View Full Version : If you could adopt one little section of trail.....
MedicineMan
11-17-2006, 00:01
If you could adopt one little section of trail and maintain it which would it be?
Nevermind official maintainence with a club, just your own little piece of the trail you mind every now and then.
I remember getting shuttled by Homer in the Daleville area....he maintained that short section that runs right by I-81 after your pass NoBo the Howard Johnson....his remark is uncanny, 'its not a glamorous section but someone has to do it', this knowing that McAfee Knob is just south of him. So which section would you like to adopt.....
I know HOI does much maintainence in his area and in areas far away from him, and I think without 'official' sanction, there are many others that come to mind like Mr. Peoples and Sgt Rock. Which piece of the AT will you adopt?
I did just that 15 yrs ago. Was the section I currently maintain now for the CMC, Spivey Gap to Little Bald. However after a yr or so of doing trail work there I was contacted by them and told if I didnt stop it or become a member of their club and do it thru those proper channels that I would be threatened by federal prosecution. Of course they were accusing me of using chainsaws, carrying guns, scaring hikers, and working on someone elses section without their permission and causing them to go out to do work that was already done, blah blah, of course none of that was true. I had to contact them and set them straight on all those above points that all of which were not true (well maybe I did scare a few hikers lol) and after meeting with me and my "patrol" they seen all was good and asked me to join their club and gave me the section since no one had done much work on it in the past 14 yrs. (which was obvious and the reason we were doing the work there to begin with) I have been there ever since.I am not much for the red tape part or the beuracracy involved but do enjoy doing the work and giving back to a trail I love that has given so much to me. So be careful if you decide to go out and "adopt a trail" on your own, since there are maintaining clubs that handle all of the trail, it is best go thru them to do your "adopting", but dont worry, they will be glad to have you !
RAT > PATROL
If you could adopt one little section of trail and maintain it which would it be?
Nevermind official maintainence with a club, just your own little piece of the trail you mind every now and then.
I remember getting shuttled by Homer in the Daleville area....he maintained that short section that runs right by I-81 after your pass NoBo the Howard Johnson....his remark is uncanny, 'its not a glamorous section but someone has to do it', this knowing that McAfee Knob is just south of him. So which section would you like to adopt.....
I know HOI does much maintainence in his area and in areas far away from him, and I think without 'official' sanction, there are many others that come to mind like Mr. Peoples and Sgt Rock. Which piece of the AT will you adopt?
Since I live so far away, It would have to be one within an hour or so from a major airport. Preferably with a shuttle service.
Which major airport is closest, or more importantly, easily accessed from the AT?
one item to note about the work that I did (I don't do much anymore) - I am a blowdown specialist - I don't do blazes, waterbars, grading, weedwhacking, brush cutting etc. - when I take out some blowdown I will infom the club of my work so that they don't send someone out also - this mainly applies to the PATC since that is the local club for my area - I also never used a chainsaw - crosscut or pruning saws only - a lot of the work I did was in big W areas (official wilderness areas) plus I consider a chainsaw an accident waiting to happen.
Blue Jay
11-17-2006, 06:16
I already have, its Northern CT to mid VT. I'm on it as often I can, doing whatever I can. Unofficial of course.
If you could adopt one little section of trail and maintain it which would it be?...................etc,etc,etc,................ ................................?
somewhere close to CLINGMANS DOME...just something about being @ the HIGHEST POINT on the A.T.:D
Mr. Clean
11-17-2006, 06:19
I'd love to see something better for notifying maintainers about trail work completed. I went twice this year and found work already done, but you always find something to do. Maybe a website my State; you could post trailwork done, and check it before you headed out.
I'd like to do a section in the Mahoosucs - love that place, but they rarly come up. Carlo Col trail is open now, but it's a blue blazed trail.
MedicineMan
11-17-2006, 07:10
might look into,,,,maybe a clearinghouse section for maintainers here on WB for what is done/needs to be done.....or maybe this is already done on the local trail club level? with my perusal at TEHCC vs PATC there seems to be a difference among clubs.....any with more knowledge?
Frolicking Dinosaurs
11-17-2006, 07:24
The only portions of the AT close enough for us to reasonably maintain are in the GSMNP and there is no way I would put up with the red tape involved with maintaining any trail in the GSMNP today. We have done some unofficial maintenance on various trails off the Cherohala Parkway and in Slickrock Wilderness in the past few years - some of the trails were part of the BMT.
The male dino loves waterfalls and we have worked on trails to falls in GA, TN, AL, KY and VA many times when we found them in need.
Lone Wolf
11-17-2006, 08:55
I maintain the main street of Damascus. Mainly keeping stinking hikers from loitering in front of businesses.
I'd love to see something better for notifying maintainers about trail work completed. I went twice this year and found work already done, but you always find something to do. Maybe a website my State; you could post trailwork done, and check it before you headed out.
I'd like to do a section in the Mahoosucs - love that place, but they rarly come up. Carlo Col trail is open now, but it's a blue blazed trail.
back in the day when I did a lot of blowdown work I would have loved a website that listed blowdowns that needed to be cut along with some details as to the size of the blowdown - unfortunately this will be very unlikely to happen with the present club leadership - they are advised by their lawyers to supress any info a non-club member might use that could possibily lead to any liability on the part of the club
these days - well lets just say I'm not a club member and will generally avoid doing any work on club maintained trails unless the maintenance is so bad that I get pissed off trying to hike the trail
bigmontana
11-17-2006, 12:34
Three Forks in GA... just loved that place
SGT Rock
11-17-2006, 12:40
Three forks is a great area. If I could pick a spot - and it didn't matter about the "where" I would love to have Hump Mountain to Overmountain Shelter. I love that stretch.
I'd adopt the road to hell and pave it with good intentions.
Seriously, there is a place on the Long Trail in New York that I wouldn't mind working on. It's in the Bashakill Wildlife Management area (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=3941&catid=member&imageuser=91), and is about 25-30 miles north of High Point State Park. I know it's not the AT, but it's a magical place, and you can walk there from the AT.
Mother Nature
11-17-2006, 13:07
I have a great section of trail in GA. I take day hikes on it often especially in the fall and springer just because I like it. I have from Blue Ridge Gap to Rich Knob which is essentially the last three miles in GA. (My section doesn't quite reach Bly Gap.) There's a great campsite up on a knoll with winter views and covered with ladyslippers in the spring. Once the spring wave of NOBOs passes through it is quiet and I rarely meet other hikers.
Since it is wilderness I get a good workout with a crosscut saw and loppers.:p
Mother Nature
The Weasel
11-17-2006, 13:41
Mountain: You have suggested what could be a wonderful idea for the ATC. I'll flesh out what it made me think of; perhaps others can refine it better than me, and perhaps it could be taken from there. (I'll help if you're interested..but you get 'ownership' for the idea. Here it goes:
"Trail maintenance" is something that gets credit, but never enough. Our AT trail maintainers do, for no pay and often no expenses (and even sometimes pay for the "privilege") doing seriously difficult work, grading trails, clearing brush and downfalls, repairing shelters and lots more. But it's also a major time committment, and something that many of us can't do because of distance and expense. And "trail maintenance" is something that often is limited to major "fixing" of parts of the trail, only when a segment needs it.
Most of us are familiar, however, with the litter clearing along highways that many states/communities have "contracted out" to volunteer groups (sometimes businesses, organization, or just a few individuals) who agree to litter-pick a stretch (usually 2 miles of highway) twice a year. My Scout Troop has done a local stretch for the last several years. That leaves the government to do the "major" maintenance, i.e. mowing, trimming, etc. In "payment" the group gets a sign saying, "Road Cleanup Courtesy of Scout Troop 101" or some such thing. It permits a bit of pride (for the group) and a reminder to passersby that (a) please don't litter and (b) THEY could even volunteer for a piece of roadway.
Perhaps it would be possible to do something similar for the AT: A group of people could adopt a stretch between two access points/roads and agree to do minor maintenance twice a year, such as litterpicking the trail (regretably necessary even though many hikers pick up a lot), cleaning areas around shelters/water sources of debris, emptying garbage cans (usually overflowing) at access points (if any) and hauling it out. Since most stretches (yes, I know, not ALL) of the Trail have about 5-10 miles between access points, this would not require more than 1 overnight by such a group. It would also take some pressure off of Trail Maintainers and governments to do this work. A small sign at each end of the segment (don't go crazy on me here, folks: I'm thinking 6" x 4", brown background, white letters) could say, "Trail litter cleaned thanks to [whomever]".
Possible?
The Weasel
The Weasel
DawnTreader
11-17-2006, 14:34
poplar ridge up and over saddleback..
poplar ridge up and over saddleback..
Good choice DT, I'll take the other 1/2 of the range, Oberton stream to Carrabassett River, both are tough sections though.
DawnTreader
11-17-2006, 15:08
Good choice DT, I'll take the other 1/2 of the range, Oberton stream to Carrabassett River, both are tough sections though.
now if we can convince David Field to give the section up.. shouldn't be a problem, he's only been there since what, 69'....? *****, he built the poplar ridge shelter didn't he?
now if we can convince David Field to give the section up.. shouldn't be a problem, he's only been there since what, 69'....? *****, he built the poplar ridge shelter didn't he?
Not sure but some others here involved with MATC might. ATTROLL, WEARY,
RAMBUNNY to name a few. Maybe they could shed some light on this section and it's maintainer status.
The Sugarloaf Cirque end has been worked pretty hard with rock steps and some trail relocation.....
Jack Tarlin
11-17-2006, 18:28
I wouldn't mind maintaining the area around Overmountain Shelter in North Carolina.
Hell, I wouldn't mind LIVING there, so maintaining it would be the next best thing.
I had the privilege to go out there early this spring with Bob Peoples and a crew from the Tenessee Eastman Hiking Club. We spent the day at Overmountain digging a new privy pit, which is about as fun and glamorous as you might expect. I was put completely to shame work-wise by the guys on Bob's crew, whose average age seemed to be somewhere around a century.
Anyway, the next time you use the privy at Overmountain, give me a thought.
Hmmmm. Let's forget about that, I'm not sure that sounds quite right.
How 'bout, the next time you use the Privy at Overmountain, give Bob and the local hiking club a thought. It's a spectacular part of the Trail, and the work these guys do there---and some of them have been maintainers for decades---is really amazing.
But in any case, if I got to pick a spot that ws "mine" this would probably be it.
I suppose the other would be three blocks of Main Street here in Hanover, right on the Trail. I walk this section often enough it mas as well be mine.
Maybe someday I'll blaze it better!
partly cloudy
11-17-2006, 19:48
Hoorraayyy Rat, you got the right idea. Better to join the local club than to maintain yourself. Everyone has good intentions to make the trail better for the hikers behind, but better might not be the best way. I am the president of the North Country National Scenic trail chapter in the Allegheny National Forest in no'west Pa. The training needed to repair a section of damaged trail, bridge, shelter, is extensive. Much to intense to go into here. The best way is to join a club and attend a maintainer workshop and go out for a week and learn what is necessary. The experience will be valuable and very rewarding.
As for chain saw work, don't even think about it until you have the proper training and take someone with you. Yes, they are an "accident waiting to happen." One slip and your history when your 5 miles from the nearest road. Also, in a wilderness area, any mechinized equiptment is not permitted. This included weed-wackers.
I sincerly doupt that any club will turn you away if you approach them with a maintainer attitude. Just learn the ropes. And, all your volunteer hours are recorded and transpossed into dollars saved for the NPS.
Also, by joining a club in a national forest, you are covered by their insurance as a volunteer. Just make sure your paperwork is done before heading out on a work detail. YES. lots of red tape, but, it protects you and them.
There is no way to express my graditude for the countless number of volunteer maintainers. There would be no trails if they didn't do their job.
If I was adopte a section, it would be the whole trail, with help of about 1000 other volunteers.
totally Boagus
11-17-2006, 20:07
I'd sign up for the section between dripping rock and humpback mountain just south of the SHP in Va. I hike that area at least once a month and it has
great views,rock scrambles, the works. I can't wait until I can retire and "work" the trail in an official way
Not sure but some others here involved with MATC might. ATTROLL, WEARY, RAMBUNNY to name a few. Maybe they could shed some light on this section and it's maintainer status.
The Sugarloaf Cirque end has been worked pretty hard with rock steps and some trail relocation.....
Maybe Dave might enjoy some company when he works on Saddleback? It wouldn't hurt to ask him and what you could learn from him would be more than fair compensation for the labor you'd provide. Likewise Lester Kenway as well as some of the others who have been with MATC for many years.
I don't know who would have the section north of Dave's or where his ends. I built some of the steps along the cirque with my MCC crew in 1991. They were a wonderful group of young people. We spent several weeks working out of the Sugarloaf Summit Hut which we were permitted to use. It was a good time. More work has likely been done since then as we didn't get as much done as we'd hoped or as was needed. If you should be blessed with that section at some time, please take good care of it. It's a beauty!;)
I remember well and like telling the story of the day the MCC Carabassett Valley Team sat eating our lunch on the A.T. above the cirque. At one point, I think it was me who first saw a sow bear and her two cubs feasting on blueberries below us. We watched for quite some time since they apparently had no awareness of us.
I'm a gardener and what appeals to me most is native perennials. Often I'm trying to recreate combinations of plants I've seen while hiking. This year I have been reworking a bed on the south side of my home which has full sun throughout much of the day.
It's become apparent to me that some of the best plants for this site are plants which grow on dry, exposed shale embankments and some that can be found above the trees in New England. One plant I hope to add next spring to that bed is harebell, Campanula rotundifolia. One reason I will plant it will be because that plant reminds me of the portion of the summer I spent on Sugarloaf with MCC.
I want to see if I can get away with growing mountain cranberry in the same bed, where three-toothed cinquefoil is already happily established. I find tending my plants to be pleasant work that reminds me of good times and good people and there's always something blooming by my door.:)
Great post Shades of Grey, What a unique place to do some trailwork. About three years ago, the upper cirque had a major rockslide right where the stream runs out of it. It looks like there is a huge cave where it let go.Can see it well from the Caribou Valley Road. It must have sounded like thunder when it let go.
There seems to be an opening for a maintainer from North Crocker for 2 miles northward which I am looking into. If that doesn't pan out I'll take your advice and talk to Dave.
The cirque trail is one of my favorite local climbs, opens up quick and remote, but that area has alot of great hiking. Thanks for the trail service.:)
About three years ago, the upper cirque had a major rockslide right where the stream runs out of it. It looks like there is a huge cave where it let go. Can see it well from the Caribou Valley Road. It must have sounded like thunder when it let go.
There seems to be an opening for a maintainer from North Crocker for 2 miles northward which I am looking into. If that doesn't pan out I'll take your advice and talk to Dave.:)
Next year if you hike to the slide you described, take some pics and post them, would you please?
There will probably be opportunites to help out with the Maine Trail Crew or with some other MATC activities next year. You don't necessarily need to adopt a section to help out.
You should introduce yourself to Lester Kenway and spend some time working with him if you have not already. I'm sure you would enjoy that experience too.
Most of us are familiar, however, with the litter clearing along highways that many states/communities have "contracted out" to volunteer groups (sometimes businesses, organization, or just a few individuals) who agree to litter-pick a stretch (usually 2 miles of highway) twice a year.
(don't go crazy on me here, folks: I'm thinking 6" x 4", brown background, white letters) could say, "Trail litter cleaned thanks to [whomever]".
Possible?
The Weasel
BMECC has been participating in Penn DOT's program for more than 10 years at PA 183. They will be picking up trash tomorrow if anyone wants to help. Just show up at 9:30 a.m. at the PGL parking lot. Vests and gloves provided.
Not going crazy Herr Weasel, but I don't care for the sign idea regardless of the size. I'm sure the clubs won't mind people picking up after themselves and others, however.
Hoorraayyy Rat, you got the right idea. Better to join the local club than to maintain yourself. Everyone has good intentions to make the trail better for the hikers behind, but better might not be the best way. I am the president of the North Country National Scenic trail chapter in the Allegheny National Forest in no'west Pa. The training needed to repair a section of damaged trail, bridge, shelter, is extensive. Much to intense to go into here. The best way is to join a club and attend a maintainer workshop and go out for a week and learn what is necessary. The experience will be valuable and very rewarding.
As for chain saw work, don't even think about it until you have the proper training and take someone with you. Yes, they are an "accident waiting to happen." One slip and your history when your 5 miles from the nearest road. Also, in a wilderness area, any mechinized equiptment is not permitted. This included weed-wackers.
I sincerly doupt that any club will turn you away if you approach them with a maintainer attitude. Just learn the ropes. And, all your volunteer hours are recorded and transpossed into dollars saved for the NPS.
Also, by joining a club in a national forest, you are covered by their insurance as a volunteer. Just make sure your paperwork is done before heading out on a work detail. YES. lots of red tape, but, it protects you and them.
There is no way to express my graditude for the countless number of volunteer maintainers. There would be no trails if they didn't do their job.
If I was adopte a section, it would be the whole trail, with help of about 1000 other volunteers.
Thanks partly cloudy. I have learned alot working with the old geezers and maintainer legends of old not to mention I used to work every year with the Konnarock Trail Crews ( i have about 8 or 9 yearly shirts) and even did some crew leader work for them in the last couple I was able to work with them, it does take alot of techniques and special training not to mention some unique tools to do the proper trail maintenance and keep up to date with ATC policies. I have learned so much in the last 15 yrs from working with these kinds of people and it has been alot of fun. I hope to continue this long as I am able.
RAT
I'd love to see something better for notifying maintainers about trail work completed. I went twice this year and found work already done, but you always find something to do. Maybe a website my State; you could post trailwork done, and check it before you headed out.
Our club, the CMC has a great online trail issue and hours worked reporting function. Check it out here:
http://www.carolinamtnclub.com/Maint.htm
Can post about trail conditions needing attn., trail issues already completed and its where we report our hours worked at. Is much better than the old paper and snail mail system !
RAT
walkin' wally
11-19-2006, 18:23
Not sure but some others here involved with MATC might. ATTROLL, WEARY,
RAMBUNNY to name a few. Maybe they could shed some light on this section and it's maintainer status.
The Sugarloaf Cirque end has been worked pretty hard with rock steps and some trail relocation.....
The overseer for this area is Dick Fecteau and the section is in the Bigelow District. ( Rt 4 to the Long Falls Dam Road). He would have the info on the maintainers for that area.
For those who might be interested in a Maine trail section. There are openings posted in just about every issue of "The Maintainer" which is the newsletter from the Maine ATC Club. www.matc.org
Walkin' Wally
Cookerhiker
11-20-2006, 11:47
Since I live so far away, It would have to be one within an hour or so from a major airport. Preferably with a shuttle service.
Which major airport is closest, or more importantly, easily accessed from the AT?
I can think of some small-city airports near the Trail - Roanoke, Harrisburg, Hartford/Springfield (Brantley?), Albany - but I assume you'd need 2-3 flights to get there. Re. major airports, I'd single out: (1) Washington National because you can use public transportation (DC metro to Union Station, train to Harpers Ferry) and (2) Newark, also because of the public transportation option (train from Hoboken to Sloatsburg/Arden and/or bus from NYC to Bear Mountain of course, train from NYC to Pawling). But all these options are probably more than an hour depending on when you arrive.
Alligator
11-20-2006, 12:27
now if we can convince David Field to give the section up.. shouldn't be a problem, he's only been there since what, 69'....? *****, he built the poplar ridge shelter didn't he?I ran into Dave Field at the shelter he built. It's got the round, sapling/pole floor. I think he said he built it with his sister. Little stream out front. The maps were my buddy's, so I don't recall the name of the shelter. He was out for trail maintenance that weekend though.
bigmontana
11-20-2006, 15:44
I have a great section of trail in GA. I take day hikes on it often especially in the fall and springer just because I like it. I have from Blue Ridge Gap to Rich Knob which is essentially the last three miles in GA. (My section doesn't quite reach Bly Gap.) There's a great campsite up on a knoll with winter views and covered with ladyslippers in the spring. Once the spring wave of NOBOs passes through it is quiet and I rarely meet other hikers.
Since it is wilderness I get a good workout with a crosscut saw and loppers.:p
Mother Nature
This is also one of my very favorite sections... so beautiful! When I was there I saw hundreds of tiny frogs along a several mile stretch. I took my time enjoying this part of the trail before reaching the climb into NC.