1996 CELEBRATING TENNESSEE EASTMAN HIKING & CANOEING CLUBS 50th ANNIVERSARY
JUNE 1996
THE TENNESSEE EASTMAN
HIKING & PADDLING NEWS

• Next Two Months At A Glance
• 1996 Anniversary Hike Reports
• Working on the A.T., Maintenance Update
• For The Record
• Upcoming Events

1996 ANNIVERSARY HIKE REPORT

A.T. HIKE #14, INDIAN GRAVE GAP TO NOLICHUCKY RIVER: Phyllis Cairnes reporting. On March 6, 1996 I hiked from Indian Grave Gap to Nolichucky along with my husband, Rolla Wade, dog Biscuit, and friends Rick and Doreen Heppert. Snow covered the leaves and grassy surfaces at Indian Grave Gap; however as we proceeded downhill toward Nolichucky the trail was just wet. We met eight through-hikers; several had started at Springer Mountain as early as March 1st and had encountered five major snows so far. We gave each of them homemade chocolate chip cookies, a treat they always seem to appreciate. Skies were overcast and temperatures pleasantly cool - one of those days the gloves are constantly on and off.
A.T. HIKE #15, SPIVEY GAP TO NOLICHUCKY RIVER: March 30, 1996, Phyllis Cairnes reporting. For the first time in many hikes there was no snow. This was Jim Miller's first 10 miles on the A.T.; it was part of his training to hike Mt. LeConte. We lunched at No Business Knob Shelter, sitting on the upended logs someone had placed there for that purpose. Mary Ellen read the shelter register and was surprised by the number of through hikers entries already this season. As we neared the Nolichucky River we enjoyed descending on the newly relocated section which had more switchbacks. Maintenance needs were reported to Ted Malone. Completing A.T. hike #15 were Rolla Wade, Mary Ellen Ress, Jim Miller, and Phyllis Cairnes along with Biscuit.
A.T. HIKE #5, WATAUGA DAM ROAD TO U.S.321: April 20, 1996 - Jim Mann reporting. I needed to complete maintenance on my adopted section of the trail, so I combined this work with an anniversary hike. We left home very early under threatening clouds in an attempt to beat the weatherman's predicted afternoon thunderstorms. We arrived at Watauga Dam Road and started our hike to a beautiful morning. After three hours of clipping and the removal of four blowdowns, we were able to complete this section just before the arrival of the predicted rain. Highlights of this trip were the sighting of a wild turkey and the beautiful display of wildflowers along Watauga Lake. Sharing the work and enjoying the hike were Jim and David Mann and Tony Rodriguez.
A.T. HIKE #11: CARVERS GAP TO HUGHES GAP: April 27, 1996. Bill Stowell reporting. Participants: Theona and Cris Moorehouse, Steve Falling, Derrick and Bill Stowell. This section hike was done along with Steve's maintenance trip, reported in this newsletter. At the lower altitudes towards Hughes Gap. We began seeing some wildflowers. At first just flower buds but as we came down toward Hughes Gap the purple trillium were blooming. Also there were many Yellow Trout Lilies and Dutchman's Britches.  We started at Carvers Gap at 9:30 AM, and were at Hughes Gap at 4:30.
A.T. HIKE #15, SPIVEY GAP TO NOLICHUCKY RIVER: April 27, 1996, Jim Mann reporting. The weather for this hike could not have been better - it was truly a beautiful day to be hiking. We enjoyed lunch at the No Business Knob Shelter with two through hikers from Boston. Toward the end of the hike, we paused at the crest of Cliff Ridge to admire the scenery and take pictures. Enjoying this hike were David and Jim Mann, and Alex Broyles.
A.T. HIKE #2, MCQUEENS GAP TO U.S. 421: April 28, 1996, Kent Wilson reporting. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, two slightly stuffed hikers completed the remaining 3.7 miles of AH #2. The view of South Holston Lake was outstanding, as were the closer views of countless wildflowers lining the path. The trail was heavily used, but it is in excellent shape. We only encountered one blowdown (6-8 in. diameter) between the spring at the rock wall and the old fire-tower site at McQueens Knob. Making the hike were Kent and Nancy Wilson.
A.T. SECTION HIKES, SPIVEY GAP TO CARVERS GAP: May 3 to 5, 1996, Garry Luttrell reporting. Participants Garry (Spivey Gap to Carvers Gap) and Arvell Luttrell (Spivey Gap to Nolichucky River), Emmett Dougherty and Bob Miller. We joined Emmett and Bob (who plan to hike to Damascus) to complete the section hikes from Spivey Gap to Carvers Gap. The weather was finally warm both during the day & at night; and, no rain for excellent hiking conditions. We met many thru hikers, and the shelters were full each night. Emmett and Bob restocked with supplies at Carvers Gap and I drove Emmett's Bronco back to Kingsport, after dropping a thru hiker and his Husky Puppy off in the town of Roan Mountain. The thru hikers thanked TEHCC for our trail maintenance and the great condition of the A.T.
CARVERS GAP TO U.S. 19E: Saturday May 4, 1996, Phyllis Cairnes reporting. Since it was prime time for wildflower viewing a small group of us decided to hike the 13 miles from Carver's Gap to 19E. The weather was sunny, beautiful, and warm with temperatures in the high 70s and superb visibility. The group included Rolla Wade, Phyllis Cairnes, Biscuit (of course), Mary Ellen Ress, Doreen Heppert, Alan Gamble, and Terry Paduch. We weren't disappointed in the abundance of wildflowers: anemones carpeted the woodland areas. Additionally we identified trout lilies, purple and yellow trillium, fringed phacelia, violets, ramps, wild geraniums, and squirrel corn. Lunch was enjoyed in a shaded area just short of Yellow Mountain Gap; then on to the panoramic vistas from atop Little Hump and Big Hump. We met two through-hikers during the day: Medicine Woman from Idaho and QuePasa from Vermont. Both of them were very appreciative of the homemade chocolate chip cookies we provided. The trail was in good shape except for one large blowdown 25 minutes past Doll Flats toward the summit of Hump Mountain.
A.T. HIKE #1, MCQUEENS GAP TO DAMASCUS, Saturday May 11, 1996, Cris Moorehouse reporting. Leaving Colonial Heights at 8AM were Derrick and Bill Stowell, Steve Perri, Frank Williams, David and Jim Mann, Richard Colberg, and Theona and Cris Moorehouse. We started our hike at 9:35 AM from McQueens Gap. We made good time arriving in Damascus at 2:30PM. We only walked about three miles in the storm that hit early in the afternoon. We enjoyed the many spring flowers we saw along with a Scarlet Tanager perched on a tree next to the trail. Among them were Golden Alexander, Leather leaf, Wild Oats, Wild Violets, Pink Lady Slippers, May Apples, Purple and Yellow Trillium, Wood Anemone, Star Chickweed, and Flame Azeala. After picking up our car at McQueens Gap we moved Richard Colberg's car to U.S. 421 and he hiked this short section to complete A.T. Hike #2.
COMPLETING A.T. HIKE #8, May 12, 1996. Cris Moorehouse reporting. Theona and I drove to Campbell Hollow Road to check the complaints about the blazes there. We had hiked from Bitter End to Campbell Hollow Road on a maintenance trip so we decided to walk the section from Campbell Hollow Road to U.S. 19E.  By doing this we have completed this section.
WORKING ON THE A.T., MAINTENANCE UPDATE
INDIAN GRAVE GAP TO CHESTOA BRIDGE: Report for Saturday, April 13, 1996. Purpose; Annual Maintenance. Participants: Luan Mac-Drinkard, Dee Drinkard, Jim Mann, Terry Dougherty, Tim McClain, Carl Fritz, and Ed Oliver. Seven people X 10 hours = 70 total hours. We did annual maintenance on the section of trail from Indian Grave Gap to the Nolichucky River at the Chestoa Bridge. We clipped the growth back rather severely, removed all blowdowns (only a few on this section), and painted the blazes in both directions. In addition to painting the blazes we removed almost as many blazes as we painted. We thought that there were more blazes than needed on this section. We removed one fire ring near the shelter (we left the main fire ring at the shelter). Luan carried in a broom and a shovel which she left at the shelter for hikers to use. She also installed customized food hangers at the shelter. This section is in good shape with the exception of needing some side hill rehab between Indian Grave Gap and the shelter. The signs at each end of this section were in good condition.
WORK ON JONES BRANCH BRIDGE TRAIL NORTH OF NOLICHUCKY RIVER. TRIP #1: Purchase and cut materials for Jones Branch Bridge. April 16, 1996. Bruce Cunningham and Darrol Nickels. Total person hours; 2 X 4 = 8. Bruce and Darrol purchased the lumber and nails for the bridge and cut the lumber to the required lengths.
TRIP #2: Start work on bridge across Jones Branch. Friday 19 April, 1996. Participants: Bob Bierbaum, Bruce Cunningham, Hugh Thompson, Matt Davidson, John Kiefer, Frank Williams, and Darrol Nickels. Total Person Hours: 7 X 9 = 63. This group removed most of the bark from the two locust stringers and moved the 25 foot logs into place across the creek. This was an interesting trip. It involved moving two rather large logs down a steep mountain side and positioning them in place across the creek. They used the new equipment that the Forest Service purchased for us. Hugh Thompson took a video of this interesting operation.
TRIP #3: Continue work on bridge across Jones Branch. Saturday April 20, 1996. From TEHCC: Mary and Bruce Cunningham, Kathleen Kitzmiller, Cris Moorehouse, Darrol Nickels, Frank Williams, Luan Mac-Drinkard, and Ed Oliver. From Appalachian State University: Wayne Williams and 10 students. Total Person Hours: 19 X 10 = 190. We carried in all the lumber to the new bridge. One group worked on installing the 4X4's on the two locust stringers, a second group worked on the approach trail on the trail south side of the bridge, and a third group worked on the approach trail on the trail north side of the bridge. About 80% or more of the trail work was completed. About half of the 4X4's were installed. It will require another work day to complete the bridge and the approach trails. Everyone appeared to have a good time even though we got soaked by a thunderstorm that arrived in early afternoon.
TRIP #4: Continue work on bridge across Jones Branch.
Thursday April 25, 1996. Participants: Hugh Thompson, Bruce Cunningham, Frank Williams and Darrol Nickels. Total person hours: 1 X 5 + 3 X 11 hours = 38. This group installed the remaining 4X4's on the stringers. They also installed the decking for the bridge. They had to remove some of the 4X4's that we installed last Saturday because they came up with a better way to adjust for the unevenness in the stringers. They nailed the metal plates to the uprights for the railing.
TRIP #5: Completion of Bridge Across Jones Branch: April 27, 1996, Ed Oliver reporting. Participants; Mary and Bruce Cunningham, Jeff Siirola, Joe DeLoach, Darrol Nickels, and Ed Oliver. Total person hours 6 X 10 = 60 Hours. We completed the bridge, cleared the large rocks from under the bridge, and complete the work on the approach trails on each side of the bridge. We painted new blazes, removed blazes from the old trail, and blocked the old trail. We carried what seemed like a hundred buckets of medium size rocks, small rocks, and sand to complete the approach trails. We completed this interesting project on a beautiful spring day and watched as the first hikers crossed the new bridge.
MAINTAIN ADOPTED SECTION: YELLOW MOUNTAIN GAP TO STAN MURRAY SHELTER: Wednesday April 24, 1996, Ted Mowery reporting. Total person hours 1 X 8 = 8 hours. Ted maintained this section of trail. He removed the trash from the Stan Murray Shelter. People had stuffed cans and other trash between the sleeping platform and the walls of the shelter. This shelter is in good shape. The barn had more trash than Ted could carry out. He reported that one of the pieces of roofing on the lower side of the barn is loose and needs to be nailed down. There were two small (6 inch diameter or so) blowdowns that Ted did not have time to remove. He plans to return later and remove these blowdowns.
CARVERS GAP TO HUGHES GAP; April 27, 1996. Cris Moorehouse reporting. Participants were Theona and Cris Moorehouse, Bill and Derrick Stowell, Steve Perri, Marie, Dennis, and Steve (trip leader) Falling. Eight people X 9.5 hours = 76 total hours. We cut/removed 24 blowdowns from this section of trail. Weeds had started to grow as well as the rhododendron and both were cut back. Several hikers complained to us about getting lost just before you reach the top of Roan hiking south to north. The trail was well blazed, but we blocked the side trail people had been using. This should help keep hikers on the right path.
WATAUGA DAM ROAD TO VANDERVENTER SHELTER: Report for Saturday, April 27, 1996, Garry Luttrell reporting. Participants Paul Dean, Roger Resser, Frank Williams, and Garry Luttrell. Total person hours 4 X 10 = 40 hours. It was a nice, cool, clear day for trail maintenance, and enjoying the views. We hiked in from Watauga Dam Road, then returned the same way; and we were carrying two paint sets, so we were able to paint blazes in both directions. Blowdowns were not to be found following the 3rd Saturday's work a few weeks prior, except for two large walk around blowdowns on the blue blaze trail down to the spring. On a tip from Joe, I carried a pulaski in and repaired 4 - 5 short sections of the trail that needed sidehill work. The shelter remains in good shape, and we carried three loads of trash out. We met one thru-hiker, Northgoing Zak, who mentioned not being able to follow blazes just after the dam where the A.T. goes up the ridge.
CLIFF RIDGE RELOCATION'S. Report for Sunday, May 4, 1996,Frank Williams reporting. Three people X 10 hours = 30 hours total. Participants were Bruce and Mary Cunningham and Frank Williams. We cut the path for the next relocation trail south of the Nolichucky River. They were able to cut all of the next switchback. There are at least three more switchbacks to cut out before the Konnarock Crew starts work later in May. Bruce suggested that we may want to take a good look at the area at the switchback and the point where the relocation rejoins the trail at the ridge.
BITTER END TO WHITE ROCKS FIRE TOWER: Greg Kramer reporting. The trip started at Bitter End and worked towards the fire tower. We cleared rhododendron and small blowdowns.  Painted blazes going south but fixed some going north that needed it. We left 3 blowdowns to be taken care of with next trip. One is really huge and shoulder high across the trail. The others are on the way down from the fire tower. We got a lot done considering it was only Tim Frederick and I. Total time was 8 1/2 hours.
WHITE ROCKS FIRE TOWER TO DENNIS COVE: Saturday, May 11, 1996, Greg Kramer reporting. 5 people X 7.5 = 37.5 hours. We had an inauspicious start of the maintenance trip. The rains came while waiting for people to show. We then drove to JC and picked up our last maintainer. The weather looked clearer to the south. We dropped one truck off at Dennis Cove and drove to the access road that comes into the National Forest road at White Rock Mountain near the fire tower. We started off with some training on trail maintenance. The crew was first time maintainers. We had lunch under the fire tower and the wind had picked up. By the time we reached the new trail section the change in our luck was obvious. We stopped at a rocky point for a view back toward the Doe River Gorge when the rains started. A fine trickle and we continued to clip and mark trail blazes. As we started down the mountain for Dennis Cove the rain came in buckets. We hurried down the trail to the truck awaiting us. Maintainers were Greg and Graham Kramer, Andy and Karen Richards, and Micheal Sorrell.
TRAIL AND WEED INSPECTION TRIP: Mary and Bruce Cunningham.  Trip #1, Friday May 10, 1996. 2 people X 7 = 14 total hours. Trip #2. Sunday May 12, 1996. 2 people X 8 = 16 total hours. Bruce and Mary inspected the following sections of trail for weeds (especially poison ivy): Damascus to the campsite trail south of Damascus, U.S. 421 to Berry Fields, Trail north and south of Isaacs Cemetery, near U.S. 19E, the A.T. between Laurel Fork Gorge and the end of the railroad grade going up Pond Mountain, and Shook Branch to the edge of the woods trail north of Shook Branch.  The poison ivy is much less of a problem than it was a few years ago.

FOR THE RECORD

SPRING WILDFLOWER HIKE - ALBRIGHT GROVE. Joe Deloach reporting. Saturday 20 April, 1996. Nine hikers set out under threatening skies from Kingsport to the Smokies to hike to the Albright Grove. We tried to avoid looking to the west on the ride down but were lulled into a false sense of security when the sun came out as we started our hike. A word of warning: the normal access road to the Maddron Bald Trail is washed out; you have to take the Laurel Springs Road about 1.5 miles from Cosby to find the parking area. Spring is running late this year but we did see many wildflowers - white erect trilliums, squirrel corn, Fraser's sedge, violets, and a couple of showy orchids that were bloomed. Many more grow along this trail. When we got to the Albright Grove it started getting dark and we didn't tarry long among the big trees. But big they are! The Albright Grove is a place that everyone should go see, and imagine how the Eastern forest used to look (a chestnut there once measured 11 feet in diameter!). We managed to take a few pictures before the skies opened up on us, making for a wet walk back and lunch in the cars. Participating in this wet but wonderful hike were Richard Colberg, Jerry Cunningham, Joe DeLoach, Lanny Farrar, Griff Johnson, Jan Mayo, Johna Stephens, Bill and Derrick Stowell.
SOUTH TOE RIVER: April 20, 1996, Mary Mathis reporting. Warmer weather brought a dozen or so paddlers out on April 20 for Ed Montgomery's S. Toe River trip. As it turned out, lack of H2O necessitated a change of destination over to the Toe Gorge (Toecane to Redhill). It was the first trip of the year for several of us who have a strong bias toward warmer weather and somewhat warmer waters. The Toe Gorge is a short run, maybe 3 to 4 miles, but has several nice solid class 2 rapids that make this river an enjoyable run. Aside from the usual mix of kayaks and canoes, our group included a more unusual craft called a Yahoo, paddled by Tom Loveless Jr. The Yahoo is a plastic, sit-on-top kayak employing a 2-bladed paddle (a.k.a, training paddle, per Ben Becker.) Several of us tried out the Yahoo and were suitably impressed enough to consider adding one to our personal fleets. During our first run the weather was reasonably warm and partly cloudy, becoming increasingly overcast by early afternoon. The majority of the group decided (somewhat fortuitously as it turned out) not to make a second run. The others who went for run #2 were pounded for awhile by rain, high winds and hail. But they survived and finished their run with no major problems. Jason and Chris C. also made a daring run down Mill Creek, which flows into the Toe Gorge. Paddlers for the day were Ed Montgomery (trip leader), Ben Becker, Gordon Porter, Mike Matthews, Derrick Allen, Chris Edwards, Jason Greene, Paul Savarese, Chris Clark, Tom Loveless Jr., Tom Loveless Sr. (shuttle), and Dale & Mary Mathis.

TEHCC A.T. COMMITTEE MEETING 4/24/96, Joe DeLoach reporting.  Participants: Steve Banks, Bruce Cunningham, Mary Cunningham, Joe DeLoach, Garry Luttrell, Ted Malone, Cris Moorehouse, Darrol Nickels, Ed Oliver, Steve Perri and Frank Williams. Total person hours 10 X 3 = 32 Hours. We discussed the Southern Regional Management Committee meeting in Reidsville, North Carolina, especially the panel discussion on management of the A.T. in Wilderness areas. Encroachments by the town of Damascus and some of its residents on the A.T. corridor which has a protected easement were discussed. We voted to write a letter to the USFS to ask that the parking lot at Carvers Gap, which is to be paved, be done in a way not to cause visual impact on A.T. hikers. We were updated on land acquisition for the A.T. corridor in the Shook Branch area. We also tried to prioritize upcoming projects for the Konnarock crew, as well as club projects.

UPCOMING EVENTS

APPALACHIAN TRAIL PROJECT - CLIFF RIDGE RELOCATION
Leaders: Joe DeLoach and Ed Oliver
Scheduled for May 30-June 3 and June 13-17; Rating: Satisfying. See the May newsletter for details on the project. We'll have organized work trips leaving from the parking lot between Burger King and McDonald's in Colonial Heights at 8:00 AM on the weekend days. We also are planning a cookout and a celebration for opening this relocation on Sunday, June 16 at the Chestoa Recreation Area. Please contact Joe if you're interested in the project and/or the cookout. Help for both is greatly appreciated!!
CHATTOOGA RIVER (SECTION III) - This is a very scenic section of the river with several good rapids. We will canoe about 8 miles the first day and camp (a trail leads out where we will leave a car). The second day is about 6 miles and ends with Bull's Sluice rapid (class IV). Call Rick Culbertson for details.
SECTION HIKE #2 MAKE-UP JUNE 15, 1996: Collins Chew.  This hike will provide an opportunity to make up the 3.6 mile section between McQueens Gap and Low Gap. This is relatively easy and short. I would like people to let me know if they wish to take this make-up hike. Please call trip leader if you plan to attend.
A.T. DAY HIKES, NEW ENGLAND INN-TO-INN, June 30 to July 7, 1996. Contact trip leader K. Edgar for details.
MOUNT LECONTE CREEK TRIP - July 13-14, 1996; Leader: Dewey Fuller. LeConte Lodge sits atop Mount LeConte at an elevation of over 6000 feet and is not accessible by road. There are a number of foot trails to the lodge but for he more adventuresome, it can also be reached by making ones way up one of several creeks which flow off the mountain. Ascending via a creek is more of a climb than a hike. Due to the difficulty of negotiating around water falls and crawling through thickets of rhododendron and stinging nettles, the trip often takes over 12 hours with only a brief stop for lunch. This trip is extremely difficult. However, once we reach the top (hopefully before nightfall) we will be severed a hot dinner in the rustic dining room at the lodge and have a clean, dry bed to sleep in. Breakfast is also provide. We will take one of the foot trails down on Sunday. The cost of the trip is $69.44 per person and includes lodging Saturday night with dinner and breakfast included. Contact trip leader for details.
MOUNT LECONTE: July 13-14, Leader Cris Moorehouse. We will hike up one of the many trails which go to Mount LeConte, one less demanding than the ones described above. Which trail we hike will depend on what is open. Lodging and meals are described above and the cost is the same.
1996 MULTICLUB ANNOUNCEMENT: Scheduled for August 30 to September 1, 1996. The 1996 Multi Club campout will be held this year at primitive Appletree Group Camp (USFS) near Nantahala Lake in Western North Carolina. The location features short drives to lots of good hiking on the A.T. between Wayah Gap and Stecoah Gap, as well as sections of the Bartram Trail, plus many miles of nice hiking trails in the campground itself (the Bartram Trail goes through the campground). This get-together of the Southern region maintaining clubs on Labor Day Weekend will be hosted this year by the Nantahala Hiking Club. Because of the remote location, the Nantahala Hiking Club will be providing meals from Saturday breakfast through Monday breakfast. Registration deadline is August 15th if meals are involved. For information or registration, write Kay or Jack Coriell, 704-369-6820, 358 Sanders Rd., Franklin, N.C. 28734, or call Cris Moorehouse.
Contact Cris Moorehouse to submit an article.