South Mountain Conservancy e-Bulletin. December 2021

Blazes: The Art to Keeping You on Track  
by Rich Inserro
Trailkeepers Program Coordinator & SMC Board Member

When you hike in the reservation you will undoubtedly come across the colored blazes that indicate what trail you are on. But do you know what is involved in blazing a trail and maintaining it over time? Blazing is more than just marking a tree or other object. It requires careful thought and is best done by a team of two to ensure the trail is properly marked. When blazing a trail, one must consider many factors:

• Ensuring the blaze is visible and is at the right height relative to the direction of the trail and the viewpoint of the hiker when around 50 or more feet away.

• Blazing cannot necessarily be done on both sides of a tree for both directions due to differing lines of sight; that is where the second person comes in. 

• The next blaze should be visible from the prior one, or within a few steps, but avoid “overblazing” so there isn't visual clutter that takes away from the solitude of the woods.

• Finding trees or even rocks fro blazes allow a clear indication (a double, stepped blaze) just before a bend so a route is clear.

• Painting very carefully to minimize drips and paint run off. If you have ever tried painting a big oak tree with rutted bark you will understand what we mean!

• For two-tone blazes we have to return to paint the second color once the first dries (think of the Hemlock Falls Loop or the Zoo Loop).

Blazing is not a one-time exercise, and they must be maintained. Trees fall, plants grow and block the blaze, and weathering causes them to fade over time. Maintenance is an ongoing effort and we are constrained to blazing when the temperature is over 50 degrees so that the paint can properly dry.

In an effort to minimize blaze maintenance SMC did a pilot program using 3D printed plastic blazes on the Hemlock Falls Loop (see above). A local South Orange Middle School student, Jesse Busch, made prototype blazes of a white ring and red dot insert that are now on the trail. These were carefully installed using aluminum nails to prevent rusting and we expect the blazes to last much longer than had we painted them. We hope that by reducing maintenance in some areas will allow us to direct our volunteer efforts to other priority issues.

Volunteers Make a Difference!

Forest Regeneration Corps

• Removed 30,000 sq. ft of black plastic that was part of a seven-year experiment to combat the invasive Japanese knotweed and planted native plant and tree species.

• Installed several bog bridges over sensitive wet areas.

• Treated over 10,000 high priority invasive plants in and around the Wildflower Preserve

• Performed experimental treatment of Spotted Lantern Fly (SLF) in 3 locations including removing Ailanthus trees, leaving strategic trap trees, installing prototype traps, and treating trap trees with insecticide that killed an estimated 1,000 SLF.

In 2021 the Fencing Team was created as a spin off of the Forest Regeneration Team, to assist the success of the forest regeneration efforts. There are numerous plots referred to as deer exclosures where native plants are protected from over-browsing by deer which allows the native seed bank to create a new generation of forest understory. With the help of local scouts, 13 of the fences have been repaired due to fallen trees. 

Chainsaw Gang

• 206 trees were removed from SMR trails (~200 volunteer hours)

Trail Work Crew

• Constructed a new trail connecting the soon-to-be-constructed West Falls Parking overflow lot to the Rahway Trail to improve the safety of those accessing the east-bound parking area off South Orange Ave.

• Improved drainage issue just off Old Short Hills Park.

• Improvements to Fairy Trail and water control improvements on River Trail.

Trailkeepers

• Assessed washouts from Ida

• Repainted blazes

• Swale maintenance

• Re-routed Hemlock Falls route

Trash Tacklers & Plogging Contests

• SMC hosted weekend-long Plogging Contests and organized trash cleanup events with schools, clubs, scouts, and other organizations. 

• 199 Volunteer Days; 392 volunteer hours; 350+ bags of trash collected!

Citizen Science

• 8 vernal pools and ponds were monitored from March-August. Frog & toad species and abundance were tracked throughout SMR. Ongoing data can be used to assess environmental health.

• 170 volunteer hours

Guided Hikes
Our volunteer hike leaders led 50 safe and high quality hikes in SMR, through every season, and guided over 320 hikers!

Wildflower Sculpture Park

• Tricia Zimic passed the torch to Lisa Sanders as WSP Curator and Program Co-Coordinator along with Elyse Reissman.

• Lisa and her team designed a new logo

• WSP is offering Girl Scouts a new program, Sculpture Vibes, which focusses on art appreciation and making. 

Emergency Access Assessment and Improvement Plan
Our assessment efforts enable us to advocate for SMR and coordinate with the County for major repairs that are beyond our capabilities. Because of our collaboration and partnership with the County, crucial repairs were completed near Hobble Falls and along the Reservoir Trail. We thank the County and those of you who continue to send in location, photos, and descriptions of areas in need of repair.

Rahway Fairy Trail Initiative
Due to intense foot traffic along the Fairy Trail, SMC has initiated restoration efforts. Approximately 1,200 ft. of rebar and rope have been installed to protect highly compacted areas from further erosion and to promote new growth.

Ad Hoc Efforts
A huge thank you to individuals who have coordinated with SMC to remove graffiti,  keep trails from becoming overgrown, repairing foot bridges, install bird & bat boxes, and cleaning swales that improve water drainage. 

SMC Events
Thank you to all the volunteers that helped make the annual South Mountain Reservation Family Campout and the Mayapple Trail Runs a success! 

All of these efforts simply could not be possible without the support from our community. This holiday season, please consider becoming a monthly donor to SMC's general fund or become a 12-month member to preserve & protect South Mountain Reservation.

Happy holidays and best wishes for 2022!