Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307

Trail Maintenance
Projects

2013

Jan     Feb    Mar    Apr    May    Jun    Jul    Aug    Sep    Oct    Nov    Dec

Work Trips in 2008 or 2009 or 2010 or 2011 or 2012

Tellico Ranger District Worktrips
Benton MacKaye Trail Worktrips
Other Worktrips

January

Thursday, January 3, 2013 - This Thursday, January 3, Travis will not be there. However, there is a safety meeting and breakfast. Brandon will be offering a CPR refresher course as the safety meeting program. For SABCH members: you can take the refresher or we might decide to work somewhere, possibly even Ocoee/Hiwasse on Starr Mountain where we know there is work to be done. Continuing working Flatts Mountain is probably not a good idea because of snow and ice.

Thursday, January 10, 2013 - Flats Mtn Trail - We will be working on Flats Mountain trail this Thursday…weather permitting. This will be chainsaw/power weed eater with brush blade work as well as loppers. See you all then and Happy New Year!

Thursday, January 17, 2013 - McNabb Creek Trail - Tazz & Bill Hodge will be leading the crew next week to McNabb Creek. I will be out at a wildland fire school next week.

Saturday, January 19, 2013 - Big Frog Trail - Jeff Hunter and TN Wild are conducting a work trip on Saturday, January 19^th to rebuild a section of the Big Frog trail. The work scheduled for the day is reconstruction – hand digging and root removal. We have a two mile trek in before we start to work which is located between Yellow Stand Lead and Fork Ridge intersections. We don’t need to do any clearing work because Randy Morris and James Anderson led a team to finish that task on the last worktrip. Sorry for the short notice. If you would like to help or you know someone who wants to help, please meet at the Ocoee/Hiwassee District Office on Saturday the 19^th @ 0830. We need people to help dig but also to help rake/level. You don’t have to reply back; we will equip everyone at the same time. Contact Steve Biatowas or Jeff Hunter for more information.

Thursday, January 24, 2013 - McNabb Creek Trail - We will be working on McNabb trail this week. Due to weather and shortage of help last week, Tazz and Roger worked on Starr Mt. If we have enough help, we will “knock out” two trails as we will have the Future Soldiers (U.S. Army) with us again.

Saturday, January 26, 2013 - TN/NC BMTA Maintenance Trip - BMT Section 19a - Farr Gap to Slickrock Creek - TN/NC will be working on the Stiffknee section starting at Farr Gap and working down to Slickrock Creek. The plan is to meet at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center at 0900 January 26, and drive to Farr Gap from there. The main focus is brush work so please bring sling blades and loppers, but we will bring one crosscut saw and ancillary tools to cut any blow downs that we may find. The forecast is clear, but cold. High should only be about 35F, so folks need to bring appropriate clothing for the weather. At the end of the trip, we plan to head back into Tellico Plains to eat with anyone interested in hanging around. As far as I know, the roads to Farr Gap are clear, the only slide I know of in that area is up between Beech Gap and Mudd Gap on the Cherolhalla. The forecast for Friday has been changed to include rain possibly turning to show, and lows in the 20s that night. If the weather is to icy we will cancel the trip, I’d rather not anyone get hurt. Contact Ernie Engman to sign up or for questions at sgtrock@hikinghq.

Thursday, January 31, 2013 - Bald River Trail - We will be working on the Bald River trail (88) therefore we will need crosscut saws, loppers etc. See you then……

February

Thursday, February 7, 2013 - Conasauga Falls Trail - This Thursday is the Safety meeting so bring your favorite dish for the “potluck”. After the meeting we will be working the lower part of the Conasauga Falls Trail where two large trees came down across the trail. The root ball pulled up the tread so we will need to re-route the trail below the trees after cutting out a path. Meet at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8 AM.

Friday, February 9, 2013 - Coker Creek Falls Trail - The Ruritan Club of Coker Creek plans to maintain this trail on this date.

Monday, February 18, 2013 - Unicoi Turnpike Trail - as reported by Marc Bernatti

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - Hemlock Trail - This Thursday we will work on the Hemlock trail. The regular chain saw and lopper work will be performed. See you then.

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - Monthly BMTA TN/NC Work Trip - BMT Section 12e - Lost Creek Section

• What: This month’s work trip is going to be to repair the trail on Lost Creek which has been undercut and partially collapsed from recent flooding. The task will be to build about 140’ of trail further from the bank which is where what is left of the current trail is still collapsing into Lost Creek due to the creek undercutting the bank.
• When & Where: We will meet at the trail head on FS 103 aka Lost Creek Road at approx 0900 on 23 February. The walk to the maintenance point is about 1.9 miles from the Trail Head, is mostly flat walking and passes though the area I like to refer to as the “Lost Creek George” which is beautiful. Maintenance and walking time should be between 4-5 hours.
• How: A good bit of the work will be done with chainsaws so we want to have two certified sawyers with some swampers to help them. One brush cutter which I will bring; and loppers, pulaskis, McLeod, fire rakes, etc will be needed for clearing the trail bed and some side hill work. If you want to bring your own tools, that is what Ernie encourages you to bring with you.
• What to bring and prepare for: The average weather for this time is high around 53 and low around 34. There is not a lot of direct sunlight to the area most of the day so expect cool weather. Bring snacks, water, and appropriate clothing for the conditions. Water is plentiful if you want to get it from the creek, but you may want to have a way to filter/treat. If you have a hard hat and gloves please bring them. It is not hunting season, so vests should not be needed.
• Ernie hopes to get about 10 people to help. So far he had about 3 promised to come. For more information, contact Ernie Engman at sgtrock@hikinghq.net.

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - Sugar Cove Trail  - The plan is to work the Sugar Cove trail but with winds expected tonight on the mountain of 60 MPH that may change in order to assist clean up on roads and other more “high profile” trails.

March

Thursday, March 7, 2013 - Mounting Signs - At 8 AM we will have a safety meeting and Brandon Corbitt will be discussing the new USFS chainsaw and crosscut saw certification rules. Afterwards, we will mount our new signs on wooden posts so we can soon plant them in the ground at the trailheads. There is too much snow on the ground to plan a work trip in the woods.

Thursday, March 14, 2013 - Pine Ridge Trail - We will be working the Pine Ridge trail this week. Reports are that there are several trees down (crosscut work). We would like to have 3 crews so it can be tackled from the top and bottom and do some tread work that needs to be done at the first creek crossing.

Thursday, March 21, 2013 - Planting Signs - We will be planting the signs we mounted two weeks ago, at least the signs on the Unicoi Turnpike Trail and the Indian Boundary Lake Trail. Meet at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8 AM

Thursday, March 28, 2013 - Picking up trash along road to Conasauga Falls - The trail crew will be assisting Mary Jane and a group of young people clean up the road to the Conasauga Falls trail. Meet at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. The meeting time is a little later than usual since the students won't be there until 8:30 or 9:00 AM.

May

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - Little Citico Horse Trails - This Thursday we will continue brushing and logging out on the Citico Horse Trails. There are some rather large trees down in some portions that I have hiked. Should be a great day out on the trails. But before the work trip there will be the Safety Meeting at the Ranger Station at 8 AM.

Saturday, May 4, 2013 - BMTA Work Trip Section 17d -Trail Relocation near Beech Gap on Cherohala Skyway - Come join us in the bridge relocation project off the Cherohala Skyway near the Tennessee/North Carolina State Line. Meet at the Unicoi Overlook Parking Lot (just east of the state line) at 10 AM on Saturday, May 4th. Bring personal protective gear and Pulaskis and loppers. As a special inducement, we will have a hot dog lunch with Iced Tea on site. We will be digging in the footings for the bridge, as well as the tread for the relocated trail. If things work out, we may be able to rig and move the bridge that afternoon. Please let Dick Evans know if you can make it. Contact "dick.evans (at) frontier.com" so we know how many hot dogs to buy!

Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Starr Mtn Horse Trails - The work trip will be on Starr Mountain at the Yellow Creek trail (No. 123). Meet either at Tazz Reid’s home at 0800 or at the trail head at 0830. To get to the trailhead from Tellico Plains, take Hwy 39, then 315 south toward Reliance. Travel south on 315 about 7.2 miles to Forest Road 44 and Bullet Creek Road. Follow FS44 to the top of the mountain where trail signs will be evident for the Yellow Creek Trail #123.

Thursday, May 16, 2013 - Henderson Mtn Trail - We will be working the Henderson Mt. trail this Thursday. We will be coming in from the top and hiking in a ways to dig in about 150’ of side hill tread. We will also be clearing any blow downs along the way. (this is not a wilderness area).

Saturday, May 18, 2013 - Sycamore Creek section of BMT Section 17a-b - The trail will be brushed out and blow downs removed. Certified sawyers are especially urged to come and join Rick as he and Brenda noted many blow downs on their recent walk-thru of the trail. Meet at 9:00 a.m. behind the Cherohala Skyway Visitor's Center. We will break up into 2 sections. One group will be shuttled to the top of the trail and the other group will start from the Pheasant Fields Picnic area. Bring a daypack to carry your water and food. Also bring work gloves and appropriate tools if you have them. Hard hats and swingblades will be provided. Afterwards we will enjoy a meal and music at the Tellico Outpost Pavillion. Please contact Pam Mathews @ pamelahallmathews@yahoo.com or 423-519-2111 if you are available to help.

Thursday, May 23, 2013 - Henderson Mtn Trail - We will brush and log out the entire trail this Thursday. We will be starting from both the lower and upper ends of the trail. We completed tread work on the two sections most in need last week…thanks for your help!

June

Saturday, June 1 - Trails Day Project - Reconstruction of the John Muir Trail (Coker Creek to TN68) -

Vols,

Some of you have already been contacted by Jeff Hunter of Tennessee Wild so please accept my apology for the duplication, in advance. Jeff Hunter is working with the Ocoee-Hiwassee District to hold a National Trails Event on our District this year. As I have been working on tread restoration of the John Muir Trail, he has agreed to support my efforts to repair and revitalize this trail since it is a National Recreation Trail and it has a direct historic connection to the famous naturalist, John Muir. We are recruiting people who are willing to do reconstruction work; basically use of pulaskis to dig and rakes to level and smooth tread. We also need a cadre of experienced trail construction leaders to help provide guidance for new volunteers. Truly, it will be very hard to be successful without experienced trail maintainers to provide support to new maintenance crewmembers. Meet at 9 AM at the campsite down by the Hiwassee River and Coker Creek at 9 AM. See Meetup page for map (http://www.meetup.com/Cherokee-Hiking-Club-of-Southeast-Tennessee/events/107712802/) or at the Ocoee-Hiwassee Ranger Station (8 AM). Also, for those vols who want to participate but don’t do reconstruction work, we could still use some support doing some clearing/brushing work from the Hwy 68 side. What I need from everyone is idea of who wants to participate and what category of work they would like to perform (reconstruction or brushing/clearing). I need to get an idea of how many people will help out in order to have enough tools, safety gear, water, etc for the day.

Please contact Jeff Hunter at the following: C - 423-322-7866
jeff@wildsouth.org
http://tnwild.org/
https://twitter.com/#!/Tennessee_Wild
http://www.facebook.com/TennesseeWild
http://www.meetup.com/Tennessee-Wild/

or

Steve Biatowas @ sbiatowas@fs.fed.us or (423)338-3328 M-TH 0700-1730

Thanks for your support. Hope to see you out on the trails.

Steve

Thursday, June 6, 2013 - Unicoi Turnpike Trail - This Thursday we will be brushing and logging out the Unicoi Turnpike trail (116). Since this is a trail listed as a destination spot on the Forest Adventure Map, we need to pay it a visit. This Thursday is also the safety meeting so we will get a little later start.

Thursday, June 13, 2013 - Dam Creek Campground - The plan is to work on cleaning up Dam Creek Camp Ground to assist the U.S. Army Recruiting Command-who has “adopted” this site for its CCC historic value. We will need weed eaters, loppers and possibly chain saws. Sites will be “rehabbed” if necessary. Meet as usual at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8 AM.

Thursday, June 20, 2013 - Indian Boundary Trail - We will be working on the Indian Boundary trail this Thursday. With the summer vacation season ramping up, we need to make sure the trail around the lake is in good shape. There have been reports of low hanging branches so we will need loppers and a couple of chain saws in the event there are trees down or large low hanging branches over head. We will also need to do some tread work due to all the rain. See you all then and thank you!

Saturday, June 22, 2013 - TN/NC BMTA Maintenance Trip - BMT Section 13d - Tennessee/North Carolina Trail Maintenance Work Day:

This work trip will take place on Section 13d clearing blow downs and seasonal brush. The section is 2.6 miles long running between Towee Creek and Wildcat Creek near the Hiawassee River. Plan to meet up at the Towee Creek Picnic Area at 9 AM. A National Forest Parking Pass or $5.00 parking fee is required so carpooling is encouraged.
http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=35.194599,-84.449984&hl=en&sll=35.192784,-84.451218&sspn=0.00555,0.011362&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=17&t=m&z=17
Certified sawyers are needed to clear the reported 20 blow downs on this section and we will need swampers to assist each sawyer.
What to bring: Work gloves, hard hats, day pack with water, food, and seasonal clothing. There is no water along most of this section, so 2 liters of water minimum is recommended. Snips and loppers are always good this time of year for those growing spring plants – so if you have some available, please bring them. This is not wilderness area, so power tools can be used.
If we get enough help, then we will have some workers start from the Wildcat Creek end and work up from that side. The distance from the Powerhouse parking to the Wildcat Creek end is only about 0.7 miles of mostly flat walking. After the trip, we may gather at Reliance Fly and Tackle for a meal. The Tackle Burgers are pretty good.
If you can come, please let us know in advance, although people unscheduled showing up at the last minute are always welcome. Point of contact is Ernest Engman at sgtrock AT hikinghq.net, or 865-380-9107 (H) and 865-924-5992 (C).

REPORT: Members of the BMTA performed trail maintenance on section 13d between Towee Creek and Wildcat Creek. We sawed out 15 blow downs and brushed out about 1.3 miles of trail. We did not complete the entire section as we ran out of chainsaw fuel during the day. There are about 5 blow downs left to be removed. There is also one very large blow down (about 36” diameter) about 0.5 miles from the parking area that we notched out to make a step over, but will probably want to clear after the tree has dried out some. The wood was still very wet and hard to cut through, and I only had an 18” bar available. 

Name	Travel Hours	Work Hours	Totals
Bill Lundin	3	7	10
Joe Pyle	4	7	11
Shawn Basil	1	5	6
William Engman	4	7	11
Ernest Engman	4	7	11
Totals	16	33	49

Thursday, June 27, 2013 - Little Citico Creek Horse Trails - The plan is to meet at the Young Branch Horse Camp Day Use Parking Area around 8:00 am. We know of one chainsaw tree on #2 between the two intersections with #3.  We also know of one tree about 200 yards up the trail on #1 from the Horse Camp.  (about 18" stepover--OK going up, not OK going downhill).  Also, along the creek on #3 and #4 needs brushing out with swing blades or weedeaters. 60% rain chance.  There is NO cell service in that area.  Radios are best communication.

July

Thursday, July 11, 2013 - Indian Boundary Trail - There will be a breakfast safety meeting this Thursday morning.  After the meeting, at the request of the district wildlife personnel, we will be back at Indian Boundary clearing (brushing and litter removal) from the various “fishing points” that jut out into the lake.  These are all accessed from the trail around the lake.

Saturday, July 13, 2013 - Benton MacKaye Work Trip - Whigg Meadow Area

At nearly a mile up in the sky it won't be so hot. So come join us to brush and log out the Benton MacKaye Trail from Whigg Meadow (5000') to the North River Road crossing. With all the rain we have had this spring and early summer, the vegetation is luxurious, unfortunately. And the winter storms brought down many trees. Last month we planned to do the whole section from Beech Gap to Whigg Meadow but only got to North River Road because of all the work needed and the arrival of a major thunderstorm about 1 PM.

So we need chain saws and especially brush cutters (gas powered and regular old muscle powered swing blades) as well as loppers and clippers. Bring your hard hat, gloves, and eye protection, if you have them. If not, we will provide you with what you need. Also, bring snake gaiters if you happen to have them.

Let me know if you plan to join us through Meetup or Facebook or my email address, Rick Harris, HarrisRi@aol.com, or give me a call at 423-253-6358 or 513-260-1184. Be sure to bring plenty of water and your lunch. Afterwards we plan to refresh ourselves at the Outpost in Tellico Plains with wood fired oven baked pizza and great liver music, starting at 6 PM.

We will plan on meeting at 9:15 AM behind the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center in Tellico Plains or at 10 AM at the Mud Gap Trailhead Parking Area on the Cherohala Skyway on the North Carolina side about mile 3. From there we will send crews to Whigg Meadow or the North River Road crossing, working back toward the Mud Gap parking area.

Thursday, July 18, 2013 - Little Citico Horse Trails - The trail crew will be finishing work begun previously on horse trail #4.

Thursday, July 25, 2013 - Conasauga Falls Trail - We will be clearing this trail of blowdowns and brushing it out. Meet at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8 AM.

August

Thursday, August 1, 2013 - Bald River Trail - At 8 AM at the Tellico Ranger Station there will be the monthly safety meeting. Then afterwards we will go to work on the Bald River Trail. There are reports of a few trees down on the trail and undoubtedly the trail needs brushing out with all the spring and summer rains.

Thursday, August 8, 2013 - Starr Mtn Horse Trails - Go to http://www.meetup.com/Cherokee-Hiking-Club-of-Southeast-Tennessee/events/133344132/?a=co1.1_grp&rv=co1.1 for information on this work trip. We will be logging out horse trails on Starr Mtn.

Friday, August 9, 2013 - BMTA Work Trip - Dig new trail near Beech Gap Section 17d - We have now moved the bridge over the "Grand Canyon" on the Benton MacKaye Trail to a stable position between Beech Gap and the Unicoi Crest Overlook along the Cherohala Skyway. It is now 50 feet or so downhill from the old position. We now need to dig about a tenth of a mile of new sidehill tread to access the new bridge. So we will need people to work with pulaskis, hoes, and picks as well as fire rakes, McLeods, loppers and chain saws. Meet us at the Unicoi Crest Overlook on the Skyway, which is about 0.25 miles into North Carolina from the TN/NC state line, at 9 AM. If you arrive late, just hike north on the BMT toward Beech Gap and you will find us. It is only a short hike into where we will be doing the work. Lunch will be provided by the BMTA. It does not matter what your level of experience is, we can use you. And you can learn how new trail is built and how much effort it takes to make good trail. Bring gloves, helmet, eye protection if you have them and wear long pants. Bring plenty of water as well. And insect repellent and suntan lotion might be good to have. If you have questions, contact Rick Harris at 423-253-6358 (home) or 513-260-1184 (cell) or HarrisRi@aol.com.

Thursday, August 15, 2013 - Conasauga Falls Trail - We will be doing some tread work on the Conasauga Falls trail this week.  Bring hand saws and pulaskis.  Thanks!

Thursday, August 22, 2013 - Starr Mtn Horse Trails - The Tellico Trail Crew will meet at Tazz's house at 8:00 on Thursday the 22nd of August. Our plans are to reconstruct the horse bridge on Burkett Ivin's Trail. A big poplar tree recently crashed through the railing. This should be a short job, and afterwards if we have time we will brush out a big blackberry patch that has overtaken the trail on Hogback Ridge Trail (at the end of the part we can drive to, and may require a little log out). Tazz will bring the chainsaw and sling-blade for this small job. Tazz will also bring a couple of hammers and tape measure for the bridge job (we can cut boards with the chainsaw). To sign up and for a map to Tazz's house, go to http://www.meetup.com/Cherokee-Hiking-Club-of-Southeast-Tennessee/events/135830702/

Thursday, August 29, 2013 - Warriors Passage Trail - We will be working on Warriors Passage this week.  There are reported trees down on all 3 sections.  Section 1:  4 blow downs  Section 2: 1 blow down  Section 3: 2 blow downs…1 at the entrance (Wildcat Road) one after crossing the creek.  All sections need some brushing out.  See you all  on Thursday!

September

Thursday, Sept 5, 2013 - Tellico Weekly Work Trip - Little Citico Horse Trails - There will be a safety meeting this Thursday (Bring your favorite dish).  After the meeting we will be getting a couple of trees down on Tavern Branch then head over to horse trail #2 to get some trees there.  Have a great rest of the week.

Thursday, Sept 12, 2013 - Weekly Thursday Tellico Work Trip - Remove Rock Dams from Citico Creek - 8 AM - 3 PM, Tellico Ranger Station - This is an annual very fun work trip. We help the fish and wildlife people in removing the rock dams built at all the dispersed campsites along Citico Creek put there by kids over the summer. Removing them helps the endangered fish spawn. It is fun because we all get very wet and get to throw thousands of rocks. So come join us for this annual wet experience. We will meet at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8 AM. Sign up by going to our Meetup page http://www.meetup.com/Cherokee-Hiking-Club-of-Southeast-Tennessee/events/139302502/
 

Saturday, September 14, 2013 - SABCH Work Trip - Starr Mtn Horse Trails - Chestnut Mtn Trail

SABCH (Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen) plans to celebrate Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 14 working on the Chestnut Mountain Trail.

The PLAN is to start at 9:00 AM at the Iron Gap Parking Area for the safety meeting and instruction on how to construct water turnouts on this Wilderness trail. For those who are not familiar with the area this is the parking area, take TN 315 north of Reliance to Bullet Creek Road, about a half mile north of the Polk/Monroe County Line. Turn left and follow this road until it turns into FS 44, maybe 2 miles from TN 315. Follow FS 44 for about 6 miles to the top of Starr Moutain, then it turns sharply left to start heading back down the mountain. Iron Gap is another couple of miles or so past this sharp left turn.

For people who don't know exactly how to get to the Iron Gap Parking area by car, we will meet at 8:00 AM at the Lost Corral Day Use Area and convoy over (go to Hiwassee Ocoee State Park office off US 411 just north of Hiwassee River crossing, then continue on down the road and follow the signs).

As per the last meeting, a hamburger lunch will be served to all who participate. To reserve your burger, call me at 423-337-6194 landline and leave message. The UT/Oregon away game does not start until 3:30. You should be home in time to hear/watch the kickoff.

Alternate Rain Date is September 28, 2013. Same logistics. UT plays South Alabama at home--no time scheduled yet. Please bring your own people water, riding or construction helmet, gloves. Hand tools provided. --Joanne Mitchell (865) 250-1645 cell but cell phone service is iffy at Iron Gap. (423) 337-6194 landline--best place to leave message

Thursday, September 19, 2013 - SABCH Work Trip - Sylco Horse Trail

October

October 24 - Bald River Trail - With the gov’t shutdown for 16 days and the start of a new fiscal year, we will be starting the trail maintenance cycle fresh this Thursday.  We will work the Bald River Falls trail, a key trail on the Adventure Map. Meet at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8 AM.

October 31 - Bald River and Cows Camp Trails - We will go back in to finish the back side (Bald River side) of the Cow Camp trail then head upstream to finish brushing out about a mile section of the Bald River Gorge trail.  Those sections need brushing out BAD!

November

November 7 - Sawyer Refresher - There is no trail workday this Thursday.  There is a chainsaw/crosscut saw REFRESHER for all those holding current FS sawyer cards.  This is not a course for certifying for a sawyer card…only a refresher.  There is also NO breakfast prior to the refresher. Meet at the Tellico Ranger Station at 8 AM.

November 14 - Unicoi Gap Trail #117 - We will be working on the Unicoi Gap trail (117) this Thursday.  There is a lot of tread work that needs to be done.  Make sure and dress warmly as it is supposed to be COLD!

November 21 - Unicoi Gap Trail #117 - We will be back out on trail  117/Benton MacKaye this Thursday to do tread work.  There is a LOT of tread widening that needs to be done.  The plan is to approach the trail from both the Doc Roger’s area and from Unicoi Gap.

December