virginia Wildflower Walk on April 22

Wildflower lovers are invited to join a free wildflower walk in beautiful Fries, Virginia, on Saturday, April 22, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The walk will cover about a mile each way on the New River Trail State Park pathway, starting at the Dixon Ferry low-water bridge between Galax and Fries, VA.

There is no charge for admission and registration is not required—simply show up that morning. Participants should park at the New River Outdoor Adventures parking lot, 5785 Fries Rd., Galax, where refreshments will be served after the walk.

The wildflower walk is led by local naturalist Ashley DeCarme, who has studied native Appalachian plant life and currently teaches environmental studies at Grayson County (VA) High School. She will be concentrating on the identification of beautiful spring “ephemerals” like trillium, Dutchmen’s breeches, May apple and many more, including flowering trees and shrubs.

The pace will be leisurely, in order to stop frequently along the way and learn about the various wildflowers that bloom at the beginning of spring. Organizers of the walk will supply a souvenir checklist for plant identification. For information contact Nan Chase at friesevents@gmail.com or 276-235-9294. For lodging options see www.friesva.com.

The Region’s Largest & Finest Selection of WINE & BEER

Since 1978

1104 Hwy 105 • Boone, NC 828-264-9476 www.PeabodysWineAndBeer.com

Historic Bed & Breakfast in the Heart of Boone

Minutes from Downtown and Campus Find your Mountain Escape on our beautiful 11 acre property.

Organic Farm-To-Table Breakfast Sustainable Energy Project of the Year Award 2021 828.270.0831 | www.lovillhouseinn.com

Good Wood, Toasty Winter Tips from CML on Making Great Fires all Season Long

Many considerations go into building the ideal fire. If you rely on burning wood to generate heat in your home, the first consideration is a good fireplace or wood burning stove. Next, you need to have a quality fuel source—firewood.

Good firewood management can make the difference between a warm, comfortable winter and a soggy, chilled mess. But which wood should you burn? We tracked down the “BTUs” (British Thermal Units*) of some common tree species to determine which have the highest BTU values. Let’s begin with the following chart:

The tree species with the highest BTU values generally burn hotter and slower, and their wood is typically denser and heavier. In general, the heavier air-dried wood is, the more heat it will produce. However, there are a number of other factors to consider when choosing firewood, such as the age of the wood; the ease of splitting it; how much it smokes, pops or throws sparks; its coaling attributes; and the fragrance it emits. Each tree has its own unique qualities.

For example, apple trees incline to be gnarled and tough when full grown. You’ll have few long lengths to cut and split, and plenty of knots. However, apple wood has a pleasant aroma while burning, and you may decide that it is worth the effort. Elm has a very irregular grain, and yellow birch has a very tight grain; both are tough to split. Oak, ash, and maple all split more easily. White birch has waterproof bark and must be split within weeks of cutting or it will start to rot.

Several of the best burning trees would rarely be cut purely for firewood, such as white oak, yellow birch, and sugar maple— all are valuable for furniture making. If you found a straight stretch of trunk as much as four feet long on either a black walnut or a black cherry tree, you might consider selling it to be crafted into furniture and veneers, or to be used in wood turning projects. As with oak, birch, and maple, the branches and trimmings from walnut and cherry make dandy firewood for either stove or fireplace.

A Rule of Thumb

You’ll note that the ‘Second-choice Woods’ list includes a concentration of evergreens. If you’re looking for a quick generality, stay away from using evergreens in your fireplace. Not only are they low in thermal values, but they will gum up your chimney.

That said, the evergreens and other trees with lower values will split more easily. And tight cords of these woods will weigh half as much as the good woods.

All things considered, when looking at the best all-around performers, it’s hard to beat hickories, black locust, red oak and white oak. You’ll get more heating value for your money and effort. If you’re looking to minimize your effort, the High Country has a number of local firewood suppliers who offer a variety of different woods— chopped, seasoned and ready to burn.

Safety First: Tending the Fireplace

Any article on fire warrants a few notes on safety. Just as all woods are not created equal, the fireplaces that burn wood vary in many ways. It’s important to know the structure of your wood burning firebox or stove and to maintain it accordingly. Here are some simple guidelines: 1. Visually inspect the firebox for cracks and signs of distortion, including the chimney. 2. Use only natural wood and never spray flammable liquids into a burning fireplace (kerosene, charcoal, lighter fluid, gasoline, etc.). 3. Avoid using “artificial” logs made from wax and sawdust—if you must use manufactured logs, choose those made from 100 percent compressed sawdust. Also note that the heat generated by artificial or manufactured logs may be more intense and can damage the firebox walls and joints connecting the flue pipes, which can result in a dangerous situation. 4. Keep a screen over the fireplace

Continued on next page

opening while burning and keep combustibles at least three feet away from the fireplace opening. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. 5. Regularly remove ashes into a covered, metal container and store that container outdoors on a nonflammable surface. Have your fireplace unit inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep regularly.

Best Practices for Fire Building

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “An efficient, hot fire requires good firewood, using the right wood in the right amount, and good fire building technique.” All of that fine wood we discussed earlier is “high quality” only when it is seasoned properly; be sure to use wood that has been covered and dried outdoors for at least six months. When you’re ready to light, follow these best practices: 1. Have a good, strong grate in your fireplace that sits off the floor to allow air flow underneath the wood and to keep the wood from rolling against the back wall of the firebox and damaging it. 2. Make sure your damper is open. You may want to consider a damper reminder hook, an accessory that hangs from the handle to remind you to open or close your damper and that helps keep your hands soot-free. 3. Choose the right length of wood for your firebox. Most prefabricated systems require 16-18” lengths of wood to keep from damaging the firebox. Your firewood should be cut to fit your firebox, keeping at least a 2” space on both sides. 4. Stack dry kindling on the grate. Start fires with uncoated newspaper, or all-natural, organic fire starters (don't use coated or glossy paper, cardboard or household garbage). 5. You may need to open a door or window on the windward side of your house to depressurize the house (if your house is too air tight, the fireplace cannot work properly and may smoke).

Keep practicing until you’ve mastered building the perfect fire—with the right wood—and heat up your home for a more comfortable winter!

*BTU is a unit of heat defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Note that BTU data varies— the chart represents approximate values. A full cord is defined as a stack of firewood measuring 4ft x 8ft x 4ft. Figures from https://forestry.usu.edu/forest-products/ wood-heating, https://worldforestindustries.com/ forest-biofuel/firewood/firewood-btu-ratings/

Providing Firewood for Families in Need

The Helping Hands Woodlot Ministry grew out of a recognized need for a heating source for many families. Harold Stophel, who serves as team leader for Grace Builders at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, coordinates the work of the Woodlot Ministry, which has been serving the community for nearly 18 years. He and his crew of volunteers meet every Tuesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to chop wood, which is then provided to area families who heat with wood during the winter months, but often cannot afford to buy it.

The wood comes from all over the High Country—from fallen trees and from donations by builders clearing land. Once the trees have been transported to the Boone property adjoining Hospitality House of Northwestern North Carolina and the Health and Hunger Coalition, the wood is machine split into manageable sections, and then split further for household use. The Health and Hunger Coalition and WeCAN (Watauga Crisis Assistance Network) agencies partner with the Helping Hands Woodlot and help select people to receive the wood donations.

How can you help? If you have a fallen tree, or trees on your property that need to come down, consider donating them to this ministry. The Helping Hands Woodlot is also seeking volunteers for a variety of tasks, from collecting, cutting and splitting wood, to providing tools and vehicles, to delivering firewood to families, to preparing meals for a hungry crew. “We couldn’t have been successful through the years without the ongoing support of volunteers,” said Stophel. Volunteers include individuals, and groups from local churches, fraternities, and other civic organizations. “We can always use volunteers— men, women, teens and those with a heart for making a difference in our community.” If you’re interested in learning more or volunteering with the Woodlot Ministry, contact Harold Stophel at 828-789-9127, or Grace Lutheran Church at graceboone@gmail.com or 828-264-2206.