Below is submitted maintenance activities for the last 6 weeks. Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. Or view maintenance by section.
Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-11-13
Purpose: Konnarock Field Visit and ATC IMG
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Carl Fritz
Joe Morris
Summary: We met with Jerry Kyle at Indian Grave Gap to assess a '27 Konnarock project and met with ATC, USFS, and TEHCC at Iron Mountain Gap
Date: 2026-11-08
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation, remove 20" blowdown, check spring, and inspect trail
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: Went to orchard and checked conditions which were okay and checked spring which was flowing better than the trickle a week before. After that went to first tall knob (Pinnacle Rock Knob) from Iron Mountain Gap. Moved many branches of all sizes including several large ones off of trail from recent high winds. Moved on to just past Pinnacle Rock and cut 22" diameter dead tree with two cuts and moved log off trail. After that removed blackberry and greenbriar growing into trail. Saw 5 hikers at trail head. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-11-12
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Joe Morris, Tim Stewart, Ed Speer, Jim McGuire, Michel Denizot, Van Hovey, Carl Fritz, Bill Murdoch, Dan Firth, Tony Messina
Summary: The Thursday crew was spared rain throughout the day after arriving at Elk River and turned in another banner day on the Elk River Relocation. The crew began working the creek crossing at Sugar Hollow - extracting rock for stairs at the switchback adjacent to the creek and moving several steps in the creek. One of the stones was a monster that took three hours to move approximately 20 feet. Seong Hopkins, USFS, joined to review the progress and he helped build a rock crib. Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2026-11-10
Purpose: Install water direction signage.
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Last time at the Bradley Gaps spring I saw the water signage was missing. Installed two signs that Carl provided me. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-10-13
Purpose: Removing Limbs Littering Trail & Installing New Graffiti Board at Double Springs Shelter
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Ed Speer
Summary: On 10/13 Ed Speer hiked from TN91 to US421 and removed new limbs that littered the trail after recent high winds. On 10/31 Ed carried in and installed a new aluminum graffiti board in Double Springs Shelter. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-10-05
Purpose: Trail Rehab
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Ed Speer
Summary: On October 5th, Ed Speer cleaned and rehabbed the trail on Section 2B while hiking north 3.5 miles from McQueens Gap. Reporting: Steve Perri
Date: 2026-11-07
Purpose: Attend Southern Region Partnership Committee Meeting
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Carl Fritz, Joe Morris, Vic Hasler, Steve Wilson, Steve Perri
Summary: Carl, Joe, Vic, Steve and I attended the Fall Southern Region Partnership Committee meeting in Asheville. This meeting focused on reviewing the major tasks and updates from trail clubs, ATC, USFS, and SAWS over the course of this year. Progress has been made regarding continual cleanup and trail maintenance since Hurricane Helene. Thus far, none of the 5 southern trail clubs have reported any injuries to date from trail maintenance. ATC and the USFS received funding from the American Recovery Act also known as ARA. We spent several hours reviewing the trail assessment map ATC developed and identified projects that would involve relocations and trail rehabilitation over the next 3 years. TEHCC came up with 12 projects mostly consisting of 10 rehabs and 2 relocations; which includes the Elk River relocation currently underway. We also were provided overviews of the assessment online map and the overnight facilities and campsite inventory map to help clubs prioritize opportunities and decisions for shelters and campsites to develop in the future.
A highlight of the meeting was the recognition of Carl Fritz from the National Park Service as the Volunteer and Partner of the Year. Carl has logged over 20,000 maintenance hours and is well renowned as an expert in many trail techniques, an outstanding mentor, collaborator and leader among the region partners. Congratulations Carl! Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2026-11-07
Purpose: Inspect condition of the trial .
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Cleaned out water diversions from the southern base of Little Hump to Bradley Gap. Widened several water diversions. Hauled out a portion of tent abondoned on Little Hump. Will hike out the other portion on a later hike. Spring is running. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-11-05
Purpose: Elk River Reroute
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Joe Morris, Van Hovey, Ed Speer, Jon Heidrick, Richard Good, Jim McGuire, Michel Denizot, Dan Firth, Carl Fritz, Steve Perri, Bill Murdoch, Tony Messina
Summary: Worked three challenging sections on the Elk River Relocation. This crew always overachieves and the progress is remarkable. Alexis joined the fun from the Asheville ATC office. Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-11-02
Purpose: Recon for Hiking With Tools!
Section: 12a: Bitter End to Walnut Mountain Road
People: Tracy Harris
Jennifer Jablin
Summary: Jennifer and I went for a quick look at the location for the next Hiking With Tools! Outing. We started at Walnut Mountain Rd and hiked to the bench seat at the view of Hump Mountain. There are plenty of rhodos to lop, a few steps to repair, and one knee high blowdown around mm 406.9. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-10-30
Purpose: Inspect Roan High Knob Shelter
Section: 15a: Carvers Gap - Cloudland Hotel
People: Joe Morris
Carl Fritz
Summary: Franklin Tate from ATC and Tim Gott, a skilled log building contractor joined us to blue sky how the shelter might be restored. There were some good ideas. TEHCC will still probably be the work force. But the locust logs are still the best alternative. More planning to come. Reporting: Ken & Lotta Murray
Date: 2026-10-30
Purpose: Remove Blowdowns, trim Rhododendrons, check shelter, clean waterbars, paint graffitti board
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Ken Murray
Lotta Murray
Summary: General Trail and shelter maintenance.
We did identify a hazard tree over the camping area near the shelter Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-29
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Joe Morris, Robert L. Jones, Ed Speer, Jon Heidrick, Dan Firth, Van Hovey, Jim McGuire, Carl Fritz, Tim Stewart, Michel Denizot
Summary: At the risk of sounding like a broken record - the Thursday Crew continues to make great progress on the relocation at Elk River. Challenges remain but the entire section could be finished before the calendar flips to December. Carl removed several large hazard trees, significant bench was created, and more rock crib built. Michael, Aerin, and Nate from SAWS joined and helped tremendously. Reporting: Steve Perri
Date: 2026-10-28
Purpose: Clean water bars and remove 2 locust stumps
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Ed Speer and Steve Perri
Summary: Ed and I hiked in from McQueens Gap after working on Section 2 in the morning. We cleaned the water bars going up to McQueens Knob. We also repositioned one removed by someone or something just south of McQueens Knob. We found several dead branches and a couple of small trees we were able to cut out with our hand saws. We then proceeded about a half mile where 2 locusts were cut 2 feet off the ground many years ago that were literally just along the tread way. We attempted to cut the roots but this seemed to not be very effective. Ed brought a metal wedge and we found that we could split the stumps from the top into about 8 places and the wood above the ground was broken away below ground level leaving the roots behind. The first stump took an hour with digging and chopping and the second took 20 minutes. Fortunately, the stumps were cut many years ago and could have been harder to remove if the were freshly cut. Reporting: Steve Perri
Date: 2026-10-28
Purpose: Fix and reset water bars
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Ed Speers and Steve Perri
Summary: Ed and I replaced 3 water bars just north of McQueens Gap that were reported to be removed. We dug the trenches deeper to allow the log to not be as high and we adjusted the angle of the water bars more like 45 degrees. We also cleaned the other water bars between the Gap and Abingdon Gap shelter. We cleaned the leaves out of the front gutter and measured the area for the graffiti board. We saw 3 south bound hikers at the shelter. This weeds on this section were cut 5 times this year since the canopy is more open. We also removed several broken branches that the last wind storm brought down. After this work, we went on to do work on section 3 reported separately. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-27
Purpose: Removed blowdown
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Removed a blow down reported by a hiker Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-27
Purpose: Remove blowdowns
Section: 19a: Indian Grave Gap - Curley Maple Gap Shelter
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Removed 4 blowdowns as reported to me by a hiker.
Photos can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C9ADwQ6NJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-10-27
Purpose: Clean up blowdown
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Resolved 2 blowdown issues. Each within 50 yrds either side of Toll House gap.
All brush removed Reporting: Vic Hasler
Date: 2026-10-27
Purpose: Fall AT Partnership
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Carl Fritz, Steve Perri, Tim Stewart, Joe Morris, Vic Hasler
Summary: Primary discussion points and learning from the Fall AT Partnership were scoping desired condition for ongoing trail stability to address drainage, root balls, and storm debris still close to the trail. The 15-foot USFS categorical-exclusion guidance is for ground disturbance, so tree tangles can be cut starting further away. The ongoing planning need is to define relocations and potential timing out to 2030. The paperwork can leverage available project planning resources. Next session will be the Fall RPC meeting on November 7th. Spring AT Partnership was set for Tuesday March 9th at the Watauga RD office. Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-10-26
Purpose: Trail Maintenance
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Ken Costello, Eddie Speer, and Scott Huskey
Summary: We spread gravel from the entrance gate to a point just past the apple trees — about 1,400 feet of trail. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-10-26
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Joe Morris
Summary: Tom Sahlin reported a white oak 1 3/4 miles north of Iron Mountain Gap. Randy and Steve had shuttled us to Greasy Creek and I walked south through the section. Removed a few small things but got to the oak and it was more than I originally anticipated. I cut the downhill cut with a Katana - when Randy and Steve finished north of Greasy Creek they came in with a 20" chainsaw and finished off the job. Section is clear - exception is a substantial step over near Pinnacle Rocks. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-10-26
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Randy Allen
Steve Domagala
Summary: Randy, Steve and Joe met at Iron Mountain Gap and shuttled to Greasy Creek Gap. Randy and Steve went north 8/10ths and removed a large blowdown that had been referenced in multiple reports. After they finished with that particular tree they shuttled near the orchard where Joe had walked south removing obstacles with a new Katana 650. Jury still out on the 650 - beautiful day Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2026-10-23
Purpose: Inspect condition of the trial.
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Had a report that NC Fish & Wildlife had a brush hog up on Yellow Mountain Gap with some impacts to AT. Fixed some slight damage to a couple of water diversions (see attached photo). They did mow the camping area meadow as they traveled down to the meadows below the camping area.
Installed new water signs to make it clear how to get to the Spring since the old Spring on the way down is dry (see attached photos). Also, cleaned out water diversions.
Privy at camping area in good shape. The broken USFS lock was replaced. Reporting: Craig Haire
Date: 2026-10-24
Purpose: treadway rehab
Section: 20b: Temple Hill Gap to No Business Knob Shelter
People: Craig Haire
Summary: (Please remove my name and hours from the submission of Tracy Harris, as my work was separate.)
A very large tree across the trail at the north end of Temple Ridge is slowly settling, requiring hikers to duck under. I dug out and leveled the tread under the tree to increase the distance between tree and trail surface. I also installed a water diversion at this point.
I cleaned out two other water diversions and cut back some branches extending into the trail.
The weather was pleasant and I ran into several other hikers as well the maintainers with Hiking with Tools, who were kind enough to clear back the rhodos encroaching on the trail. Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-10-24
Purpose: Hiking With Tools!
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Ruger Beesley
Jennifer Jablin
Tamara Larson
Craig Haire
Marcia Pruner
Renee Messina
Caron Dewey
Summary: Perfect weather on this beautiful section of trail. 9 volunteers came out to lop rhodos and remove a few overhanging limbs. There was a lot of piratebush, which is gorgeous and unique to this area. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-10-23
Purpose: Inspect AT
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: Joe Morris
Carl Fritz
Summary: Primary task was to look at the potential to extend the planned trail reconstruction another 0.2 miles through Engine Gap. ATC representatives included Franklin, Gerald, and Alexis. Pisgah representatives were Silas and Luke. We agreed to initiate NEPA compliance. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-22
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Ed Speer, Randy Allen, Richard Good, Michel Denizot, Jim McGuire, Dan Firth, Steve Perri, Carl Fritz, Van Hovey, Bob Peoples, Joe Morris, Bill Murdoch
Summary: Franklin, Jerry and Alexis of ATC and Michael, Aerin and Jill of SAWS joined the usual suspects of the Thursday Crew on the Elk River Relocation and dug a massive amount of tread. Plus, the staircase at the outcrop was completed. First time patches were distributed to Jill and Alexis. Post work we had a maintainers Christmas, as Franklin brought two maxed out FS 131's and some Katana saws. Really encouraging six weeks of work on the river. Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-10-21
Purpose: General. Maintenance
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Walk through after last weeks storm. 4 items cut and cleared off trail. Gruff cleared off steps. Water diversions cleared. All sobo blazes fresh coat off paint.
All sawing was done with handsaw
Lots of small limbs & branches cleared Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-10-20
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance - Remove Blowdown and Several Overhead Trees Across The Trail
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Removed large blowdown >14" at MM 429.4, removed two trees, 8" and 10' respectiverly, overhanging treadway at MM 430.2 and one 10" tree at MM 430.3. Cut back any encroaching vegetation along the way. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-10-20
Purpose: Signs and harvest locust stakes
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Joe Morris
Summary: Put up signs from Beauty Spot Gap to Indian Grave Gap advising hikers to stay on trail. Helene Recovery Hazardous fuels removal is scheduled to begin soon. While there I loaded some pre cut locust and hand sawed additional locust to use at the Elk River Relocation Reporting: Phyllis Cairnes
Date: 2026-10-19
Purpose: shelter maintenance
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Phyllis Cairnes
Lori Krause
Summary: Performed routine shelter maintenance duties. I had not taken paint since I was told the wooden graffiti board had been replaced by an aluminum one, but there was no board at all! I will need to take paint on the next go-round to cover up areas of graffiti now on two walls (not large areas). SAWS equipment was on the picnic table and later two of their workers came by. They had been working on the Holston Mountain Trail and said it would re-open in a couple of weeks. It was a glorious day to be on the trail! Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-15
Purpose: Cut back severe encroachment of Rodies
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Used lopping shears to cut back the Rhododendrum that has severely encroached on the trail. Did 100’. Started where I left off before. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-15
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Carl Fritz, John Giesen, Bill Murdoch, Dan Firth, Mike Johnson, Greg Kramer, Michel Denizot, Joe Morris, Ed Speer. Jon Heidrick, Van Hovey
Summary: The Thursday crew continued with the Elk River Relocation. A big day with rocks including a solution for the challenging ledge mid-section. Great progress and a beautiful day. Mike Johnson joined from Asheville and received the club patch for his first outing. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-13
Purpose: Clearing brush and obstacles along the trail corridor
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Cleared remaining debris from near the trail to avoid it catching the line trimmer, now and particularly next year to make it easier, hopefully. Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-10-13
Purpose: Clear reported blowdowns
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey
Joe Morris
Carrie Hovey
Peggy Cantrell
Summary: Primary objective was to clear blowdowns just SoBo of Curley Maple Shelter that were reported a couple of weeks ago. Made our way to the shelter via the Martins Creek access trail. Shelter was/is in very good condition. Water source is producing but barely "running".
Proceeded southbound to clear reported blowdowns. Carrie and Peggy cut back some encroaching rhodos and swamped cut materials.
Continued down trail and encountered several more blowdowns that were not reported and cut back additional encroaching vegetation.
Met a couple of NoBo hikers and it was a nice day to be out.
All in all , trail is clear and in good condition. Reporting: Gerald Scott
Date: 2026-10-13
Purpose: Removal of Summer Vegetation
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Gerald Scott
Eric Scott
Summary: Did weed eating from Walnut Mt. Road to Mountaineer Falls Shetler. Vegetation growth wasn't nearly as bad as it was in July when the last weed eating was done. Vegetation growth was mostly briars and seedlings. Remove a couple of small blowdowns (6-8" diameter). There was no damage from the remanences of Hurricane Isaias. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-10-08
Purpose: Inspect trail, cut back encroaching vegetation, check spring, & pick up trash.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap to Apple Orchard, I checked for blowdowns, cut back encroaching vegetation, mowed tent sites in the orchard and around fire ring. I checked spring which was running at a trickle which was the lowest I've seen it in several years. Found no blowdowns. Removed blackberry vines and stinging nettles that I missed on the last trip. Saw no hikers. It appears no one has used the orchard in the last week with no grass compacted. Picked up trash left at the trail head. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-10-11
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance - Follow up reconnaissance after Hurricane Isaias
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Performed routine trail maintenance following windstorm from Hurricane Isaias including clearing limbs and branches (too numerous to count) and removing >12" blowdowns at MM 432.7 and MM 432.5. Cut back encroaching vegetation. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-09
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Dr Craig Haire
Steve Domagala
Summary: We started at the KISS on John Gooden Rd and worked sobo with the line trimmers cutting back the vegetation that had grown back since the last cutting approximately 2 months ago. Used lopping shears to cut the larger pieces of wood cut offs to keep them from grabbing the line next year. Still more of that to do. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-08
Purpose: Elk River Trail Relocation
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Joe Morris, Ed Speer, Jon Heidrick, Richard Good, Dan Firth, Jim McGuire, Steve Perri, Van Hovey, Aaron Raulerson, Dean Baird, Greg Kramer, Michel Denizot, Taylor Huddleston
Summary: The Thursday Crew continued the Elk River Relocation working primarily in the rock fall and rhododendron segment. Jim and Greg were able to rehab the root ball near Jones Falls. Taylor Huddleston completed her first TEHCC outing and received the club patch. Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-10-08
Purpose: Recon for HWT!
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Summary: Rebecka and I headed trail south from Uncle Johnny’s Hostel for about 1.5 miles. The purpose was to check out the area and make sure it would be appropriate for our next HWT! outing. Turns out it will be perfect. Beautiful section of trail with some light maintenance task opportunities - lopping rhodos, clearing steps, and painting blazes. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-07
Purpose: Cut back brush and widen the trail corridor
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Cut back brush and removed some of the cutoffs that grab the line trimmer line when weed wacking. Trying to make it easier for next year when the brush and briers comes back in aggressively. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-07
Purpose: Weed, brush cutting.
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Weed wacked grass, weeds @ vegetation back away from the trail corridor .2 from TN 107. Bad in a couple places but overall, just a good preventative to keep taller growth from falling over the trail at first frost. It also allows us to see remaining limbs and wood cutoff that should be removed to make weed wacking easier next year when the growth comes back. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-06
Purpose: Blowdown removal and weed eating
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Joe Morris
Van Hovey
Randy Allen
Steve Domagala
Summary: We split into teams and weed eated from 412.0 to 415.6 including removing three blowdowns. This section needs extensive brushing but is reasonably clear until spring. Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2026-10-06
Purpose: clearing trail
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: Weed wicked from Issac Cemetery southbound over Buck Mountain , across Ridgeline and down to old Jeep road. Approximately 1 mile.