Below is submitted maintenance activities for the last 6 weeks. Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. Or view maintenance by section.
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.
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: Jim McGuire
Date: 2026-08-18
Purpose: Cut Back Vegetation
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Jim McGuire
Summary: I cut back vegetation (again) from Campbell Hollow Rd. to Sugar Creek including the blue blaze to Jones Falls. Ran into 1 sobo section hiker. It was a long hot day, but I think that is the last time we will need to use a weed trimmer on this section of trail. Please excuse my delay for reporting the work. There were 3 blowdowns near the top of the ridge around nobo mile 400. I have pictures to share. Although a hassle, blowdowns are not a major obstacle. 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. Reporting: Joel Zabel
Date: 2026-08-22
Purpose: cut back summer growth
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joel Zabel
Summary: Used a cordless hedge trimmer to cut back vegetation growing into the trail for the 1 mile from the FS230 switchback to the top of Unaka. That stretch should be hikable until it needs it again next year. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-18
Purpose: Cutting back vegetation
Section: 20b: Temple Hill Gap to No Business Knob Shelter
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Used hedge trimmer, loppers and line trimmer to cut back rhododendron & mt Laurel away from the trail for 1 mile from the shelter north. Spent a good part of the time hiking gear back and forth after carrying it all in for 1.5 miles. Made it to 339.3.
Although passable, .5 in the middle of the section remains to be cleared back aggressively yet.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BsFBqnYVt/?mibextid=wwXIfr Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-17
Purpose: Cutting back rodis and mt laurel
Section: 20b: Temple Hill Gap to No Business Knob Shelter
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Cleared the top of a blow down which dropped mostly parallel to the trail. Also progressed on my efforts to clear back the Rhododendrums and mtn Laurel that have encroached on the trail over the past recent years. Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-08-21
Purpose: Remove blowdowns
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Scott Huskey
Eddie Speer
Summary: Removed three blowdowns Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-08-21
Purpose: Remove blowdowns
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Eddie Speer
Summary: Removed five blowdowns Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-08-20
Purpose: Cut encroaching vegetation and blowdown removal
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Steve Domagala, Randy Allen, Greg Kramer, Carl Fritz, Tim Stewart, Van Hovey, Jim McGuire, Sherri Millard, Joe Morris, John Giesen
Summary: The Thursday split into 3 teams to remove reported blowdowns, cut encroaching vegetation and plan for additional maintenance. Significant growth was removed in Oglesby Branch, Devils Creek Gap and trail south of the Kan Lot Intersection. There is abundant growth still requiring removal in the first half mile north of Spivey Gap and multiple spots where tread repair in required to the switch back north of the second bridge. The second bridge could use new lath as well. In addition, there is approximately 150 feet of tread, in at least two areas, that needs rehab within a half mile south of USFS 278 - Devils Creek Gap. Part of the crew walked to the "The Big One", a daunting blowdown at 337.8, and improved the duck under - however, the tree is still too dangerous to remove. John Giesen, an interested potential volunteer from Trail Days '26, arrived just in time to assist with work from Spivey north. John Thru-Hiked the AT as part of the Class of 2018 and received his first outing TEHCC patch after his morning commute from Rogersville. Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-08-19
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Went in at Toll house gap to work my way to Ash gap. Got the 3 small areas in that section done while passing through.
Cleared from Ash to Hughes. Both spring trails cleared . Several blowdown items cleared. 1 left. Will need to go back and get with chainsaw .
Probably the last time it will need done this season (I hope) Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2026-08-19
Purpose: Clean water diversions
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Mark Holland
Summary: Cleaned out and enlarged water diversions on the south slope of Little Hump.
Did tread work on the east side of Little Hump.
Cleaned out and enlarged water diversions on the south side of Bradley Gap, along with getting a seasonal spring off the trail. Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2026-08-12
Purpose: Corridor clearing
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Francis Carraway
Noah Spaulding]
Jack Elvin
Jai Moreno
Jacob Jenkins
Summary: The crew spent 8 days brushing from Low Gap/421 AT north to the Virginia Stateline including Backbone Rock Connector. Brushing out the corridor for 13.5 miles and removing 3 trees along the way. Reporting: Ken and lotta murray
Date: 2026-08-16
Purpose: Trail maintenance
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Ken murray
Lotta murray
Summary: Removed many smaller blowdowns with Catana boy, left some easy step over, cut back brush and checked shelter. Two large trees down together will require a chainsaw, possible technically difficult and needing ropes to safely remove. (We have pictures) As reported many times before, there are many areas needing tread work and sidebars. The rain is destroying the trail in several places.
I tried to upload photo but “file to big” and then I have to start all over agin since it will not let me cancel picture or submit form. Reporting: Dean Baird
Date: 2026-08-14
Purpose: Cut vegetation and inspect trail
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Dean Baird
Jennifer Baird
Summary: For the most part, this was a day spent cutting back dog hobble, rhododendron, small trees, weeds, etc. The trail is in very good condition, given the amount of water that it has had. In particular, the high water trail is in much better shape. This is because of recent work completed by a SAWS crew. They placed/replaced 4 side logs in areas where they were sorely needed. The crew also rebuilt the steps, placed a rock sluice in the water, and built a stone wall on the bank adjacent to the stream trail South of the shelter. We are very appreciative of this work! Presumably like most places, the trail is very wet in some areas and this is the most water that I have seen coming over Laurel Fork Falls. We saw a timber rattlesnake just above the falls on the bank beside the rock steps. Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-08-14
Purpose: Lopping rhododendrons
Section: 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Summary: General trail maintenance and assessment. We went out primarily to cut back rhodos and to check out a report about a blowdown. At mm 428.2 there is a blowdown and root ball damage. While the tread is still passable, looks like a crib wall will be needed. There were also ankle-high and hip-high blowdowns at mm 427.9, 436.9, and 426.5. A lot of rhodos were lopped. There is still about a 0.3 mile section where rhodos need to be lopped. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-08-13
Purpose: Harvest Locust
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joe Morris, Greg Kramer, Steve Perri, Ed Speer, Bob Peoples, Sherri Millard, Jim McGuire, Carl Fritz, Tim Stewart, Dan Firth, Van Hovey
Summary: The Thursday crew harvested four truckloads of locust from the reroute at Red Fork/TN 107 and Moseley Cemetery. The material was transported to the USFS Work Center at Rat Branch, and the crew restacked the material cache. Approximately 55 steps and a small number of water bars were harvested. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-13
Purpose: Harvest Locust, remove temporary blazes and weed wacking
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Assisted the Thursday Work Crew, dragging locust harvested from the detour down to the road to be hauled to the work center. I then went to the Birch Log FS Rd and removed the remaining temp plastic white blazes. Afterwards I went to the Apple orchard and weed whacked that section of trail, the tent site area and the trail to the water source.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EJjGBxcoC/?mibextid=wwXIfr Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-10
Purpose: Access blow down previously reported
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: I was made aware of a lowdown/obstruction at 337.4 recently from a couple different sources. As I had not heard an update regarding it I thought I would check on it personally. No sense in walking a trail without at least a pair of loppers and pruning shears so I stopped to remove several obstructions. I also documented (photos) and locations of larger items for Joe to address. Upon finding the “blow down” at 337.4 I was able to clear it for the most part with the loppers and shears. As usual, photos can be see on my FB page at
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GPNenDuwz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Reporting: Richard Ritter
Date: 2026-08-06
Purpose: 2nd round of weed eating and overgrowth cut back
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Rich Ritter
Pam Ritter
Pat Kenney
Tim Richardson
Jeannie Snyder
Jim Agold
Sharon Begley
Dave Polon
Tim McClain
Eric Hyche
Steve Scheu
Simon Temperton
Summary: With Forest Service helping us out mid section, we cut back all remaining areas that was needed. Including 2 water source locations and camping area. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-08-07
Purpose: Remove Blowdowns From Recent Thunderstorms
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Remove large blowdown across trail at MM 429.8. Clear numerous tree limbs/branches from MM429.2 - 431.8. (One large blowdown (14"-16") at MM430.9 will require return visit with chainsaw. Currently easy step-over across trail). Reporting: Tim Stewart
Date: 2026-08-11
Purpose: check section
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Tim Stewart
Summary: Having heard that FS 293 was open and having an opportunity to check my section, I decided to check it out. FS 293 is NOT open and is not in very good condition.
The gate was open but there are still signs stating that the road is closed. I ventured in and after a mile or so, I encountered 4 big dump trucks coming out. I asked the lead driver if I could make it another 4 miles to the Moreland Gap Shelter access. He did not suggest it. I went a little further and the road became worse, presumably due to heavy trucks. I decided to turn around.
This is the last time I will attempt to go in via the Moreland Gap access. It is too stressful and the condition of the road compounds the stress. The club will have to figure out how to access the trail between the shelter and the Canute Place.
I suggest splitting my section into 3 sections: Bitter End to the New Access; New Access to the Shelter site; Shelter site to Canute Place. Each section would be approximately 2-2.5 miles in length. I was going to make some gps tracks today but was unable to. The New Access is 2.5 miles from Bitter End via FS 293. It includes 1 mile on another dirt road (barely advisable for 4wd vehicles - I walk it) and .3 mi bushwack to get to the AT. Assuming at some point FS 293 will be accessible to the New Access, I may be able to cover from Bitter End to the Shelter site. I will need to re-assess. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2026-08-10
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Rick Lott
Summary: I had some spare time and fuel, so trimmed weeds from Hwy 19E trail north to Bear Branch Rd. after I had finished trimming on the south side of Hwy 19E. Vegetation wasn't too overgrown except near both roads. This section should be good until winter. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2026-08-10
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Summary: Trimmed weeds from hwy 19E trailhead to about 1/4 mile trail south. Vegetation growth was not too bad, but this trimming should take care of it until winter. Only saw 2 hikers section hiking from Carver's Gap. When I arrived at the trail, I saw that a new 3'X3' sign had apparently been placed there in the last week or so. The sign had the 250 year DOT emblem and another 100 year AT anniversary that doesn't really correspond to either the date the trail was proposed or the date it was completed. The sign says: "Delivered by President Donald Trump and DOT secretary Sean Duffy". Kind of ironic that the DOT has no jurisdiction over the AT, The sign is very obtrusive and definitely does not follow ATC sign guidance. Hopefully, someone if USFS can figure out the story behind it. Picture of sign is attached. Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2026-08-10
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Summary: Trimmed weeds from hwy 19E trailhead to about 1/4 mile trail south. Vegetation growth was not too bad, but this trimming should take care of it until winter. Only saw 2 hikers section hiking from Carver's Gap. When I arrived at the trail, I saw that a new 3'X3' sign had apparently been placed there in the last week or so. The sign had the 250 year DOT emblem and another 100 year AT anniversary that doesn't really correspond to either the date the trail was proposed or the date it was completed. The sign says: "Delivered by President Donald Trump and DOT secretary Sean Duffy". Kind of ironic that the DOT has no jurisdiction over the AT, The sign is very obtrusive and definitely does not follow ATC sign guidance. Hopefully, someone if USFS can figure out the story behind it. Picture of sign is attached. Reporting: David Cook
Date: 2026-08-04
Purpose: Summer Maintenance
Section: 19a: Indian Grave Gap - Curley Maple Gap Shelter
People: David Cook
Summary: Cut weeds from the gap to the shelter. Removed multiple small blowdowns. Cut back encroaching rhododendrons. Removed trash from a stealth camp sight. Reporting: Tracy Harri
Date: 2026-08-08
Purpose: Hiking With Tools!
Section: 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Rebecka Powell
Aerin Miller
Michaeal Sink
Xavier Shattuck
Tamara Larson
Tim Stewart
Ruger Beesley
Nathan Speegle-Snell
Summary: Rhododendrons were lopped and blazes were refreshed from mm449.4 to mm 447.5
There were two new people - Xavier Shattuck and Tamara Larson. Tamara traveled all the way from Chattanooga.! Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: 2026-08-08
Purpose: Hiking with tools doing routine maintenance
Section: 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Yong Li, Mary Ann Huff, Jeff Bennett, Ed Brading, Josh Banks, Jim Foster
Summary: Johnson City Hiking Club outing and we got a lot accomplished. Everything went well except for Yong Li trimming a yellow jackets nest. As we hillbillies like to say, "bless your heart." Yong's off to China tomorrow so plenty of time to heal? Reporting: Dean Baird
Date: 2026-08-06
Purpose: Cut vegetation
Section: 9b: Pond Flats to Hampton trailhead
People: Dean Baird
Jennifer Baird
Summary: We removed vegetation from yet another "canopy-loss" area on the railroad grade (Actually we cut back vegetation for the entire area from AT/HBB intersection to where the AT starts up Pond Mtn. off the railroad grade.). Reporting: Dean Baird
Date: 2026-08-06
Purpose: Cut vegetation
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Dean Baird
Jennifer Baird
Summary: We attacked the jungle that is steady developing in the Blue Blaze swamp. A large amount was removed near the trailhead where utility tree removal has left no canopy and, of course, under the power lines. Otherwise, the trimming was intermittent.
We cleaned up a very large mess of trash at one of the bootleg campsites and hauled it out.
It is not really checking a water source, and it has only been one week ago, but the rockwork completed adjacent to the creek is working wonderfully with a large amount of water going entirely under the rocks. We saw several hikers, many of which were appreciative of the work. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-08-06
Purpose: Dismantle Reroute and complete tasks to open north side of IMG
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Joe Morris. Ed Speer, Aaron Raulerson, Tony Messina, Carl Fritz, Greg Kramer, Jim McGuire, Steve Perri, Bill Murdoch, Steve Domagala, Dan Firth, Richard Good
Summary: The north side of Iron Mountain Gap was weed eated, marked with t-posts, and signage related to the reroute was removed. The steps on the reroute were "dismantled" and prime locust steps were moved to a queue for storage at a later date. All temporary blazes were removed from the reroute and having served its purpose - it is closed. Domagala responded to an 8/4/26 Far Out post between Unaka and Low Gap declaring "the trail is overgrown with growth capable of destroying apparel" - and, as per the report, he found conditions had been accurately reported. Overgrowth was removed but, as it is in many locations' additional cuts of encroaching vegetation will be necessary. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-08-04
Purpose:
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Dan Firth, Van Hovey, Greg Kramer, Jim McGuire, Carl Fritz, Steve Domagala, Tim Stewart, Randy Allen, Joe Morris
Summary: USFS, ATC, SAWS and TEHCC combined to "open" the section from Cherry Gap to Iron Mountain Gap. The section was weed eated from 362.0 to
364.0 removing nearly one year of encroaching growth. Steve removed several nuisance blowdowns on the northern portion and Aerin - SAWS removed blowdowns and cleared the corridor to the south. Michael - SAWS, Franklin and Alexis -ATC assisted with weed control. Tim, Randy, Jim and Nate - SAWS built 8 steps in the vicinity of a double root ball just south of IMG, removed temporary blazes and "opened" a portion of the north side of IMG. ATC published the section open last week and, thanks to today's activities the section is (both) open and walkable south of Iron Mountain Gap. Remarkable job everyone. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-08-02
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Conducted routine trail maintenance including removing numerous small blowdowns crossing and adjacent to the trail, as well as removing several low-hanging (head high) laurel limbs. Filled in one root-ball hole and cut back encroaching vegetation. Picked up trash from stealth campsite at MM432.5.