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: Jim Foster
Date: 2026-05-30
Purpose: Annual trail trim
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Joel Zabel, Joy Zabel, Ed Brading, Jeff Bennett, Jim Foster
Summary: We string trimmed the entire section. We had a great crew and a great day.
Thanks to everyone in the JC Hikers for your help.

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-05-05
Purpose: Blowdown Removal and Trail Rehab
Section: 2a: Backbone Rock Trail to Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter
People: Ed Speer
Summary: Ed Speer spent six solo work days (4/16, 4/18, 4/27, 5/1, 5/4 & 5/5) clearing the trail on section 2A. The initial access was starting from McQueens Gap, then later starting from the Backbone Rock blue blaze trail. The work was primarily clearing small blowdowns, cutting briars, and performing trail rehab.

Reporting: Jennifer Baird
Date: 2026-05-28
Purpose: Check trail conditions and cut back vegetation
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Jennifer Baird
Summary: Cut back encroaching vegetation with my hedge shears; trail is in good shape. There is an area going down the rock steps to the waterfall that I brushed in (again). Brush continues to be removed. Also, there are a couple places on the high water trail that will have to have some work at some point. There is a 12’+(?) side log along a very narrow part of that trail that will eventually slide down the bank and a wooden step that has moved out of place at a switchback. Small amount of trash picked up at trailhead. Plenty of hikers out on the trail.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-05-28
Purpose: Cut Weeds and Blowdowns
Section: 1: TN/VA state line to Backbone Rock Trail
People: Ed Speer
Dan Firth
Jim McGuire
Michel Denizot
Randy Allen
Tony Messina
Carl Fritz
Summary: A hard day up Backbone Rock Trail. From there to state line weeds were cut back and blowdowns were removed. Must have been close to ten blowdowns with two major 30" tangles. We were able to get trail back to its original location, did some rock cribbing and dug about 50 feet.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-05-28
Purpose: Cut weeds
Section: 2a: Backbone Rock Trail to Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter
People: Steve Perri
Dale Mangen
Richard Good
Greg Kramer
Summary: A hard day going up and down Backbone Rock Trail to work south on the AT. Weed eating only got a half mile south of Backbone Rock Trail. One trimmer quit after 90 minutes. Steve and Dale used loppers and hedge shears to get within 2.75 miles of Abingdon Gap Shelter. More weed trimming is needed. Dale received his first timer's patch.

Reporting: Jim McGuire
Date: 2026-05-19
Purpose: Cut Back Vegetation
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jim McGuire
Summary: I used the Elk River Falls road to gain access to the section of trail along the Elk River. Along the river, I used one of our new weed trimmers to cut back vegetation. It seemed like a lot of vegetation for this early in the year. Spoke with the construction crew working on the NC side. They were wrapping up and preparing to start working on the TN side. I recommend anybody doing trail maintenance in the area to touch base with the construction crew before beginning work.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-05-28
Purpose: Weed whack and blowdown removal
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Joe Morris, Jeff Hatling, Van Hovey, Greg Morie, Heidi Wolgamuth
Summary: Crew met at McQueen Gap and weed eated north and south of the gap. To the south the entire section to US 421 at Low Gap was walked and all but 4/10 of the 3.7 miles was cut. Ran out of gas at 458.4 near the water source, Van walked north and brought more fuel. Also, Van removed the tree at 455.7 south of Low Gap. Greg and Heidi weed eated 2.6 miles north from McQueen to 3.6 miles south of the intersection with the Backbone Rock Trail, leaving a gap of 1.4 miles. We will need to return to remove trees and walk and weedeat the entire stretch later in the season. Tough day, some areas were significantly overgrown. Michael and Aerin removed 8 trees today.

Reporting: jon Heidrick
Date: 2026-05-28
Purpose: trail work
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: cut back vegetation and remove downed trees and branches. 2foot diameter pine trunk at mm398.3 just south of Issaac cemetery will require Sawyer

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-05-27
Purpose: Inspect Water Diversions
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Rich Ritter
Carl Fritz
Summary: Water diversions on this section can be repaired or replaced. Probably about 12 man-days. Beautiful day on Beauty Spot.

Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2026-05-27
Purpose: early summer clearing
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Yong Li
Jim Foster
Joy Zabel
Joel Zabel
Summary: Weedwacked 3+ mile open portion of our section 17, plus Low Gap detour. Cut back rhodos, briars, etc, with Dewalt hedge trimmer. Checked that there were no blocked water bars.

Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-05-26
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 11a: Dennis Cove Road to Canute Place
People: Joe Morris
Summary: Emoji reported a nuisance blowdown at 419.3 and I removed it this afternoon, one mile south of Dennis Cove

Reporting: Dave Allen
Date: 2026-05-14
Purpose: Clear blowdowns from Backbone Rock Trail
Section: 1: TN/VA state line to Backbone Rock Trail
People: Dawn Allen
Dave Allen
Summary: We returned to Backbone Rock Trail and removed 3 blowdowns that remained from a trip two days earlier. As of this date, Backbone Rock Trail is clear from the Parking lot to the AT

Reporting: Dave Allen
Date: 2026-05-12
Purpose: Clear Blowdowns
Section: 2a: Backbone Rock Trail to Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter
People: Ed Speer
Heide Wolgamuth
Greg Morie
Dave Allen
Summary: We started at Backbone Rock Trail parking lot and hiked up BBR trail to the AT, noting blowdowns to take care of on the way out. At the AT intersection, we turned south onto Section 2a, clearing approx 15 blowdowns to about 1.5 miles south of the intersection. Vegetation hanging over the trail was also cut back, and several water diversions were cleaned out. On the way back down Backbone Rock Trail, we cleared 7 blowdowns. Three blowdowns within 0.7 miles of the parking lot were left for a subsequent trip.

Reporting: Karen Berry
Date: 2026-05-20
Purpose: Trail and shelter maintenance
Section: 14c: Yellow Mountain Gap to Stan Murray Shelter
People: Karen Berry and Annette Vinding
Summary: The trail is in great shape. The stable but large widowmaker reported in December is still there. There is a new large tree across the trail that you can step over. It is after the large corner boulder but before the widow maker.

Reporting: Jennifer Baird
Date: 2026-05-21
Purpose: Check trail condition and cut back vegetation
Section: 9b: Pond Flats to Hampton trailhead
People: Jennifer Baird
Summary: Cut back encroaching vegetation along the trail. Picked up a bag of trash, mainly at the trailhead. One of the new signs had bullet holes through it.

Reporting: ted allen
Date: 2026-05-22
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Back to weed eating. Hit the needed spots for first 1.5 miles. I had cut that far last time. Made it another mile .stopped .8 from Ash gap. Will go back from top to finish the rest.

Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-05-21
Purpose: Rehabilitation
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joe Morris, Tim Stewart, Greg Kramer, Carl Fritz, Dan Firth, Ben Trotter
Summary: The crew created a forty foot rock crib and removed a portion of a large root ball rehabilitating a trail segment damaged by Helene. The crew also rehabbed four other areas during the day. This completes the work on the north side of Unaka for the season.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-05-20
Purpose: Tend Apple Trees
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Paul Benfield
Ted Mowery
Summary: Ted and Paul started heritage apple trees along the AT near the Osborne homestead years ago. They have tended them ever since. This year they removed the cages that were protecting the trees from the deer and cattle since the trees have now matured and the cages were inhibiting tree growth.

Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2026-05-20
Purpose: Mow the old Red Barn site.
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Mowed the meadow with a DR mower.

Checked spring. and outhouse. All is well.

Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-05-20
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Randy Allen
Joe Morris
Summary: Randy got a report of a blowdown obstructing the access trail to Mountaineer Falls Shelter and blocking a tent site. We removed the trees and examined the shelter. We walked south another 1.4 miles and cleared 7 blowdowns. We covered 406.0.to 403.0 - there's some minor tread repairs left to do. I talked to Brandon about removing the large trees between the waterfall and the shelter.

Reporting: Bettye Boone & Saylor Fox
Date: 2026-05-15
Purpose: Hike our Section to Inspect for Work Needed
Section: 15a: Carvers Gap - Cloudland Hotel
People: Bettye Boone
Saylor Fox
Summary: Hiked our section to see what work needed to be done. Entire section looked good. Water at Carvers is fine, but most springs have dried up. VERY DRY. Noted several blazes that need attention, but still visible. One leaner that is passable, but we can handle with our Silky. Will go back to handle in the near future including weed eating but will wait until the Forest Service opens the gate so we can drive up. Vegetation is not encroaching on any of the AT.

Reporting: Bettye Boone
Date: 2026-05-01
Purpose: Check Trail Counter on Roan/Round Bald for the VUM Committee
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: Bettye Boone
Summary: Download AT Trail Counter data, bring home & upload to Trafx database. Emailed Monica M. (AT Conservancy) to let her know data was available. Unfortunately, the numbers just keep going up.
March 2026 - 9,036 people hiked past the counter
March 2025 - 5,904
April 2026 - 11,413 people hiked past the counter
April 2025 - 6,066

In the short time I was there, I talked with 3 thru hikers (1 woman from Germany, 1 man from Philadelphia, 1 man who didn't say where he was from).

Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-05-18
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Van Hovey
Joe Morris
Summary: Bizarre start to the day attempted to weed eat the Apple Orchard - Van came to the rescue after I encountered a blowdown on Birchlog. Once liberated I weedeated heavy growth from 357.3 to 357.8 on the south side of Unaka.

Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-05-16
Purpose: Inspect trail, cut back encroaching vegetation in orchard trail and tent sites, inspect spring, and check for trail use.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: Since it was Saturday when workers would be absent I went to Apple Orchard on the forest service road. I followed tracks left by machine(s) to the orchard and discovered they went into the orchard meandering around the orchard and up onto east side of hill where they turned and went down the Appalachian Trail toward Weedy Gap which amazed me they could get through tight spaces. I turned around before going to Weedy Gap to see if anything was disrupted at the spring. It was okay and flowing okay which surprised me due to dry weather. In the orchard I cut back weeds from the AT to the tent areas where I also cropped grasses in tent areas. I also removed trash from the tent area. Met two older hikers who came from Uncle Johnnys to the orchard via the reroute which they said about killed them. Gave them trail info toward Virginia line.

Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-05-16
Purpose: Recon for Hiking With Tools!
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Tracy Harris
Summary: I went to the Backbone Rock blue blaze trail to see if it would be appropriate for a Hiking With Tools! outing. It would be a great location for HWT since there is a ton of vegetation that needs to be cut back. Also, there were a few blue blazes on the ground (one tree is on the ground, and one big piece of bark with a blaze has peeled off). There were a lot of butterflies and thousands of spider webs. Note to self - go later in the day so you’re not the first one on the trail.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-05-14
Purpose: Rehab and corridor clearing
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Carl Fritz, Ed Speer, Dan Firth
Summary: The crew worked south from Canute and reports the tread is in good shape after rehabilitating 110 feet with locust crib.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-05-14
Purpose: Rehab
Section: 11a: Dennis Cove Road to Canute Place
People: Greg Kramer, Gerald Scott, Richard Good, Van Hovey, Joe Morris, Heather Waldroup
Summary: Crew worked trail north of Canute to 418.3 and repaired two significant root ball cavities and rehabbed 105 feet

Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-05-14
Purpose: Weed-eating
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Summary: Finished what I started yesterday on 4b and did about 3/10th of a mile of Section 4a. There are two blowdowns on 4a about a quarter mile from the shelter. One is a headknocker and the other one requires one to crawl under it on one's knees. Neither tree is overly large but a chainsaw is required. I will work with Eddie Speer to get it removed.

Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-05-13
Purpose: Weeding
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Summary: I weed-eated from the beginning of the wood line at Osborne Farm to roughly a half mile before Double Spring Shelter. (I had a weedeater issue; hence, why I stopped.) I will attempt to finish within the week. I removed one small blowdown.

Reporting: Jim McGuire
Date: 2026-05-12
Purpose: General Maintenance
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jim McGuire
Summary: I cleared back encroaching vegetation from Campbell Hollow Rd down to Elk River. My primary goal was to get briars. And, there were many, many briars. I used the extended sheers, but it was a much bigger job than I could do with sheers. I really need a weed trimmer. It is also time to hit the trail along the river with a trimmer. I'll try to do that in a week or two. I talked with 6 thru hikers. There was a bulldozer excavating on the other side of the river. I found several pieces of medium sized broken glass spread out over the first 200 yards of my section. Troubling....

Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-05-03
Purpose: Check forest service trail for useage by hikers and cut back weed growth in orchard.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: Since it was a Sunday so workers were not present I went from Iron Mountain Gap to Orchard so I could check usage by hikers on forest service road which appears to be getting little use. Grass was not trampled enough to show. When I got to the orchard I found the place were a tree was felled to brush in forest service route was cut with a saw and removed. The post where sign was originally posted had been pulled out of the ground and placed at start of forest service road. I moved sign post to log next to the new reroute sign. I cut back grass growing in orchard in tent spaces as well as some from the AT down to the orchard. I also cut large branches near the orchard trail to allow for easier weed removal when the growth gets thick. Three hikers came in while I was there so I cut the limbs up because they wanted a fire and it was turning cold. I also cut more up near the AT so they would not run out. They reported a grueling hike on the reroute as the hardest part of the AT since their start at Springer Mtn.

Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-04-30
Purpose: Inspect forest service road for usage, and check for re-route usage.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap checked forest service road for hiker usage and wearabouts of machinery on forest service road. Road building extends down to behind forest service road gate at Iron Mtn Gap. Went up 1/4th mile where I encountered a skidder and driver who saw me and came down to talk. I inquired if he had encountered hikers and he told me of 2. One woman and one man at different times who climbed through downfall in process of removal for road building. They could have been locals but left before the operator had a chance to talk to them. I returned to the gap after talking to the operator. Then took a trip from Hwy 107 up Red Fork Road to connector at intersection of trail reroute so I could give information to hikers headed southbound. My original plans were to go up reroute from forest service gate above cemetery but it was blocked with TDOT trucks and machinery. Only objective achieved was that Iron Mountain Gap needs a sign stating the forest service road is closed for hiking.

Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2026-05-07
Purpose: Fix spring at Bradley Gap
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Summary: Cleaned out a few water diversions and addressed some trail sections that hikers were going of the tread.

Main purpose was to find the missing spring head piping for the spring at Bradley Gap. Found the piping about 1/4 mile south of the spring in a water seep. It was located in a lower section of the seep. Being an active wild hog area, not a good thing. Moved the piping back to the Bradley Gap spring. Piping is located at the head of the spring inserted in the hillside. Access is walking down the wonderful rock boulder steps the Thursday crew built.

Since this the second time in two years that the piping went missing, I am working on getting a back-up spring head piping.

Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-05-09
Purpose: Hiking With Tools!
Section: 12a: Bitter End to Walnut Mountain Road
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Jennifer Jablin
Tim Stewart
Renee Messina
Tony Messina
Vic Hasler
Jim McGuire
Dennis Lewis
Justin Branson
Summary: Perfect weather for Hiking With Tools! 3rd outing of 2026. There were 10 volunteers including newcomer Justin Branson, retired police officer from Washington, DC. Renee refreshed blazes. Tony, Dennis, Justin, and Jim repaired log steps. And the rest of us lopped rhodos. This beautiful section of trail is in great shape.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-05-08
Purpose: Repair Bridges
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Tim Stewart
Ed Speer
Dan Firth
Carl Fritz
Summary: Ed and Tim started repairs to northern bridge and made great progress. Dan and Carl finished repairs to southern bridge by primarily working under the bridge. We dropped two hazard trees and unfortunately clipped one brace which was structurally weak. We replaced it. Many day hikers and thru hikers were out.

Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-05-08
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Joe Morris
Marlene Simpson
Summary: The Baird's reported a downed tree 2/10 north of the Dennis Cove trailhead and I removed it this morning

Reporting: ted allen
Date: 2026-05-08
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Got back to finish weed-eating, went ahead and cleared first trail to spring. It grows fast.
Then went back to where I stopped Monday. Got all geared up and starting cord broke on 1st pull. Grrr.
So worked my back down brushing in spots in need.

Reporting: Dean Baird
Date: 2026-05-05
Purpose: Identify and measure reported blowdown
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Dean Baird
Jennifer Baird
Summary: We readily found a hiker-reported blowdown that was located within 0.2 miles trail North of the Dennis Cove trailhead. The tree is lying horizontally almost perpendicular to the trail at breast height. It measures ~22 inches and is a single trunk uncomplicated blowdown.

Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-05-07
Purpose: Blowdown removal and rehab
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Van Hovey, Michel Denizot, Jim McGuire, Joe Morris
Summary: We rehabbed 3 rootballs while Brandon and Todd continued to remove blowdowns from the north side of Unaka.

Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-05-04
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Lots of weed-eating. Cked first spring all good.
Made it to Mile 375.6 just about 1/2 way through section. Will return soon and finish up through Ash gap.
No garbage found . Brushed in spots around steps seem to be working, items still in place

Reporting: Mateo Caffrey and Craig Haire
Date: 2026-04-27
Purpose: Clearing water diversions and improving passage around rootball.
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Matthew (Mateo Caffrey) and Craig Haire
Summary: We cleaned out seven water diversions. Widened and lowered a passageway around a huge root ball. Saw AT least a dozen through hikers and four south bound section hikers and two day hikers. Noted encroaching vegetation AT south end will require further work.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-04-30
Purpose: Repair two northern bridges
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Dan Firth
Gerald Scott
Jim McGuire
Michel Denizet
Tony Messina
Greg Kramer
Ed Speer
Tim Stewart
Carl Fritz
"Lobo"
Summary: We carried landscape timbers in with help from "Lobo". We only worked on the middle bridge replacing bracing, posts and decking some of which was damaged by Helene. Some was due to natural decay. Bridges are solid but more work is needed. "Lobo" stopped his hike to help transport timbers.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-04-30
Purpose: Blowdown Removal and Rehab
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joe Morris, Van Hovey, Dennis Whittington, Sherri Millard
Summary: USFS crew and SAWS spent the day removing very complex jackstraw trees north of the Unaka Mtn. Summit. Our crew bucked multiple blowdowns and repaired root ball cavities. Lots of hikers toward the end of the day. At least two additional trips are going to be needed to remove all the unstable trees in the area.

Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2026-04-30
Purpose: Spring Cleaning
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: Weed whacked the entire length of Bishops hollow

Reporting: Dan Firth
Date: 2026-04-27
Purpose: Garlic Mustard Pull - Moreland Gap Shelter
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Dan Firth
Summary: With the assistance of the ATC Invasives Strike Team, we pulled 87.6 pounds of garlic mustard from around Moreland Gap Shelter. This was the first concerted pull at the shelter after finding the infestation last year. The garlic mustard was propagating down both sides of the gap.

Reporting: Greg Kramer
Date: 2026-04-27
Purpose: clear shortcut
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Greg Kramer
Betty Kramer
Summary: We cleared 4 trees bigger than 20". The first one was a surprise when it stood up on me. The others were more tame but were difficult to cut.

Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2026-04-27
Purpose: Cutting new growth
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: Weed whacking on Bishop’s Hollow

Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-04-27
Purpose: Remove blowdowns
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey
Carrie Hovey
Summary: Primary purpose to clear overhang tangle and cut back from the trail a previously sawed log.
Walked in from Chestoa to trestle overlook to handle tangle then another quarter mile to deal with item two .
Nice day out , encountered 5 hikers on trail .

Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-04-26
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Conducted routine trail maintenance including removal of blowdown >10" at MM 430.0 and picking up trash around stealth campsites along Watauga Lake.

Reporting: Tim Stewart
Date: 2026-04-25
Purpose: inspect bridges
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Tim Stewart
Summary: Went to double check the condition of the bridges North of Laurel Fork Falls. They both need some of the landscape timbers replaced.

North bridge

Handrail posts 2 76" 1 bad crack and other has cracks
Long deckboards 3 96" otherwise all look bad
Short deckboard many have cracks
Handrail angle pieces 5 50"

Steps look okay. The whole bridge shakes pretty easily.

Handrail pieces have cracks, but no soft spots noticeable.

South bridge

Underneath cross members 4 52"-55" (if we are going to add new ones)
Handrail posts 3 76"
Long deckboards 8 96"
Short deckboards 5 48" many are cracked but only 1 softy #26
Handrail angle pieces 3 50" only 2 softy some need retightened
Bottom, middle and top handrail pieces - no softy but many cracks

Piers are also damaged.

Steps look okay. The whole bridge shakes, especially when there's a large group on it.

There is a 10' 2x8 and previous timber cutoffs leftover under the bridge. I didn't see any other leftover timbers, but I couldn't remember if we stashed them elsewhere.

Would probably be a good idea to bring some extra timbers.

Additionally, the high-water trail is in need of some side logs and/or side log repair. Also, some steps need to be repaired.

Nice day to check out the falls. Plenty of hikers had the same idea.

Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-04-22
Purpose: Routine Maintenance and Reconassaince
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Summary: I hiked the entire section to conduct some routine maintenance. I cut back some vegetation, cleaned out some water diversion channels and created several more channels. The other reason for the hike was to check on the need for weed-eating -- it is almost time. After the forecast rain, I believe the trail will require its first weed-eating soon.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-04-23
Purpose: Rehab and Blowdown Removal
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Joe Morris, Randy Allen, Greg Kramer, Carl Fritz, Dan Firth, Michel Denizot, Tim Stewart, Ed Speer, Steve Perri, Tony Messina, Bob Peoples, Sherri Millard, Van Hovey
Summary: The Thursday crew rehabbed 296 feet including 100 feet of locust crib. Numerous blowdowns were removed between the meadow/guardrail and Beauty Spot Gap. Franklin Tate of the ATC helped with the rehab. Six root ball holes were rehabilitated. Plenty of hikers working their way north.