Geology of the 'Big Scrub Rainforest' (Part 1)

Later this year it is intended that the Big Scrub Landcare group and many other contributors will release a book on people's connection with the 'Big Scrub'. It will be a multi-faceted book that introduces the emotional connection that people can have with a lovely part of the world. The book will even help picture the geological events that contributed to the formation of the amazing region. I understand that the book is intended to be launched in September at annual Big Scrub Rainforest Day. For those that would like some background information on the geology of the 'Big Scrub' I have provided a detailed outline of the rock types and events that went into building the foundations of this forest. There is a fair bit of information so I've broken this history into a series of blog posts. The book will have a different emphasis to this series of posts and will be a high quality visual feast. So I'll let everyone know more details about the book closer to the release date.

The oozy beginning

The history of the ‘Bigscrub’ starts a very long time in the past, yet it may be a surprise that by Australian standards the geology of our region is comparatively young. The oldest parts of Australia are 4400Ma (4400 million) years old but our little part of the Australian continent did not exist back then. It was not until 363-320Ma that the foundation rocks of our region were formed. These rocks are called the Neranleigh-Fernvale Beds

The Neranleigh-Fernvale Beds are derived from the deep sea. In the Devonian Period sediments settled to the bottom of the deep sea crust. The sediments were at first very fine and mainly consisted of the microscopic silica based skeletons of algae called pelagic ooze. The amount of sediment was only slowly deposited but over a long time a great thickness accumulated. Occasionally thicker layers of mud would be deposited from submarine landslides which occurred at the edge of the far away continental land masses, rarely submarine volcanoes laid down lava that was quickly solidified by the deep, cold ocean water.

The process of plate tectonics means that oceanic plates move slowly under continental plates. Gradually, as this process continued during the Carboniferous our area came closer to the continental landmass as the oceanic plate was subducted (is pushed under) under the Australian continent. Tall active volcanic mountain ranges existed along the edge of the continent much like the mountain ranges of the Andes Mountains in South America today. As our area approached the continent it meant that the size of particles increased. Erosion of the mountain ranges and continuing submarine landslides created layers in the sediments called turbidite sequences. These are sequences where the bottom is coarse grained (usually sandy) and the top is fine grained (mud). This is because fine sediments take longer to fall out of the water. Subsequent nearby landslides would start a new layer with coarse grained sands followed by finer grained mud and so on.

Eventually our part of the oceanic crust with its mass of deep sea muds and turbidite travelled to the zone of subduction where the collision with the Australian plate forced the oceanic plate under it. In this process the sediments that are on the oceanic plate are squashed and stuck onto the continent. Australia’s size grew as the process of accretion built up a thick wedge of submarine mud and turbidite. The pressure of the crustal plates sliding past each other squashed the sediments together and bent the layers into a complex arrangement of folds and faults. These are what we now know as the Neranleigh-Fernvale Beds.

As mentioned before, the Neranleigh-Fernvale Beds are the foundation rocks of our region. Today they form the ‘basement’ of the coastal Australian landmass from Gympie in Queensland to Broadwater on the Richmond River. However, in our region they are mostly obscured by younger rocks (discussed below) though it is possible to view outcrops of turbidite in several areas. These include on the Wilsons River at Laverty’s Gap, at Tintenbar and on the escarpment at Uralba between Ballina and Alstonville. Quartzite (from the silica rich sediment) is present on a hill near Nashua.

At the earlier stages of the carboniferous period the collision of the oceanic and crustal plates in our region stopped. The Neranleigh-Fernvale bed formation had been completed. The continent with its new additions ‘relaxed’ as compression eased and eventually stopped. Many more millions of years passed and what happened during that time is lost to history. No rocks are preserved in our region from the next time period known as the Permian. It is probable that the ‘bigscrub’ area remained stable for a long time with only erosion being the most significant geological process.

Linville Gorge Celebrates Spring With New Information Cabin & Ranger-led Hikes

The Linville Gorge, located on the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, is gearing up for spring with the opening of the Linville Information Cabin, a Spring Celebration with ranger-led hikes, and the beginning of Wilderness permit requirements.

The Linville Gorge Information Cabin, located at the north end of Old Hwy 105, provides visitors with area information as well as maps and merchandise for sale. The Information Cabin opens today, April 29th, for the season. The cabin will be open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am – 4pm through October.

This year marks the first year of an exciting partnership with the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) for operation of the Information Cabin. SAWS information specialists will be staffing the cabin and are able to provide first-hand knowledge of area trails, camping recommendations, and Wilderness principles.

To celebrate the spring season and provide information to the public, the US Forest Service and SAWS are hosting the Linville Gorge Spring Celebration on May 7th from 10am to 2pm at the Information Cabin. The Celebration will include ranger-led talks on Wilderness skills and natural history of the Gorge, as well as information from area groups.

In order to maintain solitude in the Wilderness, the Forest Service limits the number of people camping in the Linville Gorge. Permits for camping in the Wilderness are required on weekends and holidays May through October. Visitors can reserve permits for the following month by contacting the Grandfather Ranger District Office. For example, permits for June can be reserved starting May 1st. A limited number of additional permits will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Information Cabin each Friday starting at 10am.

For more information contact the Grandfather Ranger District at 828-652-2144.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Arches National Park Seeks Graffiti Vandals

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people? Arches National Park recently discovered another act of graffiti vandalism, and posted this message on their Facebook page yesterday:

We need your help. Staff recently discovered new graffiti at Frame Arch, just off the trail to Delicate Arch. If you saw anyone carving or writing on the rock on the Delicate Arch trail, please contact the park via email or phone listed here: http://ift.tt/1N2K0ZW

Graffiti—marking, scratching, chalking, and carving on rocks—is unsightly and illegal. It damages the rocks and ruins other people's experience in this natural place. Rangers and volunteer groups spend hundreds of hours every year removing graffiti from the park. Help us protect your national park: if you discover graffiti in the park, please let us know.

No doubt, the two losers who did this, "Staten" and "Andersen", likely took congratulatory selfies after leaving their mark. By the way, this isn't an isolated case. This type of "tagging" seems to be a growing trend in parks around the country. Here's the photo Arches published on their FB page which shows the damage done:

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Total Eclipse Of The Sun Will Pass Through The Great Smoky Mountains

There's no time like the present to begin planning for the future. Yesterday I just happened to come across a website that mentioned there will be a total eclipse of the Sun next year. This is significant because it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States since 1979, and will be the first total eclipse visible from the southeastern United States since March 7, 1970.

In case you fell asleep during your high school astronomy class, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thus totally (or partially) obscuring the Sun. If you're located within the narrow path of a total solar eclipse, the Moon will appear to be larger than the Sun, thus blocking all direct sunlight and briefly turning the day into night.

Next year's lunar/solar event will take place on Monday, August 21, 2017. The path of the total eclipse will pass over the western half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with the center passing near Tellico Plains.

The longest duration of totality will take place within the Shawnee National Forest, located just south of Carbondale, Illinois, and will last for 2 minutes and 41.6 seconds. The greatest extent will occur between Hopkinsville and Princeton, Kentucky. Viewers must be within the central path to see the total phase of the eclipse, though you'll still be able to see a partial eclipse hundreds of miles away (as seen in the nearby NASA GIF map).

For much more information, please visit the NASA website which has an interactive map, as well as tables listing times for important stages of the eclipse.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Geology dance moves

I'm moving on from my job hoping for more opportunities in the future. I was disappointed with many aspects of my position, not in the least the resistance from bureaucratic processes to fit in with geological reality! This was particularly disappointing with the search for groundwater resources which seemed encumbered by the processes rather than where water could actually be found! I guess that is government, but it is sad when you feel that the public money your organization is entrusted with is poorly spent. I could have paid for my salary many times over if my advice was taken in the first place. After two years they discovered that exactly what I had said was the case! several hundreds of thousands of dollars later my top two recommendations were identified by expert consultants as the best two recommendations and we hadn't even drilled yet!

So it is with relief that I move on to other things. Time will tell what will happen but in the mean time I might learn some dance moves courtesy of the Amoeba People .

'The Alluvial Fan' is my first starting move:

"We think you'll agree that few things are more dance-inspiring than cone-shaped deposits of sand, gravel and silt."

Tips for Hiking with Kids

So you want to go on a hiking trip this summer, but you’re thinking that it might not be a good idea due to the young kids in the back seat. It’s likely you’re concerned that your children will be bored by the idea of traipsing through the woods. Although I hear this concern quite a bit, you really don’t have to hang up your boots until the kids go off to college.

Fortunately there are several things parents can do to make hiking enjoyable for their kids. The key is to keep them interested, motivated and, most importantly, make sure they have fun. Although that might sound easier than it really is, there are several things you can do to accomplish these objectives.

For very young kids you’ll have to keep the hike very short. As they get older and begin to build confidence and endurance you’ll be able to gradually increase the distance. Although we as adults enjoy expansive views, this really isn’t important to kids. Children much prefer things that are scaled down to their smaller world view. As a parent you should try to appeal to their sense of discovery and adventure, such as visiting a waterfall, a cave, large boulders, a hollowed-out tree, a gurgling stream, or a lake to possibly where they can skip rocks. In fact, water is usually a great motivator.

As you venture further down the trail during your hike try to point things out along the way. Perhaps playing a game similar to that of a scavenger hunt where your children try to find a variety of items such as certain trees, pine cones, wildflowers, boulders, insects, birds’ nests and various wildlife. National parks like Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Glacier and the Great Smoky Mountains are all perfect for finding any of these items.

A few other important tips to keep children motivated are to let them set the pace, bring lots of snacks, take frequent breaks, be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, and maybe even consider allowing them to bring a friend along.

Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Glacier and the Great Smoky Mountains all offer many outstanding easy hikes that will appeal to both children and adults alike.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

2015 Tourism to Big South Fork NRRA Created $19.2 Million in Economic Benefits

A National Park Service report shows that approximately 600,000 visitors to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in 2015, spent $19.2 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 263 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy.

"Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Niki Nicholas. "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. Visiting one of the 13 units of the National Park System in Tennessee is a great way to introduce visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National Park Service tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it's a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities."

The annual peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz. Visitor spending in 2015 supported 295,000 jobs, provided $11.1 billion in labor income, $18.4 billion in value added, and $32.0 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector provided the highest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output to local gateway economies and 52,000 jobs. The restaurants and bars sector provided the next greatest direct contributions with $3.4 billion in economic output to local gateway economies and 65,000 jobs.

According to the 2015 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.1 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.2 percent), gas and oil (11.8 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.8 percent).

To download the report, click here.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Temporary Road Closure on Blue Ridge Parkway

A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 90.0 to Milepost 105.8 will close Monday, April 25, 2016, for approximately five weeks in order to make necessary paving repairs to the road and overlooks in the area. Access to Peaks of Otter from the south will be available via VA-43. Detour signs will be in place to direct travelers around this area.

During the first month of the project, both lanes in this section will be closed to all activity (cars, bicycles, and hikers) to ensure the safety of Parkway visitors and staff. After May 25, and as the project continues, the full closure will end and Parkway travelers can expect one lane closures through mid-September.

The Blue Ridge Parkway portfolio of paved roads includes bridges, tunnels, parking areas, spur roads, service roads, campground and picnic area roads, and the 469-mile Parkway motor route itself. Across the Parkway, many of these areas exceed recommended life cycles for pavement and are in need of repairs estimated to total over $300 million. Funding for road maintenance on the Parkway comes in large part from the Highway Trust Fund, which is derived from a federal fuel tax. The Blue Ridge Parkway annually identifies projects and competes for these funds to repair and maintain park roads.

For more information about road closures, please visit the Parkway's Real-Time Road map.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Pacific Crest Trail 2009 Part 27

Mount Jefferson lifted one's Heart with her scenic splendors.  We met some Pacific Crest Trail Volunteers who were cutting fallen trees by hand that were blocking forward progress on the trail. Overall, there were probably still a few hundred trees we had to climb over or go under along the length of the entire trail.

Mountains such as these collected and created their own clouds and weather.

Gigantic gullies washed down glacial melt and debris to fertilize the lands below.

Each angle of the mountain had a completely different personality profile.  

The above photo is of Mount Jefferson from its Northern Flanks.

We found snow to walk through in the middle of the summer.  The mountain directly ahead is Mount Hood at an elevation of 11, 249 feet.  

We enjoyed the refreshing Timothy Lake as well as the many recreational boaters who were camping along her pleasant shores.

Mount Hood, above, had summer skiing on its southern slopes.  It was fascinating to watch people all geared up in their winter clothing in late August.

The slopes for skiing were on the snow pack to the far left in the above photo.

Here Stacey is enjoying Mount Jefferson from just below Mount Hood.  It took us two full days to cover this distance.

We sent a package to the Mount Hood Timberline Lodge where we enjoyed an awesome dinner with "Ice Axe".

We ran into some PCT section hikers who excitedly took our pictures as if we were celebrities.  :)

At the lodge we also talked with a gentleman that we were to later see doing trail work on Mount Adams in Washington State.  We truly live in a small and very interconnected and beautiful world.

Power from Columbia River dams cut through the landscape to provide electricity for nearby Portland, Oregon.

Tomorrow we would take a full day off at Cascade Locks, the gateway to Washington State.  From the Columbia River we had less than 500 trail miles of walking left.  We were soon to be in our very own backyard mountains since we currently reside near the Canadian border, which was our ultimate destination.

Part 28 ~ Enter Here

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Pacific Crest Trail 2009 Part 26

We entered the Three Sisters Wilderness of Central Oregon.  The walking in this state is gentle and smooth and the miles go by quickly. 

It's easy to walk 35 miles a day here and some ambitious souls push 40 mile days to break personal barriers and to go beyond self imposed programming.

Fields of lupine and "dirty socks" had opposing but broadening and awakening effects upon the senses.

It was too cloudy to get a really good look at the three peaks known as the Three Sisters.  But the scenery was always tantalizing.  There is an unlimited amount of stimulus to sort through and absorb.

We learned from some local hikers that the highway at McKenzie Pass opened up yesterday, just in time for us to hitch into the town of Sisters.

Obsidian Falls lived up to its name.  Just above the falls was a rich deposit of  black obsidian which was an ancient collection site for Native Americans, who used the rock to create cutting utensils and arrow points.

The subalpine zone is always rich with a balanced energetic harmony that fed our bodies with unseen food.  It opens the doors and gates to feeling deeper in relationship to Nature and one's personal environment.

Miles upon Miles of lava flows now layed between us and Mount Washington in the near distance.

Along with Mount Washington, we could even see the volcanic peaks of Three Fingered Jack and Mount Jefferson.

Yapoah Crater was at least 400 years old, but it looks as if it could have spewed ash out just yesterday.

The lava rock was a maze of flows where strong and durable trees and brush were able to claim new niches in seemingly rough conditions.

Before McKenzie Pass I made a wish to find an easy ride into Sisters where the driver would even possibly let us spend the night at their home.  It sounds like wishful thinking, but as soon as we reached the Observatory at the pass, a couple with their dog who had just gone fishing pulled up at the parking lot and asked us if they could help us.  Jane and Jim said they had hiked the PCT back in the 70's when it was virtually unknown.  We asked if they could give us a ride to town and if they knew of an inexpensive place to stay.  They then invited us to their home where we spent two wonderful nights resting and regenerating.  Jane and Jim even gave us the keys to their truck to use in town.  Ice Axe spent the first night with us, and on the second night we brought home with us another hiker from New Zealand.  Just imagine a world where everyone was as wonderful and loving and trusting as Jane and Jim.  (Above is a photo of the Sisters from Jane and Jim's home.)

What this trail proved over and over again to me was that if I stated what I wanted in a concise and clear manner, the result would manifest and arrange its self to happen quickly.  No kidding, really.  Believe, and it shall happen.  When we use our words percisely and wisely all of the time, its like they become the code to the program that we are running here in the physical world. Many of us use thoughts and feelings that cancel each other out, or which keep away from us the things we intend to happen in our lives.

At Santiam Pass, there were plenty of goodies and drinks left by another trail angel from Bend.  After passing Mount Washington and Three Fingered Jack, we finally had extensive views of the Three Sisters that we passed under several days earlier.  All around three fingered Jack and to the north towards Mount Jefferson, an extensive fire burned thousands of acres not too long ago.  We were now three-fourth of the way through Oregon, and Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, and the Washington State border at the Columbia River would soon be in our sights.

Part 27 ~ Enter Here

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Pacific Crest Trail 2009 Part 25

We woke up above the fog that permeated the Diamond Lake area.  Other hikers behind and below us in elevation had a wet morning from the fog dripping from the trees.

Mount Thielsen was in the clouds yesterday, and today the scene opened up its splendor to us.

We walked into two south bounders and we exchanged information about the potential opportunites to come.  We heard that Highway 242 at McKenzie pass was closed because it was being repaved.

We would see and spend time with "Ice Axe" and "Day Late" till the end of the trail in northern Washington State.  "Ice Axe" lives in the Santa Cruz area where I spent about five years of my life.  He was one of the most cheerful and enthusiastic souls that we met on the trail.  He truly found heaven on earth by finding his way through the wilderness that is within.

You can see how perspective changes by looking at Mount Thielsen which was now a days journey behind us. Crater Lake and the remnants of Mount Mazama are seen on the right side of the photo.

Diamond Peak just ahead appeared to be another volcano that lost its head in a fit of anger.

We were now to descend to the cool waters of Summit Lake.  Did we mention that we often would not bathe or take a shower for weeks at a time.  I wore the same clothes for four and half months.  One really gets comfortable with all aspects of one's being.

Climbing up towards Diamond Peak we get a good look at Summit Lake behind us and the faint outline of Mount Thielsen.

Here at Diamond Peak we decided we were going to shift gears and make it to Willamette Pass before dark so we could order a pizza at the ski resort which is only open on the weekends.  "Day Late", who we first met in the High Sierra's, would be our dinner companion.

Just as the restuarant and resort was about to close, Chuck Norris, Billy Goat, and the PCT Van arrived to give us a ride to Shelter Cove Campground where Road Runner and his wife Peggy had reserved a spot for thru-hikers.  We enjoyed the wonderful meals they cooked in appreciation of our common Love for the long distance trek. They fed us well and we had wonderful conversations about those who had the lust to hike as a vocation.

Chuck Norris even had a hiker box in his van for us to re-supply from where the goodies come from those who have sent too much food ahead for them selves.

This region was a mecca for front and back country fisherman.

The clouds, however, arrived again to obscure our views of the towering Three Sisters where many weekend warriors became intimate with her volcanic soils. Huckleberries were now a staple to our diet as well as the blue tongues and fingers that accompanied such feasts of delicious delight.

Part 26 ~ Enter Here

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