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: 2026-10-23
Purpose: Inspect AT
Section: 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
People: Joe Morris
Carl Fritz
Summary: Primary task was to look at the potential to extend the planned trail reconstruction another 0.2 miles through Engine Gap. ATC representatives included Franklin, Gerald, and Alexis. Pisgah representatives were Silas and Luke. We agreed to initiate NEPA compliance.
Date: 2026-10-22
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Ed Speer, Randy Allen, Richard Good, Michel Denizot, Jim McGuire, Dan Firth, Steve Perri, Carl Fritz, Van Hovey, Bob Peoples, Joe Morris, Bill Murdoch
Summary: Franklin, Jerry and Alexis of ATC and Michael, Aerin and Jill of SAWS joined the usual suspects of the Thursday Crew on the Elk River Relocation and dug a massive amount of tread. Plus, the staircase at the outcrop was completed. First time patches were distributed to Jill and Alexis. Post work we had a maintainers Christmas, as Franklin brought two maxed out FS 131's and some Katana saws. Really encouraging six weeks of work on the river. Reporting: Randy Allen
Date: 2026-10-21
Purpose: General. Maintenance
Section: 15c: Ash Gap to Hughes Gap
People: Randy Allen
Summary: Walk through after last weeks storm. 4 items cut and cleared off trail. Gruff cleared off steps. Water diversions cleared. All sobo blazes fresh coat off paint.
All sawing was done with handsaw
Lots of small limbs & branches cleared Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-10-20
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance - Remove Blowdown and Several Overhead Trees Across The Trail
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Removed large blowdown >14" at MM 429.4, removed two trees, 8" and 10' respectiverly, overhanging treadway at MM 430.2 and one 10" tree at MM 430.3. Cut back any encroaching vegetation along the way. Reporting: JOE MORRIS
Date: 2026-10-20
Purpose: Signs and harvest locust stakes
Section: 18: FS230 switchback to Indian Grave Gap
People: Joe Morris
Summary: Put up signs from Beauty Spot Gap to Indian Grave Gap advising hikers to stay on trail. Helene Recovery Hazardous fuels removal is scheduled to begin soon. While there I loaded some pre cut locust and hand sawed additional locust to use at the Elk River Relocation Reporting: Phyllis Cairnes
Date: 2026-10-19
Purpose: shelter maintenance
Section: 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Phyllis Cairnes
Lori Krause
Summary: Performed routine shelter maintenance duties. I had not taken paint since I was told the wooden graffiti board had been replaced by an aluminum one, but there was no board at all! I will need to take paint on the next go-round to cover up areas of graffiti now on two walls (not large areas). SAWS equipment was on the picnic table and later two of their workers came by. They had been working on the Holston Mountain Trail and said it would re-open in a couple of weeks. It was a glorious day to be on the trail! Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-15
Purpose: Cut back severe encroachment of Rodies
Section: 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Used lopping shears to cut back the Rhododendrum that has severely encroached on the trail. Did 100’. Started where I left off before. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-15
Purpose: Cutting in trail relocation at Elk River
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Carl Fritz, John Giesen, Bill Murdoch, Dan Firth, Mike Johnson, Greg Kramer, Michel Denizot, Joe Morris, Ed Speer. Jon Heidrick, Van Hovey
Summary: The Thursday crew continued with the Elk River Relocation. A big day with rocks including a solution for the challenging ledge mid-section. Great progress and a beautiful day. Mike Johnson joined from Asheville and received the club patch for his first outing. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-13
Purpose: Clearing brush and obstacles along the trail corridor
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Cleared remaining debris from near the trail to avoid it catching the line trimmer, now and particularly next year to make it easier, hopefully. Reporting: Van Hovey
Date: 2026-10-13
Purpose: Clear reported blowdowns
Section: 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
People: Van Hovey
Joe Morris
Carrie Hovey
Peggy Cantrell
Summary: Primary objective was to clear blowdowns just SoBo of Curley Maple Shelter that were reported a couple of weeks ago. Made our way to the shelter via the Martins Creek access trail. Shelter was/is in very good condition. Water source is producing but barely "running".
Proceeded southbound to clear reported blowdowns. Carrie and Peggy cut back some encroaching rhodos and swamped cut materials.
Continued down trail and encountered several more blowdowns that were not reported and cut back additional encroaching vegetation.
Met a couple of NoBo hikers and it was a nice day to be out.
All in all , trail is clear and in good condition. Reporting: Gerald Scott
Date: 2026-10-13
Purpose: Removal of Summer Vegetation
Section: 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
People: Gerald Scott
Eric Scott
Summary: Did weed eating from Walnut Mt. Road to Mountaineer Falls Shetler. Vegetation growth wasn't nearly as bad as it was in July when the last weed eating was done. Vegetation growth was mostly briars and seedlings. Remove a couple of small blowdowns (6-8" diameter). There was no damage from the remanences of Hurricane Isaias. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-10-08
Purpose: Inspect trail, cut back encroaching vegetation, check spring, & pick up trash.
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap to Apple Orchard, I checked for blowdowns, cut back encroaching vegetation, mowed tent sites in the orchard and around fire ring. I checked spring which was running at a trickle which was the lowest I've seen it in several years. Found no blowdowns. Removed blackberry vines and stinging nettles that I missed on the last trip. Saw no hikers. It appears no one has used the orchard in the last week with no grass compacted. Picked up trash left at the trail head. Reporting: Dennis Whittington
Date: 2026-10-11
Purpose: Routine Trail Maintenance - Follow up reconnaissance after Hurricane Isaias
Section: 8: Wilbur Dam Road to US321
People: Dennis Whittington
Summary: Performed routine trail maintenance following windstorm from Hurricane Isaias including clearing limbs and branches (too numerous to count) and removing >12" blowdowns at MM 432.7 and MM 432.5. Cut back encroaching vegetation. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-09
Purpose: Cut back encroaching vegetation
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Dr Craig Haire
Steve Domagala
Summary: We started at the KISS on John Gooden Rd and worked sobo with the line trimmers cutting back the vegetation that had grown back since the last cutting approximately 2 months ago. Used lopping shears to cut the larger pieces of wood cut offs to keep them from grabbing the line next year. Still more of that to do. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-08
Purpose: Elk River Trail Relocation
Section: 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Joe Morris, Ed Speer, Jon Heidrick, Richard Good, Dan Firth, Jim McGuire, Steve Perri, Van Hovey, Aaron Raulerson, Dean Baird, Greg Kramer, Michel Denizot, Taylor Huddleston
Summary: The Thursday Crew continued the Elk River Relocation working primarily in the rock fall and rhododendron segment. Jim and Greg were able to rehab the root ball near Jones Falls. Taylor Huddleston completed her first TEHCC outing and received the club patch. Reporting: Tracy Harris
Date: 2026-10-08
Purpose: Recon for HWT!
Section: 20a: Nolichucky River to Temple Hill Gap
People: Tracy Harris
Rebecka Powell
Summary: Rebecka and I headed trail south from Uncle Johnny’s Hostel for about 1.5 miles. The purpose was to check out the area and make sure it would be appropriate for our next HWT! outing. Turns out it will be perfect. Beautiful section of trail with some light maintenance task opportunities - lopping rhodos, clearing steps, and painting blazes. Reporting: Tom Sahlin
Date: 2026-09-29
Purpose: Inspect trail, cut back encroaching vegetation, & check spring
Section: 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Tom Sahlin
Summary: From Iron Mountain Gap checked trail condition and found it to be great after Brandon Church added over 20 wide water bars. In orchard weeds and grass removed on AT and on trail to tent sites and down to spring. Checked spring and cleaned out leaves and buckeye husks. Mowed a few tent sites but not all since apparently no one has used the orchard in some time. Growth was only around 6 inches which gives more padding. Took out more blackberry vines and stinging nettles on the way back up the forest service road. Only saw 2 hikers who said the trail was in good shape all the way to Greasy Creek Gap. They also reported seeing a bear in Weedy Gap. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-07
Purpose: Cut back brush and widen the trail corridor
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Cut back brush and removed some of the cutoffs that grab the line trimmer line when weed wacking. Trying to make it easier for next year when the brush and briers comes back in aggressively. Reporting: Steve Domagala
Date: 2026-10-07
Purpose: Weed, brush cutting.
Section: 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
People: Steve Domagala
Summary: Weed wacked grass, weeds @ vegetation back away from the trail corridor .2 from TN 107. Bad in a couple places but overall, just a good preventative to keep taller growth from falling over the trail at first frost. It also allows us to see remaining limbs and wood cutoff that should be removed to make weed wacking easier next year when the growth comes back. Reporting: Joe Morris
Date: 2026-10-06
Purpose: Blowdown removal and weed eating
Section: 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
People: Joe Morris
Van Hovey
Randy Allen
Steve Domagala
Summary: We split into teams and weed eated from 412.0 to 415.6 including removing three blowdowns. This section needs extensive brushing but is reasonably clear until spring. Reporting: Jon Heidrick
Date: 2026-10-06
Purpose: clearing trail
Section: 12d: Campbell Hollow Road to US19E
People: Jon Heidrick
Summary: Weed wicked from Issac Cemetery southbound over Buck Mountain , across Ridgeline and down to old Jeep road. Approximately 1 mile. Reporting: Vic Hasler
Date: 2026-09-28
Purpose: TEHCC A.T. Committee
Section: Other (Meetings/preparation/etc.)
People: Carl Fritz, Dan Firth, Vic Hasler, Joe Morris, Steve Perri, Tim Stewart, Renee Messina, Tony Messina, Steve Wilson, Tracy Harris, Rebecka Powell
Summary: TEHCC A.T. Committee reviewed recent trail work, including the opening of Iron Mountain Gap, relocation of trail above Elk River and ongoing storm-damaged restoration. Members discussed priorities for addressing debris, drainage, vegetation, and access while coordinating plans with agency partners. The committee also considered grant funding, equipment storage, and ways to strengthen volunteer recruitment through community and educational partnerships. Upcoming discussions will focus on project planning, practical trail-maintenance training, and opportunities for public involvement. Next A.T. Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, January 11. 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. Reporting: Joe Morris
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: 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.