19E Trail Crossing

imported
#1

*This was copied from the ATC TrailNews newsletter.
Beware Buck Mountain Road
This March 25–26,(2005)I was hiking with a friend from Dennis Cove Road near Hampton to Bear Branch Road just east of the town of Roan Mountain. On March 26, we left one of our cars at an A.T. access point on Buck Mountain Road to hike about three miles on the Trail to where Bear Branch Road meets U.S. 19E. We were in the woods two hours at the most. When we drove back to Buck Mountain Road to pick up my friend’s car, we found that someone had flattened all four tires, probably with an ice pick. It was late afternoon, and our cell phones didn’t work in that area,but we managed to get a tow truck with the help of the local gas station. The tow-truck driver told us we were lucky only the tires had been ruined: Out-ofstate cars parked along that road had been broken into, the windshields smashed, the engines removed, and the rest set on fire. When we returned after Easter Sunday to the local tire shop in Roan Mountain to have four new tires put on the car, we heard more stories from the men in the shop about other acts of vandalism along Buck Mountain Road. To avoid what happened to us, I suggest that hikers park their cars at Bitter End (Howard Road) or on Walnut Road, both of which go into the forest where vehicles will not be visible from Buck Mountain Road. We did meet many friendly and helpful people in Hampton and Roan Mountain and as we drove up around Bear Branch Road looking for access to the Trail. The mountains around Moreland Gap, Walnut Road, and Black Mountain Road are among the most beautiful I have ever seen, but our memory of them will forever be stained by our experience in that community.
H.Vo-Dinh
Maryland
*We cannot judge all trail crossing as being dangerous, just be careful. Over the past 10 years this location has a history of vandalism.

Bilko

#2

Thanks for the heads up on that. I will be hiking that section of AT in the next few weeks. Fortuantely, we will be dropped off and picked up at 19E. So there will not be a car to be broken into. I have heard of horrible vandalism for years in that area.

guru

#3

I used the North Carolina Gazzeter to locate access to Moreland Gap and it is three miles off of HWY19E. You park at around 4500’ and jump on the trail about ten minutes south from the parking lot. It appears to be a very safe place to park and you have access to Hump/Little Hump to your north and Grassy Ridge and Jane Bald to your south.

When I read this article in the ATN, it really upset me. Being an avid section hiker and relying on trail heads to get to and fro, I cannot imagine coming back to a vandalized vehicle.

frasier fir

#4

Geoffrey Morris, who lives near the 19E AT crossing, previously (on this or another forum, I can’t recall) offered more secure parking on private property. You apparently have to make advance arrangements by email: dremamorris@earthlink.net

Skyline

#5

How about Bob Peoples at the Kincora Hostel? He’s a good resource for helping out hikers. Loads of stories to entertain you with as well.

WoodBadge

#6

Sad for those it happened to, as that place has a big history and there are two signs there that suggest You do not park there…cant be much clearer then that.

Plus, Buck MTN road is where even the locals dont go…I have asked and been told stories about that area…DO NOT take that road, DO NOT take a side trail for adventure right there, as you may end up in someones ‘growing area’, or shine makin’ place. The you may end up getting shot, or re making the movie"Wrong Turn"

See Buck at Bucks Beerwash and Bucks Restaraunt…I bet he can help those in the future out as he is trying to help that area get a better name.

LK

lion King

#7

Or you may have to SQEEEEEEEEEL LIKE A PIG!

Say, let’s send Paul Newman and Robert Redford to scout out the Buck Mtn Rd area while the movie crew lounges back in town. The movie will come out as Deliverence II. :x

Plus, Buck MTN road is where even the locals dont go…I have asked and been told stories about that area…DO NOT take that road, DO NOT take a side trail for adventure right there, as you may end up in someones ‘growing area’, or shine makin’ place. The you may end up getting shot, or re making the movie"Wrong Turn"<<<

Yellowtooth

#8

I think everyone has heard stories about the vandalism around Roan Mountain, and how it has occured for years. However, why does law enforcement not do anything about it? It’s obviously a problem, and they’re obviously the solution. Should a petition or something similar be sent on behalf of hikers to local law enforcement?

Stephen

#9

Stephen I think you have a good idea. We can set up a Sting operation (like Newman and Redford). We can find someone with a new SUV and park it along Buck Mountain, hide in the woods and when our friends come to see what damage they can do to it we jump out and … I would imagine hiking poles may not inflict enough damage on these SOB’s.
What local Club monitors that section?

Bilko

#10

Somebody put a webcam there and the whole web will know who the vandals are.

Disco