G. Richard Thompson WMA trail surveyors needed (Map 8)

[Thom Kaye]

All-
   Map 8 is nearing completion; ~ 3 weeks. I am looking for some field checkers to survey/verify the existing trail network in GRThompson WMA. Moreover I will ask the volunteers to verify the existance of parking areas and other landmarks as shown on the current edition. The attached map is a scanned copy of the current edition. I have indicated the trail circuit I have verified personally in purple. The balance of the WMA needs to verified by motivated individuals like yourself.

In addition, I am including a map of the park that the VDGIF produced on their website. I am in the process of establishing communication with them to confirm the names of the trails and parking areas that conflict with our map.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thom

[Jim Tomlin]

I was going to assign the University GPS Challenge group to survey
GRTWMA, but it will be too late for Map 8 ... they are going out May
20-22. The first weekend that they and Blackburn were free was that
weekend. They will have 6 groups, each carrying a PN-40.

The TT survey weekend in PA is in 2 weeks...maybe we should go to
GRTWMA instead. Then we could do it all that weekend.

If not, then I am sure I could get out for at least one day in the
next 3 weeks to verify parking areas and do some GPS-collecting
hiking. I already know that Parking Area 5 and the access trail (it's
actually a forest road) to the A.T. from Parking Area 5 is correct on
the map, as I was there a few weeks ago, when I finished my hike all
of the A.T. in northern VA.

Jim T.

[Jim Tomlin]

This is what the trail from GRTWMA parking area 5 to the AT looked like.

Parking Area 5 is located at
N38° 56.6798' W78° 2.2599' NAD83 1889.9ft

Jim T.

On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 8:59 AM, Thom Kaye <thom...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Thom Kaye]

Let's stick with the original plans regarding the TT weekend.

I will take you up on offer Jim. GRTWMA could easily be verified/surveyed in a few short weekends.

On Mar 6, 2011 9:19 AM, "Jim Tomlin" <jfto...@gmail.com> wrote:

I was going to assign the University GPS Challenge group to survey
GRTWMA, but it will be too late for Map 8 ... they are going out May
20-22.  The first weekend that they and Blackburn were free was that
weekend.  They will have 6 groups, each carrying a PN-40.

The TT survey weekend in PA is in 2 weeks...maybe we should go to
GRTWMA instead.  Then we could do it all that weekend.

If not, then I am sure I could get out for at least one day in the
next 3 weeks to verify parking areas and do some GPS-collecting
hiking.  I already know that Parking Area 5 and the access trail (it's
actually a forest road) to the A.T. from Parking Area 5 is correct on
the map, as I was there a few weeks ago, when I finished my hike all
of the A.T. in northern VA.

Jim T.

On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 8:59 AM, Thom Kaye <thom...@gmail.com> wrote:
> All-

>    Map 8 is nearing...

[Richard & Sybille Stromberg]

The Parking Lot names have to be corrected on the PATC map.  They no longer have numbers.   DGIF has given each one a name as shown on their PDF, e.g. the old Parking Lot #6 is now labeled “Trillium Trail Parking Lot”. 

Richard

[Thom Kaye]

Thanks Richard. I was wondering that very thing.

On Mar 6, 2011 11:52 AM, "Richard & Sybille Stromberg" <ri...@embarqmail.com> wrote:

The Parking Lot names have to be corrected on the PATC map.  They no longer have numbers.   DGIF has given each one a name as shown on their PDF, e.g. the old Parking Lot #6 is now labeled “Trillium Trail Parking Lot”. 

Richard

 

From: patc-maps...@googlegroups.com [mailto:patc-maps...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Thom Kaye
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 9:00 AM
To: patc-maps...@googlegroups.com
Subject: G. Richard Thompson WMA trail surveyors needed (Map 8)

 

All-
   Map 8 is nearing completion; ~ 3 weeks. I am looking for some field checkers to survey/...

[D. Tundra]

On slightly unrelated subject, Richard Thompson WMA is the site of one of the largest trees I've seen: http://gpshikingdc.com/AA_WebPhotos/AB_Virginia/AA_AT_AshbyGap_SNP_VA/AT_ThompsonWMA_GPS20060318/slides/22.jpg and the Sky Meadows is the site of the most spectacular ice storm I've hiked after:

http://gpshikingdc.com/AA_WebPhotos/AB_Virginia/AA_AT_AshbyGap_SNP_VA/AT_SkyMeadowsSP_GPS20070318/slides/14.jpg

 

Here's the page of my traces from the Map 8 area:

http://gpshikingdc.com/AA_TracesWeb/AB_Virginia_AT_AshbyGap_SNP.htm + I am attaching a trace I took a year ago...

[Thom Kaye]

Sadly these huge trees are becoming opressed with the worst invasive Oriental Bittersweet I have ever seen. I would love to see an organized removal attempt someday; especially near Thompson Lake.

On Mar 6, 2011 2:25 PM, "D. Tundra" <tart...@gmail.com> wrote:

On slightly unrelated subject, Richard Thompson WMA is the site of one of the largest trees I've seen: http://gpshikingdc.com/AA_WebPhotos/AB_Virginia/AA_AT_AshbyGap_SNP_VA/AT_ThompsonWMA_GPS20060318/slides/22.jpg and the Sky Meadows is the site of the most spectacular ice storm I've hiked after:

http://gpshikingdc.com/AA_WebPhotos/AB_Virginia/AA_AT_AshbyGap_SNP_VA/AT_SkyMeadowsSP_GPS20070318/slides/14.jpg

 

Here's the page of my traces from the Map 8 area:

http://gpshikingdc.com/AA_TracesWeb/AB_Virginia_AT_AshbyGap_SNP.htm + I am attaching a trace I took a year ago...

 
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Thom Kaye
> To: Richard & Sybille Stromberg

> Cc: patc-m...

[Jim Tomlin]

I am a Montgomery County (MD) Weed Warrior (gotta love that name), so
I've always been a little disappointed that PATC basically ignores
non-native invasive issues. Loudoun Heights Trail near Harpers Ferry,
for one, is really unsightly now because of prolific invasive
"monocultures". I sure hope that all our trails don't end up looking
like that.

Jim T.

[D. Tundra]

Thom,

 

Regarding Map 7 in the Harpers Ferry.  There are a lot of new trails just West of the Harpers Ferry and some are being built by the Park now.  You can order maps from the Visitors Center for free.  I think it is worth to incorporate them in the PATC map.  Also, in this map square D2 Fort Duncan is shown as part of the private property.  So is the whole C&O Canal.  They should be green since they are part of the National Park.  For some reason, only one overlook is show on the Maryland Heights, but the others are not.  And none is shown on Loudoun heights.  Bolivar Heights are not shown at all.  There are 3 waterfalls on public land there.  None are shown.  As far as I know, NOBODY publishes a complete set of trails in that area.  Some are in the Trailhead Graphics Map 111, some - in the free maps given by the park, some are in the book by David Gilbert.  Also, it may be worth mentioning in the map that there are bus tours from the visitors center to downtown.  What do you think?

 

-Dimitri

 

p.s.  I'm putting some photos from the unpublished places in the attachment.

[Jim Tomlin]

This potentially could be a good project for the University GPS
Challenge students in May. They will be at Blackburn on May 20-22,
which is close to HF.
They would probably LOVE to find and gather data for these trails around HF.

Jim T.

[Jim Tomlin]

I am planning a visit to GRThompson this weekend. Satellite coverage
appears to be adequate.

I could visit all sites accessible by vehicle and hike to the AT from
Old Parking Areas 6, 7, and 8 (I have done from Old Parking Area 5
recently). If time permits, I could hike up the Ted Lewis/Ted Lake
Trail (it's named differently on the maps) from the bottom to the top
and back.

Another trail that would be good to clarify is the one shown on the
PATC Map 8 (but not the GRTWMA map) that connects the AT to Old
Parking Area 3 (the trail segment that is near the northern boundary,
near Dicks Dome). Hikers might want to access the AT from there (but
probably no longer can, based on the GRTWMA map). Might be one to
eliminate from the new Map 8, if it's really not there any more.

It also would be good to verify the middle trail (Ruins/Private trail
on Map 8), but that will require another person or another day. I can
remember hiking down that trail a LONG time ago, being thwarted in an
attempt to exit the WMA there, and having to hike back up to find
another egress. So it's most likely still a
hike-down-to-boundary-and-turn-around hike.

Jim T.

On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 8:59 AM, Thom Kaye <thom...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Thom Kaye]

Jim-
    This past weekend I walked a 12 mile circuit starting from Lake Thompson (Parking Area 3). I wanted to take that exact side trail to the AT near Dicks Dome that you mention. I think I found the trail but was unsure if it was it so I cut my circuit short. I would appreciate it if you could take a look to see if it does indeed exist as I was not 100% sure.

So you don't retrace my exact steps, I walked a circuit from Parking Area #3 up to the AT and back down via the Verlin Smith trail. I took a side trip over to the Manassas Gap shelter.

Thom

--
* Please note change of email address

[Jim Tomlin]

You walked the circuit shown in blue on the first email's Map 8
attachment, correct? I am planning my route so that I overlap with
that route as little as possible, since you've got that already. And
I have very recently hiked and GPSed the entire AT in GRTWMA myself as
well.

I am going to load the (old) USGS 7.5' quad maps into the PN-40,
because they show that old connector trail and several others that are
on one map and not the other. That makes those old trails much easier
to find (especially in winter) because you can follow your progress on
the GPS screen that shows the old features in detail and pretty
surprising accuracy.

I'll go out on Saturday, flooding permitting. If I don't accomplish
it all in one day, I'll go out again on Sunday to finish my attempts.
It's pretty easy to fritter away a day by driving around from
trailhead to trailhead and exploring little trail segments.

Jim T.

[Thom Kaye]

You're correct.

On Mar 10, 2011 8:11 AM, "Jim Tomlin" <jfto...@gmail.com> wrote:

You walked the circuit shown in blue on the first email's Map 8
attachment, correct?  I am planning my route so that I overlap with
that route as little as possible, since you've got that already.  And
I have very recently hiked and GPSed the entire AT in GRTWMA myself as
well.

I am going to load the (old) USGS 7.5' quad maps into the PN-40,
because they show that old connector trail and several others that are
on one map and not the other.  That makes those old trails much easier
to find (especially in winter) because you can follow your progress on
the GPS screen that shows the old features in detail and pretty
surprising accuracy.

I'll go out on Saturday, flooding permitting.  If I don't accomplish
it all in one day, I'll go out again on Sunday to finish my attempts.
It's pretty easy to fritter away a day by driving around from
trailhead to trailhead and exploring little trail segments.

Jim T.

On Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 8:27 PM, Thom Kaye <thom...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Jim-

>     This past wee...

[Thom Kaye]

Thanks Dimitri. I will be sure that this information gets evaluated before the next publication of Map 7. I have developed a pretty good system to insure that volunteer derived data isn't ignored come map update time.

In regards to putting information on the map that pertains to services, I have started to review that standard. What I am finding is that some information we put on the margins of the map; i.e. services, rules, etc. tend to change over time and may ultimately present erroneous information. I will take it into consideration; however, it is good information to know.

Those are great photos of the waterfalls. Do any of your photos have geotags so I can see exactly where they exist?

Thom

[D. Tundra]

Hi Thom,

 

I agree with you on putting the info about services not being a good idea.  I put a list of the hiking clubs in the DC area on my web page and in 3 years 3 clubs changed their URLs for no particular reason, not to mention the Montgomery Co. DNR.

 

Regarding the geotags for the photos, 99% of my photos over the last 3 years are geotagged - that's a few thousand of them.  So if you need a geotagged photo from some hiking place, chances are I may have it.  As far as the Harpers Ferry waterfalls, I geotagged them after I sent you the pictures, so I'm resending the 3 photos of different waterfalls geotagged now.

 

Quick question: do you know of a way to create an elevation profile from a gps trace with using DEM instead of the gps elevation data?  I need a way of doing it in a batch format so that I can process a bunch of files in a directory and output the elevation profile files. 

 

Thank you,

Dimitri

----- Original Message -----

From: Thom Kaye

[Thom Kaye]

This can be done in ArcMap using 3d analyst. You must first populate your Z vertices first with the underlying DEM then generate your elevation profile. If you need specifics, let me know.

On Mar 11, 2011 6:31 PM, "D. Tundra" <tart...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Thom,

 

I agree with you on putting the info about services not being a good idea.  I put a list of the hiking clubs in the DC area on my web page and in 3 years 3 clubs changed their URLs for no particular reason, not to mention the Montgomery Co. DNR.

 

Regarding the geotags for the photos, 99% of my photos over the last 3 years are geotagged - that's a few thousand of them.  So if you need a geotagged photo from some hiking place, chances are I may have it.  As far as the Harpers Ferry waterfalls, I geotagged them after I sent you the pictures, so I'm resending the 3 photos of different waterfalls geotagged now.

 

Quick question: do you know of a way to create an elevation profile from a gps trace with using DEM instead of the gps elevation data?  I need a way of doing it in a batch format so that I can process a bunch of files in a directory and output the elevation profile files. 

 

Thank you,

Dimitri

>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Thom Kaye
> To: patc-maps...@googlegroups.com

> Cc: ...

[D. Tundra]

Hi All,

Do you know of any maps (printed, PDF or in the GPS trace format) of the
trails near the PATC cabins. I am primarily interested in trails near the
Vining Tract (southern SNP, east of the SLD near Rt. 33), Weaver and Tulip
Tree cabins (Central SNP, west of the SLD). I understand that some land
near the cabins belongs to the SNP and some to the PATC. Speaking of which,
is it OK for anybody to hike on the PATC property at any time or are there
some restrictions?

Thank you,
Dimitri Tundra

[Jim Tomlin]

PATC distributes a rudimentary paper map to renters of cabins in the
Vining Tract, so they can find their cabin more easily among the maze
of cabins present. I don't think I have a copy of it at present. It
would be great to acquire and distribute among PATC volunteers a GPS
track of the Vining Tract trails. It is a tiny trail system. One can
probably get this map from HQ.

All of the Vining Tract cabins (except for Vining Cabin, which is on a
separate parcel lower down on the hill) are on PATC property.

Everyone is welcome to hike the tiny trail system on PATC property on
the Vining Tract at any time. One not need be a renter of one of the
cabins to do so. PATC property does also adjoin private land so
visitors are asked to respect any posted private property signs.

I also have to mention this, even if not strongly related:

PATC ***STRONGLY*** desires to keep the precise rental cabin locations
private and available only to the following groups:

1. PATC Volunteers
2. Emergency Fire & Rescue services
3. Actual Cabin Renters

PATC has had many long anguished discussions in the past where some
kind soul attempts to help us out by posting cabin GPS locations on
public websites, either as coordinates or as detailed maps, or trying
to include them in our publicly-sold Guidebooks. PATC has decided
that it doesn't want the general public to know EXACTLY where our
cabins are. The general consensus is that it invites miscreants,
vandals, and non-renters looking for a free place to easily find and
visit them. Only the above three groups should know EXACTLY where our
cabins are. We are all PATC Volunteers and so it is fine for us to
know exactly where they are, but we should be valiant in not
redistributing that information.

Thanks,
Jim Tomlin
PATC Supervisor of Communications

[D. Tundra]

Jim,

Thank you for the reply. I never looked at the PATC cabins from that
perspective. I wanted to use the cabins as the starting point for the hike
in the SNP, but if that information is not advertised, I'll just forget
about the whole idea.

Dimitri

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Tomlin" <jfto...@gmail.com>
To: "D. Tundra" <tart...@gmail.com>
Cc: <patc-maps...@googlegroups.com>

[Jim Tomlin]

It would be excellent to show the Vining Tract trail system and how it
connects (does it connect?) to the trails in SNP. I think that
knowledge is scanty at PATC and would be very beneficial. I just
would not put the precise rental cabin locations on any detailed
product that is distributed.

Jim T.