New North Rim Trail on the Last Day of 2011

Marvelous day today.. 73F balmy; but this is going to swell the buds of new leaves before the deep cold of January and February arrives. At 10 I went to the Woods and began work on a new North Rim Trail. From near the east end of the Northern Loop, the route follows the deer trail north, ascending to the upper northwestern forest of juniper, walnut and mixed deciduous species. It then runs west along the southern edge of the upper terrace to connect with the highest eastern section of the Ravine Trail before that trail descends to the East Pond.
The route was thick with Smilax briars, juniper branches and vigorous growth of Symphoricarpos coralberry.
By 3 o'clock I was beaten bruised and scratched up; but the trail was through and flagged with dull orange. It will take weeks of additional trimming and many more traverses before it is in good shape; but it is now possible to follow the route all the way. The North Rim Trail will provide a view over the eastern Woods, particularly in the winter and access to the upper terrace with its very different habitat. The forest and shrub layer there is thicker than on the floodplain. It provides more shelter and food for wildlife. This trail is going to be a favorite for students interested in wildlife. There are several places where a motion camera would be kept busy recording the traffic of animals from their dens excavated in the earth along the south-facing upper slope and along their paths. This trail is also the one most exposed to the sound of traffic along Highway 9. It will be best at times when traffic is light.

A sad footnote to the day came early when I found the recently deceased old mangy dog that I had observed in the Woods several times in November. The carcass is decomposing near the junction of the Northern Loop and the new Northern Rim trails.

No deer today, although yesterday just past 5 PM I watched a trio of yearlings in the SW Woods.. not terribly concerned about me. The West Pond appeared to be covered in a light scum (of pollen?). It should be too early for Juniper (?) but the scum had the yellowish-golden tint of juniper pollen. The cold is coming.. strong north winds will bring in the New Year!