Below is submitted maintenance activities for the last 6 weeks. Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. Or view maintenance by section.
Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-10-02
Purpose: Blowdown
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Randy Allen
Robert Enuff
Summary: Cleared a blowdown.
Date: 2026-10-01
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Bob Peoples, Dan Firth, Mike Watson (ORL), Ed Speer, Carl Fritz, Steve Perri, Jim McGuire, Van Hovey, Randy Allen, Bill Reagan, Bill Murdoch, Dennis Whiitington, Joe Morris, Tony Messina, Ben Trotter
Summary: The Thursday Crew had another productive day on the Elk River Relocation. Randy and Jim started at Campbell Hollow and worked toward Sugar Hollow removing blowdowns. Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: 2026-10-01
Purpose: Check trail conditions
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Yong Li
Jim Foster
Summary: We had a great day checking out trail conditions. Yong was able to remove two fairly large blowdowns with his hand saw. We also clipped and cleaned water bars. The trail is in good shape to the shelter. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-09-30
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Joe Morris
Mike Watson - Orlando
Summary: Second day of our hike became a work day- removed 9 blowdowns including one at 398.2
Trail needs to be brushed from south edge of Bishop Hollow to Bear Branch Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-09-29
Purpose: Check blazes
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Tracy Harris
Summary: There was a report that the trail was not marked well with blazes from the steps at mm 428.8 heading north past the cemetery and down the gravel road leading to Shook Branch Road. I refreshed some blazes and painted a few new ones. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-09-25
Purpose: Cutting Blowdowns
Section: 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
People: Carl Belcher, Ed Speer & Steve Wilson
Summary: We hiked north from McQueens Gap for 2.5 miles and cut 10 blowdowns. The count included the three blowdowns that were report by Alexi de Seze (ATC) during his recent trail condition assessment (including 19” & 21” tree trunks across the trail), plus additional hazards or nuisance blowdowns, i.e., blowdowns that would fall soon or crowded the foot path. An excellent day to be in the woods doing trail maintenance.
The forest service road to McQueens gap has continued to erode and is rough but still passable. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-09-25
Purpose: Rehabilitation
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Joe Morris, Van Hovey, Jeff Hatling, Sherri Millard, Richard Good, Carl Fritz, Steve Perri, Jim McGuire, Bill Murdoch
Summary: This weeks' Thursday Crew celebrated National Gorilla Day by rehabilitating 312 feet of trail, built or rehabbed 17 water diversions, added 6 log steps, and two rock steps. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-09-23
Purpose: Removal of Blowdowns
Section: 12a: Bitter End to Walnut Mountain Road
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Removed several blowdowns across trail at MM 408.9. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-09-24
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Assisted volunteers from the Johnson City Poets Collective during the 16th annual Watauga Lake clean-up including picking up trash, removal of abandoned camp sites, etc. from entire Shook Branch Recreational Area - MM 429.7. Picked up trash from MM - MM 429.7 - MM 430.4. Conducted routine trail including cleaning water diversion, weed whacking, and picking up trash from 430.4 - MM 431.6. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-09-18
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Conducted routine trail maintenance including cleaning water diversions, weed whacking and removing several small blowdowns. Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-09-23
Purpose: Remove blowdown
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Eddie Speer
Summary: Removed a large blowdown next to the resting bench. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-09-11
Purpose: Shuttling Alexi de Seze (ATC) and Doing Routine Trail Maintenance
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Ed Speer
Summary: On 8/31, Ed Speer hiked south from Cross Mountain cutting vegetation and removing blowdowns. On 9/7, Ed Speer shuttled Alexi de Seze from the west side of Iron Mountain to Cross Mountain, so that Alexi could continue his trail assessment for ATC, and then Ed hiked south from Cross Mountain cutting vegetation and removing blowdowns. On 9/9, Ed hiked 2.3 miles south of Cross Mountain further cutting vegetation. On 9/11, Ed rehabbed 160 feet of trail and further cut vegetation on Section 5. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-09-01
Purpose: Removing a 7-inch blowdown and encroaching vegetation
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Ed Speer
Summary: On 9/1 Ed Speer hiked north from Cross Mountain on Hwy 91 to the north point of Locust Knob removing a 7-inch blowdown and encroaching vegetation. Removed the shelter’s graffiti board with the understanding that it will be replaced with a metal board later. Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-08-29
Purpose: Installing Check Steps
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Ed Speer
Summary: Ed Speer split two short locust logs and installed three check steps on the first slope south of Low Gap (Hwy 421). Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-08-28
Purpose: Building Additional Steps on Steep Trail Section
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Ed Speer
Summary: Ed Speer installed four more steps near old mountain top farm on a short but steep section of the AT about 1.8 miles south of Low Gap (Hwy 421). Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-08-26
Purpose: Repaired Fencing & Removing Blowdowns
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Ed Speer
Summary: Ed Speer repaired fencing & gates on Osborne Farm of Section 4B. Removed a fresh blowdown about a mile north TN 91 and a blowdown about a quarter mile south of TN 91 on Section 5 Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-09-19
Purpose: Hiking With Tools!
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Tim Stewart
Tamara Larson
John Geison
Janet LaFleur
Steven Butler
Vic Hasler
Georgia Niccum
Summary: Great turnout for Hiking WIth Tools! We had 9 volunteers, 3 who were new to trail maintenance. And one volunteer, Tamara Larson, who joined us for a second time - plus she drove from Chattanooga! We hiked and lopped a lot of rhododendrons on Tim's section. Tim took half of the volunteers past Hardcore Cascades, and I had the other half. A few blazes were painted, and one fire ring was dismantled. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2026-09-18
Purpose: Remove Blowdowns and Other Vegetative Growth
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Jeff Hatling
Summary: We entered from Elk Park through the USFS gate and drove to Doll Flats. The FS road could use a pole saw to trim back some of the encroaching vegetation on the road. We hiked trail north removing weeds for a mile with the swing blade until we reached the 16" blow down that was partially cut on a previous trip when the Stihl would not restart after refueling. This blow down was cut and removed from the trail. We also encountered a 5" blow down that was cut and removed at 0.8 mile trail north of Doll Flats. We pulled out the Stihl weed eaters at Doll Flats and cleared the water access trail. Doll Flats and the trail north were both in good shape. We did encounter 5 section hikers going north, that Jeff had run into on Yellow Mountain the previous day. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-09-17
Purpose: Add Water Diversions and Steps
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Gerald Scott
Dan Firth
Bill Murdoch
Steve Perri
Ed Speer
Tim Stewart
Van Hovey
Jeff Hatling
Carl Fritz
Summary: We continued our work up the steep climb north of Yellow Mountain Gap. We cleaned existing water diversions, added 8 new ones and added 3 steps. This completes this project which we had started with Wright State University. And it was hot even at this elevation of almost 5000 feet! Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2026-09-17
Purpose: late summer maintenance
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: Weedwacked Bishops hollow. Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-09-14
Purpose: Clear Blowdown
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey
Carrie Hovey
Summary: Objective to clear blowdown approximately .2 miles from USA Raft. Found blowdown, cleared it.
Met two SoBo hikers received intel on a couple more blowdowns south of CM Shelter.
Will attend to those in the next few days. Cheers Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-09-13
Purpose: Lopping rhodos
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Ruger Beesley
Summary: Lopping rhodos, again. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-09-12
Purpose: Remove hazard limb
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Carl Fritz
Summary: I cut back the dead oak branch overhead of the roadside picnic table with a rope saw. The stub is 6" diameter and much larger at the tree. It will be years before failure, and it should come down close to the tree. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-09-11
Purpose: Clear reported blowdowns
Section: 20b: Temple Hill Gap to No Business Knob Shelter
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Removed the 4 blowdowns stated in FarOut. They were also described to me by Chris, a hiker I picked up at iron mountain gap yesterday
Photos can be found on Unicoi Trail Services facebook page Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-09-11
Purpose: General. Maintenance
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: A general walk through. Alot of trimming back of summer growth on small limbs.
Watching how recent water had flowed and worked on keeping trail edge clear for water to escape.
Found blowdowns at 376.3. Took some time. Only had loppers and handsaw.
Trail in good shape and no weedeating needed.
Brushed in short cuts also. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-09-10
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Ed Speer, Richard Good, Tim Stewart, Joe Morris, Carl Fritz, Bill Murdoch, Gerald Scott, Dan Firth, Bill Reagen, Van Hovey, Adam Bean
Summary: The Thursday Crew continued to cut-in and rough-in the relocation at Elk River. The relocation was pin flagged; the chainsaw clearing was completed, and up to 300 feet of trail was cut to varying degrees. Reporting: Steve Perri
Date: 2026-09-08
Purpose: Clean and retrench water bars
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Steve Wilson, Steve Perri
Summary: Steve and I worked on the water bars which needed to be redug out after filling with dirt and debris after the heavy rains. We cleaned out 18 water bars and cowehta dips between the parking area to about 0.5 miles north. We cut out some minor briars and one tree limb. We discovered a yellow jackets nest after being stung only once.
We also checked the spring on the south side of 421 and cleaned out some of the plant growth around it. We noted the dead branch hanging above the picnic table next to the spring as one that should be removed. Saw one south bounder who reported no blowdowns noted north to the TN state line. Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-09-05
Purpose: Recon for Hiking With Tools!
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Tim Stewart
Ruger Beesley
Summary: Tim, Rebecka, Ruger, and I started at Bitter End and hiked to Hardcore Cascades to asses the location for the next Hiking With Tools! outing on September 19. Turns out there will be plenty for us to do. There are tons of rhodos to be lopped, a few small trees to remove, and blazes to refresh. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-09-03
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Joe Morris, Ed Speer, Bill Reagen, Tim Stewart, Steve Perri, Jim McGuire, Bill Murdoch, Gerald Scott, Carl Fritz, Tony Messina, Renee Messina, Dan Firth, Van Hovey
Summary: The Thursday Crew started the much-anticipated relocation at Elk River. Officially .51 mile in length, it will be a challenging multi-week project. Reporting: Richard L Ramsey
Date: 2026-08-29
Purpose: Weed eat Doll Flats and removing 10" Blown down tree
Section: 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
People: Nancy Mick
Richard Ramsey
Summary: Removed a 10' Dia. blowdown across trail about 0.7 miles above Doll Flats. Cut back overgrowth From blowdown back to Doll Flats. Used new Hedge trimmer attachment for string trimmer to cut Doll Flats. Reporting: Bettye Boone
Date: 2026-09-02
Purpose: Download trail counter data
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: Bettye Boone
Saylor Fox
Summary: Downloaded trail counter data and checked water source at Carvers Gap. Emailed data to AT Conservancy. Water source at Carvers has water running from pipe. Photo attached. Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-08-31
Purpose: Rehab AT north of Iron Mountain Gap
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Carl Fritz
Joe Morris
Summary: Brandon is skillfully installing water diversions in the new logging road. With the Mini excavator, it will take him probably four days. This was his second day. The rest of his crew and we were seeding the side roads and strawing the steep hills. In the afternoon we started chain sawing out the blowdowns from Helene on the section up towards the orchard. We will probably continue this work when it cools off and the gnats are less. Reporting: Craig Haire
Date: 2026-08-31
Purpose: clearing trailside overgrowth
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Craig Haire
Summary: It was a hot day. Saw only one hiker. Cleared most of the overgrowth from Temple Ridge down to the green tunnel. The stalks of some of those weeds were almost as thick as saplings. I've included two pairs of before and after pictures of the clearing.
No fossil fuels were used in this trail maintenance; however, a plethora of electrons were inconvenienced. Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-08-30
Purpose: Fix gate henge at Osborne Farm
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Summary: The gate ate the bottom henge is rusted and perhaps close to breaking. I moved the henge and henge pin up about 12” to more solid metal. Reporting: Craig Haire
Date: 2026-08-29
Purpose: clearing trailside overgrowth
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Craig Haire
Summary: The overgrowth between Temple Ridge and Temple Hill is the worst it has ever been. I drove to the gap by way of Granny Lewis Rd and it was a harrowing journey. With an 80V Greenworks string trimmer I managed to clear the portion near the gap and an area midway between the gap and the ridge. The area near the ridge is yet to be cleared. I went through three batteries and changed the string once. A few hundred feet from the gap was a large nest of ground wasps near the trail and I emptied a can of hornet spray into the hole in two intervals.
Only one day hiker came by, who was please to see the trail opened up to more pleasant hiking.
The attached images are before and after shots of my early work . Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-08-29
Purpose: Clear reported blowdowns
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey
Carrie Hovey
Summary: Primary objective to remove 2 reported blowdowns.
During our walk encountered 3 additional overhead blowdowns that were begging for attention so we dispatched those as well.
Total 5 blowdowns and cut back a multitude of rhodies on all two + miles of the Jones Branch section.
Have to give Dan and Jim an A+ for the weedeating they did on Thursday.
Cheers Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-28
Purpose: Weed whacking & blazing the water source
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Used the line trimmer / weedwacker from the landing area at the top of the Low Gap Rd that we use to access the old Cherry Gap Shelter location, down to and through the water source and back up to the AT. From there I worked north to 361.9. The tenting area was also weed wacked.
Blue blazes were placed down to the water source pipe. Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-08-28
Purpose: Lopping rhodos
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Summary: Another hot and sweaty day on Pond Mountain. Rebecka and I cleared nearly a half mile of knee/chest high grasses to open up the beginning of this section. We spent the rest of our time lopping rhodos. Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-08-27
Purpose: Weed eat and Root ball repair
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Dan Firth
Jim McGuire
Carl Fritz
Van Hovey
Summary: Objectives were to weed eat trail from Curley Maple Gap Shelter to USA Raft , repair tread way destruction caused by downed tree (root ball)
Cut back encroaching rhodies.
Dan and Jim assumed weed eating duties with Carl and Van going after the root ball repair and modest cutting back of rhodies and clearing two small blow downs on upper section of trail.
Access to AT was via Martin's Creek Trail , a 1.25 mile up hill trek .
A hotter than expected day and all objectives achieved.
Two reported blow downs were located for future removal.
Thank you to Carrie Hovey for meeting the boys at the USA Raft trailhead with a cooler filled with cold sliced watermelon and oranges. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-08-27
Purpose: Blowdown removal and tread repair
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Adam Bean, Richard Good, Tim Stewart, Steve Domagala, Randy Allen, Ed Speer, Joe Morris
Summary: The crew rehabbed two major storm damaged areas collectively working 108 feet of locust cribbed backfill with four steps. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-26
Purpose: Weed eating and blow down removal
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Randy Allen
Summary: We hiked in at Low Gap, the location of the old south end of the detour. Proceeded to walk sobo with the line trimmers clearing brush and weeds for .2, to where the trail begins to enter the canopy of the trees on the north side of Unaka Mtn. For the time being, this seems like an adequate location to stop, due to a declining amount of brush observed.
Returned to 360.5 and removed the obstructions to the tent site area. Painted blue blazes .1 down the water source and also cleared the blue blaze trail of weeds and brush. Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-08-26
Purpose: Clean up blowdown
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Randy Allen, Steve Dee.
Summary: Went and got blowdowns and cleared trail at mile 429.9 Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-25
Purpose: Weed and low brush removal
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Continued the weed control started Sunday now completed from Spivey to Devils Creek Gap. Used the line trimmer to remove the remaining weeds and brush following the assault on the rhododendron and laurel by Joe, Randy & John last Thursday. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-23
Purpose: Line trimming
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Line trimmer and loppers cutting back ground level grasses and weeds and rhododendron.