Trail condition and blowdown reports sought

[Lauriep]

Hey everybody--You may know that up to two feet or more of snow fell on much of the A.T. at the end of December. Cold weather persisted, and in some areas, snow was still lingering, at least prior to yesterday's rain and today's relatively warm temperatures (48 degrees here in Harpers Ferry, high of 37 degrees forecast for Mt. LeConte in the Smokies, where 8" of snow is currently reported).

It would be helpful if hikers would report conditions they encountered. If you come across blowdowns, detailed reports (location, size, whether they present hazards to hikers) can be very useful to the local club. Post here and/or email to [email protected] and we can forward.

Portions of TN and NC and southwest Virginia are the areas most likely to have extensive blowdowns. There may be snow at the highest elevations and north-facing slopes.

Surely some folks at the SORUCK ventured out and have something to report?

Here are the reports we heard here at ATC last week:

Georgia - Mostly clear. GATC President Gary Monk reported that the club was able to clear all blowdowns in the area they were working. Little or no snow at that time.

Central Virginia - Mostly clear. NBATC President Norm Sykora, reported that a aportion of their section had been scouted and no problems were reported.

Shenandoah - Unknown. PATC Supervisor of Trails John Hedrick reported that even trails at lower elevations at the park boundary were inaccessible due to snow and ice.

Northern Virginia - The 1.2 mile section my husband and I maintain from Blackburn south had only a few small blowdowns. Snow ranged from none to 6inches on Saturday; most of that will probably be gone by the end of today.

Maryland - Mostly clear. Hikers reported no blowdowns between US 40 and Harpers Ferry. Trail had a mix of snow and bare patches as of Saturday; most of that will probably be gone by the end of today.

Laurie P.
ATC

[Cookerhiker]

On Friday Jan. 15 the first day of the SoRuck, I day-hiked northbound from the NOC, hiking between 4 and 5 miles before encountering too much ice on a north-facing slope. In these 4-5 miles, I recall at least 2 blowdowns requiring a chainsaw. The first was not too far north of Grassy Gap (sorry I can't be more precise) and the second was in the icy stretch of a rhododendron "tunnel" a bit more than 4 miles from the NOC.

Also hiked the next day from Tellico Gap to the NOC over Wesser Bald but I'm drawing a blank on blowdowns there. Perhaps other Ruck hikers will remember; it was an organized hike.

[JJJ]

Between Abingdon Gap (S. of Damascus) and the 5 miles north to the Backbone Rock BBlaze, there was only one place that had a pile of 6- smallish trees that took a little doing to get through. There were a few leaners and a fair amount of brush on the trail. Probably only a couple days with a chainsaw to put things in order.

From Damascus to Straight Branch has only a log or two across it.

The FS is working on a pretty big mess this week on the VA Creeper Trail north of Straight Branch to Taylors Valley.

The Iron Mt Trail between Damascus and FS 90 is in good shape with only a place or two.

[Bearpaw]

A quick word from SoRuck, from Tellico Gap to Wesser Shelter, the trail is in good overall shape, but the Wesser Creek Blue Blaze is covered with 2-3 dozen blowdowns, some just an inconvenience but some making for pretty dicey scrambling aroung them on steep wet slopes. Many are rhododendron blowdowns which completely choke off the trail, but which can be pushed through.

I will include pics when I get them downloaded.

[sasquatch2014]

A group of us were out this past weekend and it is clear from Wind Gap to the DWG.

Other than lost hikers near Nuclear Lake the trail is clear in NY from Rt 52 to the Ct state line from reports that I have had.

[mountain squid]

We're heading out tomorrow in search of blowdowns. In addition to the detailed report that Laurie mentioned, a photo would help to visualize what might be required. Maybe lean your hiking poles against it for reference.


JJJ - Do you mean b/n Abingdon Gap Shelter and the Backbone Rock blueblazer?

Approx where was the pile of trees located? Closer to the shelter or closer to the Backbone Rock blueblazer? Approx what diameter?

Are the leaners and the brush just in random spots b/n the shelter and the Backbone Rock blueblazer? What do you think was the largest diameter leaner/tree that you saw that requires attention?

A couple of days with a chainsaw makes me think there are numerous blowdowns or ones that are very large and that completely obstruct the trail. The other day we removed 17 in a few hours (which included getting my truck unstuck and walking in and out). So, a couple of days makes me think there might be 50 or 60 blowdowns, etc to contend with.

Thanks for the info.


See you on the trail,
mt squid

[Lauriep]

Thanks everyone! This is helpful.

[dmax]

I parked at Indian Grave gap on Unaka and headed north on Jan 9th and 10th. I was able to clear one with my small pocket saw. If I remember right there was 3 big ones before you get to the forest service road. After crossing the road there was some more. I didn't make it all the way to Beauty Spot but saw around 6 on my two hikes.

[Bearpaw]

I will include pics when I get them downloaded.

There were about perhaps 3 dozen blowdowns, about a dozen of which were complete blocks with no readily apparent way around. This was one.




There was a huge tree down and its roots took the trail with it requiring a 6-foot descent and similar climb back out.


The trail wasn't impassable, but it was MUCH tougher than the previous year I hiked it.

I realize this is a blue-blaze and not main corridor, but hopefully Nantahala Hiking Club will get word of it fairly soon.

Thanks for looking out for us Laurie.

[Daydream Believer]

Shortly after Christmas, we sectioned from Gooch Gap to Hogpen Gap in GA. There were quite a few blowdowns on the Blood Mountain side of Neels' Gap. Several were pretty rough obstacles to get around/over as I recall.

[SGT Rock]

Not on the AT, but I had a big one on the BMT I just finished clearing today. The trails are ate up down here.

[JJJ]

We're heading out tomorrow in search of blowdowns. In addition to the detailed report that Laurie mentioned, a photo would help to visualize what might be required. Maybe lean your hiking poles against it for reference.


JJJ - Do you mean b/n Abingdon Gap Shelter and the Backbone Rock blueblazer?

Approx where was the pile of trees located? Closer to the shelter or closer to the Backbone Rock blueblazer? Approx what diameter?

Are the leaners and the brush just in random spots b/n the shelter and the Backbone Rock blueblazer? What do you think was the largest diameter leaner/tree that you saw that requires attention?

A couple of days with a chainsaw makes me think there are numerous blowdowns or ones that are very large and that completely obstruct the trail. The other day we removed 17 in a few hours (which included getting my truck unstuck and walking in and out). So, a couple of days makes me think there might be 50 or 60 blowdowns, etc to contend with.

Thanks for the info.


See you on the trail,
mt squid

Mt S, Yes that's the stretch.
The pile of about 6 trees/limbs were only 8-10", if memory serves, it was maybe two miles N of shelter. And it was the only one that was the least it tricky.
There were a few 18-24" that would need working on.
You're probably right, a pair could probably clean up McQueens Gap to DAM in a day, if you didn't have to walk both ways. There was no where near 50-60, but I haven't been on the 4 miles S of DAM. I heard there was some, but I'm presuming relatively the same volume.
Thanks for your help.

[Spirit Walker]

We hiked from Wolfsville Rd to Pogo Campsite today. Only a couple of small blowdowns - only a handsaw would be needed to clear them and they are easily stepped over. We cleared the little stuff off the trail. (I love trekking poles!)

[Blissful]

You guys are great. many many thanks.

[Marta]

On the Tellico Gap to Wesser section last Saturday, there were a couple of blowdowns near Tellico Gap. From Wesser Bald Shelter north, blowdowns had already been cleared. There was fresh sawdust on the ground.

From Wesser north for a few miles, there was one blowdown that had made a hole in the trail and taken quite a bit of soil with it. If we get much heavy rain, it could wash a big hole in the trail. Other than that, there weren't any serious problems.

[Berserker]

I did this section last weekend (1/15 - 1/17), and it was a mess. Lots of debris (small branches and things of that nature) on the trail all throughout the section, and a good bit of blowdowns. The most significant blowdowns I remember were in the 4 mile piece in between Dickey Gap and Trimpi Shelter. There are several in there that will require a chainsaw. The one that caused the most heartache getting around was maybe about 1/4 - 1/2 mile SOBO of Trimpi. Beware, there was deep snow in that area too (sun must not get in there much).

The snow was fairly deep up at the higher elevations (I'd say somewhere above 3,300') where it must have drifted a couple of weeks ago. Some spots were maybe up to 2' deep. The summit of Glade Mtn in particular had a decent coating of snow on it.

[mountain squid]

Thanks for the updates.

We cleared about 41 on Tue (1/19) N of Erwin. I uploaded a couple of photos. There were a couple of other groups out but I'm not sure how they fared. I'll be heading out tomorrow to check my section. I hope it isn't too bad...

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[Cabin Fever]

As stated on another thread, the week after Christmas I, along with others, cleared over 50 on my section. I will qualify this by saying I define a blowdown as anything I have to saw. It's a mess out there. The early starters are going to experience a lot of trail obstructions.

[ShelterLeopard]

A group of us were out this past weekend and it is clear from Wind Gap to the DWG.

Clear except for the blow downs between Kirkridge Shelter and DWG. There are about 3 or 4 large trees blocking the trail. Two of which (for someone with short legs) are difficult to get over. You have longer legs Sasquatch- Slugger was ready to whip out his camera, I looked so ridiculous trying to get over one of the bigger ones!

[Saffirre8]

FYI- hello everyone- The AT up here in MD is looking good in some areas and not so good in others. i hiked from Gathland to Weaverton cliffs and most of the snow was gone except where the sun doesnt shine through. Last weekend i walked NOBO from Gathland and just about twisted my knee because the terrain was rough. So if you are hiking NOBO from Gathland be careful. There is lots of frost and ice underneith the mud and grass. You would never know it was there till you just about twist your knee.