22 | March | 2014 | Sunklands

Daily Archives: March 22, 2014

March 22, 2014 · 11:54 pm

Frank Park 02

Another interesting hike occurred perhaps the day after Korean Channel exploration. The focus this time was Greene Knob and a stream which tumbles off the side of it. No, I’m not talking about Falmouth Creek or Con Creek this time, but the creek *between* them, another as yet unnamed feature. It’s almost entirely hemmed in by rhodododendron from its source to Jacob I. Road, a distance of 1/3 to 1/4th of a mile. But at various points the stream is still accessible if you’re willing to bend down under the rhodo for a spell. I’ll have more to say about this creek soon. An appellation is needed, obviously.

Larger rock near the stream’s source.

On the same hike I ran across this obviously man-made shelter near the top of Greene Knob, after I ascended from Jacob I. Road. Height gained: 500-600 feet. Again I have no idea why someone would make this. Did someone actually use it for a shelter for a number of nights? Of course the culprit might have been now local legend Michael Too — a good chance.

Large meadow atop Greene Knob, just above the shelter. A number of white rocks appear in the foreground.

Then on the downward side of the ridge with the shelter (Shelter Ridge, then?), comes not one but several rock ledges of some significance. The below photo shows a point where you can descend to get to both the largest ones.

Ice flow in one of the rock ledges. I’ll return soon for better pics; I deem the ledges a pretty significant find. They exist directly west of Whitehead Crossing, which lies at the base of this same mountain, or, more accurately, in the Green Stream valley between Greene Knob and neighboring Allen Knob.

Frank Park 01

These pictures were taken several weeks ago in Frank Park. The first comes from a large meadow in the lower heart of the park, probably not pictured before in this blog.

But the first really interesting Blue Mtn. hike of the season involved exploring down the Korean Channel’s Green Stream, starting where Jacob I. Road crosses it. Along the way on my hike was encountered, in order, The Land of Blue and Purple, Con Creek (mouth), and the interesting as yet unnamed location seen in the several pictures below where the channel is rather cleanly divided into two parts by this clog of rhododendron, somewhat in the style of Green Oz Creek cut in half by Dark Space (formerly: Brownie). At the beginning of the rhododendron, this Green Stream “Dark Space”, appears these pipe pieces. Reasons for them being here in the absolute middle of nowhere? Unknown. Really, I can think of no reason except they blew in from somewhere else, but they’re pretty large for that explanation. Was someone planning to build a road through here at some point? Stumped, still. Is there another land artist working these woods besides me? If so, we can pretty safely assume they’re alien in origin (see: Bill Mountain Alien Infestation related posts). Yup, that’s my best guess right now.

Upper part of the Korean Channel looking back from the position of the pipes — whence I came.

Soon the creek cascades past rocks small and not so small.

To the right, walking down, I was rather amazed to see the following solid white rock face staring back at me. Nice!

After some tricky hiking, I was able to emerge from the rhododendron into the lower, open part of the channel. A beer can on a rotting log was encountered along the way. But I didn’t make it all the way to the mouth of Green Stream, as I had done once or twice before when navigating this same hike. I decided to turn around soon after the beer can, just as I glimpse a larger rock island in the creek ahead. Unfortunately my pics of this island didn’t turn out well.

On the way back, I decided to photograph this small beachy area along Green Stream, where I easily jumped the creek. I suppose Ford Beach would be a good name.