{"id":1044,"date":"2012-08-13T21:07:13","date_gmt":"2012-08-14T01:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tehcc.org\/?page_id=1044"},"modified":"2024-10-27T23:26:10","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T03:26:10","slug":"recent-at-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tehcc.org\/trail-maintenance\/recent-at-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Recent AT Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"Below is submitted maintenance activities for the last 6 weeks. Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. Or view maintenance by section<\/a>.
\nReporting:<\/strong> JOE MORRIS
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-26
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Inspection and Blowdown removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
\nPeople:<\/strong> Steve Domagala
\r\nJoe Morris
\nSummary:<\/strong> Emoji reported that multiple hikers were confused and \"lost\" at the reroute at Low Gap.
\r\nWe checked the signage and blazing and they are adequate. Someone had removed some of the debris from the area we blocked last week and it is an assumption they continued on the closed portion of the AT. We bolstered the blockage and cut more downed trees toward Unaka stopping at 360.0 N. Good opportunities for Konnarock crew rehab in this area.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Jim Foster
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-25
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Repair root balls
\nSection:<\/strong> 16a: Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Yong Li, Jim Foster
\nSummary:<\/strong> Yong and I finished repairing the root balls between Hughes Gap and Little Rock Knob. I think there were ten in all. One was very large and required cut logs to fill it before we could even start. The others required cribbing and fill to repair. To the best of my knowledge this completes the treadway repair on our section.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-20
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Helene Blowdown Removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 6: Iron Mountain Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\r\nKacy Hirschfelt
\r\nNick Anderson
\r\nJoshua Tourtellotte
\r\nKevin Matthews
\nSummary:<\/strong> This entry is for the dates of Tuesday March 18 - Thursday March 20. USFS staff shuttled the crew up to the wilderness boundary Tuesday morning. The crew then hiked to the campsite in the middle and began working south. Between Tuesday afternoon and Friday morning the crew was able to clear 2.2 miles south towards Vandeventer shelter.
\r\n
\r\nThe numbers:
\r\n91 trees cleared
\r\n18 treetops
\r\n2.2 miles of trail opened up
\r\n.75 of a mile left to clear with 27 trees and 8 treetops. Plan to clear these on Tuesday, March 25 with the help of Brandon Church and Taylor Neigh<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Steve Perri
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-21
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Attend SORO Regional Partnership Meeting
\nSection:<\/strong> Other (Meetings\/preparation\/etc.)
\nPeople:<\/strong> Steve Perri
\nSummary:<\/strong> We collectively celebrated the 100 yr ATC anniversary. Both ATC and the USFS have funds available for Helene recovery work from different sources. The USFS praised clubs for their diligence in recovery work to open the trail so quickly and safely. An updated trail maintenance guide was just published by the USFS and has new techniques in it. The USFS has some new guideline changes to the chainsaw sawyer training and is planning on adding more training sessions for 2025 along with probably 2 hazard tree courses. The Cherokee NF and GWJ NF in VA have new considerations in meeting NEPA requirements regarding human sanitation and privies. Moldering privies will be required along the AT to meet the stipulations in the ruling. Matt Drury shared plans for dealing with noninvasive species recovery for areas impacted by Helene. This work will involve major contractors along with ATC and possibly club assistance to reduce the fuel of downed trees. The southern clubs submitted nominations for various awards. Among those awarded include Brandon Church from rom the Cherokee NF as agency partner of the year, Hot Springs as partner of as partner of the year, and me for volunteer of the year. TEHCC was among 4 clubs recognized with a plaque by ATC for for the effort in reopening the AT.
\r\n
\r\nThe fall SORO meeting will be Nov. 8th at Amicalola Falls State Park.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Scott Huskey
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-22
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Trail Maintenance
\nSection:<\/strong> 4b: Double Springs Shelter to TN91
\nPeople:<\/strong> Eddie Speers and Scott Huskey
\nSummary:<\/strong> Cut two blowdowns and did some additional sawing to widen the trail in two locations.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> JOE MORRIS
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-22
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Rehab and Blowdown removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
\nPeople:<\/strong> Nola Versfelt, Richard Good, Tim Stewart, Joe Morris
\nSummary:<\/strong> We rehabbed two root balls and 82 feet of trail. Armored 30 additional feet with locust logs framing other root ball cavities. We cut many blowdowns most of them secondary downfalls.
\r\nThis crew worked from 399.2 to 400.0. Richard Good received his patch for first outing with TEHCC.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Carl Fritz
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-22
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Cut Blowdowns and Deal with Root Balls
\nSection:<\/strong> 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\r\nCarl Fritz
\r\nGerald Scott
\nSummary:<\/strong> We left everything that was passable so we could concentrate on major obstacles. First one was a new 20 inch blowdown not there a week ago. We cut out numerous overhead trees that were sagging. A 30\" blowdown that we avoided previously, we were able to easily go behind root ball with a little digging. Another 20\" dead tree root ball we were able to go through. Another sawyer day with smaller saw is still justified. Beautiful day and many hikers.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Carl Fritz
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-22
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Primarily Cut Blowdowns
\nSection:<\/strong> 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dennis Whittington
\r\nVan Hovey
\r\nTony Messina
\r\nDean Baird
\r\nBill Murdoch
\r\nHeather Waldroup
\r\nMichael Sink
\nSummary:<\/strong> The crew removed some small blowdowns on AT from Elk River to Jones Falls blue blaze trail. They then went after the blue blaze trail hard and were able to get it cleared with three sawyers and four swampers.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Steve Perri
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-19
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Trail Assessment of Root Ball Damage and Blowdown Removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
\nPeople:<\/strong> Carl Fritz, Ted Malone, Steve Perri, Ed Speer, Tim Stewart, Steve Wilson
\nSummary:<\/strong> We did a walk through from McQueens Gap to Low Gap at 421. We cleaned water bars out, cut out blow downs, removed encroaching vegetation and downed tree branches, counted root balls needing to be filled in, and checked the spring. Steve and Ed removed about 17 trees blocking the trail and left about 5 on the last mile or so after running out of gas. Carl and Tim assessed the repairs needed for the proposed Helene Hardcore group planned for the AT Damascus Days in May, There were about 10 root balls on Carl's list we thought could use filling in which won't be a lot of work since the trail is flat and very little damage impacted the tread way directly. We're rethinking the resources needed for the proposed Hardcore plan may be much less. We also cut out about a dozen trees with the Corona saw we carried with us along with dragging other trees off the trail. Trees are slowly coming down from their initial hanging state when we came through several months ago. Carl has the detailed assessment list, the tree locations and the difficulty rating along with specific comments.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dennis Whittington
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-11
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Complete Trail Assessment and Routine Maintenance
\nSection:<\/strong> 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dennis Whittington
\nSummary:<\/strong> Complete remaining evaluation of Section 12C from Jones Falls to Sugar Hollow Creek. Remove 2 small blowdowns, cut back encroaching branches, clear small blowdown at Sugar Hollow Creek crossing and begin to pick up trash\/stack wood debris along Elk River.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> JOE MORRIS
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-19
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Finish reroute around Iron Mountain Gap
\nSection:<\/strong> 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
\nPeople:<\/strong> Steve Domagala
\r\nVan Hovey
\r\nJoe Morris
\nSummary:<\/strong> We helped Brandon and Taylor complete the reroute around the Helene salvage area and posted closure notices.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Greg Kramer
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-18
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Clear Blowdowns
\nSection:<\/strong> 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Greg Kramer
\r\nBill Murdoch
\nSummary:<\/strong> Thank goodness I carried 2 bars and 3 chains. So many of the blowdowns had rootballs attached or were under very unusual strain. Trees were flaking apart and trapping the bar. SAWS had come through yesterday ? and cleared much of my sections difficult blowdowns. The blowdown we came to deal with was removed. I still had much to do. I had a new blowdown that was 20's diameter hip high across the trail. We removed everything from the shelter to down to the big staircase. like waterbars of last week and blowdowns this week a return trip to finish will be required. most probably next week.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Carl Fritz
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-17
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Plan Trail Rehab
\nSection:<\/strong> 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\r\nCarl Fritz
\nSummary:<\/strong> Lotta and Ken made an excellent assessment of the root ball damage and blowdowns on this section. We investigated materials and tools to repair these. It seems we could easily entertain 15 to 20 volunteers with a lot of digging. Largest root ball hole of 25 feet at mm 336.9 is the most urgent. The 30\" blowdown can be made as a feature to rather easily pass under. We cleared some minor blowdowns with hand saws
\r\n
\r\n.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Michael Sink
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-17
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Blazing Reroute
\nSection:<\/strong> 16b: Greasy Creek Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Michael Sink
\r\nVan Hovey
\nSummary:<\/strong> Swamped and blazed the Iron Mountain reroute with the Forest Service guys. We worked from The Orchard southbound to 107.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-13
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Helene Blowdown Removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 6: Iron Mountain Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\r\nKacy Hirschfelt
\r\nNick Anderson
\r\nTrae Schadegg
\r\nJoshua Tourtellotte
\r\nKevin Matthews
\nSummary:<\/strong> This is for the dates of March 11-13, 2025. We hiked in from TN 91 and based out the campsite near Iron Mountain Shelter spring. We cleared the section between the northern wilderness boundary to 1 mile south to the campsite located at Blackman Branch (referred to as Pack Saddle by SAWS). In this one section we cleared 60 trees of multiple sizes and the corridor is open on this section.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-14
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Helene Blowdown Removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\r\nKacy Hirschfelt
\r\nNick Anderson
\r\nTrae Schadegg
\r\nJoshua Tourtellot
\r\nKevin Matthews
\nSummary:<\/strong> As we hiked back to Cross Mountain after finishing up our hitch in BLB we cleared 10 trees along this section. We skipped 2 trees in the last 1.5 miles.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Tracy Harrisa
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-16
\nPurpose:<\/strong> lopping rhododendrons
\nSection:<\/strong> 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
\nPeople:<\/strong> Tracy Harris
\nSummary:<\/strong> Lopping rhododendrons<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Michael Sink
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-14
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Trail Assessment, Blowdown Removal, and Trash Removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 14d: Stan Murray Shelter to Carvers Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Michael Sink
\r\nJeff Hatling
\r\nCheryl Ramsey
\nSummary:<\/strong> This report covers 3 days on section 14d. I went out on 2\/28 to do an assessment of the section and logged the issues with pictures and GPS locations. I met up with Jeff on 3\/13 and we cleared 5 blowdowns and 2 step overs between Stan Murray and Grassy Ridge. including a blowdown that had occurred after my assessment. Went back out on 3\/14 with Cheryl and packed out an abandoned tent and trash from a stealth site at 383.4. We also cleared a recent blowdown between Jane and the Grassy Ridge blue blaze junction with a Silky to make it passable.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Gerald N Scott
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-14
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Routine Spring Maintenance & Trail Maintenance Assessment
\nSection:<\/strong> 12b: Walnut Mountain Road to Sugar Hollow Creek
\nPeople:<\/strong> Gerald Scott
\r\nHarold Wexler
\nSummary:<\/strong> We cleared several 4–8-inch blowdowns. Left 2 new blowdowns too large for Silky saws. One was a 15-20 inches dead tree lying on the end of the foot bridge at mile 403.8 (see picture). Hikers are still able to use the bridge to cross the water stream but are having to step off on the north end. The other was also a dead tree (20 inches) near Sugar Hollow creek at 402.0 (see picture). Two new \"Tenting\" signs are needed for the Tent camping area at Mountaineer Falls Shelter. Completed the Helene storm damage Trail Maintenance Assessment. We encountered 10 thru hikers and 2 section hikers.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dean Baird
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-14
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Complete Trail Maintenance Assessment
\nSection:<\/strong> 10: Hampton trailhead to Dennis Cove Road
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dean Baird
\r\nJennifer Baird
\nSummary:<\/strong> To complete the Trail Maintenance Assessment, we found no blowdowns or other trail problems significant enough to report. The trail is in good condition. Blazes were refreshed last year and do not need to be done at this time. We removed a small bag of trash. This was a beautiful day to be out and we saw a few hikers.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dean Baird
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-14
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Complete Trail Maintenance Assessment
\nSection:<\/strong> 9b: Pond Flats to Hampton trailhead
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dean Baird
\r\nJennifer Baird
\nSummary:<\/strong> This trip was primarily to complete the Trail Maintenance Assessment. The specific findings were that there are these remaining blowdowns;
\r\n1). 24\" red oak transversely across trail at 425.6 immediately trail North to the spring (from Helene)
\r\n2). Huge 0.2 mile long area of multiple blowdowns from Helene (which everyone is already aware of) from 425.6 to 425.4. NOTE: The trail south beginning of the reroute has had multiple additional flagging added since we were last there. This is apparently to aid hikers in finding the temporary reroute.
\r\n3). At 424.7 there is a rootball partially in the trail with an ~ 9 inch trunk that I sawed previously hoping to move the root ball. That was not happening. Scotty and his crew also left it. We will try to dig it out at some time. It is essentially no more that a 9\" stopover since the rootball covers only a portion of the trail.
\r\n4). 4 inch blowdown on the railroad grade that I sawed and removed.
\r\nThere were no other blowdowns on this section (Thank you to Scotty Bowman and SAWS crew for cutting what we could not.) and the trail is in very good shape.
\r\nBlazes were refreshed last year and do not need to be done at this time.
\r\nThis was a beautiful day; we saw 2 hikers on the section.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Steve Wilson
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-12
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Blowdown Removal and Trail Assessment
\nSection:<\/strong> 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Ken Costello, Ed Speer & Steve Wilson
\nSummary:<\/strong> In this outing we cut ten blowdowns - seven simple and three large - that had required hikers to “duck under” or “crawl over” while hiking. This section is now clear of blowdowns and a joy to hike.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Joe Morris
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-13
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Blowdown removal, repurpose gravel, and build locust steps
\nSection:<\/strong> Choose Section
\nPeople:<\/strong> Carl Fritz, Dan Firth, Greg Kramer, Bill Murdoch, Art Hagar, Randy Allen, Dennis Lewis, Tony Messina, Tim Stewart, Bob Peoples, Joe Morris
\nSummary:<\/strong> The Thursday crew created 7 new locust steps, harvested gravel for use at a later date and blowdowns were removed both north and south of Carvers. Beautiful day in the Highlands with plenty of hikers enjoying the day.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-11
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Remove Hazard Trees
\nSection:<\/strong> 2b: Low Point roughly 2 miles N of Abingdon Gap Shelter to McQueen's Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\r\nCarl Fritz
\nSummary:<\/strong> Removed a group of three hazard trees at the parking area at McQueen's Gap.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-11
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Cut Hazard Trees
\nSection:<\/strong> 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\r\nCarl Fritz
\nSummary:<\/strong> Removed 9 hazard trees including 7 at the campsite near Double Springs shelter. Cleared two campsites. Removed several small blowdowns.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Joel Zabel
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-12
\nPurpose:<\/strong> clear recent blowdowns
\nSection:<\/strong> 17: Iron Mountain Gap to FS230 switchback
\nPeople:<\/strong> Jeff Miller
\r\nAdam Bean
\r\nJoy Zabel
\r\nJoel Zabel
\nSummary:<\/strong> Hiked to 363.9 to remove 3 hiker reported waist high blowdowns 4\" to 10\". Continued south to 363.4 and removed a few more small blowdowns and improved 2 rootball holes w\/ rocks & trunk cuttings to make steps in & out more manageable; more work needed in that area. Drove to the closed gate on Red Fork Rd and hiked to Low Gap (24\" blowdown across road just before FS 4344; no vehicles can pass until removed). Hiked south from Low Gap to Unaka summit - first time since ATC hired contractors punched through that stretch. Many new small blowdowns that we cleared. The 0.3 miles south from Low Gap is a rootball disaster: many large ones on side hills, lots of fill and steps needed. It would be a great place for the Konnarock crew that is coming soon to spend some time.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Lotta Murray
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-12
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Assessment of trail
\nSection:<\/strong> 20c: No Business Knob Shelter to Spivey Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Ken murray
\r\nLotta Murray
\nSummary:<\/strong> Hiked from Devils creek gap to NBK shelter to do the trail assessment sheet and light trail work. Cut multiple small blowdowns and overhanging brush. 2 large root ball's destroyed the trail and one smaller one. One required climbing down 4 feet then up again 20 feet later. Multiple smallish and larger trees, easy to cut with a chainsaw. One large 30 inches diameter tree on a steep slope with a large rootball that will surely come down. Looks very dangerous. The trail to the spring was obliterated by a tree but someone cut a new trail. The new trail could use some work. Could not even see the spring so Trimmed some low hanging rhododendrons around it to open it up. Will need some blue paint and a left and right water sign. Picked up some trash around the shelter but it was fairly clean. Put out a new logbook.
\r\nSent pictures and report to Renee.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Greg Kramer
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-12
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Clean Waterbars
\nSection:<\/strong> 5: TN91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Greg Kramer
\r\nKent Gardner
\nSummary:<\/strong> I have a new large blowdown within 1\/2 mile of the shelter. A flagged path was created to go around. Water source South was not flowing as usual. The NOBO water source was flowing great as usual. Long day.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Richard Ramsey
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-01
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Clearly down trees
\nSection:<\/strong> 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Richard Ramsey, Nancy Mick
\nSummary:<\/strong> Cleared 6 to 8 blowdowns with Silky<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Rick Lott
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-11
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Remove Two Blowdowns Trail South of Doll Flats
\nSection:<\/strong> 14a: Doll Flats to Bradley Gap
\nPeople:<\/strong> Rick Lott
\r\nMike Watts
\nSummary:<\/strong> In conjunction with the work on 19E to Doll Flats section, we also took out 2 blowdowns trail south of Doll Flats that had previously been reported by Richard Ramsey. The first one was about a 4 tree tangle with diameters from 4\"-16\". The second one was a multi branch tree with about a 12\" trunk and smaller branches that was laying parallel on the trail up some rock steps for about 20'. Both blowdowns were removed uneventfully with only one minor bar pinch. We did encounter a few NOBO and also some section hikers. We were told there were perhaps two more blowdowns further south from where we cut these. One was described at about 1.5 miles south of Doll Flats and the other one was near the end of the tree line before Hump Mtn. We can probably tackle these in a few weeks while tackling the 14\" locust below Doll Flats.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Rick Lott
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-11
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Clear Blowdowns and Survey Trail for Tread Damage
\nSection:<\/strong> 13: US19E to Doll Flats
\nPeople:<\/strong> Rick Lott
\r\nMike Watts
\nSummary:<\/strong> We spotted Rick's car at 19E trailhead and took Mike's up the Doll Flats USFS road. Removed a lot of small debris from road. Road was OK for Mike's Forerunner and later for my Outback. We cleared the 2 blowdowns on the water access trail with the Stihl gas saw and then switched to the electric Devault for the trip to 19E. We cleared one blowdown with about three 4-6\" branches. At 393.1 where the previous landslide was unchanged, there was a 14\" locust across the switchback and up the trail about 15'. It was too big for the Devault. Hikers had shortcutted the switchback. The landslide needs some digging and rock steps, but is easy to navigate currently. At 393.0, we cleared a double fork 8-10\" blowdown. At 393.4, we noted two hazard leaner trees, that appeared stable for time being. The three slides around 394.2 looked to be unchanged and will require digging, rock steps and perhaps some cribbing. Three more blowdowns around 8\" were cut at or below the slides. The Devault ran out of juice at the last 8-10\" blowdown at 394.8. Will catch it from 19E in future trip. It's an easy step over. Pictures of the 4 slide areas are attached. All of the slide areas can be traversed fairly easily.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Steve Wilson
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-10
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Cleaning Up Blowdowns at McQueens Knob Shelter
\nSection:<\/strong> 3: McQueen's Gap to US421
\nPeople:<\/strong> Carl Belcher, Ed Speer, & Steve Wilson
\nSummary:<\/strong> We continued to clean up the blowdowns and brush around McQueens Knob emergency shelter. This 90-year-old structure built with logs is vulnerable to fire, so we cut nearby blowdowns and relocated the cut logs further away from the shelter. For extra protection we also removed sticks and debris around the shelter and fire ring.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Steve Domagala
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-08
\nPurpose:<\/strong> clear blow downs, remove trash from shelter, assess tread path and complete the TRAIL MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
\nSection:<\/strong> 20b: Temple Hill Gap to No Business Knob Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Steve Domagala
\r\nRandy Allen
\nSummary:<\/strong> removed large bag of trash and took down a tarp that had been attached to the shelter.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Tim Stewart
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-08
\nPurpose:<\/strong> check section
\nSection:<\/strong> 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
\nPeople:<\/strong> Tim Stewart
\nSummary:<\/strong> I met Carl, Dan, Bill and Tony at the Roan Mountain Community Park. We drove to Bitter End where I parked my car. Carl drove to the shelter access point. The regraded road was much better with a number of berms to serve as water diversions. Not sure how my car will handle the road but there are fewer potholes and the trench was gone (at least that I could tell from sitting in the back of Carl's truck).
\r\n
\r\nThe access trail was very well cleared previously. At the shelter, one could easily see that Helene had visited. Numerous blowdowns and damage to the shelter roof. I did some minor routine shelter tasks while everyone else started clearing debris. I then started the hike back to Bitter End to check this part of my section.
\r\n
\r\nFrom the shelter back to almost the new access point there is still some chainsaw and minor treadway work to be done. Approximately 1.3 miles. The picture with the double ribbon would be the turnaround point (from the shelter) for chainsaw work related to Helene. From the new access point to Hard Core Cascades is mostly ok. From Hard Core Cascades to Bitter End, there are several areas where the treadway needs to be redefined. Overall, the trail is hikeable.
\r\n
\r\nBack at Bitter End, Carl and group showed up several minutes later. Good timing! Good day with much accomplished but still much to do.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Carl Fritz
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-08
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Cut Trees to Open Camping Area and Restore Moreland Gap Shelter
\nSection:<\/strong> 11b: Canute Place to Bitter End
\nPeople:<\/strong> Tony Messina
\r\nCarl Fritz
\r\nBill Murdoch
\r\nDan Firth
\nSummary:<\/strong> Trees were down next to Moreland Gap shelter and had camping areas blocked. We were able to open an area for a number of tents. We installed a log onto the cement blocks and got the roofing into position. We patched the roof as best we could. It should be usable but may have some leaks. If we install a good tarp on top, it may be good for a couple of seasons.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-06
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Helene Blowdown Removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 7: Vandeventer Shelter to Wilbur Dam Rd
\nPeople:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\r\nKacy Hirchfelt
\r\nTyler Cairnes
\r\nNeil Vaidya
\r\nLindsey Lytle
\r\nSimon Farr
\r\nTrae Schadegg
\r\njoshua tourtellotte
\r\nKevin Matthews
\nSummary:<\/strong> We hiked in Wednesday morning and did an overnight for this hitch. The plan was to tackle the last large tree top over the shelter, clear a large oak on the spring trail, and touch up some tread areas around blowdowns. We were able to clear the tree from the shelter and bucked it up into manageable chunks along with 100 feet reestablished trail and 5 blowdowns. We worked Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning and then hiked out for well deserved long weekend.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-04
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Helene Blowdown Removal
\nSection:<\/strong> 9a: US321 to Pond Flats
\nPeople:<\/strong> Scotty Bowman
\r\nKacy Hirchfelt
\r\nTyler Cairnes
\r\nNeil Vaidya
\r\nLindsey Lytle
\r\nSimon Farr
\r\nTrae Schadegg
\r\njoshua tourtellotte
\r\nKevin Matthews
\nSummary:<\/strong> We spent the day working from 321 to Pond Flats clearing the larger blowdowns on the section and began tackling Pond Flats. This section is clear from the wilderness boundary to the spring. We worked on the south approach of mess and cleared a few more trees. We cleared 16 trees in total on this day.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Vic Hasler
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-04
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Spring AT Partnership
\nSection:<\/strong> Other (Meetings\/preparation\/etc.)
\nPeople:<\/strong> Vic Hasler, Joe Morris, Bob Peoples, Steve Perri, Tim Stewart
\nSummary:<\/strong> 26 members of ATC, USFS, CMC\/TEHCC, SAWS, SAHC, and Wild South invested time discussing needs of the Appalachian Trail, especially recovery from Hurricane Helene. TEHCC crews have made significant progress clearing the path. Chestoa Pike bridge replacement received FEMA funding and will have a a wider pedestrian path due to updated code requirements. Relocation is not a current option for trail repairs outside of the temporary one at Iron Mtn Gap. No or few prescribed burns as fire suppression is the top priority now. Everyone should emphasize that campfires should not be used through Helene damaged areas. Open area maintenance is planned out for 2025. After SAWS finishes Pond Flats, only three miles in Big Laurel Branch will remain to be cleared sometime this year. Next meeting date was selected to be Tuesday, October 21 at ARD.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dennis Whittington
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-02-24
\nPurpose:<\/strong> AT Trail Maintenance Assessment
\nSection:<\/strong> 12c: Sugar Hollow Creek to Campbell Hollow Road
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dennis Whittington
\nSummary:<\/strong> Assessment time was spent visually observing and photographing maintenance work needed for Section 12C. Assessment was conducted from MM 399.2 to MM 400.9 and included the Jones Falls Blue Blaze. Time was spent time cutting back encroaching vegetation, picking up trash, and removing small blowdowns. Additional time was also spent removing small to moderate size blowdowns from the easterly portion of the Blue Blaze nearest to Jones Falls. Approximately 100 feet was cleared.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-04
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Section Maintenance
\nSection:<\/strong> 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\nSummary:<\/strong> Fixed the last root ball and moved a water diversion from below the root ball to above it. Pushed back brush from the trail. Cleaned water diversions including the ditch along the road at Low Gap.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-01
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Section Maintenance
\nSection:<\/strong> 4a: US421 to Double Springs Shelter
\nPeople:<\/strong> Dan Firth
\nSummary:<\/strong> Cut back a root ball between Locust Knob and the shelter to straighten the trail. Cut logs that had slid down into the trail and pushed back encroaching brush. Cut a head high blow down. Cleaned water diversions north to the bottom of Locust Knob. Ed Spears fixed two root balls toward the shelter.<\/p>\nReporting:<\/strong> Van Hovey
\nDate:<\/strong> 2025-03-02
\nPurpose:<\/strong> Clear blowdowns
\nSection:<\/strong> 19b: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - Nolichucky River
\nPeople:<\/strong> Van Hovey