[Mike Brown]

After my third time on the "new" Squirrel yesterday, I'd like to thank Mike Riter, Trail Design Specialists, and the USFS for keeping the backcountry integrity of Squirrel. The work done between Laurel Creek and Horse Cove is all solid, the trail has retained it's narrow and technical character, and the woods are still isolated and huge. It's incredibly faster now and if you've got a fair kit of skills, you don't have to put a foot down anywhere (I miss a few downed trees, actually, but I'm stupid like that- and more trees will fall). Overall, it would have been hard to apply the contract specs any better. Great job!

Thanks for listening, folks!!

 

[natehelms]

I agree! We rode Laure Pilot Squirrel yesterday(pisgah highlight reel) and I had a blast on Squirrel. I will admit to walking in the first 1/4 mile going up Squirrel but we did ride up Yellow Gap to start the day. I am blaming that for lack of pop in my legs later. I also blame lack of fitness and love of fattening foods.But yes, it is mos def faster now. I love that place! What a great day in the woods. We only saw one other group all day. I can't wait to make it back over.

 

[D.F.L.]

It's great that Squirrel isn't ruined, as was predicted.

Constructive criticism:They left some stuff that we need to fix, like the pothole nicks they created.

And they felled a tree on Squirrel, blocking Horse Cove, 30 feet below.

 

[litespeedchick]

Hmmm... I'm guessing at least one of you passed me on Laurel Saturday. After one guy mentioned he was headed toward Squirrel, I wished I had asked the planned route. Did you go rignt on 1208, left on double track, and then take Horse Cove down to Squirrel? What was your route back and how many creek crossings did it involve?

Thanks! (we did Slate Rock , whichever one goes over the lookout...I always get that name wrong...and that trail was ridiculously good!)

 

[natehelms]

Hmmm... I'm guessing at least one of you passed me on Laurel Saturday. After one guy mentioned he was headed toward Squirrel, I wished I had asked the planned route. Did you go rignt on 1208, left on double track, and then take Horse Cove down to Squirrel? What was your route back and how many creek crossings did it involve?

Thanks! (we did Slate Rock , whichever one goes over the lookout...I always get that name wrong...and that trail was ridiculously good!)

We went down pilot, right on 1206, left on 476, S Mills to Squirrel, left on laurel creek to 5015, right on 1206, got in car and made a bee line to papas and beer. I will say it again....great day in the woods!:thumbsup: Oh yeah, only one creek crossing at bottom of Laurel Creek.

 

[litespeedchick]

And they felled a tree on Squirrel, blocking Horse Cove, 30 feet below.

Speaking of Horse Cove, did they do any work to it, or Cantrell Creek? Both of those options to get up to Squirrel from Turkey Pen have never liked me very much.

 

[D.F.L.]

No work done to Horse that I could see. The big trees are still down, though I did cut the branches away from the final one. You no longer need to go off-trail.

Horse could be reworked, but with its pitch and so much hoof traffic, it probably wouldn't last.

PS: I've never gone up either Horse or Cantrell, always choosing to enter via either end of Squirrel or from the top of Horse Cove.

 

[gatman]

We went down pilot, right on 1206, left on 476, S Mills to Squirrel, left on laurel creek to 5015, right on 1206, got in car and made a bee line to papas and beer. I will say it again....great day in the woods!:thumbsup: Oh yeah, only one creek crossing at bottom of Laurel Creek.

A little off topic, but Nate, your boy is supposed to be joining me for a ride this weekend. Come on down! He said that loop wore him out, so I know how bad I would have been feeling.

I plan on checking out the work for the first time this weekend.

 

[Mike Brown]

dfl- try the "dogbone" next time you're out-
Bradley/Pea Gap >Squirrel>Horse>Cantrell>Squirrel>Mullinax. Excellent ride, just avoid Horse in wet spelz per usual.

 

[EmilyB]

PS: I've never gone up either Horse or Cantrell, always choosing to enter via either end of Squirrel or from the top of Horse Cove.

I've pushed up Horse Cove from SMR to the top. Pisgah Productions didn't even trick me into it, it was my own bad idea.
I would do it again only under extreme duress or PP trickery. Not recommended.

I agree with Mike B, I am really glad to see how good Squirrel looks. Thanks to the USFS and trail contractors for doing a great job keeping the character of the trail intact.