Field Trip Report:

Meeting with the Forest Service
Ray Mica Mines, Yancey County, N.C.
August 27th, 2003

Hello all, we had a very productive meeting with Paul Bradley and David McFee of the Forest Service today. We started off at the Forest Service office in Burnsville and then proceeded to the mine. Before I get into the particulars, I would like to thank the following people: David Hillhouse, Tim Barton, Bill Wetzel, Wayne Malsch, Mark Stearn and his wife Chris. I am fortunate that I can plan my schedule around these meetings etc, most of these people had to take time from work, business, etc. in order to attend today, your support is appreciated by all in the rockhound community. The clubs represented today were the : Gaston Co. Gem and Mineral Club, Henderson County Gem and Mineral Society, Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club, M.A.G.M.A., Greenville Gem and Mineral Society, and the Colburn Museum.

We started off with Paul talking and updating everyone on the situation that led to the road closing at the site. The wording which describes what is considered mechanical digging and significant land disturbance has not been completed yet, Paul has decided to wait for the outcome of that before trying to designate the Ray Mine as a rockhound area, if the new rules are favorable to collectors (being able to use pick and shovel and dig holes to collect minerals), then there would be no reason to designate the site, but if the rules are strict eg: no digging more than a foot or so deep or no shovels and picks, then he has stated that he will proceed with the designation process for the Ray, we should know more about this in a month or so.

Paul, Mark and Chris ponder ideas for improved access to the site. We discussed several ideas to improve access the site, and came up with the following:, there would be a gate or lock post at the beginning of the road up to the mine, the road would then be improved for access by either a full size vehicle or a "gator" type vehicle, similar to the ones used at festivals such as Bele Chere, this improved road would extend to the first fork at the top of the road, from this point it is about 50 yards to the beginning of the mine dumps. This road would be accessed annually or bi-annually to shuttle people up and down to the mine by vehicle, of course this would be a great benefit to the elderly and handicapped rockhounds that wish to visit the area. The site would be available year round to all others. Mr. Bradley plans to implement a two phase plan to address this, the first phase would be the installing of the gate at the beginning of the road and making the road passable up to the designated turnaround spot at the top of the hill, the second phase will be to build a clear walking/hiking path from the fork in the road at the top of the hill to the top of the mine.

Herd of rockhounds heading for the mine! Over the next 3-4 weeks, Mr. Bradley and Mr. McFee will be assessing total costs, checking with specialists that need to be consulted etc. and the end of this time we will set another meeting to arrange a date to begin the improvements. These improvements may be paid for by the Forest Service budget, or they may ask for help from the rockhound community with financing the project, i'm sure that any clubs that visit this site on a regular basis would be more than willing to participate in a fundraiser of some kind to help out, but as Mr. Bradley stated this is a maybe, the Forest Service may be able to pay for the improvements themselves, they will be needing volunteers to help with the road work and trail building, I will be able to help out at least once or twice a week, I know it is difficult for some people to take time from work etc. but those who have the time will be welcome to help out in any way they can.

We tried to stay serious, but Tim could not help searching through one of the cuts in the road.

Tim Barton Mr. Bradley has also stated that any rockhounds visiting the site in the next couple of weeks are welcome to bring along some trimmers or saws etc. to start building the trail up to the mine, this should be done to the right of the road going up to the mine, after the fork is reached, the trail could be cut along either side of the road to the top of the hill.

David Hillhouse

Ranger David McFee

Wayne Malsch

Bill Wetzel

David almost to the top!

Overall a great meeting, of course we spent the rest of the day collecting at the mine!

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