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TEHCC End of 2024 Update for Appalachian Trail/Hurricane Helene Recovery

Updates from late November post below.

  • A.T. designated within North Carolina (Doll Flats south to just north of Iron Mtn Gap) remains CLOSED.  Do not enter this stretch of trail.
  • As of December 23rd, the Appalachian Trail is now clear and open from Iron Mtn Shelter to TN/VA border (444.8 mi NOBO to 467.3 mi per 2024 AT Data Book). 
  • However, trees will continue fall over the next year.  Please watch out for hazard trees at bridges, shelters, campsites, and water sources; reporting any to the club and/or forest service to give priority for removal.
  • Along the Elk River from Jones Branch (~399.2 mi NOBO) to Sugar Hollow (400.9 mi) is still severely damaged through erosion.
  • Caution: Iron Mtn Gap to Unaka Mtn is really is impassible in any reasonable time.
  • Repair of shelters at Moreland Gap (may remove damaged roofing) and Cherry Gap will likely not be pursued during 2025.
  • Planned workdays during the winter will drop Tuesdays to continue on Thursdays plus 2nd and 4th Saturdays, with adjustments for weather announced at the start of each week.
  • USFS fire fighters did not get to work in December as they had to perform their primary role (fight fires) elsewhere.
  • Three weeks of Konnarock Crew is being scheduled for March-April, with option for another three weeks at the end of the work season in July-August

As of December 31, 2024, our club maintenance reports indicated that 57.3 miles or 43% of our 134 designated miles have been cleared. Volunteers contributed 4,054 hours across 87 outings, including 554 hours by chainsaw sawyers.

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Hurricane Helene Recovery for the Appalachian Trail

Current Status:

All sections of the Appalachian Trail within the Pisgah National Forest (North Carolina) officially remain closed, specifically TEHCC Maintenance Sections 14a-16b from Doll Flats to just north of Iron Mountain Gap.

While the A.T. is shown as “Open” for Cherokee National Forest (Tennessee), it does not mean it is safe and/or cleared for passage.  Some sections yet to be reached are reported to take four to five hours just to travel two to three miles.

Moreland Gap Shelter is closed due to roof damage.  Cherry Gap Shelter is smashed down to the sleeping platform.

Progress as of mid-November:

Club trip reports indicated that over 2,000 volunteer hours have been invested in 48 events to clear a basic path through 33 miles of the A.T.  Sections that have been touched include:  2.3 miles north of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueens Gap, US421 to Iron Mtn Shelter, Wilbur Dam Road to 2.75 miles north, Bitter End to Elk River, Curley Maple Gap Shelter to the former Chestoa Pike bridge, Nolichucky River to Cliff Ridge, and just south of No Business Knob Shelter to Devils Creek Gap.  Note that these are not continuous and with the difficult tangles left for professionals to resolve.

Near-term efforts:

Weather permitting (especially with winter approaching), crews of 4-10 members with multiple sawyers and swampers are being dispatched on Tuesdays, Thursdays, plus 2nd and 4th Saturdays to not wear out the volunteers.  Sawyers must have current first aid training and certification by the US Forest Service.  Typically 35-50 blowdowns are cut per day per crew with some filling in of holes caused by root balls torn out of the ground.  Specific plans are not made until the week (or maybe two) prior.  Volunteers are added to a distribution list, then reply when available (no need for regrets) to allow for right group size and equipment.  Inquiries have been received, including OH and VT.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is hiring a four-person professional saw crew (USFS fire fighters) for first two weeks of December to clean up some of the challenging damage. 

Ongoing plans:

Four weeks of Konnarock Crew to be scheduled for 2025. 

Volunteers from other A.T. clubs could be organized into crews, especially sawyers. 

It is currently uncertain, especially with winter weather, if the entire A.T. path along NC/TN border will be opened when 2025 NOBO hikers begin to pass through the region, thus may recommend a partial “skip and return” hike.

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Hurricane Helene Update (as of 10/22/2024)

All sections of the Appalachian Trail within the Pisgah National Forest (North Carolina) remain closed, specifically TEHCC Maintenance Sections 14a-16b from Doll Flats to just north of Iron Mountain Gap. North Carolina Dept. of Transportation asks the public to limit travel in Western North Carolina to essential traffic only.

Over the past three weeks, Cherokee National Forest staff, along with out-of-state crews, have been assessing the storm’s impact. On October 15, access to significant portions of the Appalachian Trail within the Cherokee National Forest was restored, though the area between US19E and US321 remains closed, specifically TEHCC Maintenance Sections 9a-12d from Shook Branch to east of Roan Mountain. The USFS warns that “portions of the Appalachian Trail remain closed or inaccessible with hundreds of trees per mile blocking the route”.

A few volunteer groups are now being organized by the club for work in Tennessee to obtain more details about access routes, trailheads, bridges, shelters, and tread damage – and perform minor maintenance activities with hand tools only. No individual should enter the forest alone.

As the situation on the ground evolves, more updates will be provided for the Appalachian Trail recovery efforts.

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Roan High Knob shelter closed for repairs to be made in 2025

The Roan High Knob shelter is shifting on its foundation due to several rotting logs, thus is closed for safety reasons until extensive repairs can be made in 2025 which could take through October.  The USFS closure notice also includes a 60-foot buffer for no camping around the shelter.  Please stay away from the shelter which has its door bolted shut and first floor removed.

Camping is available at Ash Gap.

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Laurel Fork Shelter damaged by fire

Today (8/15/2024), Cherokee National Forest personnel reported that this shelter was damaged by fire, thus closed to use. The site does not really have good campsites, so please bypass on your journey. Once an incident investigation is completed, the plans for its future will be discussed.

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Overmountain Shelter retired

Built in 1975 as barn for the private farm on the North Carolina side of Yellow Mountain Gap, the property was acquired by the US Forest Service in 1979. TEHCC converted the barn in 1986 to be the largest shelter on the Appalachian Trail with great view down into Roaring Creek Valley. Unfortunately, in 2016, the downhill side of the barn was observed to be almost two feet out of plumb. The cause was suspected due to frost heave of the support posts. In May 2019 a primary support beam for the upper floor failed. Stabilization of the building was explored but deemed unworkable, so a temporary closure notice was issued in September 2019 to allow for a NEPA review of options. In November 2023, the published decision notice selected dismantling the structure which has been completed.

The Yellow Mountain Gap campsite with its good water source and pit privy remains available to enjoy the great view. The improvement in backpacking gear over the decades now allows those on long-distance treks to have greater personal responsibility for their overnight accommodations. Leave No Trace principles are best practices for minimizing impact on the land.

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TEHCC and Roan Highlands in local news

Local writer John Thompson (jthompson@sixriversmedia.com) has created a short series of well-written articles about the Appalachian Trail, including TEHCC’s roles as a designed trail-maintaining club. The first, published October 31st (link to Johnson City Press), outlines the basic history of the A.T. and the routing of the trail through the region, particularly across the Roan Mountain. The second, appearing November 6th (link to Johnson City Press), continues with the challenges of maintaining the A.T. in the Roan Highlands. Carl Fritz cited three main reasons: the traffic on the trail, the climate and the soil. The third installment, shared on November 14th (link to Johnson City Press), finished with Carl reviewing his favorite parts of the A.T. in this region.

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Alert – Storm Damage – North side of White Rocks

Report received that the Monday (8/14) storms devastated the north side of White Rocks with huge tree tangles and root balls for about three miles somewhere between from Moreland Gap Shelter to Dennis Cove Road (AT MM 414-420). TEHCC sent eight to ten sawyers Thursday (8/17) to clear a path. No immediate trail rehab needed although there are some root ball holes. Expectation is that the trail will need to be rebuilt over the long term due to the damage.

September update:  All storm damage has been cleared by club volunteers and US Forest Service.  Trail repairs were quickly made as less than expected.  Many thanks to the all involved with the rapid response… until the next squall passes through the area.