Below is submitted maintenance activities for the last 6 weeks. Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. Or view maintenance by section.
Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2025-04-17
Purpose: Routine Maintenance
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Summary: Easy-smeasy day. Encountered and removed one small blowdown and did just a little trimming. It’s dry up there; so, it will be at least two or three more weeks before weed-eating is required.
Date: 2025-04-15
Purpose: Chainsaw Certification
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Tony Messina
Chuck Ramsey
Michael Sink
Ken Costello
Steve Mahan
Summary: TEHCC held its final chainsaw certification class for this cycle and certified/recertified seven sawyers for Level B - Bucking. Chuck Ramsey once again commuted from Brevard to teach the class, which was fun and very informative. Brandon Church also helped teach the class and helped Chuck with the field evaluations. Monday April 14 consisted of a classroom session and Tuesday April 15 was a hands-on field session. Reporting: Karen Berry
Date: 2025-04-15
Purpose: Trail and shelter maintenance
Section: 14c: Yellow Mountain Gap to Stan Murray Shelter
People: Karen Berry
Annette Vinding
Jeff Hatling
Summary: Filled root ball hole, cut and removed one fallen tree, removed shelter trash and cleaned dry erase board including some stickers. (Teacher tip, Nail polish remover worked well for dry erase marker removal on board). Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-04-15
Purpose: Konnarock support
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joe Morris
Tim Stewart
Summary: Taylor from USFS cut steps, crib logs and stakes. We moved the material to various spots for rehabilitation. Reporting: Elzear Lemieux
Date: 2025-04-13
Purpose: Remove Blowdown
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Elzear Lemieux
Emily Lemieux
Summary: Removed Blowdown reported Reporting: Richard L Ramsey
Date: 2025-03-29
Purpose: Check trail condition and remove smaller blowdown
Section: 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
People: Nancy Mick
Richard Ramsey
Summary: Assessed the blowdown that could be cut with the Silky and removed them. There is stall a blowdown one mile above Doll Flats that one can duck under but will require a chainsaw. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-04-10
Purpose: Repair Root Balls
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Pamela Hamon
Elzear Lemieux
Bill Murdoch
Jon Heidrich
Caleb Trivett
Summary: Despite light rains starting at noon, they repaired root ball holes starting at Walnut Mtn Rd. They removed the logs and replaced with rocks and soil. Pamela earned her first timer's patch! There is more work to be done. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-04-10
Purpose: Cut Blowdowns and Rehab Root Balls
Section: 12a: Bitter End to Walnut Mountain Road
People: Pamela Hamon
Elzear Lemieux
Bill Murdoch
Jon Heidrich
Caleb Trivett
Michael Sink
Carl Fritz
Summary: Most of the crew did 25 feet of root ball repairs by digging. Surprisingly, there were 13 problem blowdowns in less than two weeks. Most were in 12 inch category almost waist high. Some were weighing down rhododendron. Largest was probably 18 inches. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-04-10
Purpose: Blowdown removal and rehab
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Van Hovey
Joe Morris
Summary: We removed two blowdowns, cribbed a root ball cavity with locust and backfilled it at Beauty Spot Gap. We moved north to 357.4 and rehabbed a root ball with two rock steps and crib. We rehabbed about 40 total feet. Reporting: Phyllis Cairnes
Date: 2025-04-09
Purpose: shelter maintenance
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Phyllis Cairnes
Deb Helmer
Summary: The shelter and the trail were in very good shape. We picked up a bit of trash, painted the graffiti board, and shoveled out the fire ring. It was a glorious day to be out. We met 3 thru-hikers and several hikers with the Old Timers. A man from near Boone was set up in the parking lot to feed hikers and seemed disappointed there had only been four. Hopefully he picked up the box full of energy drinks he had set out on the trail. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2025-04-08
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance, Cut back Branches/Small Blowdowns, Pick Up Trash, Refresh White Blazes
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Routine Trail Maintenance, Cut back Branches/Small Blowdowns, Pick Up Trash, Refresh NOBO and SOBO White Blazes - From MM 399.2 to MM 400.9 (Jones Falls) Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2025-03-17
Purpose: Blowdown removal and tread way rebuilding
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Ed Speer (only)
Summary: This is a summary maintenance report of solo outings by Ed Speer, where he did blowdown removal and trail rebuilding. These outing on 3/17 & 3/24 were on section 4B hiking from Cross Mountain on Hwy 91 to Double Springs shelter. Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2025-04-05
Purpose: Inspect shelter
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey
Carrie Hovey
Michael Sink
Summary: Primary purpose was to inspect shelter and rectify any issues.
Shelter is fine but needed some paint over graffiti on structure , which we took care of.
Cleaned and repainted graffiti board.
Checked water source , ok .
Policed area for trash .
Shelter and surrounds , ok .
Met several thru hikers and gleaned info on a couple of blowdowns that need to be taken care of , however neither is critical , will deal with next good weather day.
Cheers Reporting: Lori Mirrer
Date: 2025-04-01
Purpose: Checking section, particularly for Helene damage
Section: 15b: Cloudland Hotel to Ash Gap
People: Lori Mirrer
Summary: Section 15B is a debris field in the best of times - when a tree falls, it usually takes others with it.
Helene certainly made an impact. But I think this section got off better than many others.
Nearly all the damage was in the first half-mile south from Cloudland. Byt the time of my visit, the sawyers had already been through and cut the biggest messes.
What's left is several clumps of trees broken and leaning on one another over the trail, and rootballs that haven't torn up big chunks of trail, but the ground is eroding under them and that's likely to become a big problem.
One pair of rootballs lie opposite one another on the sides of the trail. Traveling southbound, at first it looks like the trail is blocked. But once you're close to the two, you can see the space between them.
And... the twisty tree lives (mile 377.7)! Even Helene couldn't take it down. Reporting: Jeff Miller
Date: 2025-04-05
Purpose: Post-Helene maintenance
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Ed Brading
Jim Foster
Stacy Fowler
Yong Li
Sami Maldonado
Jeff Miller
Summary: Post-Helene maintenance focused on clearing ground debris and minor maintenance with pruners, loppers, and small saws. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-04-04
Purpose: Konnarock site visit
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Carl Fritz, Steve Perri, Joe Morris
Summary: Accompanied Jerry Kyle and Konnarock crew leaders on a site visit to areas south of Cherry Gap at Low Gap. Several extensive root ball cavities exist in this trail section, resource materials were identified and crew plans initiated. Work begins on 4/14/25 Reporting: Tony Messina
Date: 2025-04-04
Purpose: Discuss Potential Accessible Trail Improvements
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Tony Messina
Carl Fritz
Scott Huskey
Summary: We met with Chad Ingle (USFS) to review our proposal for improvements to the Accessible Trail portion of the AT at Cross Mtn. Chad needed more detailed information so that a NEPA review can be conducted. He wants the project to be "shovel ready" should funds become available. It is possible that excess funds from Helene Recovery budgets MIGHT become available at some point. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-04-03
Purpose: Rehab
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Joe Morris, Jeff Hatling, Van Hovey, Michael Sink
Summary: This portion of the Thursday crew cleared 50 feet of a large poplar parallel to the bench and rehabbed 105 total feet including two root ball cavities. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-04-03
Purpose: Rehab
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick, Sue Bonito, Dennis Lewis
Summary: This crew fixed a switchback with five steps and cleared two root balls. 40 feet rehabbed Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-04-03
Purpose: Improve Shelter Roof and Cut Blowdowns
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Richard Good
Bill Murdoch
Bob Peoples
Dan Firth
Carl Fritz
Summary: We worked mostly at Moreland Gap Shelter. We added felt to roof and tied down a tarp with boards laying on top. The shelter should be water proof from the top. They gathered what was left of picnic table, added more boards, and used wood spools as legs and sitting sites. Also, we cut another locust hazard tree in camping area. Dan and Carl went after two complex blowdowns south of shelter that involved root balls and moving trees at mm 413.8 and 413.4. We did not get to one at mm 412.7 but hiker commented there was nothing to duck under or difficult to get through. Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: 2025-04-02
Purpose: Check and repair any further trail damage
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Yong Li, Jim Foster
Summary: Well I spoke to quick when I reported that we had all our repairs completed. Yong and I encountered more blowdowns (small) and more root balls (small to large) today. Since we only had our hand saws it was challenging but we were able to complete the task. I'm pretty sure that we're now finished but only time will tell. Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2025-04-01
Purpose: Trail maintenance
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: Assessed trail but only found minor problems near mile mark 398.4. Cut several new blow downs, a step over and a few duck unders. Filled and cleared a root ball that was causing a small diversion on a side slope. Will need to go back possibly with a small group to repair switch back damage as mentioned at mile mark 398.4. Closest entry point at Issac cemetery. Also slightly south bound, within a tenth of a mile there were several overhanging trees but higher than six feet. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-04-01
Purpose: Cut hazard trees at Moreland Gap Shelter
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Carl Fritz
Bill Murdoch
Summary: On a calm day Bill and I went after hazard trees at Moreland Gap. 14" split vertically locust was leaning against primary hazard tree. After cutting four six-foot sections off it, we were able to pull it over with Maasdam. Then the 4' diameter hazard maple was hollow, with a vertical opening, and weighted for shelter. We successfully felled it sideways with the Maasdam as a safety factor. We also removed a major blowdown on water trail. We saw 12 hikers with 10 being NOBOs and 2 day hikers. All expressed their appreciation for all the work done on TEHCC section. Reporting: Tony Messina
Date: 2025-03-29
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns
Section: 12a: Bitter End to Walnut Mountain Road
People: Tony & Renee Messina
Summary: Renee and I hiked in and out of our section from Walnut Mountain Road to perform spring maintenance and to address several blowdowns near mile 407.1 reported by Jim McGuire on his TieDie Youtube channel. We were slow but steady, this was Renee's last hurrah before knee replacement surgery this coming Tuesday! We lopped quite a bit of rhodo and cleared quite a few nuisance blowdowns along the way, there must have been significant wind in that area recently. We cleared about a dozen blowdowns, several of which were in interesting binds between trees on either side of the trail. These ranged from about 4inch to 15inch diameter. Although the blowdowns had not completely blocked the trail, they had caused quite a bit of ducking/climbing by hikers.
We encountered about twenty section/weekend hikers as well as about 10 thru hikers. All of the hikers expressed amazement and gratitude for all of the Helene work. One very fit hiker gave feedback that the relo around Iron Mtn Gap is much too steep and would be hazardous when wet, if not all the time.
We also assessed rootball and other rehab needed within about a mile of Walnut Mtn Road. None of it is critical, but a day's work for maybe half of the usual Thursday crew is there. Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2025-03-29
Purpose: Remove reported bliwdowns
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Van Hovey
Carrie Hovey
Summary: Addressed report of blowdowns north and south of IGG .
Cleared one in the trail 1/2 mile north of the gap .
Headed south and cleared a few items along the trail and one 14” with some mess @ mile 352 ,
Cheers Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-03-29
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Joe Morris
Summary: Canada Goose sent me a video link review of the new reroute and the intro showed some blowdowns on the north side of Unaka. Steve and I started at 357.4 and cut several nuisance trees to 358.5. The root ball damage was significant and can be addressed by Konnarock crew.. There were several reports of trees south of Indian Grave Gap and since we were in the vicinity we cut two blowdowns with 1/4 mi. South of IGG.. Section maintainers Joel, Joy, Yong and David were informed regarding the completed tasks. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2025-03-28
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns
Section: 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
People: Rick Lott
Jeff Hatling
Summary: Hiker reports had indicated several blowdowns trail south of the two that Mike Watts and I had previously cut within a half mile of Doll Flats. We found the first one between our previous two cuts (a new addition). The other 5 were within about 1.25 miles trail south of Doll Flats. Most were in the 6-14" range. We totally removed all of them except for one that was about a 4 tree tangle. We didn't have enough available time to totally remove this complicated tangle. We were able to cut a 4' high path under them and brushed in the hike made detour. This tangle was located at mile 391.6 Will tackle it another day. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2025-03-28
Purpose: Clear Blowdown
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Jeff Hatling
Summary: We accessed Doll Flats via the USFS gate via Little Elk Rd from Elk Park. FS Road was still clear to Doll Flats. We hiked trail north for 0.5 miles to cut the 14" locust that was lying parallel on the trail from the rock step switchback to the small landslide. We used some of the cut logs and other loose branches to block off the short cut that hikers had been using. Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2025-03-27
Purpose: Helene Blowdown Removal
Section: 9b: Pond Flats to Hampton trailhead
People: Rebekah Morrisson
Nick Anderson
Kacy Hirschfelt
Trae Schadegg
Kevin Matthews
Summary: This is for the dates of March 26 and 27. The crew hiked in to Pond Flats to clear the big blowdown mess at the top. Over the 2 days they cleared 27 trees with 105 cuts. They opened up as much if the section as possible while utilizing some of the rerouted sections. As of this date this section is passable. Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2025-03-25
Purpose: Helene Blowdown Removal
Section: 6: Iron Mountain Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter
People: Rebekah Morrisson
Nick Anderson
Kacy Hirchfelt
Trae Schadegg
Brandon Church (USFS)
Taylor Neigh (USFS)
Natlaia Muglia (USFS)
Kevin Matthews
Summary: Today was the final push to the Big Laurel Branch section. The team cleared the last .75 of a mile opening the entire section wilderness section. During the day they cleared the last 35 trees and and treetops in total. This was big effort by the team as they were shuttled in and worked thought the day until it was completed. USFS staff from the Unaka and the Appalachian RD provided great assistance in this final push. Reporting: Lotta Murray
Date: 2025-03-27
Purpose: Trail maintenance assessment and light clipping.
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Lotta Murray
Summary: Purpose of trip was to do the trail maintenance assessment. (Pictures and sheet sent to Renee)
There are a few smaller blowdowns that could be cut with a handsaw, one larger oak 20+ inches diameter need chain saw. All are easy to get around. One small pine is blocking the trail and hikers are making a new trail around it. One area have several large trees that have been cut but there is trail damage and a rootball need to be trimmed back, possible side log needed. The gate to usfs road 278 is open and is a good access to access the blowdowns and trail. Reporting: Michael Watts
Date: 2025-03-23
Purpose: Work on support for log bridge handrail
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Michael Watts
Summary: Stabilize loose locust post supporting handrail of log bridge past site of old Apple House shelter. Also did some trimming of encroaching vegetation. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-03-27
Purpose: Rehab
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Joe Morris, Ken Murray, Van Hovey, Michael Sink, John Beaudet, Greg Kramer, Gerald Scoot, Phillip Pearce, Bill Murdoch, Michel Denizot, Tony Messina, Dan Firth, Carl Fritz, Randy Allen, Lotta Murray
Summary: The Thursday crew had an excellent day: created a 35-foot locust crib to rehab a four deep root ball cavity, created new tread around another root ball, and dug out around a precarious downed tree creating an easy to navigate "tunnel". Phillip Pearce, a resident of San Antonio, TX, joined us as part of his vacation to the Smokies and received the club patch. 75 feet of difficult sidehill was rehabbed. Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2025-03-25
Purpose: Spring clean out of water diversions on the north bound approach to Little Hump .
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Cleaned out the water diversions on the north bound approach trail to Little Hump. (15+/-). With the snowy wet winter all the diversions will full of soil. Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2025-03-25
Purpose: Spring clean out of water diversions on the north bound approach to Little Hump .
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Cleaned out the water diversions on the north bound approach trail to Little Hump. (15+/-). With the snowy wet winter all the diversions will full of soil. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2025-03-26
Purpose: Inspection and Blowdown removal
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Joe Morris
Summary: Emoji reported that multiple hikers were confused and "lost" at the reroute at Low Gap.
We checked the signage and blazing and they are adequate. Someone had removed some of the debris from the area we blocked last week and it is an assumption they continued on the closed portion of the AT. We bolstered the blockage and cut more downed trees toward Unaka stopping at 360.0 N. Good opportunities for Konnarock crew rehab in this area. Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: 2025-03-25
Purpose: Repair root balls
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Yong Li, Jim Foster
Summary: Yong and I finished repairing the root balls between Hughes Gap and Little Rock Knob. I think there were ten in all. One was very large and required cut logs to fill it before we could even start. The others required cribbing and fill to repair. To the best of my knowledge this completes the treadway repair on our section. Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2025-03-20
Purpose: Helene Blowdown Removal
Section: 6: Iron Mountain Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter
People: Scotty Bowman
Kacy Hirschfelt
Nick Anderson
Joshua Tourtellotte
Kevin Matthews
Summary: This entry is for the dates of Tuesday March 18 - Thursday March 20. USFS staff shuttled the crew up to the wilderness boundary Tuesday morning. The crew then hiked to the campsite in the middle and began working south. Between Tuesday afternoon and Friday morning the crew was able to clear 2.2 miles south towards Vandeventer shelter.
The numbers:
91 trees cleared
18 treetops
2.2 miles of trail opened up
.75 of a mile left to clear with 27 trees and 8 treetops. Plan to clear these on Tuesday, March 25 with the help of Brandon Church and Taylor Neigh Reporting: Steve Perri
Date: 2025-03-21
Purpose: Attend SORO Regional Partnership Meeting
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Steve Perri
Summary: We collectively celebrated the 100 yr ATC anniversary. Both ATC and the USFS have funds available for Helene recovery work from different sources. The USFS praised clubs for their diligence in recovery work to open the trail so quickly and safely. An updated trail maintenance guide was just published by the USFS and has new techniques in it. The USFS has some new guideline changes to the chainsaw sawyer training and is planning on adding more training sessions for 2025 along with probably 2 hazard tree courses. The Cherokee NF and GWJ NF in VA have new considerations in meeting NEPA requirements regarding human sanitation and privies. Moldering privies will be required along the AT to meet the stipulations in the ruling. Matt Drury shared plans for dealing with noninvasive species recovery for areas impacted by Helene. This work will involve major contractors along with ATC and possibly club assistance to reduce the fuel of downed trees. The southern clubs submitted nominations for various awards. Among those awarded include Brandon Church from rom the Cherokee NF as agency partner of the year, Hot Springs as partner of as partner of the year, and me for volunteer of the year. TEHCC was among 4 clubs recognized with a plaque by ATC for for the effort in reopening the AT.
The fall SORO meeting will be Nov. 8th at Amicalola Falls State Park. Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2025-03-22
Purpose: Trail Maintenance
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Eddie Speers and Scott Huskey
Summary: Cut two blowdowns and did some additional sawing to widen the trail in two locations. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2025-03-22
Purpose: Rehab and Blowdown removal
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Nola Versfelt, Richard Good, Tim Stewart, Joe Morris
Summary: We rehabbed two root balls and 82 feet of trail. Armored 30 additional feet with locust logs framing other root ball cavities. We cut many blowdowns most of them secondary downfalls.
This crew worked from 399.2 to 400.0. Richard Good received his patch for first outing with TEHCC. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-03-22
Purpose: Cut Blowdowns and Deal with Root Balls
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Dan Firth
Carl Fritz
Gerald Scott
Summary: We left everything that was passable so we could concentrate on major obstacles. First one was a new 20 inch blowdown not there a week ago. We cut out numerous overhead trees that were sagging. A 30" blowdown that we avoided previously, we were able to easily go behind root ball with a little digging. Another 20" dead tree root ball we were able to go through. Another sawyer day with smaller saw is still justified. Beautiful day and many hikers. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-03-22
Purpose: Primarily Cut Blowdowns
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Dennis Whittington
Van Hovey
Tony Messina
Dean Baird
Bill Murdoch
Heather Waldroup
Michael Sink
Summary: The crew removed some small blowdowns on AT from Elk River to Jones Falls blue blaze trail. They then went after the blue blaze trail hard and were able to get it cleared with three sawyers and four swampers. Reporting: Steve Perri
Date: 2025-03-19
Purpose: Trail Assessment of Root Ball Damage and Blowdown Removal
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Carl Fritz, Ted Malone, Steve Perri, Ed Speer, Tim Stewart, Steve Wilson
Summary: We did a walk through from McQueens Gap to Low Gap at 421. We cleaned water bars out, cut out blow downs, removed encroaching vegetation and downed tree branches, counted root balls needing to be filled in, and checked the spring. Steve and Ed removed about 17 trees blocking the trail and left about 5 on the last mile or so after running out of gas. Carl and Tim assessed the repairs needed for the proposed Helene Hardcore group planned for the AT Damascus Days in May, There were about 10 root balls on Carl's list we thought could use filling in which won't be a lot of work since the trail is flat and very little damage impacted the tread way directly. We're rethinking the resources needed for the proposed Hardcore plan may be much less. We also cut out about a dozen trees with the Corona saw we carried with us along with dragging other trees off the trail. Trees are slowly coming down from their initial hanging state when we came through several months ago. Carl has the detailed assessment list, the tree locations and the difficulty rating along with specific comments. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2025-03-11
Purpose: Complete Trail Assessment and Routine Maintenance
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Complete remaining evaluation of Section 12C from Jones Falls to Sugar Hollow Creek. Remove 2 small blowdowns, cut back encroaching branches, clear small blowdown at Sugar Hollow Creek crossing and begin to pick up trash/stack wood debris along Elk River. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2025-03-19
Purpose: Finish reroute around Iron Mountain Gap
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Van Hovey
Joe Morris
Summary: We helped Brandon and Taylor complete the reroute around the Helene salvage area and posted closure notices. Reporting: Greg Kramer
Date: 2025-03-18
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Greg Kramer
Bill Murdoch
Summary: Thank goodness I carried 2 bars and 3 chains. So many of the blowdowns had rootballs attached or were under very unusual strain. Trees were flaking apart and trapping the bar. SAWS had come through yesterday ? and cleared much of my sections difficult blowdowns. The blowdown we came to deal with was removed. I still had much to do. I had a new blowdown that was 20's diameter hip high across the trail. We removed everything from the shelter to down to the big staircase. like waterbars of last week and blowdowns this week a return trip to finish will be required. most probably next week. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-03-17
Purpose: Plan Trail Rehab
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Dan Firth
Carl Fritz
Summary: Lotta and Ken made an excellent assessment of the root ball damage and blowdowns on this section. We investigated materials and tools to repair these. It seems we could easily entertain 15 to 20 volunteers with a lot of digging. Largest root ball hole of 25 feet at mm 336.9 is the most urgent. The 30" blowdown can be made as a feature to rather easily pass under. We cleared some minor blowdowns with hand saws
. Reporting: Michael Sink
Date: 2025-03-17
Purpose: Blazing Reroute
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Michael Sink
Van Hovey
Summary: Swamped and blazed the Iron Mountain reroute with the Forest Service guys. We worked from The Orchard southbound to 107. Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2025-03-13
Purpose: Helene Blowdown Removal
Section: 6: Iron Mountain Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter
People: Scotty Bowman
Kacy Hirschfelt
Nick Anderson
Trae Schadegg
Joshua Tourtellotte
Kevin Matthews
Summary: This is for the dates of March 11-13, 2025. We hiked in from TN 91 and based out the campsite near Iron Mountain Shelter spring. We cleared the section between the northern wilderness boundary to 1 mile south to the campsite located at Blackman Branch (referred to as Pack Saddle by SAWS). In this one section we cleared 60 trees of multiple sizes and the corridor is open on this section. Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2025-03-14
Purpose: Helene Blowdown Removal
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Scotty Bowman
Kacy Hirschfelt
Nick Anderson
Trae Schadegg
Joshua Tourtellot
Kevin Matthews
Summary: As we hiked back to Cross Mountain after finishing up our hitch in BLB we cleared 10 trees along this section. We skipped 2 trees in the last 1.5 miles. Reporting: Tracy Harrisa
Date: 2025-03-16
Purpose: lopping rhododendrons
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Tracy Harris
Summary: Lopping rhododendrons Reporting: Michael Sink
Date: 2025-03-14
Purpose: Trail Assessment, Blowdown Removal, and Trash Removal
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: Michael Sink
Jeff Hatling
Cheryl Ramsey
Summary: This report covers 3 days on section 14d. I went out on 2/28 to do an assessment of the section and logged the issues with pictures and GPS locations. I met up with Jeff on 3/13 and we cleared 5 blowdowns and 2 step overs between Stan Murray and Grassy Ridge. including a blowdown that had occurred after my assessment. Went back out on 3/14 with Cheryl and packed out an abandoned tent and trash from a stealth site at 383.4. We also cleared a recent blowdown between Jane and the Grassy Ridge blue blaze junction with a Silky to make it passable. Reporting: Gerald N Scott
Date: 2025-03-14
Purpose: Routine Spring Maintenance & Trail Maintenance Assessment
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Gerald Scott
Harold Wexler
Summary: We cleared several 4–8-inch blowdowns. Left 2 new blowdowns too large for Silky saws. One was a 15-20 inches dead tree lying on the end of the foot bridge at mile 403.8 (see picture). Hikers are still able to use the bridge to cross the water stream but are having to step off on the north end. The other was also a dead tree (20 inches) near Sugar Hollow creek at 402.0 (see picture). Two new "Tenting" signs are needed for the Tent camping area at Mountaineer Falls Shelter. Completed the Helene storm damage Trail Maintenance Assessment. We encountered 10 thru hikers and 2 section hikers. Reporting: Dean Baird
Date: 2025-03-14
Purpose: Complete Trail Maintenance Assessment
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Dean Baird
Jennifer Baird
Summary: To complete the Trail Maintenance Assessment, we found no blowdowns or other trail problems significant enough to report. The trail is in good condition. Blazes were refreshed last year and do not need to be done at this time. We removed a small bag of trash. This was a beautiful day to be out and we saw a few hikers. Reporting: Dean Baird
Date: 2025-03-14
Purpose: Complete Trail Maintenance Assessment
Section: 9b: Pond Flats to Hampton trailhead
People: Dean Baird
Jennifer Baird
Summary: This trip was primarily to complete the Trail Maintenance Assessment. The specific findings were that there are these remaining blowdowns;
1). 24" red oak transversely across trail at 425.6 immediately trail North to the spring (from Helene)
2). Huge 0.2 mile long area of multiple blowdowns from Helene (which everyone is already aware of) from 425.6 to 425.4. NOTE: The trail south beginning of the reroute has had multiple additional flagging added since we were last there. This is apparently to aid hikers in finding the temporary reroute.
3). At 424.7 there is a rootball partially in the trail with an ~ 9 inch trunk that I sawed previously hoping to move the root ball. That was not happening. Scotty and his crew also left it. We will try to dig it out at some time. It is essentially no more that a 9" stopover since the rootball covers only a portion of the trail.
4). 4 inch blowdown on the railroad grade that I sawed and removed.
There were no other blowdowns on this section (Thank you to Scotty Bowman and SAWS crew for cutting what we could not.) and the trail is in very good shape.
Blazes were refreshed last year and do not need to be done at this time.
This was a beautiful day; we saw 2 hikers on the section. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2025-03-12
Purpose: Blowdown Removal and Trail Assessment
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Ken Costello, Ed Speer & Steve Wilson
Summary: In this outing we cut ten blowdowns - seven simple and three large - that had required hikers to “duck under” or “crawl over” while hiking. This section is now clear of blowdowns and a joy to hike. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2025-03-13
Purpose: Blowdown removal, repurpose gravel, and build locust steps
Section: Choose Section
People: Carl Fritz, Dan Firth, Greg Kramer, Bill Murdoch, Art Hagar, Randy Allen, Dennis Lewis, Tony Messina, Tim Stewart, Bob Peoples, Joe Morris
Summary: The Thursday crew created 7 new locust steps, harvested gravel for use at a later date and blowdowns were removed both north and south of Carvers. Beautiful day in the Highlands with plenty of hikers enjoying the day. Reporting: Dan Firth
Date: 2025-03-11
Purpose: Remove Hazard Trees
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Dan Firth
Carl Fritz
Summary: Removed a group of three hazard trees at the parking area at McQueen's Gap. Reporting: Dan Firth
Date: 2025-03-11
Purpose: Cut Hazard Trees
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Dan Firth
Carl Fritz
Summary: Removed 9 hazard trees including 7 at the campsite near Double Springs shelter. Cleared two campsites. Removed several small blowdowns. Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2025-03-12
Purpose: clear recent blowdowns
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Jeff Miller
Adam Bean
Joy Zabel
Joel Zabel
Summary: Hiked to 363.9 to remove 3 hiker reported waist high blowdowns 4" to 10". Continued south to 363.4 and removed a few more small blowdowns and improved 2 rootball holes w/ rocks & trunk cuttings to make steps in & out more manageable; more work needed in that area. Drove to the closed gate on Red Fork Rd and hiked to Low Gap (24" blowdown across road just before FS 4344; no vehicles can pass until removed). Hiked south from Low Gap to Unaka summit - first time since ATC hired contractors punched through that stretch. Many new small blowdowns that we cleared. The 0.3 miles south from Low Gap is a rootball disaster: many large ones on side hills, lots of fill and steps needed. It would be a great place for the Konnarock crew that is coming soon to spend some time. Reporting: Lotta Murray
Date: 2025-03-12
Purpose: Assessment of trail
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Ken murray
Lotta Murray
Summary: Hiked from Devils creek gap to NBK shelter to do the trail assessment sheet and light trail work. Cut multiple small blowdowns and overhanging brush. 2 large root ball's destroyed the trail and one smaller one. One required climbing down 4 feet then up again 20 feet later. Multiple smallish and larger trees, easy to cut with a chainsaw. One large 30 inches diameter tree on a steep slope with a large rootball that will surely come down. Looks very dangerous. The trail to the spring was obliterated by a tree but someone cut a new trail. The new trail could use some work. Could not even see the spring so Trimmed some low hanging rhododendrons around it to open it up. Will need some blue paint and a left and right water sign. Picked up some trash around the shelter but it was fairly clean. Put out a new logbook.
Sent pictures and report to Renee. Reporting: Greg Kramer
Date: 2025-03-12
Purpose: Clean Waterbars
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Greg Kramer
Kent Gardner
Summary: I have a new large blowdown within 1/2 mile of the shelter. A flagged path was created to go around. Water source South was not flowing as usual. The NOBO water source was flowing great as usual. Long day. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2025-03-11
Purpose: Remove Two Blowdowns Trail South of Doll Flats
Section: 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
People: Rick Lott
Mike Watts
Summary: In conjunction with the work on 19E to Doll Flats section, we also took out 2 blowdowns trail south of Doll Flats that had previously been reported by Richard Ramsey. The first one was about a 4 tree tangle with diameters from 4"-16". The second one was a multi branch tree with about a 12" trunk and smaller branches that was laying parallel on the trail up some rock steps for about 20'. Both blowdowns were removed uneventfully with only one minor bar pinch. We did encounter a few NOBO and also some section hikers. We were told there were perhaps two more blowdowns further south from where we cut these. One was described at about 1.5 miles south of Doll Flats and the other one was near the end of the tree line before Hump Mtn. We can probably tackle these in a few weeks while tackling the 14" locust below Doll Flats. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2025-03-11
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns and Survey Trail for Tread Damage
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Mike Watts
Summary: We spotted Rick's car at 19E trailhead and took Mike's up the Doll Flats USFS road. Removed a lot of small debris from road. Road was OK for Mike's Forerunner and later for my Outback. We cleared the 2 blowdowns on the water access trail with the Stihl gas saw and then switched to the electric Devault for the trip to 19E. We cleared one blowdown with about three 4-6" branches. At 393.1 where the previous landslide was unchanged, there was a 14" locust across the switchback and up the trail about 15'. It was too big for the Devault. Hikers had shortcutted the switchback. The landslide needs some digging and rock steps, but is easy to navigate currently. At 393.0, we cleared a double fork 8-10" blowdown. At 393.4, we noted two hazard leaner trees, that appeared stable for time being. The three slides around 394.2 looked to be unchanged and will require digging, rock steps and perhaps some cribbing. Three more blowdowns around 8" were cut at or below the slides. The Devault ran out of juice at the last 8-10" blowdown at 394.8. Will catch it from 19E in future trip. It's an easy step over. Pictures of the 4 slide areas are attached. All of the slide areas can be traversed fairly easily. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2025-03-10
Purpose: Cleaning Up Blowdowns at McQueens Knob Shelter
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Carl Belcher, Ed Speer, & Steve Wilson
Summary: We continued to clean up the blowdowns and brush around McQueens Knob emergency shelter. This 90-year-old structure built with logs is vulnerable to fire, so we cut nearby blowdowns and relocated the cut logs further away from the shelter. For extra protection we also removed sticks and debris around the shelter and fire ring. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2025-03-08
Purpose: clear blow downs, remove trash from shelter, assess tread path and complete the TRAIL MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
Section: 20b: Temple Hill Gap to No Business Knob Shelter
People: Steve Domagala
Randy Allen
Summary: removed large bag of trash and took down a tarp that had been attached to the shelter. Reporting: Tim Stewart
Date: 2025-03-08
Purpose: check section
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Tim Stewart
Summary: I met Carl, Dan, Bill and Tony at the Roan Mountain Community Park. We drove to Bitter End where I parked my car. Carl drove to the shelter access point. The regraded road was much better with a number of berms to serve as water diversions. Not sure how my car will handle the road but there are fewer potholes and the trench was gone (at least that I could tell from sitting in the back of Carl's truck).
The access trail was very well cleared previously. At the shelter, one could easily see that Helene had visited. Numerous blowdowns and damage to the shelter roof. I did some minor routine shelter tasks while everyone else started clearing debris. I then started the hike back to Bitter End to check this part of my section.
From the shelter back to almost the new access point there is still some chainsaw and minor treadway work to be done. Approximately 1.3 miles. The picture with the double ribbon would be the turnaround point (from the shelter) for chainsaw work related to Helene. From the new access point to Hard Core Cascades is mostly ok. From Hard Core Cascades to Bitter End, there are several areas where the treadway needs to be redefined. Overall, the trail is hikeable.
Back at Bitter End, Carl and group showed up several minutes later. Good timing! Good day with much accomplished but still much to do. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2025-03-08
Purpose: Cut Trees to Open Camping Area and Restore Moreland Gap Shelter
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Tony Messina
Carl Fritz
Bill Murdoch
Dan Firth
Summary: Trees were down next to Moreland Gap shelter and had camping areas blocked. We were able to open an area for a number of tents. We installed a log onto the cement blocks and got the roofing into position. We patched the roof as best we could. It should be usable but may have some leaks. If we install a good tarp on top, it may be good for a couple of seasons.