Recent AT Maintenance – Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club

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: 2024-11-19
Purpose: Blowdown Removal
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Joe Morris, Van Hovey, John Beaudet, Dennis Whittington, Juliane Arnold, Jon Heidrick
Summary: Crew cleared an additional 1/2 mile, ending up at 404.0 beyond Mountaineer Falls. John Cleaned up the blue blaze to the shelter and cleared out an area adjacent to the front of the shelter. Ended the day at the midpoint between Walnut Mountain Rd. and Sugar Hollow. Numerous blowdowns and tangles removed. 3 large root ball cavities were filled.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2024-11-19
Purpose: Cut Blowdowns
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Todd Gray
Jim McGuire
Tracey Harris
Michael Sink
Greg Kramer
Carl Fritz
Summary: We accessed the trail near Elk River and walked north along the river and north of Sugar Hollow. We only got 0.3 miles N of Sugar Hollow. Sugar Hollow back to the trucks is still a mess of blowdowns and debris that will take at least a day for six people. The river damage is unbelievable with debris plus ten-foot-deep holes in the field.

Reporting: Tony Messina
Date: 2024-11-19
Purpose: Helene Recovery Blowdown Removal
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Tony Messina
Dean Baird
Tim Stewart
Tara Spears
Kevin Boyd
Randy Allen
Bob Peoples
Richard Lott
Summary: We splintered a subteam off the main Tuesday group effort, daring the forecasted rain which never occurred!

We entered from the Elk River access and were amazed by the devastation seen from the drive along the river road. It was very sad to see the damage and brought home the human toll quite vividly.

We worked SOBO about 0.3 miles along the AT from the access point and ended up cutting about 30 blowdowns. The most complex was elevated about a foot off the ground and was 27 inch diameter with a combination of top bind, side bind, and end bind. We stuck two saws but eventually got'r'dun! Tim and Kevin scouted further south about 0.25 miles and encountered more of the same damage, but did not make it as far as Jones Falls. On this trip, we concentrated on making the trail passable, and left several stepovers and duck unders for future work. There were also four areas of significant rootball damage to the trail which will require quite a bit of future rehab. Bob mitigated a couple of the smaller ones, but there are two which will require major effort. Kevin, Tara, and Randy were outstanding swampers and sherpas (they graciously helped carry the chainsaws for the sawyers).

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2024-11-18
Purpose: Blowdown Removal After Hurricane Helene
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: David Allen, Carl Belcher, Kevin Boyd (“Minion”), Ken Costello, Jay Douglass, Scott Huskey, Steve Perri, Tara Spears (“Butterfly”), Ed Speer, & Steve Wilson
Summary: With ten people and three sawyer teams, we were able to clear the rest of Section 2b which extends three miles north of McQueens Gap. We removed 47 blowdowns in a half mile stretch, but had to leave 12 large “duck under” logs. The trail was damaged by three root balls that will require repairing later, but are not blocking the path. Special thanks to the 2024 thru hikers - Butterfly & Minion - who were great help.

Reporting: Steve Mahan
Date: 2024-11-17
Purpose: Survey storm damage and clear small debris
Section: 11a: Dennis Cove Road to Canute Place
People: Steve Mahan
Summary: There are numerous blowdowns from Canute Farm to Coon Den Falls Trail. Starting at .04 mi to 2.9 mi there are 17 blowdown areas, including a few root balls turned up in the trail. The worst section is approximately 2 miles into the trail. The area is completely obstructed for a distance of .4 miles. It was difficult to see the trail through the mangled trees.

From Coon Den Falls Trail to Dennis Cove Trailhead there are a few trees in the trail and one tree hung up and leaning over the trail. The leaning tree is .33 mile from Coon Den Falls Trail near the previous area of blowdowns.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-18
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Joe Morris, Gerald Scott, Greg Kramer, Jon Heidrick, Jim McGuire, Van Hovey, Carl Fritz
Summary: Section passable from Walnut Mountain Rd. to Mountaineer Falls Shelter with the removal of many tangles and downed trees from Helene storm damage.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-15
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Chad Goare, Dennis Boone, Nina Gerli, Van Hovey, John Beaudet
Summary: A team from Carolina Mountain Club joined John and Van to assist with the removal of 27 blowdowns between Devils Creek Gap (Kan Lot) to within 1/2 mile of No Business Knob Shelter.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-15
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Joe Morris, Randy Allen, Bob Peoples, Rick Lott, Juliane Arnold, Dennis Whittington, Bill Reagan, Jon Heidrick, Gerald Scott, Tim Stewart, Dan Firth, Carl Fritz, Joseph Baghetti, Michael Sink, Jim McGuire, Todd Gray, Sarah Baker
Summary: Crew started clearing the section south of Walnut Mountain Rd. numerous tangles and large trees were removed. A team hiked to Mountaineer Falls Shelter and found it in reasonable condition however the shelter is surrounded by a devastating number of downed trees. It will take a significant effort to remove the trees from the shelter to 4/10ths north of the shelter and the trees blocking the water source.

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2024-11-16
Purpose: Blowdown Removal
Section: 7: Vandeventer Shelter to Wilbur Dam Rd
People: Scotty Bowman
Jack Bray
Dick Ketelle
Juliane Arnold
Taylor Weatherbee
Adena (Addy) Wygmans
Alex Krug
Megan Juneau
Anthony Kack
Tracy Harris
Isaac Wood
Summary: There were 11 of us representing TEHCC, SMHC, ATC, and a few volunteers. TVA left the gate dummy locked so that we could drive to the trailhead which meant no road walk. This provided us with more trail time. It was the perfect day to be out in the woods.

We divided up into 3 saw teams and worked to clear blowdowns on the section. The goal was to clear as much as we could and make as much passable as possible. We were able to clear 12 blowdowns that were blocking the trail and worked to make a few others passable. The first 2.75 miles of the section is clear.

Reporting: Tim - Test Submission
Date: 2024-11-13
Purpose: Test with captcha enabled
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: me
Summary: test

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2024-11-12
Purpose: Blowdown Removal After Hurricane Helene
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Debbie Douglass, Jay Douglass, Scott Huskey, Steve Perri, Ed Speer, & Steve Wilson
Summary: We continued our blowdown removal efforts north of Abingdon Gap shelter. Starting at roughly one mile north of the shelter we found and removed 34 blowdown in a half mile stretch with plenty of entangled trees. Scouting ahead Ed found an additional 53 blowdowns in the next half mile. No damage to the trail’s tread way due to root balls was found.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-12
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 12a: Bitter End to Walnut Mountain Road
People: Jon Heidrick, Jonathan Lukas, David J. Smith USFS-MA, Greg Kramer, Todd Gray, Jim McGuire, Jayson Vittori, Carl Fritz
Summary: This crew cleared the entire section 3.2 mile section with teams starting at both the north and southern ends of the section. There was some tread repair related to root ball damage. David Smith a USFS employee from North Adams, Massachusetts was passing through and stopped to volunteer.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-12
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Joe Morris, Randy Allen, Bob Peoples, John Beaudet, Richard Lott, Van Hovey, Tim Stewart, Cheryl Ramsey, Tony Messina
Summary: Crew cleared from Bitter End 409.2 to 412.7. Several blowdowns were removed and rootballs were made passable. The souithern part of this section was relatively clear. Rick and Tim, unfortunately encountered several tangles and removed 26 trees and covered 3/10 of a mile to a point 1.3 south of Moreland Gap Shelter which is at 414.0 North.

Reporting: test name 2
Date: 2024-11-12
Purpose: test attachments
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: me
Summary: test

Reporting: Craig Haire
Date: 2024-11-09
Purpose: removing blowdowns
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Craig Haire
Jessica Fowley
Summary: All the switchbacks on Cliff Ridge are clear. Along Temple Ridge there are several blowdowns, and it looked like someone has already dome some cutting on them. Near the middle of Temple Ridge we turned back because of time constraints. The weather was pleasant. Starting up the trail we ran into Drew, with two of his dogs, whom we had met before. He lives and works at Uncle Johnny's.

Reporting: Tim - Test Submission
Date: 2024-11-11
Purpose: Test
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: me
Summary: test no attachment

Reporting: Craig Haire
Date: 2024-11-09
Purpose: clearing blowdowns
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Craig Haire
Jessica Fowley
Summary: All the switchbacks on Cliff Ridge are clear. Along Temple Ridge there are several blowdowns, and it looked like someone has already dome some cutting on them. Near the middle of Temple Ridge we turned back because of time constraints. The weather was pleasant. Starting up the trail we ran into Drew, with two of his dogs, whom we had met before. He lives and works at Uncle Johnny's.

Reporting: Tim - Test Submission
Date: 2024-11-11
Purpose: Test
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Me
Summary: Testing report submission

Reporting: Tony Messina
Date: 2024-11-09
Purpose: Helene Recovery Blowdown Removal
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Tony Messina
Aaron Fermin
Kelsi Fermin
Rebecka Powell
Summary: This crew was a subteam of the larger group that hiked further towards Uncle Nick's and Iron Mtn Shelter. We removed a seemingly impenetrable tangle of trees near the log bridge about 1.5 miles north of TN 91. All in all, there were about 12 significant trunks removed plus a large amount of canopy and a few saplings. The largest trunk was about 15 inch diameter. One rootball completely blocked the trail and another partially scoured the treadway. We were able to remove weight from both rootballs by digging/cutting. We pretty much destroyed a chainsaw chain but were able to push/roll the obstructing rootball to the side of the trail and to dig around and fill in the void left by the other. Great work by everyone involved. It was a glorious day to be in the woods.

Two larger overhead trunks were left extending above the south end of the bridge. They share a large rootball mass towering above the trail and will be tricky to remove. However, they do not obstruct the trail and are fine to leave for now.

Tony/Aaron/Kelsi left an hour early due to other commitments and Rebecka stayed to finish sculpting around the rootballs and to bask in the adulation of the other crew hiking out (who said it couldn't be done in a day).

Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2024-11-09
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Megan Krager
Wesley Miller
Tom O’Day
Teri O’Day
Elisabeth Lloyd
Van Hovey
Summary: Primary task was to continue clearing of blowdowns to Double Springs Shelter. Walked in from Osborne Farm to approximate mile 451.9 where crew stopped work on Thursday 11/7.
Began work there and managed to cut approximately 25 trees which was inclusive of individual blowdowns and trees with branches and leaf canopies intact. Objective of clearing to shelter was achieved.
Volunteers new to maintenance, Tom, Teri and Elisabeth did a fantastic job with swamping - big help!
Experienced maintainers Wesley(sawyer) and Megan (swamping) on loan from Bays Mountain were instrumental in making it happen.
Thanks to all for a safe and productive day …. Cheers

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-09
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Joe Morris, Dan Firth, Carol Geiger
Summary: Continued removing blowdown from the area around Locust Knob approximately 1/2 mile north of Double Springs Shelter. Slow progress today. Trail is clear from US 421 Low Gap for 3 miles south.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2024-11-09
Purpose: Cut Blowdowns
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Rick Mulholland
Tracey Harris
Steve Perri
Gerald Scott
Elzear Lemieux
Carl Fritz
Summary: Thanks to everyone for the hard work, the entire section 5 is now open. We cut out 41 more blowdowns mostly near Iron Mountain Shelter. Only tangle remaining is at mm 448.1. It currently has a simple 100-foot bypass, so it is not a priority. We probably left 30 to 40 stepovers which are also not a priority.

Reporting: Tim Stewart
Date: 2024-11-09
Purpose: Hiking with Tools! and Helene Repair
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Tim Stewart
Richard Bowerman
Addy Wygmans
Alex Krug
Summary: Another great outing for the final Hiking with Tools! event for the year.

Survey 123 assessment was still needed for TN91 to the top of the switchback hiking South. Most of this had already been cut. Once the assessment was completed we had lunch and then caught up to the Sawyer Teams near Uncle Nick's.

Continuing South to Iron Mountain Shelter, we assisted the Sawyer Teams with removal of blowdowns and debris. We finished and hiked out. But ... there was one more blowdown. A 25 incher fairly close to the trailhead. Carl cut it to finish this section with the exception of leaners and stepovers.

Helene did alot of damage on this section but we cleared it in 3 days!

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-21
Purpose: Bridge Rehabilitation
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Jim McGuire, Mike K. Watson, Joe Morris, Tim Stewart
Summary: Created a temporary way for hikers to cross just south of 19E after the 2020 bridge washed out during Helene.

Reporting: Tim Stewart
Date: 2024-11-07
Purpose: Helene Repair
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Tim Stewart
Michael Sink
Summary: We hiked in from the access point to Uncle Nick's. From there I started using the Survey 123 app to assess conditions to Iron Mountain Shelter. There are at least 11 areas that require blowdown removal. After lunch at the shelter (which survived Helene), we hiked down to the water source and removed a couple of small blowdowns and other debris.

On the way back to Uncle Nick's we did some lopping . From Uncle Nick's I resumed using the Survey 123 App all the way to the top of the switchback. There were an additional 15 areas that require attention. From the top of the switchback to Cross Mountain Rd trailhead still needs to be assessed. Should be able to do that on Saturday.

Long hike but it was a good day!

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-07
Purpose: Blowdown Removal
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey, Van Hovey, Jerry Anderson, Jon Lukas
Summary: Crew hiked Section 4b to roughly Mile 451.1 to continue the mission of removing tree blowdowns across the trail. The group removed four simple blowdowns and five complex groups of blowdowns (large trees intertwined/canopies). We stopped at Mile 451.9, where we began the removal of another complex group. It is located at Mile 451.9 and we only partially removed it.

Based on a previous assessment I did, there are 11 more spots ahead where there are either single blowdowns or groups. The last one, a group of three trees, is at Mile 452.2 (Lat/Lon 36.505833N 81.985278E).

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-07
Purpose: Blowdown Removal
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Bill Reagan, Joe Morris, Dan Firth, Dean Baird
Summary: Crew removed 30 blowdowns from US421 to within 9/10 of a mile of Double Springs Shelter.
2.6 miles covered. Bill Reagan joined from Maryville, TN for his first maintenance earning TEHCC and USFS patches.

Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2024-11-05
Purpose: Post Helene AT recon: Unaka Mtn to Cherry Gap Shelter (part 2)
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Yong Li
Joy Zabel
Joel Zabel
Summary: As previously reported, the AT had blowdowns cleared to mile 359.9 (36.12975,-82.28072). On the 0.4 miles to 360.3 (36.13115,-82.28075) there were a few root balls and blowdowns under 16”: rated 2 of 10. Oddly, at 360.3, pro sawyers had cleared a dozen blowdowns, but hadn’t cleared anything else in either direction. It was bad (7/10) for the 0.3 miles from there to Low Gap, 360.6 (36.12898,-82.27691). It was mostly clear (rated 2/10) north from Low Gap for 0.2 miles to 360.8 (36.12963,-82.27539), then very bad (8/10) with continuous large blowdowns and root balls for 0.1 miles. Light damage (2/10) for the next 0.35 miles to (36.12812,-82.26982), then very bad (8/10) for the last 0.45 miles to the Cherry Gap shelter.

Overall, it was worse than for Iron Mtn Gap to the shelter. That took us a bit under 5 hours to cover 3.1 miles; this took 4 hours to cover 1.8 miles.

Rather than returning the difficult way we came, which would have taken us until after dark, we bushwacked WNW about 400 yards to FS4344. It was clear and drivable. We walked it 1.1 miles to the gated junction with Red Fork Rd, then walked up it 2.2 miles to our car. There may be some options to use both FS4344 and some old trails off Red Fork Rd to temporarily reroute back to the already cleared AT, around much of the worst damage, without walking so far on Red Fork Rd.

Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2024-11-05
Purpose: Post Helene AT recon: Unaka Mtn to Cherry Gap Shelter (part 1)
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Yong Li
Joy Zabel
Joel Zabel
Summary: The only unscouted Helene AT damage between Indian Grave Gap and Iron Mtn Gap at this point was a 1.8 mile stretch from mile 359.9 on Unaka Mtn’s east side to Cherry Gap shelter. We parked on a sharp U-bend on Red Fork Rd (36.13612,-82.28348) and bushwhacked through light rhodos upslope for 100 yds to hit AT mile 359.6 (if Red Fork Rd. is used as a temp AT reroute, this could be used to connect to the AT around the damage. We marked it with yellow tape).

To make documenting the damage more efficient than recording blowdown/ root ball number and size, we used a 1 to 10 scale with 10 the worst. For reference, the stretch immediately SOBO from Iron Mtn Gap where many of the top TEHCC maintainers sawed through blowdowns and repaired root ball damage on 10-29-24 was set at 7. We didn’t take pics, though Yong Li took some videos with his Go-Pro; they are too big to email, but could be made available by other means if needed.

(continued on part 2)

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2024-11-07
Purpose: Cut Blowdowns
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Tony Messina
Greg Kramer
Bill Murdoch
Carl Fritz
Sherri Millard
Steve Domagala
Colleen Dilmore
Summary: We successfully cut out 48 blowdowns in one mile leaving some step overs. We are still short of Grindstaff Monument by a mile. Colleen was from Florida and assisting her son and a couple of friends who are flip flopping and headed south. She is shuttling them if necessary around difficult sections due to Helene. We only saw one day hiker today.

Reporting: Vic Hasler
Date: 2024-11-05
Purpose: Fall 2024 A.T. Partnership Discussion
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Vic Hasler, David Allen
Summary: A virtual partnership discussion was held roughly five and half weeks after Hurricane Helene impacted the region. 26-27 folks (with an AI bot taking notes) covered a range of topics. Ranger Morgan shared about the extensive damage, noting that approximately 700 miles of roads were affected and 52,000 acres experienced significant vegetation loss in the CNF North Zone. Rhododendron Gardens had minor damage to recreational features and road but should be less than a few weeks of additional work. PNF is going to try our hardest to open that site by June. We learned that Survey 123 GIS data can be transferred between RIMS app that was piloted this past summer in the Roan Highlands. CSX Railroad is reconstructing track and the bridge along the Nolichucky, first by collecting ballast and rails washed into the river. It will be a challenge to remove larger items (parts of houses, tractor trailers, and mobile homes) from the gorge. Assessing the changed conditions will impact several current initiatives. A news agency is planning a story focusing on the effects of downed trees on the A.T. TVA is switching their representative to Austin Jenkins. David Allen joined in this conversion for the first time. The Spring A.T. Partnership will be on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, hopefully in a renovated WRD office building.

Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2024-11-07
Purpose: Clear storm damage
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Rick Lott, Mike Watts, Randy Allen, Jon Heidrick
Summary: Hiked back in to where we left off Tuesday. 35 blowdowns cut through. Jones branch now in site and sound of waterfalls.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-05
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Todd Gray
Sherri Millard
Matt Moody
Bill Murdoch
Greg Kramer
Carl Fritz
Summary: Crew covered a little over a mile and cut maybe 40 blowdowns with 28" being the largest. There was only some treadway damage. We did bypass the locust log bridge area which will take a day of cutting with two crews plus some root ball repair. There was a second smaller tree tangle near start of Iron Mountain ridge that was bypassed.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-11-05
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Joe Morris, Rick Mulholland, Jon Lukas, John Beaudet, Benj Lipchak, Kent Gardner
Summary: Crew removed 32 blowdowns cutting to within 1.3 miles from Double Springs Shelter. A patch and metaphorical long-distance travel award given to Benj Lipchak. Benj, who plans to thru-hike in 2025 drove from the Outer Banks in North Carolina to participate.

Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2024-11-05
Purpose: Clear storm debris from the AT
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jon Heidrick, Rick Lott, Mike Watts, Randy
Summary: Hiked in from Cambell Hollow to the 400 mile mark and continued to cut blowdowns, approximately 45 today over 3 tenths of a mile.

Reporting: Tim Stewart
Date: 2024-11-05
Purpose: Helene Repair
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Tim Stewart
Tracy Harris
Lori Mirrer
Carol Geiger
Jack Geiger
Pat Lepley
Summary: We were the Assessment/Lopper Team. We went in via the short access trail approx 1 mile South of Cross Mountain Rd trailhead. We used loppers and hand saws to clear some of the debris ahead of the Sawyers. There were 2 bad areas that we used Orange flagging tape to create short detours around. We made it as far as the short switchback, where one of the bad areas is (the other bad area is at the newer bridge).

As we hiked out it began to lightly rain. We encountered the Sawyer Team at the top of the steep section. Great progress was made but there is still much to do. Great Day!

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2024-11-04
Purpose: Blowdown Removal After Hurricane Helene
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Scott Huskey, Ted Malone, Steve Perri, Ed Speer, & Steve Wilson
Summary: We parked at McQueens Gap and hiked north to the Abingdon Gap shelter where we continued our blowdown removal efforts on Section 2b. We had two sawyers and three swampers, so made reasonable progress and cut 24 blowdowns. Some of the larger blowdowns were entangled trees and it was useful to have two chainsaws due to the odds of logs twisting and the saw binding. So far we’ve found no damage to the trail’s tread way due to root balls. We have now cleared 2.25 miles of trail hiking north out of McQueens Gap.

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2024-11-02
Purpose: Blowdown Removal
Section: 7: Vandeventer Shelter to Wilbur Dam Rd
People: Scotty Bowman
Michael Appleby
Daniel Appleby
Tyler Cairnes
Chris Bowman
Nyal Barber
Summary: This was an impromptu volunteer event and it was a great day for it to. We road walked up to the trail head and began our ascent to the top of the switchbacks where tackled a tree cluster of two 40" white oaks, an 18" white oak, and a 12" sourwood. We divided up into to 2 teams with one working on the trees and the other working up the trail clearing the smaller stuff for the next 3/4 of mile. This section became a full days work to clear with removing the weight of the limbs and branches. With the gate closed, it adds a nice 1.2 mile road walk before hitting the trail.

Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2024-11-02
Purpose: trail recon, part 2
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joel Zabel
Summary: Part 2
If, from that point south, the AT was cleared, Bean Creek Rd could serve as a temporary AT reroute. Continuing south 100 yards, it became just as bad again. This nasty section continued 0.4 miles to (36.13592,-82.243330), where we reached the leeward ridge side, protected from Helene’s wrath. We had a clear trail for 0.35 miles to (36.13426.-82.24389). The next 1.3 miles to the junction of FS230D (36.13391,-82.26015) alternated between good (about 70%) and bad (30%). The last 0.4 miles to the shelter got worse as we neared it, to the point that I was sure I should be able to see it, but couldn’t until I was 50’ away. See pics, it’s been crushed. At least the bottom 3 courses of cinder block are intact on all sides, as well as the sleeping platform, but the rest is a goner. It was a perfect weather day for our adventure, but with all the obstacles, it took us nearly 5 hours to cover the 3.1 miles from Iron Mtn Gap.

Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2024-11-02
Purpose: recon on Helene damage
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Yong Li
Stacy Fowler
Marianne Huff
Joy Zabel
Joel Zabel
Denny Samuel
Jeff Miller
Jeff Bennett
Zach Duncan
Sami Haldonado
Summary: Post Helene AT recon: Iron Mtn Gap to Cherry Gap shelter 11-2-24 part 1

We set out south on the AT south from IMG with the intent of documenting in detail the Helene damage as far as Cherry Gap shelter (3.1 miles), and beyond if time permitted. The TEHCC crew had cleared and rehabbed the trail 0.15 miles to GPS 36.14244,-82.23436. Over the next 300 yards (to 36.14099, -82.23602), we cataloged: 17 root balls requiring treadway rehab, (40) 6 to 9” diameter blowdowns requiring cutting, ignoring everything smaller and anything that could be walked under, (29) 10 to 19”, (21) 20 to 23”, (3) 24 to 30”. Over that 300 yards, we found it extremely difficult to follow the old treadway, as we were climbing over, under, through, and around the almost continuous obstacles. At that point we realized that we had little chance to make it to Cherry Gap shelter and back before dark if we continued cataloging in such detail, so we focused on making better time, sacrificing detail. The next 250 yards were just as bad, so you could roughly double the blowdown/ root ball count above for that 550 yard bad stretch. The trail opened up near the point where gravel Beans Creek Rd comes within about 15 yards of the AT ( 36.13962, -82.23585, bear box location). If, from that point south, the AT was cleared, Bean Creek Rd could serve as a temporary AT reroute.
(Continued on next report)

Reporting: Steve Perri
Date: 2024-11-02
Purpose: Attend ATC RPC Meeting
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Steve Perri, Steve Wilson, Vic Hasler
Summary: Steve Wilson , Vic Hasler, and I attended the Fall RPC meeting hosted by ATC at the Soak Ash facility. There were 25 attendees in person and about 12 on line on and off over the day. USFS partners and ATC described initial meetings and strategic discussions that occurred in different stages of recovery for hurricane Helene. The USFS is working to continue surveying impact in NC in order to seek funds for recovery efforts and outside resources. The USFS in TN has access to outside resources rotating to assist in trail clearing. ATC shared several efforts to provide more sustainable resources on the AT as user impacts and more visitors use the AT. Konnarock work may need to flex projects in 2025 due to Helene impacts. ATC is continuing to pursue the new proposal for the national trails act legislation. They are hoping next year to make another attempt as 2025 is the 100 yr anniversary of ATC. Many clubs will need Sawyer recertifications since Covid delayed courses. Clubs will likely pool together for trainings. Next RPC meeting will be in Blowing Rock, NC Mar. 21-23.

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2024-10-12
Purpose:
Section: 7: Vandeventer Shelter to Wilbur Dam Rd
People: Scotty Bowman
Summary: It was great day to be out finishing the assessment after Helene. Today I made it to Vandeventer after hiking, climbing, and crawling my way. Between the top of the switchbacks and Vandeventer there are 55+ blowdowns ranging in size from 12" to 46". The bulk of the trees down were live and have the root balls attached. The sections impacted were those along the ridge on the lake side.

Vandeventer Shelter took a hit but is still in sound shape. The front gutter was ripped off along with the board it was attached to. The area in front of the shelter is impassable by a debris field.

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2024-10-12
Purpose: Trail Assessment after Helene
Section: 7: Vandeventer Shelter to Wilbur Dam Rd
People: Scotty Bowman
Summary: It was great day to be out finishing the assessment after Helene. Today I made it to Vandeventer after hiking, climbing, and crawling my way. Between the top of the switchbacks and Vandeventer there are 55+ blowdowns ranging in size from 12" to 46". The bulk of the trees down were live and have the root balls attached. The sections impacted were those along the ridge on the lake side.

Vandeventer Shelter took a hit but is still in sound shape. The front gutter was ripped off along with the board it was attached to. The area in front of the shelter is impassable by a debris field.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-31
Purpose: Mortar Laurel Fork Shelter
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Joe Morris, Randy Allen, Jennifer Baird, Dean Baird, Michael Sink, Kent Gardner
Summary: Crew repaired the mortar joints on the Laurel Fork Shelter and reinforced the front corners of the shelter. Kent Gardner and Randy Allen received patches.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-31
Purpose: Various Tasks
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Van Hovey, Jayson Vittori, Bill Murdoch
Summary: Crew hiked from Shook Branch around the lake to Wilbur Dam Road. Removed some obstacles and assessed damage from Helene. Bill Murdoch submitted a detailed report via email

Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2024-10-23
Purpose: Assess Trail Condition after Hurricane Helene
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Mike Watts
Summary: Overall, the trail was in much better shape that we anticipated. Being in the the holler and leeward of the Hump helped. Bridges: As previously reported the bridge about 100 yds from 19E was missing. The bridge remnants are about 50 yds downstream. Tim Stewart et. al. have put some steps in and out of the creek. No problem crossing if water level isn't high. New bog bridge over the small creek and next two log bridges were in tact.
Blowdowns: It appears that the USFS had removed about 8 blowdowns aleady ranging from 4-10". 3 were about a 1/2 mile in. 4 were at a landslide at mile 394 where a landslide had occurred. The other was about 2/3 of the way to Doll Flats. A 4 blowdown tangle was at the Wilder Mine Campsite and were removed with handsaws. Another blowdown was at the water source trail at Doll Flats. The top fork was removed by a handsaw that made access OK. Another 10" tree previously reported is till there, but easily ducked under. Treadway only had one minor erosion before Wilder Mine campsite about 20 yds long. 2 large landslided were at mile 394, but were easily traversed. One other slide about 2/3 the way up where the slide above the trail had undermined the trail forcing a rock ledge upward. Also easily negotiated. Mike will email Renee pictures and exact locations..

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-31
Purpose: Assess Pond Mountain
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Tony Messina, Tim Stewart, Olga Hunter
Summary: Crew scouted and/or assessed the damage on Pond Mountain. Tony submitted a detailed report via email

Reporting: Jim McGuire
Date: 2024-10-31
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns and Assess Damage
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jim McGuire
Richard Lott
Michael Watts
Jon Heidrick
Summary: We picked up where we left off earlier in the week at the top of the ridge. We cleared 55 blowdowns and all kinds of crazy tangled messes. We left about 18 "step overs". Some of them are more like "crawl overs". There were 3 good sized rootballs in the middle of the trail. We punched through to the bridge at 399.9. The bridge is in good shape.

Reporting: Tony Messina
Date: 2024-10-31
Purpose: Define Temporary ReRoute for Pond Mountain
Section: Choose Section
People: Tony Messina
Tim Stewart
Olga Hunter
Summary: Tim, Olga, and I hiked up Pond Mountain from the Hampton Blue Blaze. Along the way, we removed some obstructions using loppers and silky, but mostly we pushed through to assess hurricane damage at the top and establish a temporary bypass as appropriate.

Turns out someone had already flagged a bypass. In our opinion it bypassed too much of the AT (approx 0.3 miles). We ended up finding devastation extending south from the water source for only about 0.1 miles. We flagged a new bypass which skirts around the devastation and removed signs of the unauthorized relocation. We used about 100 yards of their work. If made permanent, this bypass would need further evaluation and digging.

Near the top there was evidence of quite a bit of chainsaw work, probably done by USFS as they did their assessments. The trail is passable for hikers from the blue blaze to the water source, though it requires stepping over or climbing around several blowdowns. Being in the wilderness, if handsaws were used to remove them it would likely be two days work & 4 people. A couple of the blowdowns have moderate complexity due to size and rootballs and require crosscut. With a chainsaw exemption, that could probably be done in a long day, especially if the crew were equipped with a 3ft chainsaw.

Tim Stewart is going to email a more detailed summary of the work with photos and waypoints .

Reporting: Greg Kramer
Date: 2024-10-24
Purpose: Put supports on Roan High Knob Shelter
Section: 15a: Carvers Gap - Cloudland Hotel
People: Greg Kramer
Carl Fritz
Jim McGuire
Dan Firth
Tony Messina
Summary: We continued to put up stabilizing boards on the Roan High Knob Shelter. We cut a walking path from the shelter to Toll House Gap.

Reporting: Tony Messina
Date: 2024-10-31
Purpose: Define Temporary ReRoute for Pond Mountain
Section: 9b: Pond Flats to Hampton trailhead
People: Tony Messina
Tim Stewart
Olga Hunter
Summary: Tim, Olga, and I hiked up Pond Mountain from the Hampton Blue Blaze. Along the way, we removed some obstructions using loppers and silky, but mostly we pushed through to assess hurricane damage at the top and establish a temporary bypass as appropriate.

Turns out someone had already flagged a bypass. In our opinion it bypassed too much of the AT (approx 0.3 miles). We ended up finding devastation extending south from the water source for only about 0.1 miles. We flagged a new bypass which skirts around the devastation and removed signs of the unauthorized relocation. We used about 100 yards of their work. If made permanent, this bypass would need further evaluation and digging.

Near the top there was evidence of quite a bit of chainsaw work, probably done by USFS as they did their assessments. The trail is passable for hikers from the blue blaze to the water source, though it requires stepping over or climbing around several blowdowns. Being in the wilderness, if handsaws were used to remove them it would likely be two days work & 4 people. A couple of the blowdowns have moderate complexity due to size and rootballs and require crosscut. With a chainsaw exemption, that could probably be done in a long day, especially if the crew were equipped with a 3ft chainsaw.

Tim Stewart is going to email a more detailed summary of the work with photos and waypoints .

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2024-10-31
Purpose: Stabilize Roan High Knob Shelter and Remove Blowdowns
Section: 15a: Carvers Gap - Cloudland Hotel
People: Bettye Boone
Saylor Fox
Sherri Millard
Rick Mulholland
Dan Firth
Carl Fritz
Greg Kramer
Elzear Lemieux
Steve Perri

Summary: We split into two crews. Chainsaw crew lead by Elzear started clearing blowdowns from Cloudland towards Roan High Knob Shelter. And they succeeded. Other crew continued to stabilize Roan High Knob Shelter with vertical 4x6s. We completed that task and sealed shelter until we start repairs. Shelter crew then started cutting blowdowns. All blowdowns have been cut on this section. Some leaners and other obstacles could be addressed in future but there is no urgency since path is open.

Reporting: Jim McGuire
Date: 2024-10-28
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns and Assess Damage
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jim McGuire
Richard Lott
Michael Watts
Jon Heidrick
Summary: We cleared about 50 blowdowns covering the first mile of the section (399 to 400). There were two entanglements we were unable to clear. At 399.3, there is a massive root ball and multiple large trees. At 399.7, there is a large entanglement with several large trees. We punched through a for both of these but will need to return with larger saws. The bridge at 399.4 is in good shape.

Our Travel hours are reported in Jon's report regarding the same day of work on his section of trail.

Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: 2024-10-23
Purpose: Survey trail for storm damage
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Jim Foster
Summary: Took me 4 hours to get to LRK there's probably 100 blow downs and 13 root balls obstructing the trail. I cleared everything I could by hand but it's just a mess.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-29
Purpose: Section Rehab
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joe Morris, Tim Stewart, Steve Domagala, Randy Allen, Van Hovey, Jon Heidrick, Olga Hunter, Jim McGuire, Sherri Millard, Michael Sink, Tony Messina, Carl Fritz, Gerald Scott
Summary: The Thursday crew gathered for planning purposes and clearing the trail of many challenging blowdowns.

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2024-10-28
Purpose: Removing Blowdowns and Checking Shelter After Hurricane Helene
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Ken Costello, Scott Huskey, Steve Perri, Ed Speer, & Steve Wilson
Summary: We continued to remove blowdowns on Section 2b starting at McQueens Gap hiking north. We had two sawyers, three swampers, and plenty of gas & oil this time. The crew having two chainsaws was important due to the chance of twisting and binding with the large logs. By the end of the day we had cleared all blowdown from the gap to the shelter. We were relieved to find the shelter was unharmed and the tent camping areas were clear. A large 30-inch oak tree fell 150 feet below the shelter down the blue blaze trail and was removed, but there are additional large blowdowns down the hill before the water source. Several root balls were created by blowdowns, but there was no damage to the foot path.

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2024-10-28
Purpose: Removing Blowdowns and Checking Abingdon Gap Shelter After Hurricane Helene
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Ken Costello, Scott Huskey, Steve Perri, Ed Speer, & Steve Wilson
Summary: We continued to remove blowdowns on Section 2b starting at McQueens Gap hiking north. We had two sawyers, three swampers, and plenty of gas & oil this time. The crew having two chainsaws was important due to the chance of twisting and binding with the large logs. By the end of the day we had cleared all blowdown from the gap to the shelter. We were relieved to find the shelter was unharmed and the tent camping areas were clear. A large 30-inch oak tree fell 150 feet below the shelter down the blue blaze trail and was removed, but there are additional large blowdowns down the hill before the water source. Several root balls were created by blowdowns, but there was no damage to the foot path.

Reporting: Michael Sink
Date: 2024-10-27
Purpose: Trail Damage Assessment
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Michael Sink
Summary: I removed several blowdowns that were forearm size or smaller. Documented 36 blowdowns of various sizes that still need to be removed. The top of Pond Mountain from mile 425.5 to 425.7 is impassible and requires bushwacking to get around it.

Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2024-10-28
Purpose: Assess storm damage and clear a path
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick, Rick Lott, Jim McGuire, Michael Watts
Summary: Assessed storm damage , many uprooted trees and root balls, holes in trail. Cut and cleared some overhanging branches. Have pictures and locations to send in a separate email.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-25
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey, Joe Morris, John Beaudet
Summary: Removed 34 blowdowns to within one mile south of Curley Maple Shelter.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-24
Purpose: Mitigate root ball damage
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Joe Morris, Tim Stewart, Olga Hunter, Michael Sink, Bill Murdoch, Dean Baird, Van Hovey, Yong Li, Sherri Millard
Summary: Four significant root ball were created during Helene storm damage near USA raft in a 200 ft. section. This area was rehabbed and is easily walkable. Additional work is needed in the area.

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2024-10-25
Purpose: Removing Blowdowns After Hurricane Helene
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Steve Perri, Ed Speer & Steve Wilson
Summary: We removed blowdowns and broken limbs on the trail section starting at McQueens Gap and hiking trail north towards Abingdon Gap shelter. As expected we found several blowdowns. We focused on cutting the blowdowns that were less than 12 inches in diameter and left the big blowdowns that were “step overs” or ducked under due to limited fuel and time. Our goal was to cut a path to Abingdon Gap shelter to check its status, but we were only able to make it three quarters of a mile in—without bushwhacking—and stopped at the end of the side hill section just before the rocky ridge section due to running out of fuel. We found 19 blowdowns in the 3/4 mile stretch with 8 blowdowns greater than 12 inches in diameter. The blowdowns were often tree tops with several leafy branches and required cutting with loppers to reach the main limbs before one could start cutting with a chainsaw. Although we saw several fallen trees with root balls, we didn’t find any significant tread way damage…so far. We estimate that it will take two more chainsaw crew days just to clear this 1.1 mile of trail to the shelter of all blowdowns, then we’ll continue cutting north.

Reporting: Greg Kramer
Date: 2024-10-24
Purpose: Roan High Knob Shelter Stabilization
Section:
People:
Summary:

Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: 2024-10-23
Purpose: Survey trail for storm damage
Section:
People:
Summary:

Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2024-10-23
Purpose: Assess Trail Condition after Hurricane Helene
Section:
People:
Summary:

Reporting: Dave Allen
Date: 2024-10-20
Purpose: Trail Damage Assessment
Section:
People:
Summary:

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-10-21
Purpose: Bridge rehabilitation
Section:
People:
Summary:

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2024-10-12
Purpose: Trail Assessment
Section:
People:
Summary: