How'd I Miss That?

imported
#1

Well, I was reading back through my journal for my 2005 section hike and I still can’t see how I missed the Keffer Oak. I remember the area well, and it was a clear and pretty morning when I passed through there, but I just plain missed seeing this huge tree. How could that happen? Does anyone know what that exact section looks like? Is the tree right on the main trail or do you have to take a little side trail to see the stile and the tree? I recall the pasture land and fences, but did not see the tree. Was I just daydreamaing? Is it obvious when you come through there? Has anyone else just hiked right on past a major trail landmark without even seeing it?

CBiscuit

#2

Its about a quarter mile off the trail, down the hill to the right. The tree is dead now, but the trunk was standing in 04 & was still pretty impressive.

30-30

#3

Is that the oak tree around Wallace Gap? I think there was a side trail that you took and it wound around in a circle before you got down to the tree.

I have walked past the NC/GA border sign without seeing it.

jaws

#4

30-30, are you mixing up the Kefer Oak with the Walasik Poplar? The Poplar is is NC in the Nantahala NF. The Keffer Oak is right next to the trail in Virginia. Take a look at this photo, and you’ll notice the stile next to the tree. Unless they relo’ed the trail away from the tree since 2000…

Jeffrey Hunter

#5

Here is a photo of the Wasilik Poplar, which is near Wallace Gap in NC. The tree is indeed dead.

Jeffrey Hunter

#6

I think 30-30 is talking about another tree, maybe the one in NC.

This is in Va about a mile after Sinking Creek Valley heading north. After you pass the last paved road that has a small grass trailhead parking lot, you hike about 1/4 mile uphill. Then it levels off for a little while before you come to a fence with a pasture on the other side. You have to cross the fence on a stile. The Keffer Oak is right there. I think you can almost touch it while standing on the stile. Then the trail bears left and you walk thru a gate. It was alive and well when I was there last year.

Hokey Pokey

#7

I think your pic was photoshopped. That pic was taken of me at the last Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Nice job of you inserting that tree in place of me… :slight_smile: I need to get out and do some hiking.

Hokey Pokey

#8

Yep, that’s the Wasilik Poplar near Wallace Gap. Supposed to be the 2nd or 3rd largest poplar in the world (or was until it died).

jaws

#9

Wanna see big Poplar Trees? Head for the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Its about 20 minutes outside Robbinsville, NC. You will be astounded! Some BIG Eastern Hemlocks too.

Jeffrey Hunter

#10

I thought it was the B F T past the evil donkeys that chased me across the pasture.( And the stupid B F T had some power lines close by and it was difficult to get a “full picture”) and the trail seemed to go through someones hog pen just before it reached the B F T and then after the B F T the trail went straight up this B F H and then we walked along this beutiful razor back Mtn.
and along this razor back ridge there were these B F R’s and the B F R’s looked as if some boy scouts went up there and made thes B F P’s of rocks and then the ridge turned nasty and we had to do some climbing. What do you call that when you scuttle around some steep rocks? anyway it was a little wet that day and it was a long day and I was definatly A F U. :oh

Ritchie Rich

#11

That BFT by the powerlines is the Keffer Oak. Then it’s up the hill to the piles of BFRs. I was astonished at those piles of rocks and the hundreds of hours of work they represented. Some poor fools spent years piling rocks, working toward their dream…and there it is, overgrown. Then, it was down the BFSH to that nearly new, super-cool shelter…

Tyger, the original one.