Benton MacKaye Trail Assn. - Activities Calendar

Benton MacKaye
Trail Assn.

BMTA Activities Calendar

"...leaving a footpath for generations to follow."

Overview

Listed below are the scheduled activities of the BMTA for 2012. Work trips will be held on the second Saturday of the month in Georgia and on the fourth Saturday in Tennessee/North Carolina. Recreational outings (Fun Hikes) are planned on other weekends to avoid scheduling conflicts with work trips and are set up as hike leaders become available. Videos of previous hikes can be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/BentonMacKayeTrail.

Benton MacKaye Trail Assn. 2012 Calendar at a Glance:

BMTA 2012 Calendar

Last Updated January 26, 2012

All Are Welcome

The BMTA welcomes all who would like to participate in any scheduled activity. Members and non-members alike are encouraged to join in; no experience is necessary.

Notes

Be sure to confirm event details with the activity leader in advance.
Worktrips: What to expect, what to wear, what to bring.
Be sure to check in with the activity leader right before the activity to see about event cancellations due to personal, weather, or logistical problems.
If you would be interested in leading, or learning how to lead an activity, please contact us.
Hike Leaders: A copy of the Waiver and Release form can be found here.
You can join Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest Trail Maintenance Trips on Facebook.

Recurring Monthly Events

2nd Saturday - Georgia Work Trips - coordinated by Tom Keene
3rd Saturday - Fun Public Hike - coordinated by the Hiking Director
4th Saturday - Tennessee/North Carolina Work Trips - coordinated by Rick Harris

Planned Activities for 2012
Month	Date	Location & Details
January	January 14	Georgia Work Trip: We will work on Section 7b (Hwy 515 to the Shelter) refreshing, side-hilling and cribbing several places in the Sisson Property. This work-site allows us to avoid early morning driving on back roads during January, aka Black Ice Month. We meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:30AM (note the later start) or at the Sisson Pavilion at 9:15AM. After the trip, for those who wish, Jane Keene’s (semi-legendary) Hearty Vegetable Chowder will be served at the Keene’s cabin, near our worksite. We will carpool up from the Sisson Pavilion. Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-548-4935.
	January 21	Board of Directors Meeting: The first Board Meeting of the New Year will take place at the home of Ralph and Marge Heller in Cherry Log, GA. Meeting starts at 9:00 AM and is open to any interested members of the BMTA. Since the Hellers live in a gated community, you will need access information, so if you would like to attend, please email "President AT bmta DOT org" and we will get you those details. Come and be part of your Association!
	January 28	TN/NC Work Trip: Still a long time off, so watch for an email with details later or check this page closer to the event.
February	February 11	Georgia Work Trip: We will work west (trail-north) from McKenny Gap to Hatley Gap, on beautiful, isolated Section Eight. The stretch we will be working is one of the prettiest winter sections in Georgia. Don’t miss it. We will refresh some side-hilling, maybe do a little cribbing and install some waterbars. We meet for breakfast at the L&A Corner (store & restaurant) across from the Pink Pig in Cherrylog at 8AM. Or meet at the Bush Head Gap trailhead at 9:15 AM. Trip leader is Tom Keene – 770-548-4935.
	February 24	Federal Land Managers Meeting: This is an annual meeting with our US Forest Service and National Park Service partners to discuss regional and trail-wide issues. This year, we are having it in the Cherry Log area, exact location is weather dependent. Watch for exact details in next month's Email.We will work west (trail-north) from McKenny Gap to Hatley Gap, on beautiful, isolated Section Eight. The stretch we will be working is one of the prettiest winter sections in Georgia. Don’t miss it. We will refresh some side-hilling, maybe do a little cribbing and install some waterbars. We meet for breakfast at the L&A Corner (store&restaurant) across from the Pink Pig in Cherrylog at 8AM. Or meet at the Bush Head Gap trailhead at 9:15 AM. Trip leader is Tom Keene – 770-548-4935. Invitations will go out to our partners at the beginning of January.
	February 25	TN/NC Work Trip:
March	March 10	DATE CHANGE - Training for Maintaining Session: This will be an all-day training session for section maintainers and those who hope to be! This will take place at the Ocoee Whitewater Center on Route 64 in Ocoee, starting at 9:00 AM. We will cover trail standards, first aid, tools, safety, etc. Lunch will be served. We only have space for about 50 folks, so email "President AT bmta DOT org" to reserve your space now!
	March 31	Annual Walk Thru: Once a year, we try to have each section of the trail (not including the Smokies) evaluated by hikers to determine future maintenance and clearing needs for the season. We need volunteers to hike a section they do not normally maintain so that we get a fresh set of eyes on the trail. We normally try to get together after the hikes to compare notes and eat. Details can be found on the Annual Walk-Thru page.

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