February 2023 Minutes
Minutes from Regular Quarterly Meeting on February 6, 2023
Big Canoe Trails Committee
Minutes by S. Johnson
Mtg took place in person outdoors at the Wildcat Pavilion.
Commenced at 4:00 p.m.; ended at 4:35.
Members in attendance = 21
NEXT MEETING is May 1, 2023 @ 4:00. - Venue : TBD
FYI: Meetings are scheduled for the 1st Monday of 2nd month of each quarter
(i.e. first Monday of Feb/May/Aug/Nov)
NEXT WORK DAY: tbd
GUEST SPEAKER:
Jim Langford from Northwest Georgia Archeology Society. After visiting several of the archeological sites in Big Canoe with Liz & Mitch (chimneys; stills; spring house ruins; and mill ruins near Choctaw), Jim spoke to the Trails Cmte:
• Jim was impressed with the sites he was shown. He thought the stills he saw were from 1920-1940.
• Jim mentioned that there is often a lot of information that can be obtained from these sites. Once studied, he suggested the information could be captured on brochures or online or on placards near the site to enhance the hiking experience in Big Canoe.
• Jim suggested he and/or other archeology groups (Blue Ridge Archeology Society; North Georgia College archeology group/students) can assist with helping to locate archeological sites in Big Canoe and/or help with simple excavations and studies of those sites.
• In order to preserve as much information as possible regarding each site, Jim cautioned against the urge to do private excavations without the assistance of trained archeologists.
• If archeological items / artifacts are found (e.g. old nails, barrel hoops, china shards, etc.) he suggested leaving the item in place until it can be properly studied and logged. If you do remove any such item for safekeeping, be sure to bag it and mark its exact location so that the site can studied further.
• NOTE: Mitch & Liz requested that if you do find and remove any such artifacts, deliver them to Mitch or Liz after bagging and identifying its exact location.
• Mitch suggested there may be enough artifacts collected over time to create an artifact display at the Clubhouse or other public location in Big Canoe.
• Mitch suggested continuing to branch out into other Big Canoe green spaces to look for other archeological sites and artifacts.
MEMBER UPDATES
• Departing Member: Terry Stewart has resigned from BCTC due to his recent election to the POA Board, and he was elected as Treasurer of the POA Board by its members. Congratulations, Terry, on both elections. You will be missed by the BCTC!
• New Member: Joe Morris has joined the BCTC and has been assigned to the Jeep Trail. Welcome, Joe!
• Member Accomplishment: Ken Becheley (current BCTC member) has been promoted to Director of Volunteers for the Big Canoe Volunteer Fire Department. Congratulations, Ken!
• Sad News: Doug Hanley, long time active member of the BCTC, resigned from the BCTC a few months ago due to illness. It is with sadness we report Doug passed away in January.
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Stairs at Lower Falls Trail were replaced with pine timber steps. Many thanks to Dion Golden and his heavy equipment with this project.
• The White Fringeless Orchid enclosure at McDaniel Meadows was repaired.
• The waterfall on the Lake Trail was cleared.
A proposal to officially name these falls has been submitted to the POA Board. Once officially named, it’s intended that a sign and bench will be added to the site.
• The site with the still on the (paved) Red Loop Trail near mile marker 5 has been cleared.
GENERAL MAINTENACE NOTES
• The POA has reminded us that only vetted volunteers of the BCTC are covered by the POA insurance policy, and they have stressed the importance of BCTC members being accountable for their hours. It’s important to keep track of the number of volunteers and the number of hours logged.
• Log your hours, folks!! You can use the online reporting system at bctrails.info OR email your time to Liz at trails@bctrails.info.
• Reminder: Inspect your trail at least once a month AND after storms.
• Address slippery bridges and steps on your trails.
• Be proud of your BCTC accomplishments! Even folks from other states are visiting or giving positive feedback on the Big Canoe trails based on the info they read online or in the newspaper.
• The POA has found space at the Borrow Pit for Dion Golden to store his heavy equipment.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
• The weekly “Fitness Friday” workdays have been on hiatus the last few weeks due to weather challenges; to be restarted ASAP once weather allows.
• Memorial Day Hike – to be led by Greg Dunlap, with assistance from the Hansen brothers. To take place on the John Williams and Covered Bridge trails. Exact route TBD, but expected it will be a loop.
• Redirect the water drainage at the High Gap connector trail after it crosses Blazing Star.
• Cut down the small trees growing on the back portion of the Playfield.
• Resurrect a trail spur from the (paved) Red Loop Trail to the Bear statue.
• Add a small extension to the Village Trail so it meets the crosswalk at Highland Trail road.
• Waterwheel: Replace the hose with 4” sewer pipe to restore flow to the waterwheel. [POA had suggested removal, but BCTC is still working to resolve the issue.]
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS / QUESTIONS:
• Memorial Day Hike suggestion: Could it be advertised to encourage grandparents and grandkids to attend? Perhaps add a scavenger hunt?
– Liz response is that it depends on the chosen route; she will check with Greg and advertise accordingly.
• There is recent wild boar damage on the Nancy Womack trail. This will exacerbate / accelerate erosion of a trail that is already steep and narrow. Can anything be done to get the wild boars under control?
– Liz will check with Lydell Mack and/or Jacob VanSant
• Any interest in hosting a guided hike for Earth Day on April 22?
– Liz says it depends on the day of the week, as that drives attendance.