Below is submitted maintenance activities for the last 6 weeks. Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. Or view maintenance by section.
Reporting: Tom SahlinDate: 2024-07-11
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Greasy Creek Gap I went to the top of the first tall knob. From there I touched up anything that was hanging over the trail that I missed the day before. From the 4th knob between the tall knobs on each end I used the grass whip to cut tall grass, stinging nettles, white snake root, and other weeds all the way to the pinnacle of rocks at the middle of this section. The side of the mountain going up to the rock pinnacle was in bad shape and took a lot of slashing to remove a host of blackberry vines and other weeds leaning in on the trail. I am so happy that is done. I didn't want to have to come back just for that hillside so I hit it as hard as I could all the way to the rock pinnacle. And it was the toughest weeding I have done to date especially with the distance covered to get to it as well as weeding the previous day. Three hours of walking and six hours of weeding. Whew. I also cut more limbs overhanging the trail. Tough day but it's done. Saw no hikers. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2024-07-10
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Greasy Creek Gap to the first tall knob above the Gap I cut back vegetation from new growth and anything hanging over the trail. Then I went on to the 4th knob between the two tall knobs on each end where I cut many stinging nettles, weeds and grass as well as pruned any branches over the trail. It was a hot day going up the forest service road to the gap but was cooler once I got to the gap. Then as I went up in elevation it got even cooler. By the time I got to the 4th knob the sun was going down and I was about spent. The temp had dropped to 65 by that time with a 10 mph wind. It helped me make it as far as I did. Great day on the trail. Saw no hikers. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2024-07-03
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Greasy Creek Gap to the top of first tall knob, known as Iron Mountain on Farout, I used a weed whip to remove primairily stinging nettles but also grass and weeds close to or hanging over the trail. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2024-07-01
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap I weeded and cut back low hanging limbs from the gap to the orchard where I weeded the new growth since the orchard was bush hogged. After weeding the orchard as well as down to the spring I then moved on to Weedy Gap where I turned around since it was getting too dark to see. I pruned low hanging limbs on the way back to the trailhead. The spring was flowing good. Reporting: Russell Fleming Jr
Date: 2024-07-07
Purpose: Trail Maintenance
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Russell Fleming
Summary: Performed Maintenance... everything was looking good and normal for this time of year. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-07-11
Purpose: Moving locust logs
Section: 15a: Carvers Gap - Cloudland Hotel
People: Joe Morris, Tim Stewart, Van Hovey, Scott Huskey, Bob Peoples, Greg Kramer, Tony Messina, Dan Firth, Elzear Lemieux
Summary: A big day moving logs with the USFS for refurbishing the Roan High Knob Shelter. All the logs placed at Toll House Gap last week were moved to various positions between the trail intersection and the shelter. The crew used SCH40 PVC pipe and that worked beautifully as impromptu rollers. Bob removed the bark from the two original locusts staged at the shelter. A day hiker from New Hampshire (Adam) helped us move one of the logs up the access trail and received an Eastman patch. Bill Murdoch was, once again, a wizard with snatch blocks, pulleys and rope. We were able to move the logs without the use of grip hoists. Reporting: Bill Fuller
Date: 2024-07-10
Purpose:
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Bill Fuller
Summary: I started at the cemetery/forest gate and cut back high grass and weeds with the swing blade. Worked my way up to the powerline cut where it was pretty overgrown. Swing-bladed a couple feet swath on both sides of the trail until I reached the forest. Also cut back a few encroaching limbs here and there, along with some more brushing in of the upper forest road. A little cooler weather today so it was nice to be out. Reporting: Jim McGuire
Date: 2024-07-08
Purpose: General Maintenance
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jim McGuire
Summary: Walked my section (Campbell Hollow Rd to Sugar Hallow creek) on a very hot Monday. I cleared 2 medium sized blowdowns. Lopped many branches. I collected some trash but not much. I could not find the large rootball recently reported. I think I will need to return to Elk River with a trimmer in a couple weeks. I also noticed graffiti on a couple signs. I'll take sandpaper on my next visit to see if that will clean it off. I met and talked with 8 hikers. One said she was a trail maintainer in the GSMNP. Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2024-07-06
Purpose: summer work
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Adam Bean
Jeff Bennett
Kit Parks
Josh Banks
Todd Markwalter
Ed Brading
Yong Li
Stacy Fowler
Joy Zabel
Joel Zabel
Summary: Most of the work was weed eating, heaviest between Iron Mtn Gap & Cherry Gap Shelter. Cut back rhodos with Dewalt Lithium hedge trimmer and hand loppers. Cleaned out water bars. Checked shelter, all in good order (graffiti board is working, no graffiti on walls). Water source running well with pipe. Cut one 7" blowdown with Katanaboy and several smaller. Reporting: Tim Stewart
Date: 2024-07-04
Purpose: weed wack Canute Place
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Tim Stewart
Summary: Decided to weed wack the Canute Place. It was a long, tiresome day.
I drove in as far as I could on FS293 and parked before the trench. That left about 1 1/2 miles of hiking on the road to the shelter access. I bushwacked up to the spring which was flowing nicely. Before setting off to the Canute Place I repainted the graffiti board at the shelter. Of course there were rhodos to lop into submission.
At the Canute Place it took about an hour to beat the tall grass down, including the blue blazer to the spring. The spring was also flowing nicely. The heat and the humidity wore me down. I was happy to make it back to the car. Forest Service needs to regrade the road soon. That would save at least 3-4 miles of hiking. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-07-02
Purpose: Weed eat section (s)
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: Van Hovey, Joe Morris
Summary: Van and I whacked weeds from Yellow Mountain Gap to one mile south of Stan Murray. Removed one blowdown and cleared the water trails to OVMT and Stan Murray water sources. Reporting: Ken Costello
Date: 2024-07-02
Purpose: Clearing Weeds
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Ken Costello
Summary: Weed whacked from parking area to 1/2 mile southwest, finishing just beyond the peak of McQueen Knob. Cleared a swath approximately 4' wide; edged the downhill side of the worn trail and cut back weeds 3' on the uphill side. Tall weeds on the downhill side were topped off so not to obstruct hikers using worn path. Of note, there were two blow-downs in this section: one in sight of the parking area, the other 1/2 mile SW. Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: 2024-06-29
Purpose: Annual trial trimming and maintenance
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Joel Zabel, Joy Zabel, Jeff Miller, Jeff Bennett, Josh Banks, Adam Bean, Yong Li, Ed Brading, Denny Samuel, Jim Foster
Summary: The whole section was trimmed using string trimmers plus all the above tasks that were checked. The guys removed one large 17" blowdown using the Katana boy. The trail is now in very good condition. Reporting: Bettye Boone
Date: 2024-06-25
Purpose: Download Trail Counter Data for Roan Highlands, Weed Eating, & Painted Blazes
Section: 15a: Carvers Gap - Cloudland Hotel
People: BETTYE BOONE
Saylor Fox
Summary: Hiked out and back to collect Trail Counter Data. Uploaded data to TRAFxDataNet. Counter data indicated:
June 2024 - 40,926 clicks (people walking by counters)
June 15, 2024 - 3,194 clicks
June 22, 2024 - 3,092 clicks (Rhododendron Festival)
Returned to house to get weed eater. Cut back encroaching vegetation on the 2 trailheads at Carvers Gap (South & North). Painted blazes (water source & AT at the beginning of trail headed south.
Reporting: Bettye Boone
Date: 2024-06-22
Purpose: Information Table at Carvers Gap for Rhododendron Festival
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: BETTYE BOONE
Saylor Fox
Summary: Prepared signage for table at Carvers Gap highlighting: 1) Reason for Rhododendron Garden Closure for 2024; 2) Purpose of the Roan Highland Visitor Use Management Committee; 3) Staying on Trail including not getting off trail to photograph flowers; 4) Leave No Trace Principles, etc.
Tim Stewart joined us at the table and also shared information on TEHCC.
Set up a table to share information and answer questions of visitors to Carver's Gap. Also helped with parking questions as needed. Reporting: Lotta Murray
Date: 2024-06-28
Purpose: Summer vegetation control
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Lotta Murray
Ken Murray
Summary: Weedeated, lopped, pained blazes, knocked apart a fire ring at a campsite and carried out small amount of trash from shelter. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2024-06-25
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation and inspect trail for blowdowns
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap to the bottom of the orchard I cut back vegetation. In the orchard I cut back what was left after the forest service mowed the orchard. Many wildflowers were lost in the mowing reducing the butterfly habitat. We must start caring about our pollenators. Eliminated wildflowers were Turk's Cap Lilies, Joe Pye Weed, Iron Weed, Tall Golden Rod, Red and White Bee Balm, Wood Betony, and others. My work in the orchard of many long hard hours was mostly erased. Is there a need for me to continue? Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-06-27
Purpose: Locust Transport and Trail Rehab
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Dan Firth, Tim Stewart, Todd Carpenter, Joe Morris, Van Hovey, Scott Huskey, Carl Fritz
Summary: The remaining logs for the Roan High Knob Shelter rehabilitation were cut to length and transported by the USFS to Toll House Gap. They included: 2 pcs. 9-10" - 9 ft. OAL, 2 pcs. 9-10" - 15 ft. OAL, 1 pc. 10-11" - 17 ft. OAL, additional front wall replacement locust and two corner posts. The crew also dug 300 feet of new bench halfway between Double Springs and TN 91. Reporting: David Allen
Date: 2024-06-27
Purpose: Weed cutting
Section: 2a: Backbone Rock Trail to Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter
People: David Allen
Summary: Another day of weed cutting. Finished a small section of high weeds on Section 1, then spent the day cutting weeds on section 2a, starting at the Backbone Rock trail intersections. Reports from a number of hikers this week said the only high weeds on section 2a was within a mile of the blue blaze intersection, which is where I spend the day. I did not make it to the end of section 2a. Reporting: Vic Hasler
Date: 2024-06-17
Purpose: TEHCC A.T. Committee
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Steve Falling, Carl Fritz, Vic Hasler, Joe Morris, Renee and Tony Messina, Andy Steffan, Steve Wilson
Summary: (Submission form update limited to 400 characters.) Committee continued on 2024 work plan, including north of Curley Maple Gap shelter, weed trimming, Roan High Knob shelter repair (delayed to 2025), and Konnarock Crew. Consensus was not favorable on installing bear boxes, but if placed, then first at shelters at Abingdon Gap, Iron Mountain, and No Business Knob due to reported bear encounters. Reporting: Greg Kramer
Date: 2024-06-25
Purpose: Paint grafitti board, clean water bars, cut vegatation
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Greg Kramer
Summary: Painted the graffiti board, the last time I cleaned the graffiti board it looked very sad. I cleaned the board and and painted two coats of Klitz. My last trip to clean waterbars I had started at the shelter and headed North. I got to the stairs and had to quit. I started at the stairs after cutting back vegetation between the shelter and the stairs. I cleaned the stairs many water bars. Reporting: Michael Watts
Date: 2024-06-25
Purpose: Cut weeds
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Michael Watts
Summary: Finished cutting summer weeds on section, including blue blaze trail to water source Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-06-25
Purpose: Establishing the cutting plan for SAHC Mow-Off and cutting weeds
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: Joe Morris
Summary: The day began innocently enough as Marquette, Travis and I chatted about the upcoming SAHC Great Grassy Ridge Mow-Off scheduled for July 20-21. They left me with a weed eater at Engine Gap and things quickly got out of hand. Seasonal growth is at least 4 weeks ahead of schedule in the Highlands. I had a full day and only cut to a mile south of the shelter. Grim Reaper spotted in the area. Reporting: David Allen
Date: 2024-06-24
Purpose: Cutting Weeds
Section: 1: TN/VA state line to Backbone Rock Trail
People: 2
Summary: Hiked up Backbone Rock blue-blaze trail, then cut weeds from trail intersection to TN/VA state line. We did some minor trimming on the blue blaze trail, and removed a blowdown that had completely blocked the Backbone Rock trail (using a hand saw) Reporting: Craig Haire
Date: 2024-06-19
Purpose: weedeating, clearing side growth
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Craig Haire
Derek Haire
Summary: Cleared trailside growth on Temple Ridge and the switchback loop just north of the ridge, using 80V Kobalt and 40V Greenworks string trimmers. We advanced in leapfrog fashion. No fossil fuels were used in travel or maintenance, only inconveniencing a few electrons. I also carried a log up to the 3rd switchback loop south of the river for installing a step later.
We encountered 3 late NOBO end-to-enders as well as a few day hikers. It was a very warm day. Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2024-06-23
Purpose: Weed eat Jones Branch section
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey
Carrie Hovey
Summary: Primary objective to weedeat Jones Branch section . Walked in from USA Raft to second switchback then headed back
out . Along the way removed one blowdown with hand saw , slid one off the trail and cut back multiple rhodies and with two weedeaters achieved primary objective . Met one section hiker and a couple of day hikers . Upon query, report from section hiker indicated no blowdowns all the way to Indian Grave Gap . Hot day …… Cheers Reporting: Richard L Ramsey
Date: 2024-06-09
Purpose: Weed eat Doll Flats.
Section: 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
People: Nancy Mick, Richard Ramsey
Summary: Hiked in from 19E to Doll Flats to weed-eat the field there at Doll Flats. A fair amount of hiking now required having to access from 19E. Reporting: Tony Messina
Date: 2024-06-20
Purpose: Blowdowns
Section: 12a: Bitter End to Walnut Mountain Road
People: Tony Messina
Jim McGuire
Summary: Jim worked the morning with Carl and part of the Thursday crew near Bishops Hollow. I picked him up at Bishops Hollow at noon and drove to Bitter End to hike in and clear a reported blowdown. I carried my weedeater and Jim carried the chainsaw. We ended up clearing two troublesome blowdowns a short distance north of the bench. One was about 8inch dia and the other about 19inch (with a twist bind). Both were a bit high to crawl over and a bit low to crawl under. Jim carried the saw back to the car and drove around to meet at Walnut Mtn Road. I proceeded on to cut weeds out to Walnut Mountain Road, and along the way cleared six minor blowdowns using my Silky. Jim saw one NOBO thru-hiker at Walnut Mtn Road and helped her obtain a shuttle to a hostel. I saw no hikers. It was a hot day, but not as bad as Tuesday was at BMP! All in all, it was a very efficient use of Jim's day and my afternoon. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-06-20
Purpose: Footbridge completion and double stack crib
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Elzear Lemieux, Dan Firth, Carl Fritz, Bill Murdoch, Van Hovey, Joe Morris
Summary: The Thursday crew split into two teams - one group finished the footbridge north of Bishop Hollow. Lath was installed and the ramp from the old stile was used to transition onto the bridge. The other crew created a double stacked locust crib to fix a 30-foot depression that was filled with roots. The footbridge crew hiked in to assist with backfill duty on the double stack at the end of the day. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2024-06-15
Purpose: Search for blowdowns and cut back encroaching vegetation.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: Started from Greasy Creek Gap coming up from the Friendly I cut weeds, overhanging limbs, and cut grass and nettles with a grass whip. Coming up from the forest service service road to Greasy Creek Gap I met a young woman in the woods carrying a 5 month old infant which was a real surprise. More surprise was waiting at the gap where her husband and 3 young girls were resting before setting up camp in the gap. It was delightful to meet a whole family who hiked from Iron Mountain Gap and was headed to Hughes Gap the next day. From there I proceeded up to the first tall knob cutting nettles, weeds, limbs and some thick grass .65 of a mile to the top of the mountain. About 2 tenths of a mile below the top I found the large 13 inch oak blowdown reported by a hiker 2 weeks ago. I also found 2 other smaller blowdowns that were less than 8 inches. I will return to remove them soon. Pictures on facebook. Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2024-06-17
Purpose: Clearing summer growth
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: Cleared grass weeds and other vegetation for a wide swath (6 feet) for the length of Bishops Hollow. Reporting: Elzear Lemieux
Date: 2024-06-15
Purpose: Routine Maintenance
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Elzear Lemieux
Emily Lemieux
Summary: Cut back vegetation, removed a small blowdown and recorded a larger walk over blowdown. Reporting: joe morris
Date: 2024-06-13
Purpose: Rehab and bridge construction
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Carl Fritz, Tony Messina, Jeff Hatling, Van Hovey, Joe Morris
Summary: The Thursday crew finished a new locust foot bridge north of Bishop Hollow and rehabbed 160 feet of trail in the area. Reporting: Lori Mirrer
Date: 2024-06-10
Purpose: Check section; whack weeds
Section: 15b: Cloudland Hotel to Ash Gap
People: Lori Mirrer
Summary: I decided to work my section over two days. That way I didn't have to carry all the tools and get everything done in one trip.
Day 1 (Monday, 6/10) I mainly looked over the section. Trimmed some brush, checked water diversions. Trail was in exceptional shape! Blazes good, trash nonexistent.
I did see two trees leaning over the trail, one requiring a pretty big bend to get under. I planned to include them in this report to request they be taken out, but the very next day they'd been removed (thanks, Rick Lott!).
Saw about 10 hikers. All but one were sectioners.
Day 2 (Wednesday, 6/12) I missed working Tuesday because my truck decided it needed a new "Throttle Position Sensor." So I headed up again the day after, sling blade lashed firmly to my pack, headed for the grass and weeds alongside Ash Gap. Got them cut back on that wonderful level section (and the short climb up to the viewpoint on Beartown Mtn.).
Saw about 4 or 5 hikers - plus a large group at Ash Gap as I reached it. Folks were talkative Monday; not so Wednesday.
Photos show a general before-and-after of the weed whacking (not the same exact area, but it should get the idea across).
Gosh, this is a beautiful section of the Trail.
Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2024-06-11
Purpose: Inspect condition of the trial .
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Cleaned out water diversions, and added two additional diversions.
Hand weed whacked the Blackberries in the bald area of Bradley Gap.
Hand weed whacked areas along the trail to direct people onto the trail.
The trail south of Bradley Gap with the new bog bridge and water diversions have made that sections of the trail 100% improved. The new water diversions on south approach to Little Hump have stabilized that section of trail allowing hiking to remain on the trail. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-06-11
Purpose: Evaluate trail section
Section: 14c: Yellow Mountain Gap to Stan Murray Shelter
People: Joe Morris
Summary: Natalia Muglia USFS, Jerry Kyle ATC and I walked from Yellow Mountain Gap to roughly one mile south of Stan Murray Shelter. The purpose of the trip was to evaluate the segment as a possible Konnarock work site in 2025. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2024-06-11
Purpose: Cut Blowdowns
Section: 15b: Cloudland Hotel to Ash Gap
People: Rick Lott
Mike Watts
Summary: Mike had previously spotted two blowdowns just south of Cloudland Hotel on a hike on Sunday. We left the weed eating on the hwy 19E to Doll Flats section and drove up through the FS gate and up to the Cloudland Parking area. A FS employee had just finished cutting grass up there and said it would be OK to park there today as no construction work was going on. We cut the two targeted blowdowns without much trouble and elected to cut a hazardous leaner that could potentially fall in a high wind. Pictures of the three are attached. In addition, we spotted two other hazard trees in the same area, but elected not to tackle them until we came back with some rigging. They did not appear to be an immediate concern.
There was a huge crowd at Carver's Gap. There were even a few cars parked between the road block saw horse and the gate, but fortunately not blocking the gate. Couldn't have asked for a nicer trail maintenance day weatherwise. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2024-06-11
Purpose: Weed Eating
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Mike Watts
Summary: We weedeated from the 19E trail head in about a half mile when Mike's Echo decided to die. We continued cutting with Rick's Sthil until we got 0.8 miles in and then headed back out to tackle the blowdowns on Roan High knob. Only the section of the trail near the trail head had significant weed growth. The upper section was in pretty good shape and typically has less weed growth with the rocks and shade. We will return in a couple weeks to complete the section.
We encountered a few hikers, a few NBO thru hikers and one trail runner. One family with three kids was backpacking/camping thru to Carver's Gap. They were from Mt. Pleasant, SC and lived about a 1/2 mile from the condo Rick has down there. Small world. Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2024-06-07
Purpose: Inspect condition of the trial and make needed improvements.
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Cleaned out water diversion in the Little Hump area and added three additional small water diversions.
Weed wacked trail going up the southside of Little Hump in areas to encourage staying on the trail. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2024-06-07
Purpose: Cut weeds, looking for blow downs, check spring, and remove trash.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap to top of first tall knob at pinnacle of rocks I cut back encroaching vegetation. I had previously clear from trailhead to the orchard but it needed to be covered again somewhat so I touched it up. Then went on to the top of the mountain where I removed stinging nettles and lots of grass leaning in on the trail. Returned to the trailhead just after midnight and heard something in the weeds that I thought was a bear. I called come here bear but it didn't come out. Then I heard it again and called once more but no movement. I proceeded to my car where I got out a bright light and shined it into the brush as I drove down the road. Out popped a dog that chased me down the road and ran up to my window.
So I opened the passenger side door and she jumped right in. Going back to Unicoi County Animal Shelter to see if they will take her when they reopen. Otherwise does anyone want a sweet well behaved house broken pit mix medium size dog if the shelters won't take her? See my facebook page for pics. Reporting: Dean Baird
Date: 2024-06-06
Purpose: Trim vegetation and inspect trail
Section: 9b: Pond Flats to Hampton trailhead
People: Dean Baird
Jennifer Baird
Summary: We did a large amount of work cutting back vegetation, particularly on the railroad grade but also on the South facing portion of the trail. We also worked on vegetation at the top of the mountain; this is the largest amount and fern and striped maple growth that we have seen since we have been maintaining this section. Apparently, one purpose of wilderness must be to provide habitat for Toxicodendron sp. to thrive.
Overall, the trail is in good condition. The spring on top is full blast. There were no blowdowns to be removed today. The switchbacks that we built during the last rehab are in good condition. We are getting some "trail creep" and will have to do some small areas of rehab (getting the trail back up the hill) at some point.
Weather was rain on-and-off all day. Reporting: Jim McGuire
Date: 2024-06-06
Purpose: Trimmed Weeds Trail along Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jim McGuire
Summary: Trimmed weeds along Elk River. I also cleared 2 blowdowns. One was a medium size blowdown on the trail. The other was on the forest service road from Elk River Falls. I talked with 2 hikers. One was planning a record run of the entire trail in July. Both hikers expressed appreciation for trimming back weeds. I will probably need to trim weeds again in August. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2024-06-06
Purpose: Rehab
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Carl Fritz, Scott Huskey, Van Hovey, Tim Stewart, Joe Morris
Summary: We installed 3 new locust steps and moved one step. In addition, several locust "discs" were placed in obvious wet areas. We dug several outlets into the low side of the bench and outlets were dug around steps where water was collecting. Additional rehab opportunities are available. Reporting: JEFFREY A HATLING
Date: 2024-06-05
Purpose: Mow the old Red Barn site meadow.
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Mowed the meadow. Reporting: JEFFREY A HATLING
Date: 2024-06-04
Purpose: Inspect Yellow Mountain Gap to the base of Little Hump
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Checked the springs at the Over-the-Mountain camping area, both flowing. One Gray's Lily on the trail down to the lower spring (picture attached) Only found a very small amount of trash at camping area.
Weed wacked the grassy open areas from the Over-the-Mountain camping area to the ridge leading to Little Hump.
Cleaned out 12+/- water diversions. Converted one stairs into a water diversion. (picture attached) Brushed in one small section to get hikers back onto the trial.