Posts

Posted on

Road from Carver’s Gap up to Cloudland/ Rhododendron Gardens REOPENED

Sometimes things happen faster than expected. Reports are in that this road has been repaired and the gate is open. Please remember to bring your $3 day use fee to drop into metal tube at parking area entrance.

Rhododendron is shared to be in very early bloom.

Original post: US Forest Service announced that the paved road from Carver’s Gap up to the Cloudland parking lot and Rhododendron Gardens and Roan High Knob overlook is temporarily closed to the public due to having a big hole. The access gate will be locked, although walking or cycling up the road is allowed. USFS does not expect the road will be repaired in time for the big Rhododendron Festival later in June so please adjust your plans.

Posted on

Current impact of COVID-19 on TEHCC and regional activities

Aligning with guidance from our partner organizations and employer regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the following is our evolving information.  With increasing levels of vaccination (get yours!), the risk of contracting COVID-19 is diminishing in our region. Otherwise, please recognize the hazards of the outdoors which existing before the pandemic.

TEHCC Hiking Program

  • Our club newsletter announces the weekend hikes as they are planned and posted.
  • Important: The club asks that you do not come to any hike or event if you are showing any signs of illness, have had contact with anyone with COVID-19, or have any concerns with your own risk factors. We are NOT organizing carpooling, but meeting at the trailheads – while the Steering Committee considers the guidance being received.

TEHCC Dinner

  • Steering Committee has decided to hopefully celebrate our club’s 75th Anniversary with a Fall Dinner. Details will be shared later in the newsletters.

Appalachian Trail

  • 5/12: Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) now states long-distance hiking on the A.T. to be an acceptable activity, especially for those who have been vaccinated.
  • 4/21: Shelters along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia are now available for use. Hikers are encouraged to bring their own personal tent and face coverings. Earlier in the pandemic these shelters were shut down, along with trailheads.
  • Overmountain Shelter remains closed due to structural damage, but adjacent camping area and privy are open.
  • Roan Naturalist, Joshua Lyon, can now be encountered in the field – typically around Carvers Gap, but also between Doll Flats to Hughes Gap.
  • Pisgah (NC) and Cherokee (TN) National Forests are now allowing volunteers with restrictions to complete maintenance and repair.  TEHCC has interpreted these conditions include limiting crew size, only travel with immediate family, wash hands or use sanitizer frequently especially before eating, and maintaining 6′ social distancing in the field.  
  • Regular Thursday maintenance crew is operating but with just 8-10 crew members arranged by the A.T. Projects Coordinators (Kramer and Morris).
  • Hiking with Tools! has restarted on second Saturdays. See the club newsletter for details.
  • Overall, the A.T. section managed by TEHCC is clear and open. The 2020 calendar year saw our regular maintenance hours only down 6% as basic tasks were performed by a core group of 131 volunteers. Many, many thanks for keeping the simple footpath open.

Other Trails

  • Present understanding is that day hikers are allowed on area trails but keeping group size to a minimum with less carpooling. 
    • Bays Mountain Park (Kingsport) is open along with Nature Center and programming.   A Third Saturday trail maintenance group (“The Gorillas”) has formed if you are interested in volunteering.
    • Trails in Cherokee National Forest are open for use.
    • East Tennessee Trails Association is now maintaining many CNF trails in the region.
    • Trails in TN state parks are open for use.
    • Virginia State Parks opened for day-use activities, including trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use. Campgrounds, restrooms, and picnic shelters are open. Face coverings are required in all park facilities. Bring cash for entrance fees which are being collected.

Rental Equipment

  • Eastman Recreation says club rental backpacking and camping equipment may be checked out from Building 310. Their open hours are 7:30am to 4pm weekdays. Good use has been reported, thus recommend making reservations at (423) 229-3771.

Area Events

  • Sunday Afternoons: Johnson City Roll Practice at Freedom Hall Pool is back! New time is 1-3PM Sundays for $2. Must exit building with all gear by 3PM.
  • River launch sites are open in the region. 
Posted on

AT: Carvers Gap to Roan High Knob, Saturday, May 1, 2021

Hike started just after 10am. Even in the first weekend in May, the parking lot at Carvers Gap is starting to fill up. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning/afternoon weather-wise. So perfect that I do not think a single hiker broke a sweat. The hike trekked through the fir forest along the AT for 2 miles, past the Roan High Knob AT shelter and the site/remains of the Cloudland hotel. About 1 mile in, there was a recently downed tree across the trail that involved some climbing over. We passed several section or thru hikers on the trail. After 2 miles on the AT, we continued on the Cloudland Trail for another mile to enjoy the Roan High Knob Bluff overlook all to ourselves for a great rest break and lunch. There was a neat splintered tree from a very recent lightening strike on the Cloudland Trail section. Then we hiked back the way we came, for a round-trip mileage of approx. 6.9 miles (~4.5 total miles on the AT). Gary Bond attended (a new member and previous thru hiker) and was a great companion for the trip with myself and my wife, Jackie.

Posted on

3/27 Watauga Dam AT Hike

We were able to log another 7.6 miles on the Appalachian trail last Saturday. Unfortunately we were caught in the rain just as we were crossing the dam on our return trip. Good times and lively conversation were had by all, and nobody died. Attendees, Jonathan Shumaker, Teni Butler, Alex Lyttle, Rachel Stammen.

Posted on

2nd Saturday, Hiking with Tools!

Hiking with Tools! It has been a long, cold winter. Recently there has been an increased interest to volunteer and ‘give back to the trail’. And there is no time like the present. The first adventure of the year will be on Saturday, March 13th. No experience necessary so come join us for a short hike and some light trail maintenance! For more info, including time and location, contact Tim Stewart at saturdaymaint@tehcc.org.

Posted on

Bear Activity at Iron Mountain Shelter – July 2020

A hiker who stayed at the shelter on July 6th said a large black bear came
four times during the night. A temporary sign has been posted to say to not camp at Iron Mountain Shelter. This encounter has been reported to ATC.

Please take necessary precautions to limit risk of encountering a bear,  Hikers should camp 200 feet away from where their food and “smellables” are stored for their own safety. For most adults, 200 feet is about 80 steps.  Bear canisters should be sealed correctly and not stored in shelters. (Certified list)  Proper use for Ursacks are to tie securely to the trunk of a tree.  (Link to their How to Use page) For more information about bear safety, scroll down ATC’s safety page. Video for PCT Method for hanging your food.

Posted on

High Water at Watauga Lake and Laurel Fork Gorge – February 2020

March 13 Update:  Lake and river levels have returned to normal thus reroutes no longer required.  Signs have been taken down.

Two sections of the Appalachian Trail have been temporarily rerouted due to the recent heavy rains.

First, Watauga Lake (TVA level info) is 1965′ on 2/14 morning which is above 1961′ trigger for rerouting. Trail bridges are flooded so the trail will temporarily follow the blue blaze path along US 321 and Oliver Hollow Road. If heading trail north on Shook Branch Road, cross US 321 and walk left or west along US 321 for about a quarter mile and then go right along Oliver Hollow Rd. Follow the road for a third of a mile and take the short woods path to the right back to the A.T. If lake level continues to rise, some sections of the trail north of Oliver Hollow Road will also be under water.

Second is for Laurel Fork Gorge as the ledge along the stream is fully under water, so the A.T. will follow the High Water Trail. Signs have been posted.

1964 ft lake level later in year

Posted on

Ted Malone – 25 Year/Silver Anniversary as a Trail Maintainer

Ted Malone is being honored for having been an Appalachian Trail maintainer for more than 25 years. He was the club’s Hiker of the Year in 1990, and with the Stan Murray awardee in 1993. A review of the club’s records shows that the AT maintenance hours and number of volunteers increased significantly in the mid 1990’s due to his leadership as maintenance recruiter. The records also show that he has over 1,100 hours as a volunteer on the AT. We will honor Ted with a plaque to celebrate his 25 years at the next dinner meeting.