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From the Chair – June

Ian Powell, Steering Committee Chair

The Thru-Hiking Season is definitely in full swing.  With Trail Days the second week of May, I am sure if you have been anywhere near the A.T. in our area, you have seen thru-hikers all around.  Keep in mind what these individuals are undertaking and please do what you can to help them out.  The Friday before Trail Days I got a call on my office phone from a couple of thru-hikers that had found my name on the website.  They had gotten into Johnson City to resupply and rest and didn’t have a way back to the trail.  Though it was definitely busy at work and an unscheduled trip to Johnson City was the furthest thing from my mind, I conceded to give them a ride after I got off work.  I picked them up at their hotel and after a quick trip to Mahoney’s, we were on the way to Erwin to drop them trailside.  The drive to Erwin was filled with great conversation and the diversion from the daily grind was ultimately rewarding and welcome.  So if you get a chance to help out a thru-hiker, count yourself lucky and enjoy the departure from your daily tasks and remember, the south-bounders will be here before long.

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2011 Spring Storms

As everybody who lives in this area is aware, we’ve been pummeled with storms over the last couple of months. This of course has caused its share of blowdowns on the trail. We’ve had hikers reporting blowdowns throughout various parts of the trail. Combined with it being around the same time our crew of regular maintainers planning and executing our big maintenance projects of HardCore and Konnarock Crew and gearing up for the biennial AT conference, it’s been a rough spring. If you are aware of any, we always appreciate a warning. Send messages to atmaint@tehcc.org or use our contact form.

Pond Mountain should now be clear. We’ve got some unconfirmed reports of blowdowns between Moreland Gap and Mountaineer Falls Shelter. Here’s some pictures of clearing out some blowdowns near Temple Hill Gap.

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The Week Ahead – June 1st

Holy Cow! Summer is here. Did you miss out on HardCore? Want to give back to the community this weekend? Well then we have lots of chances for you.

  • Konnarock Crew is working a trail relocation on Roan Mountain
  • Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts will be hosting the Nolichucky River Cleanup

As always the Schedule has the details. Plus Saturday is National Trails Day so get out, give back, and have fun this weekend!

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Nolichucky River Cleanup and Celebration, June 4

Contact: Debbie Briscoe

Participants will be assigned to Clean Teams, provided maps of clean-up locations, and given trash bags and gloves.

There are plenty of clean-up opportunities of key areas for non-boaters as well as areas designated for individuals with their own boats or rafts.

FREE FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!  For cleanup participants, after the clean-up, Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Q and the all the fixings will be served-up by the APEs in the Pavilion while you enjoy one of the area’s finest bands.

Bring a lawn chair, kick back with a cold tasty beverage, and know that you did something good for the river we all enjoy so much!

WIN PRIZES FROM OUR SPONSORS!!!!  During the entertainment we will be drawing tickets for fantastic prizes.

Helpful information:  Showers and restrooms are on the premises.  Be prepared with appropriate footwear, sunscreen, bug repellant, etc.  Rafts, pickup trucks, and trailers will be helpful and appreciated.  Consider bringing a packed lunch, boating equipment, rain gear, chairs, family, and friends.

For Camping Info:  Bruce and Nancy Gantenbein, 423-753-5359, http://www.riverparkcampground.net/

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GSMNP S.W.E.A.T. Crew Needs Volunteers

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has just put out a press release looking for volunteers to help out with their trail maintenance efforts in the Smokies. It sounds a lot like their version of Damascus Hard Core, so if you’re looking for more, or missed out on this year, here’s chance to do more AT maintenance. SWEAT Crew ATC Press Release has all of the details.

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The Week Ahead – May 23rd

Yet another week and we have you covered on all fronts. Hiking, flat water paddling, rapids paddling, and backpacking trips abound! Have a great Memorial Weekend.

  • 4 days of backpacking in the Smokies
  • Annual Bluestone River trip (camp and CL I-III paddling)
  • Flat water day trip exploring the Holston River
  • Buffalo Mountain Park Day

As usual check our schedule for the details.

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Explore the Holston River (flat-water series), May 28

Leader:  Deb Reynolds

I am scheduling several Saturday events this summer to explore the local Holston River including the North and South Fork.  Most of these events will require a car shuttle, so advance notice is required for planning purposes.  The trip length will vary, but will normally be between 2 and 4 hours.  A lunch or snack will be desired.  Fishing and bird watching are options as we will not be racing to see how quick we can get to the end.  Bring a friend, a pole or camera, and an attitude for exploring.  PFDs are required.  Future dates are June 18, July 16 and August 6.  Contact Deb Reynolds, dlreynolds@eastman.com.

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Buffalo Mountain Park Day, May 28

Contact: Brad Jones, 423-283-5821

Friends of Nature and the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department present a “Unique day of hiking” with local guest naturalists.  Spring is a great time of year to enjoy nature at its finest.  Come out and learn about the biology and natural history of [[Buffalo Mountain Park]] and take some great day hikes.  The event features some great leaders.  Wildflowers with Tim McDowell, Salamanders with Kevin Hamed, James Brooks with Birds, Jeremy Stout and Bob Whittemore with Geology, Kathy Landy with Aquatic Insects, and Brad Jones with Butterflies.  The event starts with Birds at 7 am and ends at 5 pm with Butterflies.   For more information, call Johnson City Parks and Recreation Park Naturalist at Winged Deer Park, 423-283-5821.

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SM900 – Lost Cove and Lakeshore Trails – May 27-30

Contact:  Kent and Nancy Wilson

We plan to backpack the AT from Fontana Dam to the Lost Cove Trail and then the Lakeshore Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park about 40 miles.  We plan to leave Kingsport around 11 am on Friday, May 27.  Friday night will be spent at campsite 90.  Saturday we will most likely stay at campsite 77.  On Sunday night we will plan to stay at either campsite 74 or 75.  On Monday we will finish the Lakeshore Trail at the “Road to Nowhere.”  If you are interested in this backpack trip, please contact Kent Wilson at akwilson@eastman.com.