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: 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: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2026-07-29
Purpose: Corridor clearing
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Francis Carraway
Noah Spaulding
Jack Elvin
Jai Moreno
Jacob Jenkins
Summary: The crew spent 2 days weed eating between Greasy Gap and Cherry Gap completing 3.5 miles of brushing

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2026-07-27
Purpose: Corridor clearing
Section: Choose Section
People: Francis Carraway
Noah Spaulding
Jack Elvin
Jai Moreno
Jacob Jenkins
Summary: The crew spent 6 days weed whipping from Vandeventer to the northern wilderness boundary. Along the way they removed a couple of treetops and smaller trees blocking the trail.

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2026-07-15
Purpose: Replace log cribbing and widening sections of the trail
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Francis Carraway
Noah Spaulding
Jack Elvin
Jai Moreno
Jacob Jenkins
Brian McGann
Summary: The crew spent an 8-day hitch replacing log cribbing, building a 40 sq ft retaining wall, 1 open culvert, replaced missing steps, cleared 3 trees, debermed 20ft of trail, and widened 40 ft of the trail with one section requiring chipping away a 5-foot section of rock. They completed all of this during torrential downpours.

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: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-08-14
Purpose: Cutting 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: 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: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-08-01
Purpose: Reopening of the south end of the detour
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Gerald “G-Man” Pinkerton
Summary: Removed the logs and other obstacles placed at the south end of the detour, permitting hikers to travel the actual AT. Also removed the detour map sign as well as all plastic white temporary blazes down to the intersection of low gap road and Red Fork Road. We had to clear a blow down at the top of Low Gap Rd, just before the trail leading to the Cherry Gap Shelter area. G-man also repainted some of the white blazes.

Photos can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BoMwbHT9X/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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.

Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-07-27
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation, inspect trail, check spring, and mow orchard.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap to Apple Orchard inspected forest service road which was muddy in spots from prior days of rain. All spots passable by walking edge of road. The road has lost a lot of soft soil and is getting down to mineral soil with some rabble making it dry off quicker with less mud. Road down to orchard was grown up with many stinging nettles. I trimmed nettles and blackberry vines back but not grasses on the way out. In the orchard I trimmed the AT from where forest service road comes in on the AT then down to bottom of orchard then on down to the spring. Spring was running well. Also mowed tent spaces and around fire ring. Saw no hikers nor evidence that anyone has stayed in the orchard in several days.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-08-01
Purpose: Maintenance Event with Wright State University
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Joe Morris, Ed Speer, Jon Heidrick, Bob Peoples, Robin Dean, Tim Stewart, Rio Berry, Van Hovey, Dan Firth, Carl Fritz, Tony Messina, Renee Messina, Ben Trotter, Bill Murdoch, Wright State Students: Andrew Homan, Elizabeth Harvey, Anna Woodard, Scarlett Manley, Samuel Milas, Konnor Mercer, Felix Bahrou
Summary: We revived a tradition dated to the late 90's on Saturday with a visit and outing from students entering their freshman year at Wright State University. We created or completed reset/rehabbed 21 water diversions, installed 15 new locust steps, and created 2 new rock steps up the north slope from Yellow Mountain Gap. After the maintenance was complete, we grilled out adjacent to the Overmountain Shelter site complimented by French Fry master, Bill and desserts by Renee. The students were absolutely a joy and, we had a little rain but, all-in-all a perfect day in the Roan Highlands. We issued 7 TEHCC first time patches, 7 Pisgah ARD Helene Recovery patches and presented the students with a commemorative plague to display at WSU.

Reporting: Jeff Hatling
Date: 2026-07-27
Purpose: Widen tread, add water diversions, and clean existing water diversions.
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Gamble Brown
Summary: Widen tread in sections that hikers were leaving the existing tread. Added two water diversions, and cleaned out all the water diversion on the north slope of Little Hump.

Reporting: Rick Lott
Date: 2026-07-31
Purpose: Remove Blowdowns and Other Vegetative Growth
Section: 13: US19E to Doll Flats
People: Rick Lott
Jon Heidrick
Summary: Jon and I started at 19E trailhead and hiked south towards the documented blowdown at MM 393.5. We encountered three other blowdowns between MM 394.4 and the target blowdown (1 single 6", 2 double trunk 8"). At the target blowdown, we removed one 8" side branch and had cut about 3/4 way thru the main blowdown when I had to refuel. We could not get the chainsaw restarted after the refueling (it heads to the shop tomorrow). We used a silky to finish the cut and dropped the 16" blowdown to the ground. There is a one foot open gap in the trail that is easily passed. Will try to get back in the next week or two to finish it off. We also did a little bit of lopping work. The trail is in good shape from 19E to MM 393.5. The only thing required is some water bar clean out. Will plan to come back from Doll Flats direction and do some weed eating there if needed. We encountered the Wright State group hiking toward 19E. Another hiker we passed commented that the weeds were really bad between Little Hump and Hump. Many thanks to Jon, my chainsaw Sherpa.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-07-30
Purpose: Repair bridges
Section: 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
People: Ed Speer
Tony Messina
Dan Firth
Dean Baird
Carl Fritz
Summary: We completed the repair of the northern bridge from Helene damage and the normal deterioration of landscape timbers. All the Laurel Fork bridges are now repaired. Some cosmetic damage to piers has not been repaired.

We also rocked 35 feet of trail 4 inches deep along the river that is regularly under water from springs.

Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-07-29
Purpose: Remove blowdowns
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Van Hovey
Carrie Hovey
Summary: Objective to remove 2 reported
blowdowns, 1 at .4 mile north of Indian Grave Gap , 1 at mile 356.2 just south of Beauty Spot Gap. Also cleared small blowdown partially blocking Unaka Mtn road .
Accurate reporting of locations and both blowdowns cleared with no problems.
Beautiful day , temp around 70 at BSG.
No hikers to be found .

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-07-29
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Randy Allen
Joe Morris
Summary: Randy and I removed a maple tangle at Sugar Hollow and tangle north of Bishop Hollow.

Reporting: Scotty Bowman
Date: 2026-07-26
Purpose: Corridor clearing
Section: 6: Iron Mountain Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter
People: Francis Carraway (SAWS)
Noah Spaulding (SAWS)
Jack Elvin (SAWS)
Jai Moreno (SAWS)
Jacob Jenkins (SAWS)
Summary: The crew hiked in on the 22nd and then hiked out the following Monday the 27th. They were able to brush out the corridor from Vandeventer to the northern wilderness boundary. Then on the way out they brushed out section 7 from Vandeventer to Wilbur Dam Road.

Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-07-27
Purpose: Clean up blowdown
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Cleared a hole through blowdown at the intersection of blue trail to the Refuge.
Will need to go back with saws. I used handsaw and loppers.

Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-07-25
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 20b: Temple Hill Gap to No Business Knob Shelter
People: Steve Domagala
Van Hovey
Summary: Drove in to Temple Hill Gap and hike roughly 1 mile to a reported blow down. Took a methodical and safe approach to remove it. Hiked back out to find a father and his posse of 4 youngsters at the Gap. The youngest son investigated and found we had “dummy locked” it. Smart kid. Our lesson learned, lock it. Nice family though and enjoyed speaking with them. Was nice to see a family on an adventure for the day.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-07-24
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joe Morris
Summary: Franklin and Alexis of ATC joined in on the Weed Whack '26 and we made a comprehensive pass from the stairs near 107 to "The Kiss". And, it rained. The DR trimmer did not pass the trial run - the self propelled belt broke and the vegetation was head high, not really appropriate for the mower trimmer

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-07-23
Purpose: Harvest locust and weed eat
Section: 14b: Bradley Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap
People: Joe Morris, Ed Speer, Van Hovey, Richard Good, Jim McGuire, Bill Murdoch, Tony Messina, Tim Stewart, Carl Fritz, Jeff Hatling, Randy Allen
Summary: The crew harvested locust in preparation for the outing with Wright State University on August 1 and weed eated north from Yellow Mountain Gap 1/2 mile.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-07-22
Purpose: Inspect Roan High Knob Shelter
Section: 15a: Carvers Gap - Cloudland Hotel
People: Carl Fritz
Tim Stewart
Summary: We inspected the decaying Roan High Knob shelter with Franklin Tate and Jeff Johnson, a timber framer. More work will continue within ATC, TEHCC and Forest Service to determine the future direction of this shelter.

Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-07-21
Purpose: Weed eating
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Back to weedeating the top half of section. Had done the bottom 1.5 miles 3 weeks ago and for most part still good. Did hit my to problem areas due cover gone.
Got it cleared to Beartown overlook 3ths from Ash gap when weather turned and to get off mtn. Will get the rest later this week. Will just come down from Toll house gap and finish

Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-07-21
Purpose: Blowdown removal
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Joe Morris
Summary: Brandon Church removed a large hanging pine near the pesky rock outcrop above Bear Branch. Plus, a series of other blowdowns compressing root balls. Two large locusts were dropped for future use to repair cribbing. We started to weedeat near Buck Mountain but the skies opened up ending the day.

Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-07-19
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance and Remove Several Blowdowns
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Removed 2 - 12" blowdowns at MM 429.8 and 2 - 10" blowdowns at MM 430.0. Pickup trash from MM 428.2 to 430.2 including Shook Branch parking area on highway US 321.

Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-07-20
Purpose: Clear to road to have easier access to Cherry Gap Shelter area
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Randy Allen
Summary: Removed 2 blowdowns impeding access to the “landing pad” at the top of Low Gap Rd, from where you can gain access to the trail and the old shelter area easier.

We also removed 2 low handing trees from the detour section of the trail on the road

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: 2026-07-20
Purpose: Inspect AT along Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Carl Fritz
Summary: Adam Baldwin, hydrologist from Cherokee FS provided an overview of the planned debris removal from the flood plain beside the AT to Franklin Tate and Carl. The debris removal has already been done on the NC side of the river and looks natural with little disturbance. The contractor will proceed soon and provision will be made for safe passage of any hikers.

Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-07-19
Purpose: Clearing the trail of brush & briars.
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Made it from the base of the stairs, where I left off last week, to the top of the first ridge where the tent sites used to be 3 hours on the weed wacker for 1/10 of a mile. One bite at a time.

Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-07-14
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation, check spring, check signage, inspect trail conditions, and carry out trash.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: First objective was to cut weeds from Iron Mtn Gap south but it was too hot and humid so I cut maybe 75 feet near trail head and quit. Then moved to north bound side to see condition of forest service road after heavy rains of prior days. I was surprised by the road being more firm than expected but still there were muddy areas where rain pooled. Arriving in orchard I chopped weeds from the AT through the orchard down to the spring which was flowing the best I have seen in a year or longer. I cut the grass and weeds back in the tent sites and around the fire ring. I did not find any trash. After mowing I then pruned vines reaching into trail to top of orchard. Signs for reroute at top of orchard were still intact and not defaced.

Reporting: Richard Ramsey
Date: 2026-07-15
Purpose: To discuss repairs to the tread going across the bald at Hump Mountain from the first fence to Bradley Gap
Section: 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
People: Jeff Hatling
Richard Ramsey
Summary: Discussing cleaning up the ruts and keeping people in the trail so new trails are not created on the sides.

Reporting: Scott Huskey
Date: 2026-07-15
Purpose: Remove blowdown
Section: 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
People: Scott Huskey
Eddie Speer
Summary: Simple blowdown removal

Reporting: Lori Mirrer
Date: 2026-07-14
Purpose: summer checkup
Section: 15b: Cloudland Hotel to Ash Gap
People: Lori Mirrer
Summary: (trail work was over 2 days - 7/14-15)
Mother Nature’s doing a great job of easing the pain of Helene’s destruction.
There are still several visible piles of dead trees. But plant growth has made many rootballs and fallen trunks less noticeable.
There’s certainly more sunshine getting through. Until Helene, much of this section was shaded - sometimes spookily so.
* There was less trimming than I expected, particularly along the flat section of Ash Gap itself. (Still, I did use up a fresh battery in my weed eater). Randy Allen has already helped out several times on the way to his section. I repaid the favor a little this time, by weedeating almost to Beartown Mtn.
* The weeds on either side of the trail in the Gap are pretty high. I’ve never considered cutting those before. Had my battery not died - with me not soon after - I might have cut down some of that.
* In April I removed two fire rings. One had partially returned - burned branches, and kindling for the next fire. No rocks or other border. I removed all of that.
* It had rained a fair amount before I began my work, but the trail absorbed/redirected most of it. Only a few muddy bits.
* It was a delightful 72 degrees on both days. Saw several hikers, including a quartet that was doing an out-and-back (Hughes Gap to Overmountain), so I saw them on both days. All the hikers expressed thanks for our trail work.

Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-07-16
Purpose: Rehab and Weeds
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Joe Morris, Tim Stewart, Bill Murdoch, Dan Firth, Carl Fritz, Ed Speer, Steve Domagala, Aaron Raulerson, Van Hovey
Summary: The Thursday crew continued work near Low Gap and Cherry Gap. 121 feet of trail was rehabbed, 3 Water Diversions restored and 1 new diversion created, a massive root ball was removed by grip hoist, a blowdown at 361.5 was removed and additional corridor widening was done. Another team reclaimed access to the site of Cherry Gap shelter, weed eated from 361.5 to 362.2, weed eated the tent sites, and removed a tangled blowdown trail north of the shelter. All this and Hurricane Eddy celebrated another trip around the sun.

Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-07-14
Purpose: Clear reported blowdowns
Section: 19a: Indian Grave Gap - Curley Maple Gap Shelter
People: Van Hovey
Steve Donagala
Summary: Initial goal was to dispatch reported blowdown , simple . Day turned into cleaning/trash pickup at CM Shelter snd extended inspection and blowdown removal of Section from CM Shelter to USA Raft plus about 4/10 mile NoBo toward IGG. 5+ total miles
Total blowdowns cleared were 5 smallish issues and one huge tree canopy that consumed about two hours of cutting and clean-up.
Thanks galore to Steve D.
Exhausting day ….. Whew !
Cheers

Reporting: Steve Wilson
Date: 2026-07-14
Purpose: Blowdown Removal
Section: 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
People: Ed Speer & Steve Wilson
Summary: The initial plan for a short day by hiking 0.8 miles north from Low Gap on Hwy 421 and cutting a 18” poplar blowdown tree with a chainsaw. But, we soon found eight new blowdowns within a short area roughly half a mile from the gap. Apparently, the weekend’s storms had high winds that knocked down additional trees.

When we got out Ed wanted to check sections 4a & 4b, so I shuttled him to Cross Mountain on Hwy 91 where he then hiked back north to his vehicle at Low Gap.