We are rehabilitating the Appalachian Trail on the West side of Black Mountain. In 2016 we did a lot of work rehabilitating the Appalachian Trail on the east side of Black Mountain. (see album #54). In June of 2018 we started working on the West side and by December we had almost made it to the summit. (photos start in album #72) Now it’s 2019 and we are back on the West side of Black Mt. to finish this project. With good weather we hope to be finished here after 3 crew weekends.
This was mostly a great weather weekend. On Friday our crew, with help from the NY Parks Department, moved our tools (about 2000 lb.) up to our worksite. The parks Dept., using an ATV, transported our tools from the parking lot, up an old woods to where the Appalachian Trail crosses, about 1.2 miles. From there our crew hand carried the tools the rest of the way, about .8 mile to the worksite.
Being our first crew outing everything had to be setup and we are using two high-lines so that took some time. This final section is really in two parts. Part one, Russ and a few crew members will be working on a steep and rugged section, Part 1b a little further up hill needing about 6 big steps and Part 2 is about 1/4 mile further up the mountain and almost to the summit. There we will be eliminating a dangerous rock scramble.
Friday and Saturday were nice and we accomplished a lot but Sunday was a different story. Sunday promised to be cold and wet and it delivered. With the weather so nasty the crew called it an early day and returned to the parking lot by 12:30pm
With that said we still had a great weekend and are looking forward to our next outing. Nice work everyone. Thank you all.
The Appalachian Trail is always changing and evolving. All along the A.T., work crews, like LDTC constantly relocate and rehabilitate portions of the trail to protect nature and to enhance the Appalachian Trail hiking experience.
All of our projects take a lot of effort and as always, all done by volunteers. Our experience crew and crew leaders are eager to teach volunteers of all abilities the skills needed to build hiking trails.
Speaking of volunteers, not everyone can make it everyday and that’s OK with us. Some volunteers come out everyday while others can only make it to 1 or 2. Don’t feel that you have to commit to an entire project or even a weekend, any help is appreciated and being a volunteer you can come and go as you see fit.
We're a community of volunteers who build, protect and maintain hiking trails. We invite you to join us. You’ll be glad you did.
