Benton MacKaye
Trail Assn.
2006 Activities Calendar
"...leaving a footpath for generations to follow."
|
Benton MacKaye |
2006 Activities Calendar "...leaving a footpath for generations to follow." |
Convention for Scheduling Work trips
The BMT route was first opened from end-to-end in 2005. Before this time, regular monthly work trips were scheduled only south of US Hwy 64 (mostly in Georgia) on the second Saturday of each month. But starting in 2005, second Saturdays were used for work trips in Tennessee/North Carolina and Georgia work trips were moved to fourth Saturdays.A History of Openness
The BMTA has always welcomed everyone on every activity.
| The Year 2006 Events | ||
| Month | Date | Location & Details |
| January | January 14 | Tennessee Work Trip: Location and other details to be announced but make plans now to work off some of that holiday feasting on the trail! For an update, call Bill Ristom at 423-476-2945. |
| January 28 | Georgia Work Trip: On the Falls Branch section (Section Six). We will refresh some side-hilling, install some new water diversions and clean old ones. Meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the Falls Branch Trailhead off Stanley Gap Road at 9:15 AM. Trip leaders are Doug Kleiber 706-369-6655, and Walt Cook, 706-549-5979. | |
| February | February 11 | Tennessee/North Carolina Work Trip: Due to expected blizzard-like conditions on the state line, this work trip is being cancelled. Please watch for a rescheduled trip to this section. |
| February 25 | Georgia Work Trip: On beautiful, isolated Section Eight, between McKenny Gap and Hatley Gap. We will refresh side-hilling, install new water diversions and clean old ones. Meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the Bush Head Gap trailhead at 9:15 AM, from which we will carpool in to the parking area beyond Hudson Gap. Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-422-4838 (or, Friday night only, 770-722-6016). | |
| March | March 18 | Tennessee Work Trip: Special 3rd Saturday. The Sycamore Creek Trail (on Bald River Rd. above Tellico Plains, TN) is on an old railroad bed. While this makes for an easy grade and the trail does climb one of the prettiest hollers in this part of the country, the treadway needs a lot of help to make it comfortable walking for hikers. Meet at the Hardees in Tellico Plains at 8:30 AM to eat (if hungry); leaving from the parking lot of the Charles Hall Museum right around the corner (next to the Cherohala Visitor's Center) at 9:00. (Cars can be left in back of the museum.) Starting work from Pheasant Fields Picnic Area about 9:30 AM. Please contact one of the trip leaders if planning to go, especialy for carpool arrangements; Kent and Pam Mathews, (865) 945-2758. (Or Bill Ristom, (423) 476-2945. |
| March 18 | Fun Hike in Tennessee: Sugar Mountain on the BMT. We will be hiking on a 4-mile section (8 miles round trip) starting at the Fish Hatchery on the Tellico River. This section climbs a spur ridge of Sugar Mountain (1400' elevation in 2.4 miles), then descends to the Bald River (700' elevation in 1.5 miles). There should be nice leaves-off views of the surrounding mountains from near the top of Sugar Mountain. Meet at the BiLo Parking Lot in Etowah; leaving there at 8 am. Trip leader is Ken Jones, 423-745-2451. | |
| March 25 | Georgia Work Trip: On Section Two. We will work just south of the Toccoa River suspension bridge replacing steps and refreshing water diversions. Meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the trailhead, GA Hwy 60 and Little Skeenah Creek, at 9:30 AM. Trip leaders are George Owen (706-374-4716) and Tom Keene (770-422-4838). | |
| April | April 14-16 | Fun Hike in the Smokies: On the Lakeshore Trail, which runs along the northern shore of Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we'll backpack 25 to 35 miles, depending on final route selection. This is a fairly easy trail segment of the BMT with good views all along its length. Due to Park restrictions on group size, participants must pre-register with trip leader, Dick Evans, 828-479-2503, prior to the trip. |
| April 22 | Annual Walk-Thru: The new spring date (Earth Day) will allow hikers to enjoy the wildflowers while helping us take a snapshot of the BMT on a single day. By volunteering to walk a section, you're helping us prepare the trail for the peak hiking season. Information gathered will be used to direct work on the trail. Unable to hike? Shuttle drivers are needed and are a big help. Please contact Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, for trail in Georgia and Bill Ristom, 423-476-2945, for BMT in North Carolina and Tennessee. Or Contact Us. (No activity is planned in the Smokies as the NPS looks after all trails there.) Those not too particular about which section they walk can have a section assigned as preferred - two hikers per section for safety. Georgia people will gather at the Pink Pig in Cherry Log afterwards. NC and TN folks will meet by arrangement. | |
| April 26 - 28 | Three-Day Camping Work Trip in the Citico Wilderness: Help is needed to brush out the Big Stack Gap Branch Trail (BSGBT), which descends from the BMT/Fodderstack Trail on the high ridge down to Slickrock Creek, the state line and a little beyond. (The BMTA has assumed responsibility for maintenance of this side trail as part of an agreement with the Tellico Ranger District.) BMTA volunteers working with the Forest Service have logged out all the blowdowns; now the trail corridor needs to be opened. Hiking in from Farr Gap on Wednesday morning, we'll set camp near the Crowder place, the upper end of BSGBT. Break camp and hike out on Friday. Call for meeting and/or carpool arrangements; Ken Jones, 423-745-2451. | |
| May | May 6 | Smoky Mountains National Park Work Trip: We'll take boats across Fontana Lake to clean campsites along the Lakeshore Trail section of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Great chance to see Fontana Lake and help with trail maintenance. No experience needed and it is easy work! Because boat capacity is limited, participants must contact Trip Leader prior to the event, Dick Evans, 828-479-2503. |
| May 7 | Fun Hike in the Smokies: After a day of cleaning up campsites (if you were lucky enough to go), what better than a nice climb up Shuckstack Mountain from near Twentymile Ranger Station in the Smokies. Ten mile round trip with a 2,000 foot elevation gain routed partly on this popular section of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Walking is fairly easy and wildlife abounds in the area. Meet at Twentymile Ranger Station at 9:00 AM and be ready. For more information, contact leader, Dick Evans, 828-479-2503. | |
| May 20 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: This Tapoco (Locals say "teh-PO-keh") section of the BMT follows the old Appalachian Trail route with many great views south to the Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness. We'll trim brush, repaint blazes, and clear some blow-downs. Meet at the upper parking lot of Cheoah Dam on Route 129 at Tapoco, north of Robbinsville, NC at 9:00 AM. Trip leader is Dick Evans, 828-479-2503. | |
| May 20 | Georgia Work Trip: (Special Third Saturday edition to avoid conflict with Memorial Day weekend) On Section One. We will do water diversions and perhaps refresh some side-hilling. We meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM. Or meet at Big Stamp Gap (where the BMT crosses FS 42 about half a mile east of the Springer Mt./AT parking lot) at 9:30 AM. Trip leader is David Blount, 770-805-0920. | |
| June | June 3 | National Trails Day: Several options to choose from; dayhike, trail maintenance work trip, and/or overnight carcamp with more the next day. Meet at Cherohala Skyway Visitors Center in Tellico Plains, TN at 9 AM. From there, dayhikers will head out to Unicoi Gap for a walk on the Unicoi Turnpike Trail and part of section 14. Workers and campers will go the other direction, to Warden Fields (a free but primitive campground) near the Citico Creek Wilderness. Trail maintainers will begin working right from camp, on the Rocky Flats Trail. This, of course, makes it convenient to camp upon return from the day's work. Join us around the campfire, or for any of these activities. For more information, contact Ken Jones, 423-745-2451. |
| June 17 | Tennessee/North Carolina Work Trip: Whether you call it 'The Final Frontier', the bmT (T for 'Twilight Zone'), or simply 'the state line', sections 15-16b comprise the most challenging stretch of trail to keep open in summer. Please come out and help us clear this part of the trail. A partial reschedule of the February work trip, which was snowed out. Watch here for announcement of firm meeting arrangements. Contact either Steve Cartwright, 423-745-5254, or Bill Ristom, 423-476-2945. | |
| June 24 | Georgia Work Trip: On Section 5, from Wilscot Gap. We will cut brambles in the Ledford Gap area and repair steps on Brawley Mountain. Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM; or meet at 9:15 AM at Wilscot Gap. Trip leader is George Owen, 706-897-3366. | |
| July | July 8 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: Escape to the cooler temperatures at the higher elevations on the state line as we return to section 15 this month. Day trip or overnight carcamp and/or backpack are possible. For information, contact Steve Cartwright, 423-745-5254. |
| July 15 | Fun Hike in Tennessee: On the Bald River Trail, this walk will be an out-and-back starting at the spectacular Bald River Falls and paralleling the Bald River for 4.8 miles upstream, then return. Mostly easy because much of the trail is on an old railroad bed. Numerous smaller waterfalls and cascades visible from the trail as you hike along. Group size is limited to 10 people due to Wilderness restrictions so call early to reserve your place. Leader: Ken Jones, 423-745-2451. | |
| July 22 | Georgia Work Trip: On beautiful Section 8. We will mostly battle mid-summer brambles, perhaps breaking into separate crews. We meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the Bushy Head Gap trailhead at 9:15 AM. Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, email, or 770-722-6016 the night before. | |
| August | August 6 | Fun Hike in Georgia: In the Cohuttas, from Rice Camp to the Jacks River Trail (with a dozen refreshing river crossings), then out on the Horseshoe Bend Trail, this easy-to-moderate 9.5 mile dayhike is perfect for mid-summer in the always-cooler Cohutta Wilderness. Joint outing with GATC. Leader: Rich Bowerman, 404-680-0211. |
| August 12 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: The state line is still most in need of brushing so we'll head back up there for the third month in a row. If on 15c, we'll drive to the top of Waucheesi Mt. and work north from Sixmile Gap. For 16a, we'll head to Sandy Gap and work north from there. Leader: Bill Ristom, 423-476-2945. | |
| August 26 | Georgia Work Trip: On Section Three. We will work from Little Skeenah Creek toward Licklog Mt., clearing growth and blow-downs. If Forest Service clearance comes though, we may begin work on the Walallah Mt. reroute. Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the trailhead, GA Hwy 60 and Little Skeenah Creek, at 9:15 AM. Trip leaders are George Owen, 706-374-4716 and Tom Keene, 770-422-4838. | |
| August 26 | Fun Hike in Georgia: Get ready to swim (or at least splash around in) the Jacks River. This second hike in Rich Bowerman's/GATC's Cohutta series is a great one for summertime. We'll go down the Horsebend Trail to the Jacks River Trail, then hike/swim out to the western end of the Jacks, an easy 7 mile dayhike. Several fords (9?) will assure you get cooled off. Joint outing with GATC. Leader: Rich Bowerman, 404-680-0211. | |
| September | September 3 | Fun Hike in Georgia: Join us for this last hot-weather dayhike/river splash, the Tour de Conasauga. We'll head in on the Hickory Creek Trail, then out on the Conasauga River Trail (downstream) with 18 crossings. 9.3 miles total, rated easy/moderate. Joint outing with GATC. Leader: Rich Bowerman, 404-680-0211. |
| September 9 | Tennessee/North Carolina Work Trip: This lush and beautiful section is like a walk in the Smokies. We'll follow first the Bald River upstream, then Brookshire Creek. Brush is generally light, but there are a few dense patches that need to be cleared out, some Rhodo overgrowth also. Hand tools only in this Wilderness Study Area. Contact trip leader, Ken Jones, 423-745-2451 for details and meeting arrangements. | |
| Sept. 18 - 20 | Three-Day Camping / Work Trip in the Citico Wilderness: The views from the upper Big Stack Gap Branch Trail (BSGBT) rival those from the Hangover. When the reopening of this BMT lateral is complete, hikers will rediscover a lost gem. This second, three-day outing is your opportunity to help make it happen. (See April 26-28 trip, below.) Nearly a mile remains to be brushed out in order to finish the work. Plans are to hike in from Farr Gap on Monday morning and set camp near the old Crowder place, work over the three days, then break camp on Wednesday and hike out. Call Ken Jones for details, 423-745-2451. | |
| September 23 | Georgia Work Trip: On Section One. We will work from the Springer Mountain parking lot to clear summer growth from the north end of Section One, through to Three Forks. If we have enough help, we may also tackle some problem areas on Section Two near Owens Gap. Bring your weedeaters. Meet at the Waffle King in East Ellijay at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the Springer parking lot off FS 42 at 9:30AM. Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, or, the night before only, 770-722-6016. | |
| September 30 | Fun Hike in the Cohuttas: Starting at Dally Gap, we'll take the Jacks River Trail downstream to intersect Penitentiary Branch, which we'll follow up to the Hemp Top Trail and back around on the BMT to close the loop. This 13 mile backpack is rated easy-to-moderate, with 18 river fords along the way. Joint outing with GATC. Leader: Rich Bowerman, 404-680-0211. | |
| October | October 14 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: On the Sycamore Creek Trail (off the Tellico River), we'll do some brush work from the second switchback on up to about a mile from the trailhead on top. Meet at the Visitors Center/Charles Hall Museum complex in Tellico Plains at 9:00 AM. Leaders are section maintainers Kent and Pam Mathews, 865-945-2758, or 865-567-0657. |
| October 24 | Fall Color Hike and Field Review of Brawley Mt. 'Warbler' Project: First, the US Forest Service will conduct a field meeting on the proposed Brawley Mountain Woodland Project. Alternatives being considered will be presented, then new issues can be submitted. This will be the final opportunity for public input before the Environmental Assessment (due for release early next year) is prepared. The meeting will be held in Wilscot Gap (on Georgia Highway 60) at 10:00 AM. All outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. There will be a fall color hike afterwards, to give folks a tour around this beautiful area. Leader is George Owen, 706-374-4716. | |
| October 28 | Georgia Work Trip: On beautiful, isolated Section Eight. We will finish a reroute started several years ago between Halloway Gap and Double Hogpen Gap. Some sidehilling, but more clearing and even blazing. Something for everyone! Meet at the Waffle King in East Ellijay at 8:00 AM. For trailhead meeting time and place, contact trip leader, Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, or, the night before only, 770-722-6016. | |
| November | November 4, 5 | Assorted Fun Hikes for Annual Meeting: Many in the Ocoee / Hiwassee area to choose from. (Final hike schedule will be posted at the Meeting.) |
| November 11 | NC/TN Work Trip: On section 19c (US Hwy 129 Bridge to Deals Gap, the Tapoco land), which follows the original AT route adjacent to the Smokies, we'll do as much work as there are workers. Needed are one or two to paint blazes and a few more for general maintenance, but most of all, at least four with weedeater/brushcutter in hand. Meet at 9:30 AM at the upper parking area of Cheoah Dam (across from the BMT entrance) on US 129. Leader is Dick Evans, 828-479-2503 or 828-479-3377. | |
| November 18 | Georgia Work Trip: (Held a week early to avoid Thanksgiving weekend.) We hope to begin the Great Wallalah-Licklog Reroute on Section Three. If not yet cleared for that by the Forest Service, we will clear brush from the trail east of Wilscot Gap. Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM. For trailhead meeting time and place, contact the trip leader, Tom Keene, 770-422-4838 (or, the night before only, 770-722-6016). | |
| December | December 2 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: If all goes as planned, we'll finish brushing out the whole of section 15, from Unicoi Gap to Sandy Gap, for the first time since the trail was opened. This trip will focus on section 15c, from Sixmile to Sandy Gaps. Possible carpools from Georgia and North Carolina (call or email for info) with parking at either Sandy Gap or Waucheesi Knob. Leader is section maintainer Steve Cartwright, 423-745-5254. |
| December 10 | BMT/AT Origins Loop Hike: Come join us as we scale the heights of Springer Mountain to stand on the very origins of the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails. We’ll do this hike in a figure 8 (with one extra loop) and include a stop at the beautiful Long Creek Falls. The views should be very good from several places and tremendous from Springer Mountain. Joint outing with GATC. Please pre-register by calling Sandi Still at 404-248-9585. | |
| December 16 | Georgia Work Trip: (Held a week early to avoid the Christmas holiday.) Have you ever wanted to be able to claim that you actually constructed part of the Benton MacKaye Trail? This is your chance! On this third-Saturday (also Hanukkah) work trip, we'll begin the major relocation on section 3, at Wallalah Mountain. Join us for breakfast at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM, or at the GA Hwy 60 trailhead next to Little Skeenah Creek at 9:15. Those wishing to stay overnight either before or after this worktrip should contact the leader for free lodging nearby. Trip leader is George Owen, 706-374-4716 or cell 706-897-3366. | |
BMTA Home Contact Us Site Map Events Membership Info
All content copyright © 2003-2008 by Benton MacKaye Trail Association, Inc. All rights reserved.