What is this?

[Ridgewalker]

Hi
This weekend I was on the Airline trail to Madison. When I came down there was a long wire across two trees and it went into the woods. Does anyone have an idea what this might be? Sorry I don't have any pictures to show everyone.

 

[alpinista]

Ridgewalker -- where along AirLine was this? If it's the same area I'm thinking of, it looked as though there was some tree clearing going on off the trail. I actually forgot to inquire about it (I've adopted the upper portion of AirLine) so thanks for jiggling my memory.

 

[David Metsky]

Most likely the maple sugar lines. The land owner runs them up there every year and has been leaving some of the main lines up year round. They are plastic tubes.

-dave-

 

[alpinista]

David: Excuse my naivete but are there private landowners in that part of the Whites?

 

[David Metsky]

David: Excuse my naivete but are there private landowners in that part of the Whites?

Yup, whole sections of several trails between Rt 2 and high up go through private inholdings. This is why it is important to keep relations between the USFS and landowners on civil terms. I'll check my maps at home.

-dave-

 

[MichaelJ]

I remember seeing these large areas of sap tubing, as well as the big tank where they all lead. Quite fascinating to look at; they reminded me of clotheslines strung through the woods.