Mapping the Sheltowee

[Traildust]

The last 4 months saw a significant increase in the number of you who registered your membership here on this forum. We welcome each and everyone of you and encourage you to actively share your thoughts, concerns, issues, trail problems etc to the members. It makes a difference.

We want to give a special welcome to one of the land owners who permits The Sheltowee Trace to traverse his property, Harry Clark. As his username indicates, drybranchowner, he owns land at the Dry Branch crossing, about 10 miles south of the Northern Terminus.

Harry owns the farm up the hill, south of Dry Branch. If you've hiked the Northern area of The Trace you will remember the wire fence you must open and close just off the road at Dry Branch and the wire at the top of the hill, where you cross to go back into the woods. The trail traverses his farm, up the hill to the open field where the gas pipeline runs through the Trace.

Harry has related to me that he is willing to talk with us and work with us to come up with an alternative to these two wire crossings, as long as we can design something that keeps his cattle on the property. The STA will get with Harry before Spring and show him what the A.T. C. does to get the trail across field fences.

He has also told me that as the owner of Clark Park on Dry Branch Rd.
he has had a water hydrant installed ( city water)on the right side of his drive near the board fence. Hikers would be welcome to use it, just make sure its turned off. We will work with him to get a sign pointing to this area since water is a huge concern in this section.

As for using Clark Park, Harry says, "Clark park is a private park but as long as folks understand that and show respect for the park I would not object to hikers taking a break and filling the water bottles. If they choose to start or stop the hike at dry branch they may park in the field in front of the park. Park on the right of the drive going to the park. I would ask you not to leave vehicle over a couple days, (I have to cut the field for hay at times). I do have a dog that barks very loud but has eaten no one that I'm aware of. If he trys to follow please run him back (that will keep me in good standing with the lady of the house (its her dog)."

Mr Clark is hoping "that younger folks will get envolved in something outdoors and away from the electronic devices, and maybe they will grow up and make sure this will be available for the next generation."

Mr Clark said in his email to me, "I have met several of the hikers as they pass by and enjoy the company. I thank all the hikers for respecting my property and I'm sure other farmers feel the same."

Thanks Mr. Clark for your generous offer. Let's all thank him if we see him at Dry Branch and continue to be good stewards of this landowner and all landowners generosity.

Thanks.
Steve Barbour
Executive Director
The Sheltowee Trace Association

[jbd]

That is indeed a very generous offer from Mr Clark. I would be very willing to work with him come up with a better solution for the gates on the trail.

[Traildust]